Abstract Since bull fertility prediction remains challenging, the identification of potential fertility markers is important considering the economic benefits to the livestock industry. The main goal of this study was to determine the Na/K-ATPase activity and expression in thawed sperm of high (HF)- and low-fertility (LF) Angus bulls. Samples from three different batches/bulls with HF (n = 4) and LF (n = 4) were used. The Na/K-ATPase activity was determined after thawing, whereas sperm kinematics, membrane integrity, and expression of Na/K-ATPase on sperm surface were evaluated immediately post-thaw and after 120 minutes of incubation. Within the same incubation time, there was no difference on sperm membrane integrity, kinematics, and the expression of Na/K-ATPase on the sperm surface between HF and LF bulls. Kinematic parameters of LIN and VCL were not influenced by incubation time in samples from HF and LF, respectively. A tendency (P = 0.06) of higher Na/K-ATPase enzymatic activity for sperm of HF bulls compared to LF bulls was observed (0.49 ± 0.07 and 0.32 ± 0.06, respectively). In conclusion, Na/K-ATPase activity and expression in thawed sperm from Angus bulls are not related to the fertility index after fixed-time artificial insemination. However, sperm kinematics related to hyperactivation might indicate higher sperm cryotolerance for HF bulls.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of different concentrations of ozone to quarter horse semen submitted to cryopreservation. Six ejaculates from four stallions were collected and were divided in four experimental groups: a control group (BotuCRIO® extender) and three other groups with BotuCRIO® ozonized at concentrations of 6, 8 and 12 μg of O3/mL. The semen samples were diluted (200 x 106 spermatozoa/mL), filled in straws and frozen. After thawing (37 ºC, 30s), the samples were evaluated at 0, 30 and 60 minutes of incubation regarding sperm kinetics by a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), and plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosome integrity (ACi) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by fluorescent probes. There was a reduction in the kinetic parameters total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL) and average path velocity (VAP) in all groups during the thermoresistance test (TT), a pattern also found in PMI and MMP analyses (p<0.05). There was no difference (p>0.05) between the control and treatment (6, 8, and 12 μg of O3/mL) groups, in any of the evaluated times for the kinetic parameters TM, linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble index (WOB), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF). Regarding the VCL, VSL and VAP parameters, the group treated with 6 μg did not differ from the control or from 8 μg, but was higher than 12 μg at 30 and 60 minutes. ACi and PMI did not differ between groups (p>0.05), but PMI was lower in groups 8 μg and 12 μg compared to the control and 6 μg (p<0.05). It was concluded that the addition of ozone does not present beneficial effects for cryopreservation of equine semen at the concentrations used and decreases important parameters of fertility.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on the spermatic parameters of Wistar rats, submitted or not to testicular heat shock (HS). For this, 48 animals were treated according to the experimental groups (G1: not exposed to HS and untreated; G2: exposed to HS and untreated; G3: not exposed to HS and treated with GTE; G4: exposed to HS and treated with GTE). Subgroups of rats were euthanized on days 15, 30, and 60 to recover the spermatozoa. The total motility (TM), vigor, spermatic morphology and concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity (ACi) were analyzed. The TM was higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4 on day 30, and higher in G4 on day 60. The overall means of TM and vigor were higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4, as well as TM on day 60. For the morphology, G2 and G4 were lower than G1 and G3 on day 15, and G4 was lower than G1 and G3 on day 30. Moreover, in G1 and G3 morphology was higher on days 15 and 30, and in G4 it was lower on day 30, with the overall means being higher in G1 and G3 than in G2 and G4, as well as on days 15 and 60 compared to day 30. The overall mean of ACi, on day 30, was lower than on days 15 and 60 for all the groups. Therefore, HS is shown to be widely deleterious to the gametes, and the daily administration of 100 mg/kg green tea extract does not improve the spermatic parameters of Wistar rats, submitted or not to testicular HS, although it leads to better recovery of spermatic motility and morphology at 60 days.

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the need of seminal plasma removal for short-term cooling of buck semen in soybean lecithin (SL) based extender. Each pool was divided equally, and one half was subjected to centrifugation to remove seminal plasma (SP-), while the other half remained with seminal plasma (SP+). Then, both SP+ and SP- samples were diluted in two SL extenders (extender A = 1% SL; extender B = 2% SL), cooled to 5ºC and stored for 48 hours. The sperm kinetics, evaluated by CASA, and plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosomal integrity (ACI) and high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP), evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy, were determined within five minutes after reaching 5°C (T0), as well as after 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours of storage. Interactions (seminal plasma vs. extender vs. time;) were observed for all variables assessed. Total and progressive motility and other variables of sperm kinetics decreased after 24 hours of cooling in the SP+ group, and after 48 hours of storage, these same variables were lower in SP+/B compared to SP-/B groups. Furthermore, SP+ reduced PMI (extender B, T48), HMMP (A and B extenders, T48) and ACI (extender A, T0) compared to SP- samples. The interactions between seminal plasma and soybean lecithin phospholipids seemed to occur in a time-dependent manner. It was concluded that the removal of seminal plasma improves the quality of goat semen that was cooled in a soybean lecithin-based extender, especially when using 2% soybean lecithin.

<title>Resumo</title><p>Avaliou-se a taxa de produção de blastocisto <italic>"in vitro"</italic>utilizando-se o sêmen bovino sexado. Foram utilizados três reprodutores para verificar a variação individual do sêmen, taxas de clivagem e produção embrionária. O trabalho utilizou-se de biotécnicas reprodutivas, análise computadorizada do sêmen pós-descongelação e sondas fluorescentes para análises de integridade da célula espermática (membrana plasmática, membrana acrossomal e potencial mitocondrial). Um total de 959 oócitos passou por etapas de maturação <italic>in vitro,</italic> fertilização <italic>in vitro</italic> (sexado, n= 473; convencional, n = 486) e cultivo <italic>in vitro</italic>. A taxa de clivagem foi observada no D2 e a de blastocistos no D7. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa SPSS 16.0 empregando-se a análise de variância (ANOVA), sendo o teste t-Student usado para detectar diferenças entre os grupos e o Qui-quadrado para análise dos resultados da produção <italic>in vitro</italic>(P< 0,05). Os resultados diferiram entre o sêmen convencional (31,06%) e sexado (21,10%) para produção de blastocisto. Quando comparada a produção de blastocisto individualmente nas amostras de sêmen sexado (27,69%; 17,93% e 25,56%, touros 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente), percebeu-se que T2 < T1 e T1=T3 e T2=T3. Quanto às análises de cinética espermática, as amostras de sêmen sexado mostraram diferenças entre os touros nas variáveis velocidade curvilínea, velocidade linear e velocidade do trajeto em que o T1(117,7±1,6 µm/s; 60,0±0,3 µm/s; 73,6±0,4 µm/s, respectivamente) quando comparado aos touros T2 (80,2±2,3 µm/s; 47,0±2,0 µm/s; 57,7±0,9 µm/s, respectivamente) e T3 (86,4±5,7 µm/s; 46,2±2,7 µm/s; 53,8±2,8 µm/s, respectivamente) obteve valores mais elevados. As análises da integridade da célula espermática não diferiram entre as amostras de sêmen convencional, já no sêmen sexado a integridade de membrana foi a variável que diferiu estatisticamente entre os touros, em que o T1 (38 ±2,7) diferiu do T3(53,8± 1,8) (P=0,009), mas não divergiu do T2 (44,1±4,4). É possível concluir que o sêmen sexado foi menos eficiente na produção de blastocisto quando comparado ao sêmen convencional. As análises de cinética e de integridade foram compatíveis com o potencial fertilizante das amostras de sêmen em touros da raça 5/8 Girolando.</p>

<title>Abstract</title><p>We evaluated the "in <italic>vitro"</italic> blastocyst rate production using bovine sexed semen. Semen from three bulls was used to verify the individual's semen variation, cleavage rates and embryo production. In this study, we employed reproductive biotechnologies, computer analysis of post-thawed semen and fluorescent probes for sperm cells integrity analysis (plasma membrane, acrosome membrane and mitochondrial potential). A total of 959 oocysts went through in vitro maturation steps for in vitro fertilization and cultivation, being 473 with sexed semen and 486 with conventional semen. The cleavage rate was observed in blastocysts on D2 and D7. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student's t-test was used to detect differences between groups, and chi-square analysis for in vitro production results (P <0.05 ). The results differed between conventional (31.06%) and sexed semen (21.10%) in the obtainment of blastocyst. When the blastocyst production was individually compared in sexed semen samples (27.69%, 17.93% and 25.56%, bulls 1, 2 and 3, respectively) we verified T2 <T1 and T1 = T3 and T2 = T3. As for sperm kinetic analyzes, the sexed semen samples showed differences among bulls in curvilinear speed, linear speed and path velocity variables where T1 (117.7 ± 1.6 µm/s; 60.0 ± 0.3 µm/s, 73.6 ± 0.4 µm/s, respectively) showed the highest values when compared to T2 bulls (80.2 ± 2.3 µm/s, 47.0 ± 2.0 µm/s, 57.7 ± 0, 9 µm/s, respectively) and T3 (86.4 ± 5.7 µm/s, 46.2 ± 2.7 µm/s, 53.8 ± 2.8 µm/s, respectively). Analyses of sperm cell integrity did not differ among conventional semen samples, but in the sexed semen, membrane integrity was the variable that differ statistically among bulls once T1 (38 ± 2.7) differed from T3 (53 8 ± 1.8) (P = 0.009) but did not differ from T2 (44.1 ± 4.4). It is possible to conclude that sexed semen was less efficient in blastocyst production when compared with conventional semen. Analyses of kinetic and integrity were consistent with the fertilization potential of semen samples from 5/8 Girolando bulls.</p>

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da adição dos antioxidantes Trolox e Glutationa reduzida (GSH) na viabilidade in vitro de espermatozoides criopreservados de cães, amostras de sêmen foram colhidas de animais das raças Buldogue Francês (n=1), Basset Hound (n=2) e Rottweiler (n=1), por meio de manipulação digital. A seguir, procedeu-se à avaliação macroscópica e microscópica e divisão do volume de sêmen em alíquotas, de acordo com os experimentos e grupos experimentais, utilizando-se diferentes concentrações de Trolox (200 e 300 µM/L) ou GSH (2 e 5 µM/L). As amostras foram envasadas em palhetas (0,25 mL), criopreservadas em máquina de congelação e armazenadas em nitrogênio líquido. Após descongelação a 37 ºC (60 seg) e incubação durante 60 minutos, constatou-se que os resultados de motilidade, vigor e espermatozoides com acrossomas íntegros evidenciaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) apenas entre os tempos de incubação, nos três experimentos. No Exp. 2, a adição de 2 e 5 µM/L de GSH (G2 e G3) determinou maior (P<0,05) porcentual de células sem estresse oxidativo. Concluiu-se que GSH, nas concentrações de 2 e 5 µM/L, pode ser adicionada ao diluente de criopreservação do sêmen de cães.

In order to evaluate the effect of adding Trolox and Glutathione reduced antioxidants on the in vitro viability of dog cryopreserved sperm, semen samples were harvested from animals of French Bulldog (n=1), Basset Hound (n=2) and Rottweiler (n=1) breeds, through digital manipulation. After macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, the volume of semen was divided in aliquots, according to the experiments and experimental groups, using different concentrations of Trolox (200 and 300 µM/L) or GSH (2 and 5 µM/L). The samples were packaged in straws (0.25 mL), cryopreserved in freezing machine and stored in liquid nitrogen. After thawing at 37ºC (60 sec) and incubation during 60 minutes, we verified that motility, vigor and sperm with intact acrosomes showed significant difference (P<0.05) only among incubation times, on the three experiments. In Exp. 2, the addition of 2 and 5 µM/L of GSH (G2 and G3) determined higher (P<0.05) percentage of sperm without oxidative stress. Therefore, we could conclude that GSH, on the concentration of 2 and 5 µM/L, can be added to diluent of dog semen cryopreservation.

Objetivando-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes concentrações dos crioprotetores etileno glicol ou acetamida na viabilidade in vitro de espermatozoides congelados de ovinos, foram utilizados seis pools de sêmen de quatro reprodutores mestiços da raça Santa Inês. Após aprovação, o pool dos ejaculados foi diluído em Tris-gema, acrescido de glicerol (G1=5%; controle), etileno glicol (G2=3%; G3=5%) ou acetamida (G4=2%; G5=7%), envasado em palhetas (0,25mL; 100x106 espermatozoides) e congelado. As amostras descongeladas (37oC/30 segundos) foram avaliadas quanto a motilidade progressiva (MP), vigor, integridade da membrana plasmática (iMP), potencial de membrana mitocondrial (PMM) e integridade do acrossoma (iAC). Constatou-se que a MP do G1 foi superior (P<0,05) à dos G3, G4 e G5, e que o vigor dos G1, G2 e G3 foi maior (P<0,05) do que o dos G4 e G5. A iMP do G1 foi superior (P<0,05) à dos G2, G3, G4 e G5, assim como os G2 e G3 foram superiores (P<0,05) a G4 e G5. O PMM e a iAC não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os grupos. Conclui-se que o etileno glicol (3 e 5%) e a acetamida (2 e 7%) não são eficazes para a proteção dos espermatozoides ovinos submetidos à congelação.

Aiming to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of ethylene glycol or acetamide cryoprotectants on in vitro viability of ram frozen spermatozoa, were used six semen-pools from four Santa Inês crossbred males. After approval, the ejaculate-pool was diluted in Tris egg-yolk plus glycerol (G1=5%; control), ethylene glycol (3%=G2; G3=5%) or acetamide (G4=2%; G5=7%), loaded in straws (0.25mL; 100x106 sperm) and frozeng. Thawed samples (37oC/30 seconds) were evaluated for progressive motility (PM), vigor, plasma membrane integrity (PMi), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and acrosome integrity (ACi). It was found that the PM of G1 was higher (P<0.05) than G3, G4 and G5, and that the vigor of G1, G2 and G3 was higher (P<0.05) than G4 and G5. The PMi of G1 was higher (P<0.05) than G2, G3, G4 and G5, as well as G2 and G3 (P<0.05) where high than G4 and G5. MMP and ACi were not different (P>0.05) among groups. It is concluded that ethylene glycol (3 and 5%) and acetamide (2 and 7%) don't are effectives in protecting ram spermatozoa subjected to freezing.

Visando avaliar o efeito da adição de glutationa reduzida (GSH) ao diluente de congelação de sêmen caprino à base de leite desnatado, utilizou-se sêmen de cinco reprodutores Boer. Após colheita e avaliação, procedeu-se à formação do pool dos ejaculados e diluição em leite desnatado e glicerol 7%, acrescido de antioxidantes: G1) Controle; G2) GSH 2mM mL-1; G3) GSH 5mM mL-1 e G4) GSH 7mM mL-1. As amostras foram congeladas em palhetas (0,25mL) e armazenadas a -196°C. Após descongelação, avaliou-se a integridade de membrana plasmática (iMP) e acrossomal (iAc), potencial de membrana mitocondrial (PMM), cinética e ultraestrutura. Os grupos Controle e GSH (2, 5 e 7mM mL-1) não diferiram (P>0,05) em iMP, iAc, PMM e cinética. Na análise ultraestrutural, os porcentuais de membrana plasmática (cabeça e cauda) e acrossoma íntegros não diferiram (P>0,05) entre grupos. Todavia, o grupo Controle apresentou maior porcentual (P<0,05) de gametas com axonema íntegros do que os de GSH (2, 5 e 7mM mL-1). Maior porcentagem (P<0,05) de espermatozoides com mitocôndrias íntegras foi observada no grupo Controle do que nos de GSH (5 e 7 mM mL-1). Conclui-se que a adição de GSH (2, 5 e 7mM mL-1) em diluente de congelação de sêmen caprino, à base de leite desnatado, não preserva a integridade dos espermatozoides.

Aiming to evaluate in vitro effect of different concentrations of glutathione reduced (GSH) in skimmed-milk and glycerol 7% it was used semen from five Boer bucks. After collect and evaluation, a pool of samples was diluted in skimmed-milk and glycerol 7% plus antioxidant: G1) Control; G2) GSH 2mM mL-1; G3) GSH 5mM mL-1 and G4) GSH 7mM mL-1. Samples were frozen in straws (0.25mL) and stored at -196°C. After thawing, samples were subjected to integrity of the plasma membrane (iMP) and acrosomal (iAc), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), kinematic and ultrastructure analysis. Control and GSH (2, 5 and 7mM mL-1) groups did no differ (P>0.05) in iMP, iAc, PMM and kinematic parameters. In the ultrastructural analysis, percentages of acrosome and plasma membrane (tail and head region) intact did not differ (P>0.05) between groups. However, Control group had higher percentage (P<0.05) of gametes with intact axonemes than those of GSH (2, 5 and 7mM mL-1) groups. Higher percentage (P<0.05) of sperms with intact mitochondrias were observed on Control group than those of GSH (5 and 7mM mL-1). It can be concluded that the GSH (2, 5 and 7mM mL-1) addition in skimmed-milk diluent to freeze goat semen did not preserve sperm integrity.

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil que estão relacionadas ao índice pluviométrico e à qualidade do sêmen. O sêmen foi obtido pelo método de vagina artificial a partir de três reprodutores e foi avaliado quanto aos parâmetros macroscópicos e microscópicos. O perfil de proteínas do plasma seminal foi realizado por eletroforese bidimensional. Os parâmetros volume do sêmen, integridade do acrossoma e proteínas totais evidenciaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os períodos de alto (1,7mL, 90,3% e 372µg mL-1, respectivamente) e baixo (1,2mL, 80,3% e 494µg mL-1, respectivamente) índice pluviométrico. Foram detectados, nos períodos de alto e baixo índice pluviométrico, 47 e 49 spots de proteínas com massa molecular relativa de 4 a 106kDa e de 15 a 97kDa e ponto isoelétrico de 3,00 a 8,96 e de 4,48 a 9,83, respectivamente. Apenas no período de alto índice pluviométrico foram observados os grupo de proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Conclui-se que o sêmen de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil apresenta-se com melhor qualidade quando colhido no período de alto índice pluviométrico, o que pode ser atribuído à presença das proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa.

The aim of this study was to identify proteins in seminal plasma of goats raised in the Northeast of Brazil related with precipitation index and semen quality. Semen was obtained from three bucks and evaluated to the microscopic and macroscopic parameters. The profile of seminal plasma proteins was performed by analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis. Volume, acrosome integrity and total proteins had significant difference (P<0.05) between the periods of high (1.7mL, 90.3% and 372g mL-1, respectively) and low (1.2mL, 80.3% and 494µg mL-1, respectively) precipitation index. It was detected during high and low precipitation index, 47 and 49 spots of proteins with molecular weight of 4 to 106kDa and 15 to 97kDa, and isoelectric point of 3.00 to 8.96, and 4.48 to 9.83, respectively. Only in the period of high precipitation index were observed groups of proteins with 13kDa and 45kDa. It can be concluded that semen of Alpine American goats raised in the Northeast of Brazil has best quality when obtained in the period of high precipitation index, which can be attributed to the presence of protein with 13kDa and 45kDa.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do piruvato e trolox (forma solúvel da vitamina E) sobre a qualidade espermática pós-descongelamento. Assim, com o intuito de proteger as células espermáticas dos efeitos deletérios da criopreservação,foram considerados os seguintes tratamentos: T1 (Controle)= INRA82-HEPES sem antioxidantes; T2= INRA82-HEPES + 2mM de piruvato e T3= INRA82-HEPES + 120mM de trolox. As amostras de sêmen descongeladas foram avaliadas quanto à motilidade total (MT) e progressiva (MP),a integridades de membrana plasmática e acrossômica, integridade do DNA, à estabilidade de membrana e ao potencial de membrana mitocondrial (Δψm). A adiηγo de piruvato proporcionou resultados superiores (P<0,05) àqueles obtidos com trolox na motilidade espermática total (9,17 e 14,5%, respectivamente). A adição de piruvato incrementa a motilidade espermática (18,92 e 19,0%, respectivamente) em garanhões férteis e subférteis submetidos à congelação.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of pyruvate and trolox on the thawed sperm quality. For freezing, antioxidants were added to INRA 82-HEPES extender to protect sperm from the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, according to the treatments: T1= INRA82-HEPES without antioxidants; T2= INRA82-HEPES + 2mM of pyruvate and T3= INRA82-HEPES + 120 mM de trolox. The thawed semen samples were evaluated according to the total (MT) and progressive (MP) motility, integrity of plasma and acrossomal membrane, DNA integrity, membrane stability and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). It was observed that the addition of pyruvate resulted in a significantly higher total sperm motility (P<0.05) to those obtained with trolox (9.17 and 14.5%, respectively). It can be concluded that the addition of pyruvate improves sperm motility (18.92 and 19.0%, respectively) in samples from fertile and sub-fertile stallions submitted to freezing.

A eficiência de três monocamadas celulares (linhagem contínua - células Madin and Darby Bovine Kidney/ MDBK;linhagem primária - células de útero e de oviduto bovino) foi testada para verificar a existência de especificidade celular através do desenvolvimento de embriões, desde o estádio de duas células até o de mórula compacta, em um sistema de cocultura sem fluxo externo de CO2. Depois da seleçâo, os embriões (n = 343) foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em diferentes tubos de ensaio, os quais foram colocados a 37°C durante 72 horas. Após o período de cocultura, as porcentagens de mórulas compactas obtidas foram de 87,7% em células de oviduto, 86,2% na monocamada de células uterinas e 88,3% na de células MDBK. Não foi observada diferen- ça significativa entre esses valores e, por isso mesmo, conclui-se que a especificidade celular não é importante para o desenvolvimento in vitro de embriões Mus musculus.

The efficiency of three monolayers (continuous lineage - Madin and Darby Bovine Kidney/ MDBK; primary lineage - bovine celisfrom uterus and oviduct) hás been tested to verify the celular specificity through development of two cells embryos until compact morulaes stage in a coculture system without continuous CO2 flow. The selected mouse embryos (n=343) were randomiy divided into three experimental groups andplaced in closed culture tubes mantained aí 37°C during 72 hours. After the co-culture period, the porcentages of compact morulaes were 87.7% in oviduct cells, 86.2% in uterus monolayer and 88.3% in MDBK cells. It was not observed significative difference between these results and it is possible to condude that celular specificity is not importam to enhance the In vitro development of Mus musculus embryos.

Substituindo-se parcialmente (30%) os meios de cultura TC M 199/NaHCO3 (199/NaHCO3) e TC M 199/25mM HEPES (199/HEPES) a intervalos de 24, 48 ou 72 horas, testou-se a possibilidade de incrementar a obtenção de blastocistos expandidos (BLE) a partir de embriões Mus musculus no estádio de duas células incubados sem fluxo contínuo de CO2. Após distribuição aleatória dos embriões em tubos de ensaio contendo 2ml de meio de cultura e monocamada celular de oviduto bovino, os referidos tubos foram hermeticamente fechados e colocados em estufa bacteriológica a 37°C durante 96 horas. A renovação do meio de cultura em qualquer período não incrementou a porcentagem de embriões que alcançou o estádio de BLE, todavia, o número total de BLE obtido com o 199/HEPES (79,0%) foi superior (P £ 0,01) ao verificado com o 199/NaHCO3 (65,0%).

It has been evaluated, in a coculture system without continuous CO2 flow, the possibility to enhance the percentage of blastocists obtained from two cells mouse embryos by partial (30%) replacement (each 24, 48 and 72 hours of intervals) of two culture media (TCM 199/NaHCO3 and TCM 199/25 mM HEPES). The embryos, randomiy allocated in closed cultures tubes with 2 ml of medium and bovine oviduct monolayer, were maintained at 37°C during 96 hours. No diferences between spreaded blastocists were verifica when the media were replaced at ali intervals, however, the medium TCM 199/25mM HEPES was significantiy more effective (P £ 0.01) then TCM 199/NaHCO3.

Foram utilizados 15 caprinos sem raça definida com idade variando entre 06 e 36 meses objetivando testar uma técnica cirúrgica para preparo de rufiões por fixação da curvatura caudal da flexwa sigmóide do pênis. Para avaliação dos resultados, os animais eram colocados na presença de fêmeas em estro, a partir do décimo dia da intervenção cirúrgica, durante um período mínimo de seis meses. Os rufiões, quando testados, não apresentaram alteração da libido e mostraram-se incapazes de exteriorizar o pênis, permitindo concluir que a técnica descrita, além de ser rápida e de fácil execução, pode ser utilizada com eficiência na prática de preparo de rufiões caprinos.

In the present study fifteen. undefined breed type bucks, with age varing between six and thirty-six months, were used to test a surgery technique by fixation of the caudal curvature of penis sigmoid flexure for preparation of teaser. To evaluate the results, the teasers buck were placed with goats in oestrus for a minimum period of six months after 10 (ten) days of surgery. During evaluations, the teasers did not present any alteration of the sexual behavior and they were unable to project the penis for outside of the prepuce. There fore, it was concluded that the surgery technique used in these investigation can be easily applied and utilized with effïciency in the preparation of teasers buck.