Cryopreservation efficiency of red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) sperm obtained from different origins through epididymal retrograde flushing or electroejaculation

This study investigated whether the origin of sperm (epididymal vs. ejaculate) affects the cryopreservation efficiency in agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). Five sexually mature agoutis underwent electroejaculation, resulting in obtaining four semen samples. After 15 days, the same animals were euthanized, and through retrograde flushing, sperm samples were obtained from the epididymis tails. In both collection methods, samples were evaluated for sperm parameters (sperm concentration, motility, vigor, membrane integrity, osmotic response, and morphology). Then, samples were diluted in ACP 109c, added with 20% egg yolk, and a final concentration of 6% glycerol. Finally, the samples were packaged in 0.25 mL straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen. After one week, samples were thawed and evaluated in the same way as fresh samples, with the addition of membrane integrity analysis using fluorescent probes (C-FDA/PI) and computerized analysis (CASA). Immediately after obtaining the sperm, samples obtained directly from the epididymis presented higher values (P ≤ 0.05) than those obtained by electroejaculation concerning the parameters of volume, sperm concentration, and total number of sperm (1,398.25 ± 206.0 x106 and 184.5 ± 78.0 x106 sperm). On the other hand, in the classical evaluation of the other sperm parameters and the computerized analysis (CASA) after thawing, such as total motility, no statistical differences were observed between sperm from both origins (ejaculate: 16.7 ± 8.2% and epididymal: 24.8 ± 12.0%, P > 0.05). This demonstrates the possibility of direct application of the cryopreservation protocol for agouti (D. leporina) sperm obtained via the epididymis or ejaculate.

Rescue of caprine fetal ovaries, vitrification and follicular development after xenotransplantation in two immunodeficient mice models

Domestic and wild goats are very susceptible animals to predation, specially when pregnancy occurs. This study aimed to evaluate the use of goat fetal ovarian tissue for vitrification followed by xenotransplantation and fresh xenotransplantation in two immunosuppressed mice models (C57BL/6 SCID and Balb-C NUDE). Goat fetus ovaries were collected in slaughterhouses, divided into small cortical pieces and were destined for fresh xenotransplantation (FX) and cryopreservation followed by xenotransplantation (CX). Five recipients from each lineage were used for FX and 10 animals from each lineage for CX. The mice were euthanized after 65 postoperative days, and the transplants were collected for microscopic assessment. The blood plasma was collected for estradiol measurement. Independently of mice strain, all recipients presented complete estrus cycle in FX and 80% after CX groups. Follicles were observed at all development stages without morphological changes. The volume density and total vessel surface observed in the transplants were different (p <0.01) between groups. The estradiol levels in the recipients did not differ (p <0.05) among the treatments. Thus, it is possible to activate the preantral follicles in the ovaries of fetuses by optimizing germplasm utilization and conservation of domestic and endangered wild goats that are in predatory situations, undesirable drowning or accidental death, since provided conditions for xenotransplantation are performed.

Vitrification of collared peccary ovarian tissue using open or closed systems and different intracellular cryoprotectants

This study aimed to evaluate different vitrification methods using distinct cryoprotectants (CPAs) for the preservation of collared peccary ovarian preantral follicles (PFs). Ovarian pairs from six females were fragmented and three fragments (fresh control group) were immediately evaluated for morphology, viability, cell proliferation capacity (assessed by quantifying the number of argyrophilic nucleolus organizer regions - NORs), and apoptosis (by the identification of activated caspase-3 expression). The remaining 18 fragments were vitrified using the solid surface vitrification (SSV) method or the ovarian tissue cryosystem (OTC) with 3 M ethylene glycol (EG), 3 M dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or a combination of the two (1.5 M EG/1.5 M DMSO). After two weeks, samples were rewarmed and evaluated as described previously. The OTC with any of the CPAs provided a similar conservation of morphologically normal PFs as the fresh control group (75.6 ± 8.6%); however, the SSV was only efficient with DMSO alone (63.9 ± 7.6%). Regarding the viability or cell proliferation, all tested groups provided post rewarming values similar to those observed for the fresh control group, 84.0 ± 2.9% viable cells with 2.0 ± 0.2 NORs. Related to apoptosis analysis, only the OTC with EG (46.7%) and the SSV method with EG (43.4%) or the combination of EG and DMSO (33.4%) provided similar values to those found for the fresh control group (36.7%). Our findings indicate the utilization of a closed system, the OTC, with 3 M EG as the CPA for the vitrification of collared peccary ovarian tissue.

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: positive effect on trabecular microarchitecture using HR-pQCT

In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 24-week trial, cholecalciferol supplementation at 50,000 IU/week effectively improved bone microarchitecture parameters in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JoSLE) patients, as assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) at tibia site. An increase in the trabecular number and a decrease in the trabecular separation were observed, suggesting that vitamin D supplementation may be recommended for JoSLE patients with its deficiency.

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin D has an important effect on bone but there are no trials that directly address the boosting of serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in bone microarchitecture in JoSLE patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone microarchitecture parameters using HR-pQCT in JoSLE patients.

METHODS

This study was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 24-week trial. Forty female JoSLE patients were randomized (1:1) to receive oral cholecalciferol at 50,000 IU/week (JoSLE-VitD) or placebo (JoSLE-PL). The medications remained stable throughout the study. Serum levels of 25OHD were measured using a radioimmunoassay. The bone microarchitecture and volumetric bone density were analyzed using HR-pQCT at tibia site.

RESULTS

At baseline, the groups were similar with respect to their age, body mass index, organ involvement, glucocorticoid dose, immunosuppressant use, serum 25OHD levels, and HR-pQCT parameters. After 24 weeks, higher 25OHD levels were observed in the JoSLE-VitD group compared to the JoSLE-PL group [31.3 (8.6) vs. 16.5 (5.8) ng/mL, p < 0.001]. An increase in the trabecular number [∆Tb.N 0.16 (0.24) vs. 0.03 (0.19) 1/mm, p = 0.024] and a decrease in the trabecular separation [∆ThSp -0.045 (0.067) vs. 0.001 (0.009) mm, p = 0.017] were found in the JoSLE-VitD group compared to the JoSLE-PL group at tibia site. No differences were observed in other structural parameters [trabecular (Tb.Th) or cortical thickness (Ct.Th)], volumetric bone mineral densities, cortical porosity, and biomechanical parameters (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that cholecalciferol supplementation for 24 weeks effectively improved the bone microarchitecture parameters, mainly the trabecular number, in JoSLE patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01892748.

Bone impairment assessed by HR-pQCT in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) analysis of female juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JoSLE) patients revealed trabecular/cortical bone damage and reduced bone strength primarily at the distal radius compared to healthy controls. We demonstrated for the first time that JoSLE patients with vertebral fracture (VF) present trabecular impairment at the distal radius.

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), microarchitecture, and biomechanical features at the distal radius and tibia using HR-pQCT and laboratory bone markers in JoSLE patients compared to controls to determine whether this method discriminates JoSLE patients with or without VF.

METHODS

We compared 56 female JoSLE patients to age- and Tanner-matched healthy controls. HR-pQCT was performed at the distal radius and tibia. Serum levels of the amino-terminal pro-peptide of type I collagen, the C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, intact parathormone, sclerostin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were evaluated. VFs were analyzed using VFA-dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Genant's method).

RESULTS

Reduced density and strength parameters and microarchitecture alterations of cortical and trabecular bones were observed in JoSLE patients compared to controls, primarily at the distal radius (p < 0.05). Patients with VF exhibited a significant decrease in trabecular bone parameters solely at the distal radius (Total.BMD, p = 0.034; Trabecular.BMD [Tb.BMD], p = 0.034; bone volume (BV)/trabecular volume (TV), p = 0.034; apparent modulus, p = 0.039) and higher scores for disease damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR-DI), p = 0.002). Bone metabolism markers were similar in all groups. Logistic regression analysis of parameters that were significant in univariate analysis revealed that Tb.BMD (OR 0.98, 95 % CI 0.95-0.99, p = 0.039) and SLICC/ACR-DI (OR 7.37, 95 % CI 1.75-30.97, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for VF.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study is the first demonstration of bone microstructure and strength deficits in JoSLE patients, particularly at the distal radius. Our results demonstrated that VF was associated with trabecular radius alteration and emphasized the potential detrimental effect of disease damage on this condition.

Interactions Among Different Devices and Electrical Stimulus on the Electroejaculation of Captive Agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina)

The interactions among different electroejaculation devices associated with serial or continuous stimuli were investigated to improve the efficiency of the electroejaculation for semen collection in agoutis. Ten sexually matured male Dasyprocta leporina were restrained by the intramuscular administration of xylazine-ketamine association. Each individual was randomly subjected to four electroejaculation protocols, by combining two devices (one presenting longitudinal electrodes emitting square waves and other presenting ring electrodes emitting sine waves) and two electrical stimuli protocols (serial or continuous). A total of 40 attempts for electroejaculation were conducted in agoutis, being 10 per treatment. The most efficient treatment in providing ejaculates containing sperm (p < 0.05) was that using and electroejaculator connected to a probe with ring electrodes and associated with serial stimuli (4/7; 57%). In spite of semen parameters obtained by sine waves were adequate for using the samples for assisted reproduction, higher values for sperm motility and functional membrane integrity were obtained in the use of the square wave, independently of the electric stimulation protocol used (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we verified that the use of a device presenting a probe with ring electrodes and emitting sine waves, associated with a serial stimuli protocol, improves the efficiency for semen obtaining by electroejaculation in adults D. leporina.