Vitamin E reduces the reactive oxygen species production in dominant follicle during the negative energy balance in cattle.

In the postpartum period, there is an increase in non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in both serum and follicular fluid (FF) of cattle. The increase in fatty acid concentration results in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can compromise bovine fertility. The objectives of this study were to characterize the lipid profile found in the FF of cows experiencing induced negative energy balance (NEB) and to evaluate the effect of α-tocopherol in the prevention of oxidative stress in the serum and FF of cows.

A new seed-feeding species of Hemicolpus Heller, 1895 from south Brazil and redescription of Hemicolpus abdominalis Hustache, 1938 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Conoderinae).

The genus Hemicolpus Heller, 1895 (Curculionidae: Conoderinae) currently includes six species: H. cubicus (Lacordaire) (Brazil); H. heteromorphus Hustache (Brazil); H.

Atmospheric water harvesting using functionalized carbon nanocones.

In this work, we propose a method to harvest liquid water from water vapor using carbon nanocones. The condensation occurs due to the presence of hydrophilic sites at the nanocone entrance. The functionalization, together with the high mobility of water inside nanostructures, leads to a fast water flow through the nanostructure.

Resynchronization of follicular wave using long-acting injectable progesterone or estradiol benzoate at 14 days post-timed AI in Bos taurus x Bos indicus beef heifers.

We compared pregnancy rates in beef heifers resynchronized 14 days after the first timed-artificial insemination (TAI) using a P intravaginal device associated with either long-acting injectable progesterone (iP) or estradiol benzoate (EB). Braford and Brangus heifers were submitted to a TAI (D0). On D14, all animals were given a P intravaginal device and were randomly divided into two groups, EB (1 mg; n = 339); or iP (75 mg; n = 338).

Feeding Habits and Behavior of a Bee Killer: Hololepta reichii (Coleoptera, Histeridae).

Hololepta (Leionota) reichii Marseul is a widespread but rarely encountered natural enemy of social bees, so we evaluated feeding habits and behavior of such a clown beetle regarding bees, beehive by-products, and other sources of food under a monitored environment. The experiments revealed that H. reichii preferentially predates larvae and pupae of social bees extracted from brood cells, but also feeds on dead adult stingless bees and on larvae and pupae inside cells.

Intrafollicular injection of nonesterified fatty acids impaired dominant follicle growth in cattle.

Dairy cows frequently undergo a state of negative energy balance (NEB) after parturition and some have impaired ovarian functions that result in delayed resumption of estrous cyclicity and development of follicles without ovulation occurring. During the postpartum period, cows undergo body-fat store losses, hormonal changes, fat mobilization and increases in nonesterified fatty acid (NEFAs) concentrations in blood and follicular fluid. The effect of NEFAs on follicular development and function of follicular cells, however, is not fully understood.

Cushioned centrifugation during sperm selection increases the fertilization and cleavage rates of cattle embryos produced in vitro.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of utilization of an iodixanol-based solution as a cushioning method during the sperm selection utilizing discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation in in vitro production (IVP) of cattle embryos. In Experiment I, all aliquots of thawed semen were subjected to sperm selection using the same discontinuous Percoll® gradients, except for the following four conditions: presence of cushioning solution (Cushion Fluid, Minitube) during the first centrifugation process (C1), presence of cushioning solution during the second centrifugation process (C2), inclusion of cushioning solution in both centrifugation steps (C1-2), and no addiction of cushioning solution (C; control group). Recovery rates, sperm kinetics, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were evaluated.

Decreasing the dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin does not affect ovarian or pregnancy responses of purebred taurine and crossbred beef heifers.

In this study there was evaluation of effects of different doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG: 200, 300, or 400 IU) administrated at progesterone (P4) plus estradiol-based timed AI (TAI). A total of 1080 heifers were included in the study. There was insertion of the intravaginal P4-device plus administration of 2 mg of estradiol benzoate IM.

Mercury at environmental relevant levels affects spermatozoa function and fertility capacity in bovine sperm.

Over the last several years human sperm quality was found to be significantly reduced and the role environmental contaminants play in this phenomenon remain to be determined. Mercury (Hg) is one of the most widespread contaminants; however the correlation between metal exposure and adverse consequences on human and animals fertility are not completely established. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of direct exposure to inorganic Hg on male gametes using spermatozoa (bovine sperm) which characteristically resemble human sperm.

Protects against Male Reproductive Damage Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Mice.

(TT) has been considered as a potential stimulator of testosterone production, which has been related with steroidal saponins prevailing in this plant. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is the most commonly used anticancer and immunosuppressant drug, which causes several toxic effects, especially on the reproductive system. Patients who need to use CP therapy exhibit reduced fertility or infertility, which impacts both physically and emotionally on the decision to use this drug, especially among young men.

Superstimulation with eCG prior to ovum pick-up improves follicular development and fertilization rate of cattle oocytes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) stimulation prior to ovum pick-up (OPU) on follicular development, number and quality of recovered oocytes, fertilization rate, and early embryo development in vitro. There were four OPU sessions (cross over) conducted on 16 Braford cows to evaluate the effect of various eCG doses. The timing of the wave of ovarian follicular development was synchronized, and three days after, the respective eCG dose was administrated (0, 200, 400, or 800 IU).

Reduction in Percoll volume increases recovery rate of sex-sorted semen of bulls without affecting sperm quality and early embryonic development.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Percoll volume on recovery rate, sperm quality, and embryo development kinetics in in vitro production of cattle embryos. Straws of conventional and sex-sorted semen were allocated to three different volumes of Percoll: 300 μL of each Percoll gradient (90%, 60%, and 30%), Control; 100 μL of each Percoll gradient, P100; and 200 μL of each Percoll gradient, P200. Sperm quality, fertilization rate, and embryo morpho-kinetic development using time lapse cinematography up to 48 h post-insemination were evaluated.

Reproductive dysfunction after mercury exposure at low levels: evidence for a role of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 1 and GPx4 in male rats.

Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and mercury contamination and toxicity are serious hazards to human health. Some studies have shown that mercury impairs male reproductive function, but less is known about its effects following exposure at low doses and the possible mechanisms underlying its toxicity. Herein we show that exposure of rats to mercury chloride for 30 days (first dose 4.

Effect of quinine-loaded polysorbate-coated nanocapsules on male and female reproductive systems of rats.

Quinine is an antimalarial drug; however, its use is limited by its narrow therapeutic index and elevated side effects. The nanosystems are promising delivery vehicles of antimalarial drugs, enhancing their therapeutic potential. This study aimed to compare the toxicity of quinine and quinine loaded nanocapsules (Q-NC) on the reproductive system of male and female rats.

Two new species of Omalodes from Dominican Republic (Coleoptera: Histeridae).

Omalodes Dejean, 1833 is the largest genus of Omalodini, with approximately 63 species described in three subgenera with an exclusively Neotropical distribution. Currently there are only two described species for the Caribbean, both of the subgenus Omalodes, and among other species they are the only ones with complete apical stria on the elytra. Two new species of this subgenus: Omalodes angelo sp.

Different doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin on ovarian follicular growth and pregnancy rate of suckled Bos taurus beef cows subjected to timed artificial insemination protocol.

This study evaluated the effect of different doses of eCG (control, 300 or 400 IU) administered at progesterone (P4) device removal in suckled Bos taurus beef cows undergoing a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol. A total of 966 cows received a P4 insert and 2.0 mg intramuscular estradiol benzoate at the onset of the synchronization.

Brazilian Histerini (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Histerinae): a new species, key to the genera, and checklist of species.

A new species of the Hister coenosus group from southern Brazil is described. Hister lucia sp. nov.

New species of Omalodes and redefinition of the tribe Omalodini (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Histerinae).

A new species of Omalodini, Omalodes atacamanus sp. nov., is described from Chile.

Reduction of centrifugation force in discontinuous percoll gradients increases in vitro fertilization rates without reducing bovine sperm recovery.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different centrifugation forces in bovine sperm separation by discontinuous Percoll gradients for in vitro fertilization IVF. The semen samples from each bull were pooled or each bull were centrifuged separately and centrifuged in discontinuous Percoll gradients (30, 60 and 90%) at different forces: F1 (9000×g), F2 (6500×g), F3 (4500×g) and F4 (2200×g), according experiment. The sperm samples were evaluated to determine the concentration, motility, vigor, morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS), integrity of the plasma membrane, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and embryo development were also evaluated.

Chronic exposure to low doses of mercury impairs sperm quality and induces oxidative stress in rats.

Mercury (Hg) is a widespread environmental pollutant that adversely affects the male reproductive system. The precise mechanisms underlying mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced toxicity are not fully understood; however, evidence indicates that oxidative stress may be involved in this process. Although the adverse effects of high levels of inorganic Hg on the male reproductive system have been investigated, the effects of low levels of exposure are unknown.

Adequacy of ovarian diathermy under ultrasound control: an experimental model.

Background: To develop a minimally invasive ovarian cauterization technique under transvaginal ultrasound control and evaluate the safety and feasability of monopolar cauterization to cause ovarian injury using female cattle of reproductive age as an experimental model.

Method: Experimental study in a university research center was performed. Eleven female bovines of reproductive age were submitted to monopolar transvaginal ovarian cauterization.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection improves in vitro embryo production from poor quality bovine oocytes.

The objective was to use subzonal sperm injection (SUZI) to understand sperm penetration patterns and to use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to improve production of bovine embryos using poor quality gametes. In experiment 1, poor versus good quality oocytes were fertilized with sperm from two bulls, A and B, with poor and good sperm vigor, respectively. The blastocyst rate was higher for good versus poor quality oocytes (23.

Cadmium inhibits the ovary δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity in vitro and ex vivo: protective role of seleno-furanoside.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a concern to the tobacco-smoking sub-population which includes millions of people worldwide. Although this metal may cause severe damage to embryos and the reproductive organs, the precise mechanisms underlying its toxicity remain unclear. In the present study, the Cd effect on ovary δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity was investigated in vitro and ex vivo.