Suchergebnisse

The combination of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and gonadotropin chorionic (eCG) has been widely used to synchronize oestrus cycle in sheep, but their effects on the gene expression in uterine tissue are yet to be elucidated. To evaluate the effect of MPA + eCG or prostaglandin analogue (PA) treatments on the rate of oestrus cycle synchronization, as well as further hormone production and gene expression profiles in uterine tissue, 14 Santa Inês ewes were randomly selected. The MPA + eCG group (n=7) received intravaginal insertion of MPA-impregnated sponges for 14 days and was administered 350 IU eCG on the day of sponge withdrawal. The PA group (n=7) was administered two doses of 100 μg of PA separated by 12 days. The ewes were assessed for the rate of oestrus cycle synchronization and the serum concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2). Additionally, the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα), progesterone receptor (P4R), and immunolocalization of interferon receptor (IFNAR1) in the uterine tissue samples collected 15th day post-mating were examined. The rate of oestrus cycle synchronization was 100% (n=7/7) and 57.14% (n=4/7) in the MPA + eCG and PA groups, respectively. Moreover, the MPA + eCG group exhibited higher serum concentration of P4 than the PA group (p < 0.05). However, the E2 serum concentration did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). The relative expression of P4R and ERα mRNA analyzed using real-time PCR and immunodetection of IFNAR1 were similar between the two groups tested (p > 0.05). Conclusively, MPA + eCG treatment improved the rate of oestrus cycle synchronization and endogenous P4 production; however, it did not affect the expression of sex steroid receptors and IFNAR1 in uterine ovine tissue.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. are protozoa that have a significant impact on animal health due to the diseases they cause in domestic and wild animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. in cats from northern Brazil. Serum samples were collected from 180 cats in the municipality of Araguaína, Tocantins and used to evaluate the presence of anti-T. gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test, with a cutoff of 1:64 and 1:25, respectively. The association between infection and individual animal characteristics (age, sex, origin, breed, and clinical signs) was tested using univariate analysis, followed by multivariate logistic regression. We found that 48.3% (87/180) of the animals had anti-T. gondii (95% CI: 40.8%–55.90%) and 3.9% (7/180) had anti-Neospora spp. (95% CI: 1.6%–7.8%) antibodies. There was no association between age, sex, breed origin, clinical signs, and seropositivity for T. gondii. Cats of defined breeds were more likely to be infected by Neospora spp. (OR = 10.7). Therefore, we found a high rate of seropositivity for T. gondii and a high rate of occurrence of Neospora infections in cats from the Araguaína region. The exposure of the feline population to the studied coccidia indicates the need to monitor the feline population for these infections and underscores the importance of effective sanitary measures against such pathogens.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a biostimulant on the morphogenesis, structure, productivity, and chemical composition of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, managed under two nitrogen fertilization levels. Collections were carried out during the dry (June to September) and the rainy season (September to April). The experimental area was divided into 48 plots of 8 m2 each, using a randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (0, 1, 2, and 3 L ha−1 of biostimulant × 50 and 150 kg N ha−1 year−1), and subdivided over time into dry and rainy seasons. Treatments were applied in a single dose. An interaction was observed between biostimulant and nitrogen fertilization for the total forage dry matter production and daily forage dry matter production, in which an increase of 30.1 and 25.3% was observed in the total dry matter production and 33.7 and 27.6% in the daily dry matter production when using 1 and 2 L ha−1 of biostimulant, respectively, compared to the non-application of biostimulant and with fertilization of 50 kg N ha−1 year−1. The leaf life-span showed a triple interaction (biostimulant × nitrogen fertilization × season), and a decomposition of the interaction showed that the fertilization of 150 kg N ha−1 year−1 provided a shorter leaf life-span during the dry season, with no difference for the other combinations of factors. No interactions were found for the chemical-bromatological composition, with no differences for the biostimulant application. Biostimulant doses of 1 and 2 L ha−1 increase the dry matter production per hectare in the nitrogen fertilization of 50 kg N ha−1 year−1, but its action is not effective with the highest nitrogen fertilization (150 kg N ha−1 year−1).