The Parasitemia has Contributed to the Severity of Cases of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) occurs due to the evolution, virulence, and adaptation of , vector biology, host immune system evasion, and reservoir hosts. Parasitemia can be involved as a warning regarding the clinical severity of VL The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between parasitemia and the prognosis of individuals with VL. Blood and bone marrow samples from individuals with VL were analyzed to identify parasite and quantify or measure parasite burden.

Oocyte competence and gene expression in parthenogenetic produced embryos from repeat breeder and normally fertile buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised in sub-humid tropical climate.

The reproductive management of the buffalo species still faces several unresolved problems, which directly affect the productivity of the herd, one of them being the presence of repeat breeder females. Given this scenario, this study aimed to verify the developmental competence of oocytes obtained from repeat breeder females and submitted to parthenogenetic activation. In addition, embryo gene expression was compared to normally fertile females.

Factors affecting the embryo production in buffalo (): A review.

Under natural and well-managed conditions, the buffalo has good reproductive and productive indices. However, embryo production (IVEP) has been used commercially to maximise the number of elite animals. In this species, several factors (donor management, culture medium, semen, conditions, embryo transfer) still affect the IVEP results.

The anti-infective crotalicidin peptide analog RhoB-Ctn[1-9] is harmless to bovine oocytes and able to induce parthenogenesis in vitro.

Crotalicidin is a cathelicidin-related anti-infective (antimicrobial) peptide expressed in the venom glands of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Congener peptides of crotalicidin, named vipericidins, are found in other pit vipers inhabiting South America. Crotalicidin is active against bacteria and pathogenic yeasts and has anti-proliferative activity for some cancer cells.

Does the addition of follicular fluid in the in vitro maturation medium increase the oocyte maturation and embryo production in alpacas?

In alpacas (Vicugna pacos), the high cost of in vitro embryo production is also a consequence of the use of several substances in the culture medium. In addition, embryo production rates in this species are still considered low. Thus, in attempt to reduce the cost and to improve the in vitro embryo production rates, this study evaluates the effect of adding follicular fluid (FF) in the in vitro maturation medium on oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo production.

Dyslipidemia induced by lipid diet in late gestation donor impact on growth kinetics and in vitro potential differentiation of umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells in goats.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from the umbilical cord (UC) have several attractive properties for clinical use. This study aimed to verify the impact of a lipid-rich diet during late gestation of donor goats on the growth and differentiation of MSCs from UC. From the 100th day of pregnancy to delivery, 22 goats were grouped based on their diet into the donor-lipid (DLD; n = 11) and donor-baseline (DBD; n = 11) diet groups.

Transcervical Versus Laparotomy Embryo Recovery: What Strategy Is Best for Embryo Bank Formation in the Canindé Goat Conservation Program?

By allowing for the creation of embryo banks, reproductive biotechnologies play an essential role in the preservation of endangered goat breeds' genetic diversity. This study focused on comparing both available embryo collection methods [laparotomy (LAP) vs. nonsurgical embryo recovery (NSER)] in Canindé goats to create an embryo bank for later use in a breed conservation program.

Assisted Reproductive Technology in Neotropical Deer: A Model Approach to Preserving Genetic Diversity.

One of the most significant challenges in deer is the ability to maintain genetic diversity, avoiding inbreeding and sustaining population health and reproduction. Although our general knowledge of reproductive physiology is improving, it appears that the application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) will more efficiently advance wildlife conservation efforts and preserve genetic diversity. The purpose of this review is to present the most important results obtained with the use of ART in Neotropical deer.

The Rhodamine B-encrypted Vipericidin Peptide, RhoB-Ctn[1-9], Displays In vitro Antimicrobial Activity Against Opportunistic Bacteria and Yeasts.

Background: Crotalicidin (Ctn), a snake venom cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide, is a 34-residue-long linear lysine-rich vipericidin obtained from the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus. Ctn contains tandem repeats of nine amino acid residues (KRFKKFFKK and KRLKKIFKK; consensus: KRhKKhFKK, h = hydrophobic amino acid) as an integral part of its structure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the encrypted vipericidin nonapeptide KRFKKFFKK, designated as Ctn[1-9], and its structural analogue, rhodamine- B‒conjugated Ctn[1-9], designated as RhoB-Ctn[1-9].

Effect of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) on in vitro development of collared peccary preantral follicles in ovarian tissues.

The aims were to identify the effects of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) on the in vitro development of ovarian preantral follicles (PAFs) of collared peccaries. Ovarian fragments were in vitro cultured for 1 or 7 days without or with inclusion of GDF-9 in the medium (0, 50, 100, or 200 ng/mL). The non-cultured (control) and cultured fragments were evaluated for PAF viability, activation, and cell proliferation.

Ovarian gene expression in collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) subjected to gonadotropin stimulation protocols.

Ovarian response of collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), after hormonal stimulation with gonadotropin association (eCG/hCG), was accessed by both gene expression and follicular development. Thus, collared peccaries (n = 8) were treated with the dose used for sows (swine dose, SWD) or with dose adjusted for peccary's weight (allometric dose, ALD). The gene expression of receptors was evaluated for both gonadotropins (FSHR and LHCGR) and growth factors (proteins codified by TGFβR-1, BMPR1-A and BMPR2 genes) in antral follicles, cortex and corpora haemorrhagica (CH).

Development and Mitochondrial Gene Expression in Brown Brocket Deer () Embryos Obtained by Interspecific Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer.

The genetic diversity of Neotropical deer is increasingly jeopardized, owing to declining population size. Thus, the formation of cryobanking of somatic cells is important for the preservation of these species using cloning. The transformation of these cells into viable embryos has been hampered by a lack of endangered species oocytes.

Protein profile of the ovarian follicular fluid of brown brocket deer (; Fisher, 1814).

The aim of this study was to characterize the protein profile of ovarian follicular fluid (FF) of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Five adult females received an ovarian stimulation treatment and the FF was collected by laparoscopy from small/medium (≤3.5 mm) and large (>3.

Disulphide-less crotamine is effective for formation of DNA-peptide complex but is unable to improve bovine embryo transfection.

This study aimed to investigate the ability of disulphide-less crotamine (dLCr) to complex DNA and to evaluate whether the DNA-dLCr complex is capable of improving transfection in bovine embryos. Three experiments were performed to: (i) evaluate the formation and stability of the DNA-dLCr complex; (ii) assess the dLCr embryotoxicity by exposure of bovine embryos to dLCr; and (iii) assess the efficiency of bovine embryo transfection after microinjection of the DNA-dLCr complex or green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid alone (control). DNA complexation by dLCr after 30 min of incubation at 1:100 and 1:50 proportions presented higher efficiency (P < 0.

Single injection of eCG/hCG leads to successful estrous synchronization in the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758).

The establishment of protocols for the control of the ovarian function of collared peccaries is recommended for the development of assisted reproductive techniques. The goals were to (1) compare a gonadotropin combination with prostaglandin analogue to synchronize timing of onset of estrus among animals, and (2) elucidate the effects of the most desirable protocol for performing an artificial insemination study and macroscopic evaluation of the ovaries. Three of five females treated with a double administration of 120 μg prostaglandin (cloprostenol) at a 9-day interval expressed symptoms of estrus 9 days after the second injection.

Efficiency of different incubation systems for the in vitro production of bovine embryos.

SummaryThis study aimed to compare the efficiency of different incubation systems for in vitro embryo production in bovine. Oocytes/embryos were cultured in three incubators: conventional - CONV, mini bench - MINI and portable - PORT. After in vitro maturation (IVM), oocytes were verified for maturation rate.

Proteomic analysis of follicular fluid from tropically-adapted goats.

The present study was conducted to characterize the major proteome of ovarian follicular fluid from locally-adapted, "Canindé" goats in the northeast of Brazil. Eight estrous cycling goats received a hormonal treatment consisting of medroxyprogesterone acetate, D-cloprostenol and FSH. Fluid was collected by laparoscopy from small (<3mm), medium (3-4mm) and large (>4mm) follicles and then, proteins were analyzed by 2-D SDS-PAGE and tandem mass spectrometry.

The Effects of Cryopreservation on Different Passages of Fibroblast Cell Culture in Brown Brocket Deer (Mazama gouazoubira).

The brown brocket deer Mazama gouazoubira is 1 of the 10 recognized brocket deer of the Neotropical region. Recently, this species has suffered a population decline due to current threats, mainly poaching and habitat loss. Several studies have shown that some endangered species can benefit from interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer technology through the use of their somatic cells, such as the fibroblasts.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs): From delivery of nucleic acids and antigens to transduction of engineered nucleases for application in transgenesis.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been studied for their capacity to translocate across the lipid membrane of several cell types. In membrane translocation, these peptides can remarkably transport biologically active hydrophilic molecules, such as pharmaceuticals, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and even high-molecular-weight proteins, Fig. 3 into the cell cytoplasm and organelles.

A new whole mitochondrial genome qPCR (WMG-qPCR) with SYBR Green to identify phlebotomine sand fly blood meals.

Phlebotomine sand flies are blood-feeding insects of marked medical and veterinary significance. Investigations on the biology of these insects hold great importance for both ecological and epidemiological purposes. The present work describes a new approach for real-time PCR (qPCR) with SYBR Green, named WMG-qPCR, to identify phlebotomine blood meals.

Azole resistance in Candida albicans from animals: Highlights on efflux pump activity and gene overexpression.

This study investigated potential mechanisms of azole resistance among Candida albicans from animals, including efflux pump activity, ergosterol content and gene expression. For this purpose, 30 azole-resistant C. albicans strains from animals were tested for their antifungal susceptibility, according to document M27-A3, efflux pump activity by rhodamine 6G test, ergosterol content and expression of the genes CDR1, CDR2, MDR1, ERG11 by RT-qPCR.

The use of antifreeze protein type III for vitrification of in vitro matured bovine oocytes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of antifreeze protein type III (AFP III) into vitrification medium on meiotic spindle morphology of in vitro matured bovine oocytes as well as the fertilization and blastocyst rates. Mature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were distributed in four groups: control (untreated), vitrified without supplementation (AFP) or supplemented with 500 (AFP) or 1000 ng/mL (AFP) into vitrification solutions. Samples from each group were used to analyze the organization of meiotic spindle by confocal microscopy and the remaining COC were submitted to in vitro fertilization and culture for eight days.

Crotamine, a cell-penetrating peptide, is able to translocate parthenogenetic and in vitro fertilized bovine embryos but does not improve exogenous DNA expression.

Purpose: Crotamine is capable of penetrating cells and embryos and transfecting cells with exogenous DNA. However, no studies are available regarding its uptake by parthenogenetic (PA) embryos or its use for transfection in in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos. This study aimed to determine the translocation kinetics of crotamine into PA and IVF bovine embryos and assess its effect over in vitro development of PA embryos.

Overexpression of hyaluronan synthase 2 and gonadotropin receptors in cumulus cells of goats subjected to one-shot eCG/FSH hormonal treatment for ovarian stimulation.

Hormonal ovarian stimulation may affect transcripts in somatic cells of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and affect the resulting oocyte quality. Here, in parallel with morphological classification and in vitro maturation (IVM) rate analysis, we investigated the expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2), gonadotropic receptors (FSHR and LHR) and connexin 43 (GJA1) in cumulus cells (CCs) from goat COCs after multi-dose FSH (MD) or one-shot FSH/eCG (OS) treatments, using bovine COCs as control groups. The MD treatment produced more large follicles, and the resulting COCs had a better morphology and IVM rate than were obtained with OS.

Molecular identification of Lutzomyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae) as a potential vector for Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae).

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum. This parasite is transmitted by the bite of a female sand fly. The most important sand fly species in VL transmission is Lutzomyia longipalpis.