RESUMO
This study describes the mating behavior of Hypoconcha parasitica under laboratory conditions highlighting the spermathecal morphology and focusing on the seminal fluid storage and release of spermatozoa. The pairs were kept in aquaria where the mating behavior was recorded and described. The spermathecae of the female were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray micro-CT, histology, and histochemistry. No pre- or post-copulatory mate guarding was observed in H. parasitica. The sperm transfer occurred with each pair maintaining the protection shield (bivalve shell) on their dorsum. The pair of spermathecae is covered exclusively by the cuticle, following the Podotremata pattern. Many muscle fiber bundles are attached to the cuticular wall facing toward the cephalothorax cavity, especially covering the lateral and slightly dorso-anterior region toward the apodeme of Sternite 7. The spermathecal organization indicates that the process of sperm release during fertilization occurs through muscular action exerted by the female on the wall of the chamber. Thus, the musculature distribution in Hypoconchinae distinguishes them from described for other Podotremata such as Homolidae, which shows the musculature associated with the spermathecae aperture. Like the Homolidae, the first pleopod in H. parasitica seems to take part in the transfer/ movement of spermatozoa and oocytes between the sternum and abdomen, which forms a temporary chamber where fertilization occurs. In conclusion, the spermathecal morphology and associated structures bring new insights to the mechanisms involved in the sperm storage and fertilization of primitive crabs and how the Dromiidae spermatheca perform a new pattern among the poorly studied Podotremata.
Assuntos
Braquiúros , Animais , Braquiúros/anatomia & histologia , Braquiúros/fisiologia , Feminino , Fertilização , Masculino , Reprodução , Sêmen , Espermatozoides/fisiologiaRESUMO
In horses, there is an increasing interest in developing long-lasting drug formulations, with biopolymers as viable carrier alternatives in addition to their use as scaffolds, suture threads, screws, pins, and plates for orthopedic surgeries. This communication focuses on the prolonged biocompatibility and biodegradation of PLA, prepared by hot pressing at 180 °C. Six samples were implanted subcutaneously on the lateral surface of the neck of one horse. The polymers remained implanted for 24 to 57 weeks. Physical examination, plasma fibrinogen, and the mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) were performed. After 24, 28, 34, 38, and 57 weeks, the materials were removed for histochemical analysis using hematoxylin-eosin and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There were no essential clinical changes. MNT decreased after the implantation procedure, returning to normal after 48 h. A foreign body response was observed by histopathologic evaluation up to 38 weeks. At 57 weeks, no polymer or fibrotic capsules were identified. SEM showed surface roughness suggesting a biodegradation process, with an increase in the median pore diameter. As in the histopathological evaluation, it was not possible to detect the polymer 57 weeks after implantation. PLA showed biocompatible degradation and these findings may contribute to future research in the biomedical area.
Assuntos
Cavalos/fisiologia , Poliésteres/farmacologia , Próteses e Implantes , Animais , Fibrinogênio/metabolismo , Projetos Piloto , Porosidade , Pele/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Este trabalho investigou a maturidade sexual, o período reprodutivo e de recrutamento (ambos relacionados com a temperatura e a salinidade da água),e a proporção sexual de Xiphopenaeus kroyerina Baía de Santos, SP. Os camarões foram capturados mensalmente,de junho de 2008 a maio de 2009,em quatro pontos de amostragem. Os indivíduos foram mensurados, analisados quanto ao sexo e o estágio de desenvolvimento reprodutivo foi determinado macroscopicamente. As fêmeas apresentaram valor médio de comprimento da carapaça (mm) maior que osmachos e atingiram a maturidade fisiológica com valor superior, i.e., 25,5mm para fêmeas e 16,8mm para machos. O período reprodutivo foi contínuo,com maior proporção de fêmeas reprodutivas no outono. Apesar de não significativo, em fevereiro houve um pico similar a março de fêmeas reprodutivas. Entre agosto e outubro ocorreu um pico intermediário destas fêmeas que contribuiu para o recrutamento no verão. A menor quantidade de juvenis após a principal desova (fevereiro, março e abril) pode ser explicado pela migração ou pelo efeito da abertura dapesca,que ocorre em junho. A proporção entre os sexos foi próxima à 1:1, porém, em escala espacial, notou-se maior quantidade de fêmeas reprodutivas em locais mais rasos.Esta distribuição diferencial entre os sexos pode estar associada à estratégia reprodutiva das fêmeas, neste caso, áreas mais apropriadas para a desova.O atual defeso ocorre entre março e maio e, pelos resultados obtidos sobre a frequência de fêmeas reprodutivas, sugere-se a inclusão de fevereiro.(AU)
e investigated the sexual maturity, reproductive period and juvenile recruitment (both associated with salinity and temperature of bottom water) and sex-ratio of Xiphopenaeus kroyeriin Santos Bay, São Paulo. Monthly samples were obtained from June 2008 through May 2009along four transects. Individuals were measured, sexed and the developmental stage of the reproductive systemwas macroscopically determined. The mean carapace length of females was larger than that of males. Females attained physiologicalmaturity with 25.5mm and males with 16.8mm. The reproductive period was continuous with higher proportions of reproductive females in autumn. Although not significant, in February occurs a peak of reproductive females similar to March. An intermediate peak of these females occurs between August and October and it contributed to the recruitment in summer. The smallest amount of juveniles after the main peak of spawning (February, March and April) can be explained by migration or consequences of open access for fishery that occurs June. The overall sex-ratio was approximately 1:1.However, when considering the spatial distribution, we observed a greater amount of reproductive femalesin shallow waters in the bay. The differential distribution between the sexes could be associated with appropriated areas to spawn. The current legal off-season occurs between March and May, and, according to our results of the frequency of reproductive females, we suggest the inclusion of February in the off-season.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Reprodução/fisiologia , Decápodes/fisiologia , Biologia , Pesqueiros , SantosRESUMO
Tributyltin (TBT) contamination affects the reproductive system of many species of invertebrates worldwide. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of exposure to TBT pollution on the reproduction of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus. An orthogonal experiment was designed with two treatments: contamination (with or without TBT in the food) and crab sex (males and females). The animals were reared in the laboratory for nine months, and macroscopic and histological analyses of reproductive organs were carried out after the end of the experiment. Tributyltin was recorded in exposed crabs, but no morphological alterations were detected in the gonads of males, regardless of whether they were exposed to TBT. In contrast, females exposed to TBT displayed disorganization and atrophy of their ovaries, thus directly affecting reproduction in this hermit crab species. This effect observed in female hermit crabs may harm populations located in harbor regions, where TBT concentration is high, even after the worldwide TBT ban.
Assuntos
Compostos de Trialquitina/toxicidade , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Animais , Anomuros , Feminino , Genitália/efeitos dos fármacos , Genitália/metabolismo , Genitália/patologia , Gônadas/efeitos dos fármacos , Gônadas/metabolismo , Gônadas/patologia , Masculino , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Compostos de Trialquitina/metabolismo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/metabolismoRESUMO
Phyllorhiza punctata (P. punctata) is a jellyfish native to the southwestern Pacific. Herewith we present the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of an extract of the tentacles of P. punctata. The tentacles were subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles, homogenized, ultrafiltered, precipitated, centrifuged and lyophilized to obtain a crude extract (PHY-N). Paralytic shellfish poisoning compounds such as saxitoxin, gonyautoxin-4, tetrodotoxin and brevetoxin-2, as well as several secretory phospholipase A(2) were identified. PHY-N was tested on autonomic and somatic neuromuscular preparations. In mouse vas deferens, PHY-N induced phasic contractions that reached a peak of 234 ± 34.7% of control twitch height, which were blocked with either 100 µ m of phentolamine or 1 m m of lidocaine. In mouse corpora cavernosa, PHY-N evoked a relaxation response, which was blocked with either L-N(G) -Nitroarginine methyl ester (0.5 m m) or 1 m m of lidocaine. PHY-N (1, 3 and 10 µg ml(-1) ) induced an increase in tonus of the biventer-cervicis neuromuscular preparation that was blocked with pre-treatment of galamine (10 µ m). Administration of 6 mg kg(-1) PHY-N intramuscularly produced death in broilers by spastic paralysis. In conclusion, PHY-N induces nerve depolarization and nonspecifically increases neurotransmitter release.
Assuntos
Venenos de Cnidários/toxicidade , Junção Neuromuscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Cifozoários/química , Transmissão Sináptica/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Galinhas , Venenos de Cnidários/isolamento & purificação , Lidocaína/metabolismo , Masculino , Toxinas Marinhas , Camundongos , Junção Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Oxocinas/isolamento & purificação , Oxocinas/toxicidade , Fentolamina/metabolismo , Fosfolipases A2/isolamento & purificação , Fosfolipases A2/toxicidade , Saxitoxina/análogos & derivados , Saxitoxina/isolamento & purificação , Saxitoxina/toxicidade , Manejo de Espécimes , Tetrodotoxina/isolamento & purificação , Tetrodotoxina/toxicidade , Ducto Deferente/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Some proteins present in snake venom possess enzymatic activities, such as phospholipase A(2) and l-amino acid oxidase. In this study, we verify the action of the Bothrops marajoensis venom (BmarTV), PLA(2) (BmarPLA(2)) and LAAO (BmarLAAO) on strains of bacteria, yeast, and Leishmania sp. The BmarTV was isolated by Protein Pack 5PW, and several fractions were obtained. Reverse phase HPLC showed that BmarPLA(2) was isolated from the venom, and N-terminal amino acid sequencing of sPLA(2) showed high amino acid identity with other lysine K49 sPLA(2)s isolated from Bothrops snakes. The BmarLAAO was purified to high molecular homogeneity and its N-terminal amino acid sequence demonstrated a high degree of amino acid conservation with others LAAOs. BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa, C. albicans and S. aureus in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was more significant on S. aureus, with a MIC=50 microg/mL and MLC=200 microg/mL. However, the BmarTV and BmarPLA(2) did not demonstrate inhibitory capacity. BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of promastigote forms of L. chagasi and L. amazonensis, with an IC(50)=2.55 microg/mL and 2.86 microg/mL for L. amazonensis and L. chagasi, respectively. BmarTV also provided significant inhibition of parasitic growth, with an IC(50) of 86.56 microg/mL for L. amazonensis and 79.02 microg/mL for L. chagasi. BmarPLA(2) did not promote any inhibition of the growth of these parasites. The BmarLAAO and BmarTV presented low toxicity at the concentrations studied. In conclusion, whole venom as well as the l-amino acid oxidase from Bothrops marajoensis was able to inhibit the growth of several microorganisms, including S. aureus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Leishmania sp.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Venenos de Crotalídeos/farmacologia , L-Aminoácido Oxidase/farmacologia , Fosfolipases A2/farmacologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Bothrops , Cromatografia DEAE-Celulose , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Venenos de Crotalídeos/química , Venenos de Crotalídeos/enzimologia , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , L-Aminoácido Oxidase/química , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Fosfolipases A2/química , Homologia de Sequência de AminoácidosRESUMO
Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata are widely distributed fruit flies that cause significant damageto fruit crops in tropical and temperate regions. The economic importance of these flies has resulted innumerous studies of their biology, with particular emphasis on their control and management. However,various aspects of the biology of these species are still poorly understood. In this work, we used scanningelectron microscopy (SEM) to examine the external anatomy and organization of the digestive system inthese two species. Adult males and females of A. fraterculus and females of C. capitata were dissected inphysiological saline solution, and the digestive tracts were removed and prepared for microscopy. SEMshowed that the crop was covered by a strong muscular layer that consisted of circular fibers connected bylongitudinal fibers; this arrangement was probably related to the post-feeding behavior of these flies in whichthe crop contents are regurgitated and reingested. The size of the rectum varied and was probably related tothe different body sizes of the two species.