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Bezerra LGP, Silva AM, Dantas MRT, dos Santos RP, Moreira SSJ, Pereira AG, de Oliveira MF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Development of assays for the characterization of sperm motility parameters, viability, and membrane integrity in the epididymis and vas deferens of the greater rhea ( Rhea americana). Anim Reprod 2024; 20:e20230113. [PMID: 38213765 PMCID: PMC10782801 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The objectives of the study were to (1) describe the kinematic parameters of spermatozoa (2) compare methods of evaluating sperm viability (3) validate assays of functionality and integrity of the sperm membrane and (4) evaluate possible changes between spermatozoa from the epididymis and the vas deferens of the greater rhea. Semen samples were recovered from 7 adult individuals. Sperm motility was characterized by adjusting the set-up for Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) to that new species. For sperm viability evaluation, smears of bromophenol blue and eosin-nigrosine dyes were used. Five solutions of different osmolarities were then tested for the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST). The combination of fluorescent probes (propidium iodide - IP and Hoechst 33342) was also used to assess plasma membrane integrity. Data were presented as mean ± SEM. Rhea spermatozoa from the vas deferens had an overall motility of 14.6 ± 2.5%. The bromophenol blue staining technique revealed that 64.6 ± 5.2% sperm were viable, while that proportion was 72.1 ± 2.5% using eosin-nigrosine. An average of 77.6 ± 4.8% of spermatozoa reacted to the HOST with distilled water at 0 mOsm/l. Fluorescent probes indicated that 65.3 ± 2.6% of spermatozoa had intact membranes. Interestingly, no statistical differences were observed between the parameters analyzed in the epididymal spermatozoa and the vas deferens. These new assays set reference values that can now be used to further exploration of sperm handling conditions and freezing protocols in rheas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Grasiele Pereira Bezerra
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Andréia Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Maiko Roberto Tavares Dantas
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Romário Parente dos Santos
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Samara Sandy Jeronimo Moreira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Ana Glória Pereira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Moacir Franco de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, USA
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
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Borges RSDM, Medeiros ADM, Silva JGD, Paiva RRLT, Costa HDS, Oliveira MFD, Moura CEBD. Morphometry of the heart of greater rhea (Rhea americana americana, Linnaeus, 1758). Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 50:345-349. [PMID: 33236380 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Heart diseases in birds are frequent and generate significant production disorders. Morphometry is a valuable tool to provide fundamental information about heart conditions. Few studies have addressed morphological aspects of the heart of ratite birds, such as the Greater rhea. The present study aimed to analyse rhea heart morphometry, comparing young and adult subjects, in order to provide relevant information for the diagnosis of heart disease in this species. Hearts of young (n = 10) and adult (n = 10) female rheas were used in this research. Heart length and width and sternum length were measured using a caliper. Heart length and width and sternum length in adults were approximately three times greater than in young individuals. The left ventricular wall (LVW) was thicker than the right ventricular wall (RVW) at all ages, and the RVW was thicker in adults when compared to young subjects. The basal and middle RVW regions thicken with advancing age, and the thickness of the interventricular septum (ISW) occupies an intermediate position between the LVW and RVW. In general, an increase in rhea heart thickness and size relative to age is observed. The morphometric variations between young and adult rhea hearts observed in the present study may serve as a comparative subsidy for the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities observed in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryshely Sonaly De Moura Borges
- Research and Innovation Group on Morphophysiological Studies, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Andre De Macedo Medeiros
- Research and Innovation Group on Morphophysiological Studies, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Joelma Gomes da Silva
- Research and Innovation Group on Morphophysiological Studies, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Ruana Rafaela Lira Torquato Paiva
- Research and Innovation Group on Morphophysiological Studies, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Herson da Silva Costa
- Research and Innovation Group on Morphophysiological Studies, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Moacir Franco de Oliveira
- Research and Innovation Group on Morphophysiological Studies, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Bezerra de Moura
- Research and Innovation Group on Morphophysiological Studies, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, Brazil
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Gradela A, Pires IC, Matos MHT, Corrêa FM, Faria MD, Silva JS, Torres LRC, Milanelo L. Reproductive biology, morphology, and morphometry of ovaries and oviducts of Trachemys scripta elegans in Brazilian Cerrado. PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-6299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Although Trachemys scripta elegans is an exotic species popular as a pet in Brazil, studies on reproductive biology and capacity are non-existent in the Brazilian Cerrado. This study analyzed ovarian and oviduct characteristics and the egg production capacity of T. scripta elegans grown in this biome. The findings will associate with the size of the specimens and the sexual maturity, aiming at comparisons with native and exotic populations, as well as interspecific and contributing to the understanding of its impact on the invaded ecosystems and the establishment of eradication programs. Thus, 39 females had evaluated the body biometry and the morphology and morphometry of the ovaries and oviducts. G2 (N=20): with Class I (>5-10mm) follicles, with Class I and Class II (>10-fold) follicles, 25mm) and G3 (N=9) with Class I, Class II and Class III (>25mm) follicles. Analysis of variance, Scott-Knott’s test, and Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the groups in body biometry; in the mean gonadosomatic index and gonadal morphometry, only the width of the oviducts in the right antimer and the mass and width in the left antimer were higher in G3, the only one that presented eggs. There was positive and harmonic development between body mass, carapace, and plastron, and gonadal growth occurred concomitantly with body growth, indicating a higher reproductive potential and a positive relationship between the size of the litter and the female litter. The gonadosomatic index proved to be an excellent reproductive indicator, and the ovarian evaluation was a better indicator of sexual maturity than the maximum carapace length. Ovaries were irregular structures, without delimitation between the cortical and medullary regions and filled with vitelogenic follicles of different diameters, atresic follicles, and corpora lutea, which reflected the ovarian complexity of the species and the presence of follicular hierarchy. In the scarce stroma, two germinative beds were observed per ovary and the presence of gaps very close to the follicles and associated with the blood vessels. Analysis of gonadal tissue revealed three types of oocytes according to cytoplasmic characteristics: homogeneous, vesicular or vesicular in the cortex with apparent granules. Oviducts were functional and separated, joining only in the final portion to form the cloaca and subdivided into infundibulum, tuba, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. The structure of the uterine tube was composed of serosa, muscular and mucous, which was full of glands. The presence of eggs in the oviducts indicated that the specimens can reproduce in the Brazilian Cerrado. This study provides necessary and relevant information on the reproductive biology and capacity of T. scripta elegans in the Brazilian Cerrado and can contribute to the understanding of its impact on the invaded ecosystems and the establishment of eradication programs. The extraction of females with capacity can reduce the annual reproductive yield of the species and decrease its effect on local biodiversity.
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Brilhante RSN, de Alencar LP, Cordeiro RDA, Castelo-Branco DDSCM, Teixeira CEC, Macedo RDB, Lima DT, Paiva MDAN, Monteiro AJ, Alves ND, Franco de Oliveira M, Sidrim JJC, Rocha MFG, Bandeira TDJPG, Rodrigues TDJS. Detection of Candida species resistant to azoles in the microbiota of rheas (Rhea americana): possible implications for human and animal health. J Med Microbiol 2013; 62:889-895. [PMID: 23493027 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.055566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in breeding rheas (Rhea americana) in Brazil. However, there are no data on the yeast microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract of this avian species, and the phenotypic characteristics of these yeasts are not known. Therefore, the aim of this work was to isolate Candida species from the digestive tract of rheas and to evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility and secretion of phospholipases of the recovered isolates. For this purpose, 58 rheas from breeding operations in the cities of Fortaleza and Mossoró, north-eastern Brazil, were used. Samples were gathered from the oropharynx and cloaca of the animals using sterile swabs. Stool samples were collected from their pens by scraping with a scalpel blade. For the primary isolation, the material was seeded onto 2 % Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.5 g l(-1)). The isolates were identified based on morphological and biochemical features. After identification, all the strains were submitted to antifungal susceptibility testing for amphotericin B, itraconazole and fluconazole. The phospholipase activity of the Candida species isolates was also tested by culturing on egg yolk agar. Candida species were isolated from at least one anatomical site in 36/58 birds (14/17 juveniles and 22/41 adults) and in 6/10 faecal samples. Mostly, only a single species was isolated from each collection site (36/56 positive sites), with up to three species being observed only in four cases (4/56). A total of 77 isolates were obtained, belonging to the species Candida parapsilosis sensu lato (19), Candida albicans (18), Candida tropicalis (13), Candida guilliermondii (12), Candida krusei (10) and Candida famata (5). C. albicans was more prevalent in the oropharynx of the juvenile rheas when compared with adult ones (P<0.001). All tested isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, but 16 isolates were simultaneously resistant to the two azole derivatives (11/18 C. albicans, 1/10 C. krusei, 2/19 C. parapsilosis sensu lato and 2/13 C. tropicalis). C. albicans presented a particularly high resistance rate to fluconazole (15/18) and itraconazole (13/18). Finally, 23/77 strains secreted phospholipases. In summary, healthy rheas carry potentially pathogenic Candida species in their gastrointestinal tract, including azole-resistant strains that secrete phospholipases, and are prone to disseminating them in the environment. Thus, breeding and handling these animals may have some implications for human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Lucas Pereira de Alencar
- School of Veterinary, Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Débora de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Cordeiro Teixeira
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Ramila de Brito Macedo
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Daniel Teixeira Lima
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Manoel de Araújo Neto Paiva
- School of Veterinary, Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - André Jalles Monteiro
- Department of Statistics and Applied Mathematics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Nilza Dutra Alves
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of the Semiarid, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | | | - José Júlio Costa Sidrim
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha
- School of Veterinary, Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Tereza de Jesus Pinheiro Gomes Bandeira
- School of Medicine, Christus College, UNICHRISTUS, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.,Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Terezinha de Jesus Santos Rodrigues
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Specialized Medical Mycology Center, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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