RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar se a suplementação com diferentes níveis de selênio (Se) pode alterar os componentes bioquímicos e eletrolíticos do sêmen, ocasionando, por conseguinte, uma melhoria na qualidade seminal em carneiros. Foram utilizados 30 animais, mantidos em sistema intensivo de baias, alimentados com feno e ração comercial, sendo alocados em cinco grupos (seis animais/baia) e suplementados com uma mistura mineral contendo 0mg (G1), 5mg (G2), 10mg (G3), 15mg (G4) e 20mg (G5) de Se/kg. Cada grupo recebeu um tratamento diferente a cada 56 dias, e foi realizado um rodízio de tratamentos entre os grupos seguindo uma sequência dinâmica. Amostras de sêmen foram colhidas por eletroejaculação após o fim de cada tratamento, a fim de se avaliarem os níveis de frutose, ácido cítrico, potássio (K), sódio (Na), cálcio (Ca), Se, zinco (Zn), manganês (Mn), enxofre (S) e chumbo (Pb). O desenho estatístico foi um quadrado latino 5x5. Os diferentes níveis de suplementação de Se avaliados mantiveram as concentrações de eletrólitos e de minerais do sêmen nos níveis exigidos e não modificaram a qualidade espermática, concluindo-se que maiores ingestões de Se não causam efeitos antagônicos na absorção e subsequente ação de outros minerais essenciais fornecidos aos animais e ainda mantêm o equilíbrio eletrolítico.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate whether supplementation with different levels of selenium (Se) can change the biochemical and electrolytic components of semen, causing an improvement in seminal quality in rams. Thirty animals were kept in an intensive pen system, fed with hay and commercial ration, allocated into five groups (six animals/pen) and supplemented with a mineral mixture containing 0mg (G1), 5mg (G2), 10mg (G3), 15mg (G4) and 20mg (G5) of Se/kg. Each group received a different treatment every 56 days and treatments were rotated between groups following a dynamic sequence. Semen samples were collected by electroejaculation after the end of each treatment to evaluate the levels of fructose, citric acid, potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), Se, zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), sulfur (S) and lead (Pb). The statistical design was a 5x5 Latin square. The different levels of Se supplementation evaluated maintained the concentrations of electrolytes and minerals in the semen at the required levels and did not change the sperm quality, concluding that higher intakes of Se do not cause antagonistic effects on the absorption and subsequent action of other essential minerals supplied to the animals and still maintains electrolyte balance.

RESUMO A fim de se avaliar o uso do óleo essencial de Croton nepetifolius Baill (OECn) na penetrabilidade cervical em ovelhas mestiças, 40 ovelhas foram distribuídas ao acaso em quatro grupos (n=10): controle, misoprostol, OECn50 e OECn100 (50 e 100µg do OECn, respectivamente). Após a sincronização do estro, utilizando CIDR e eCG (200UI), a profundidade de penetração da cérvix foi mensurada utilizando-se uma pipeta de inseminação artificial de bovino graduada, no período de zero até 72h após a retirada do CIDR. Os resultados foram expressos em média ± erro-padrão, submetidos à ANOVA seguida do teste de Tukey, enquanto os dados, em porcentagem, foram submetidos aos testes de Fisher ouqui-quadrado. Nenhuma diferença significativa (P>0,05) foi encontrada quanto ao grau de penetrabilidade cervical. Quanto ao tempo de passagem, os grupos misoprostol e OECn100 apresentaram um menor tempo de penetrabilidade às 60h(1,7±0,6 e 1,5±0,6min, respectivamente), quando comparados ao grupo controle (4,1±0,6min), que não diferiu significativamente do grupo OECn50 (2,3±0,6min). Portanto, o óleo essencial de Croton nepetifolius Baill pode ser utilizado para encurtar o tempo de penetrabilidade cervical em ovelhas submetidas à sincronização estral.

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the use of the essential oil of Croton nepetifolius Baill (EOCn) on cervical penetration in crossbred ewes, 40 ewes were randomly allocated into four groups (n= 10): CONTROL, MISOPROSTOL, EOCn50 and EOCn100 (50 e 100µg of the EOCn, respectively). After estrus synchronization, using CIDR and eCG (200IU), depth of cervical penetration was measured using artificial insemination gun for bovine species which was graduated and used from 0 to 72h after CIDR removal. Results were expressed as mean ± standard error mean, submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test while data in percentage were submitted to Fisher or Chi-Square test. No significant difference (P> 0.05) was observed at grade of cervical penetration. Concerning trespassing time, MISOPROTOL and EOCn100 groups presented a lower trespassing time at 60h (1.7±0.6 and 1.5±0.6min, respectively) than CONTROL group (4.1±0.6min), which did not differ significantly from EOCn50 (2.3±0.6min) group. Therefore, the essential oil of Croton nepetifolius Baill can be used to shorten the cervical penetration time in estrus synchronized ewes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils on enterobacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from poultry fecal samples in the cloaca from 49 laying hens. To analyze the antimicrobial sensibility an agar diffusion susceptibility test was performed and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericida Concentration (MBC) of Lippia origanoides and Lippia rotundifolia essential oils was determined. The concentrations used were 160, 80 and 40 μL/mL. The L. origanoides essential oil showed antimicrobial effect from 40 μL/mL dose against both microorganisms, with larger efficiency in E. coli. The L.rotundifolia essential oil was more efficient at the concentration of 160μL/mL. Its effect was observed in all microorganisms. These results suggest that L. origanoides oil is more effective than L. rotundifolia oil in inhibiting the growth of microorganism isolated from poultry, although it also has a satisfactory antimicrobial effect. Results indicate the potential use of these plant's essential oils in poultry feed as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial products.

Objetivou-se no trabalho avaliar a ação antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides frente à isolados de Staphylococcus sp. de alimentos de origem animal. Para tanto, realizou-se análise química da composição do óleo, teste de sensibilidade das bactérias frente a dez antibióticos de uso terapêutico e ao óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides, além da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e da concentração bactericida mínima (CBM). A análise cromatográfica do óleo apresentou o timol como composto majoritário (48,70%), além de pequena quantidade de carvacrol (1,14%). No teste de sensibilidade frente aos antibióticos, 75% dos isolados apresentaram resistência a, no mínimo, três antibióticos. Em relação ao óleo essencial, os isolados de Staphylococcus sp oriundos de leite bovino mostraram-se mais resistentes e os isolados de carne ovina apresentaram-se mais sensíveis. A CIM foi maior para os Staphylococcus sp. isolados de leite bovino e leite ovino (60µL/mL). Enquanto que para os isolados de carcaça de ovinos e queijo, a CIM foi de 15µL/mL e 30µL/mL respectivamente. A CBM, consequentemente, foi maior para os isolados de leite bovino e leite ovino, sendo de 240µL/mL e 120µL/mL respectivamente. O óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides apresenta atividade antimicrobiana sobre Staphylococcus sp. isolados de alimentos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Lippia origanoides in relation to Staphylococcus sp. isolated from food of animal origin. For this purpose, we performed the chemical analysis to determine the oil composition, evaluated the bacteria sensibility to ten antibiotics of therapeutic use and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The chromatographic analysis showed that tymol was the main compound (48.70%) and that carvacrol was present in a small amount (1.14%). In the test of antibiotic susceptibility, 75% of the microorganism isolates were resistant to at least three of the ten antibiotics tested. The Staphylococcus sp isolated from bovine milk was more resistant to the essential oil of Lippia origanoides, and the microorganism isolated from sheep meat was more susceptible to this oil. The Staphylococcus sp. isolated from bovine or sheep milk showed a MIC of 60µL/mL and for those isolated from sheep carcass and cheese the MIC was 15µL/mL and 30µL/mL, respectively. Consequently, the MBC was higher for isolates from cow's (240µL/mL) and sheep's milk (120µL/mL) when compared with other food sources. These results suggest that the essential oil of Lippia origanoides has antimicrobial activity against staphylococcus sp. isolated from food.

A colibacilose é considerada uma das principais doenças da indústria avícola moderna, devido aos grandes prejuízos econômicos causados. A Escherichia coli contribui não só para a doença em si, levando à perda de peso das aves, bem como para o aumento da taxa condenação de carcaças durante o abate e processamento. A detecção de fatores de virulência de cepas de E. coli do patotipo APEC colabora para a caracterização de sua patogenicidade e as técnicas de PCR têm sido muito úteis na pesquisa de genes que os codificam. Este estudo objetivou diagnosticar E. coli pela detecção o gene Fel A por PCR e relacionar a positividade para este agente com o baixo peso em frangos de corte provenientes de lotes condenados por aerossaculite. Foram estudados 40 lotes de frangos de corte abatidos em um matadouro avícola sob Inspeção Sanitária Federal, localizado no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram colhidos aleatoriamente 3 frangos e obtidos "pools" de três traqueias em cada um deles para PCR. O DNA foi extraído pelo método de fenol-clorofórmio e amplificado com pares de "primers" específicos para gene Fel A de E. coli. Dos 40 lotes analisados pela PCR, 35% (14/40) foram positivos para o gene Fel A. A PCR foi eficaz para a detecção do gene Fel A em lotes de frangos de corte e houve relação entre a presença do gene Fel A, a queda de peso e aumento na taxa de aerossaculite.

Collibacillosis is considered one of the major diseases of the modern poultry industry, due to the significant losses it causes. Escherichia coli contributes not only to the disease itself, by causing weight loss of the birds, but also to the increase in carcasses condemnation during slaughter and processing. Detection of virulence factors in E. coli strains of the APEC pathotype contributes to the characterization and pathogenicity of this agent. PCR techniques have been very helpful in the search for genes that encode those virulence factors. This study aimed to detect the gene Fel A of E. coli by PCR and relate its positivity to low weight in broiler flocks with airsacculitis as diagnosed by the health inspection service. The study involved 40 flocks of broilers slaughtered in a single poultry slaughterhouse, under Federal Sanitary Inspection, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Three broilers were randomly selected to obtain one "pool" of three tracheas for each PCR. DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform and amplified using a pair of primers specific to gene Fel A of E. coli. Of the 40 flocks analyzed by PCR, 35% (14/40) were positive for the gene Fel A. PCR was an effective technique for the detection of gene Fel A in broiler flocks. There was a relationship between the presence of the gene Fel A, weight loss, and increase of the airsacculitis rate.

A mastite subclínica caprina ocasiona prejuízos econômicos em decorrência do descarte, dos gastos com medidas terapêuticas e da redução da quantidade e qualidade do leite e seus derivados. Nesse estudo, 129 amostras de leite de cabra in natura, provenientes de 11 propriedades foram avaliadas pelo teste da caneca telada, California Mastitis Test (CMT), exame bacteriológico, pesquisa de Mycoplasma spp. e pela determinação dos parâmetros físico-químicos. No teste da caneca telada e no CMT, 3,1% e 4,6% das amostras foram positivas, respectivamente. No exame bacteriológico, 57,4% das amostras foram positivas e o patógeno mais frequente foi Staphylococcus coagulase negativa com 56% das cepas resistentes à penicilina e 100% de sensíveis à gentamicina. Mycoplasma spp. não foi identificado nas amostras. O diagnóstico da mastite subclínica pelo CMT e pelo exame bacteriológico diferiu de forma significativa e não houve associação entre o número de UFC/mL obtidas no exame microbiológico e o resultado do CMT (Qui-quadrado p < 0,05). Os parâmetros físico-químicos diferiram significativamente entre os rebanhos (ANOVA, Tukey-Kramer, p < 0,05) e a gordura foi o constituinte que demonstrou maior amplitude, sendo que 63,4% dos rebanhos apresentaram os valores abaixo do exigido pela legislação brasileira. Não houve associação significativa entre a presença de mastite diagnosticada pelo exame bacteriológico e os valores obtidos para os parâmetros físico-químicos (t-Student p > 0,05). Com base nos resultados obtidos, recomenda-se a associação do exame bacteriológico quando na utilização do CMT para diagnóstico da mastite subclínica caprina.

Goat mastitis causes significant economic losses due to the discarding of milk, costs of drugs and veterinary care, reducing the quantity and quality of milk and dairy products. In this study, 129 raw milk samples from 11 goat farms were investigated by the Tamis test, California mastitis test (CMT), bacteriological exam, presence of Mycoplasma spp. and physicochemical parameters. Seven (4.6%) and four samples (3.1%) were positive by CMT and Tamis test respectively. Bacteriological exam was positive from 57.4% of samples and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequent bacteria isolated showing 56% of the strains resistant to penicillin and no resistance to gentamicin. Negative results were obtained from traditional culture as well as by PCR for Mycoplasma spp. The diagnosis of mastitis, the bacteriological exam and the CMT results differed significantly and no association was observed (chi squared, p < 0.05). Fat was the constituent with more variations and 63.4% of the herds did not meet the minimum requirement according to Brazilian government criteria for this constituent. There was no significant association between mastitis and the physicochemical parameters (t-Student, p > 0.05). The physicochemical parameters differed significantly (ANOVA, Tukey-Kramer, p < 0.05) among the herds. These results indicate the need to associate microbiological exam when the CMT is used for the diagnosis of goat mastitis.

Biocompatibilidade é a capacidade de um material exercer funções específicas quando aplicado em contato com tecidos vivos de determinado hospedeiro, sem, contudo, causar danos ou prejuízo ao mesmo. Este trabalho objetivou determinar a biocompatibilidade in vivo e in vitro do extrato hidroalcoólico do Cissus sicyoides L - Vitaceae. Foram utilizados 30 ratos (Rattus novergicus albinus wistar), com idade entre 45 e 90 dias e pesando entre 170 e 260 g. Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos (A1, A2 e A3) de 6 animais cada para o teste in vivo, os quais foram sacrificados com 2, 4 e 6 dias, respectivamente. Para o teste in vitro, foram utilizados 12 animais para obtenção do índice de aderência e da capacidade fagocítica dos macrófagos de ratos do grupo controle e do grupo experimental. Nos resultados encontrados no teste in vivo, conclui-se que o extrato apresentou-se biocompatível, visto que não provocou alterações significativas no tecido. Já no teste in vitro, o mesmo não se apresentou biocompatível, pois o extrato puro apresentou índice de aderência baixo (7,1) e taxa de fagocitose elevada (35,7), indicando diferença significante quando comparado ao controle. Porém, quando diluído, o extrato se mostrou inócuo, devido ao aumento dos valores do índice de aderência nas concentrações de 1/10 (61,4) e 1/100 (74,3) nos ensaios, as quais não apresentaram diferença significante quando comparadas ao controle. Após a análise dos dados, concluiu-se que a solução diluída do extrato hidroalcoólico do Cissus sicyoides L. não causa danos ou prejuízos. Entretanto, como nem todos os efeitos farmacológicos foram testados no presente trabalho, não se pode inferir automaticamente que ele é biocompatível em todos os casos.

Biocompatibility is the ability of a material to perform specifictasks when applied to living tissues without causing damage or injuries to it. Thus, this study aimed at determining the in vivo and in vitro biocompatibility of Cissus sicyoides L. - Vitaceae hydroalcoholic extracts. A total of 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus Albinus Wistar), with ages ranging from 45 to 90 days and weighing between 170 and 260g were used. The animals were divided into 3 groups (A1, A2 and A3) with 6 animals each, for the in vivo test, which were sacrificed after 2, 4 and 6 days, respectively. For in vitro test, 12 animals were used to obtain the index of adherence and phagocytic ability of macrophages of rats from the control and the experimental groups. In results found for the in vivo test, it was concluded that the extract was biocompatible, whereas no significant changes were observed in the tissue. As to the in vitro test, the extract was not biocompatible, since the pure extract showed a low rate of adherence (7.1) and a high rate of phagocytosis (35.7), indicating a significant difference when compared to the control group. However, when diluted, the extract was shown to be harmless, due to an increase in the values of the adherence index at the following concentrations : 1/10 (61.4) and 1/100 (74.3) in the tests, which showed no significant differences when compared to the control group. After analyzing the data, it was concluded that since the infusion of the plant is a kind of dilution, its use does not cause any harm to the body. A new study is necessary at the moment to possibily demonstrate its effects on the long term.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors are overexpressed in most neoplastic cell lines and provide a mechanism for the internalization and concentration of drug-laden nanoemulsions that bind to these receptors. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the administration of standard chemotherapeutic schemes can alter the expression of LDL and LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) receptors in breast carcinoma. Fragments of tumoral and normal breast tissue from 16 consecutive volunteer women with breast cancer in stage II or III were obtained from biopsies before the beginning of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after chemotherapy, from fragments excised during mastectomy. Tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for both receptors. Because complete response to treatment was achieved in 4 patients, only the tumors from 12 were analyzed. Before chemotherapy, there was overexpression of LDL receptor in the tumoral tissue compared to normal breast tissue in 8 of these patients. LRP-1 receptor overexpression was observed in tumors of 4 patients. After chemotherapy, expression of both receptors decreased in the tumors of 6 patients, increased in 4 and was unchanged in 2. Nonetheless, even when chemotherapy reduced receptors expression, the expression was still above normal. The fact that chemotherapy does not impair LDL receptors expression supports the use of drug carrier systems that target neoplastic cells by the LDL receptor endocytic pathway in patients on conventional chemotherapy.

Fungi populations were evaluated in large intestine from sheep raised in the North of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The samples were from 39 Santa Inês crossbred ewes and 30 lambs raised on Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania), both supplemented with mineral mixtures. The clinical specimens were directly collected from rectal ampoule with sterile swabs. The development of fungal mycelium was observed in all lamb samples and positive cultures were observed in 34 ewe specimens (87.2%). After microculture of 40 colonies from lambs, 34 isolates of the genus Aspergillus, three of Paecilomyces spp., one Acremonium sp., and one Trichoderma sp. were identified. Out of the 39 isolates from ewes, 15 Paecilomyces spp., 11 Aspergillus spp., 11 Malbranchea spp., and one Onychocola sp. were identified. The results showed the predominance of the genus Aspergillus in the lambs, while the genus Paecilomyces, Malbranchea, and Aspergillus were predominant, in ewes.

RESUMO Lecanicillium lecanii é um entomopatógeno capaz de controlar várias pragas como afídeos, coccídeos e aleirodídeos. Na Europa é utilizado em culturas como pepino, tomate, ornamentais entre outras. Para que seja eficientemente utilizado no Brasil há necessidade de adaptá-lo às condições brasileiras de cultivo assim como produzi-lo em grandes quantidades. Assim, este trabalho objetivou avaliar diferentes concentrações de dextrose (D) e extrato de levedura (E.L.) em g/L, 60 g D – 60 g EL, 60 g D – 40 g EL, 60 g D – 20 g EL, 60 g D – 10 g EL, 40 g D – 40 g EL, 40 g D – 20 g EL, 40 g D – 10 g EL, 20 g D – 60 g EL, 20 g D – 40 g EL, sendo a dextrose a fonte de C e o extrato de levedura a fonte de N, na produção de massa seca e esporulação deste fungo. O fungo foi cultivado até o décimo dia, com avaliação a cada 2 dias. Verificou-se que combinações mais próximas de D-EL foram mais eficientes em relação à massa seca micelial e 8 dias de cultivo são suficientes para a produção máxima de conídios. Este fungo é exigente em carbono já que as combinações com maior dosagem de C (60 g D – 60 g EL, 60 g D – 40 g EL, 60 g D – 20 g EL, 60 g D – 10 g EL, 40 g D – 40 g EL) não diferiram estatisticamente.

ABSTRACT The strain JAB 02 of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium lecanii was cultivated in liquid media with different concentrations of dextrose (D) and yeast extract (YE) sources (60g D – 60 g YE, 60 g D – 40 g YE, 60 g D – 20 g YE, 60 g D – 10 g YE, 40 g D – 40 g YE, 40 g D – 20 g YE, 40 g D – 10 g YE, 20 g D – 60 g YE, 20 g D – 40g YE). The dextrose was used as carbon source and the yeast extract as a nitrogen source. The objective of this research was to evaluate the dry biomass and the sporulation of this strain. The fungus was cultivated for ten days after inoculation, with evaluations each 2 days. The combinations of dextrose and yeast extract tending to wand equals parts of each element were more efficient in regard to dry biomass. For sporulation, 8 days of growth are sufficient for greatest production of conidia. This strain is demands in carbon since the combinations 60 g D – 60 g YE, 60 g D – 40 g YE, 60 g D – 20 g YE, 60 g D – 10 g YE, 40 g D – 40 g YE did not differ statistically.

A coleta de Diptera em fezes bovinas depositadas nas pastagens foi conduzida de janeiro a agosto de 2001 em Itumbiara, Goiás. As fezes foram expostas nas pastagens por 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216 e 240 horas e posteriormente levadas para laboratório para extração e separação dos dípteros. Um total de 100 fezes bovinas foram expostas nas pastagens, das quais 3099 dípteros muscóides foram coletados. As espécies mais abundantes foram: Palaeosepsis spp. e Sarcophagula occidua. A maioria dos exemplares foi coletada em fezes bovinas expostas nos períodos de 72 e 144 horas no campo.

This work reports the occurrence of microhimenopterous in cattle dung in Itumbiara, Goiás, Brazil. Cattle dung pats were exposed on a pasture for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216 and 240 hours and were then separately taken to the laboratory for artropods extraction. A total of 100 dung pats were exposed at pasture. The pupae were individually placed in transparent gelatin capsules until the emergence of the parasitoids. The main species of parasitoids collected from bovine dung were Paraganapis egeria and Spalangia drosophilae.

Triplasta coxalis (Ashmeda) (Figitidae: Eucoilinae), was found as a parasitoid of Palaeosepsis sp. (Diptera: Sepsidae) in Itumbiara, GO, Brazil (18º25'S and 49º13'W). The samples of bovine dung were taken from pats 24, 36, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216, and 240 hours of exposition, placed in plastic containers and kept in the laboratory conditions. The pupae were extracted by flotation in water. Pupae were individually placed in gelatin capsules until emergence of adult flies or their parasitoids. Four and one specimens of Triplasta coxalis and Kleidotoma nigra, respectively, were collected. This was the first report on occurrence of the parasitoid Kleidotoma nigra and Triplasta coxalis in Goiás.

Muscoid dipterous insects associated with pig carcass and their parasitoids collected in pasture and wood were collected from savanna (cerrado) at Goiás, Brazil. The species collected more often were: Chrysomya albiceps (89.5%), Ophyra sp. (6.9%) (flies) and Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (33.3%) and Spalangia endius (38.8%) (parasitoids). The parasitism rate was 0.4%.