Antonio Sergio Varela Junior
@furg.br
Reprodução Animal Comparada
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Pablo Luis Fracaro, Carine Dahl Corcini, Norton Luis Souza Gatti, Jorge Squeff Filho, Izani Bonel Acosta, Jorge Squeff Filho, Felipe Pires Hartwig, Bruna Da Rosa Curcio, and Antonio Sergio Varela Junior
CryoLetters Limited Liability Partnership
BACKGROUND: Glycerol is a cryoprotectant widely used in the freezing of mammalian species ' semen, but no study has demonstrated its optimum concentration and the appropriate exposure time for equine species. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that the exposure time (15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min) versus concentration (2, 3, 4 and 5%) of the cryoprotectant glycerol influences the freezing success of equine semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ejaculate of 12 stallions were frozen in different glycerol concentrations following different exposure times. The thawed sperm was evaluated for kinetic parameters using a Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) system and cell feature parameters were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Considering the total and progressive motility of the spermatozoa, we concluded that protocols using 5% glycerol for 15 and 30 min exposure, 4% glycerol for 45 min exposure and 3% glycerol for 90 min exposure generated the best results. CONCLUSION: We suggest the use of any of these protocols for a better cryopreservation of equine semen.
A.S. Varela Junior, R.D. Jardim, D.P. Streit, T.F. Cardoso, E.F. Silva, T. Lucia, M.R.C. Figueiredo, and C.D. Corcini
CryoLetters Limited Liability Partnership
BACKGROUND: Sugars may act as either energy substrates or non-penetrating cryoprotectants. OBJECTIVE: Inclusion of non-penetrating trehalose was tested in extenders for the cryopreservation of Tambaqui ( Colossoma macropomum) sperm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sperm was extended 1/9 (v/v) in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) with 10% DMSO (control) or 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM trehalose without 10% DMSO. Post-thawed sperm quality was evaluated, including fertilization and hatching rates, sperm motility, motility period and viability, integrity of sperm membrane and DNA, and mitochondrial functionality. RESULTS: Extenders with 100 ∼ 150 mM trehalose achieved fertilization and hatching rates similar to those of the 10% DMSO-treated sperm samples. Trehalose at 100 and 150 mM provides better protection than 10% DMSO treatment for sperm motility, viability, DNA integrity and mitochondrial functionality. Fertilization and hatching rates were highly correlated (r = 0.95, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The addition of 100 ∼ 150 mM trehalose in extender can replace 10% DMSO for the cryopreservation of C. macropomum sperm.
S. L. Soares, Camila R. C. Brito, Andreia Nobre Anciuti, Norton C. Gatti, Carine Dahl Corcini, Antonio Sergio Varela, Mariana G. Marques, Francisco N. Fonseca, Eliza R. Komninou, and Thomaz Lucia
Hindawi Limited
Post‐thawing cryoinjuries in boar spermatozoa due to oxidative stress may be reduced by adding nanoencapsulated antioxidants to freezing extenders. This study evaluated post‐thawing kinetics, structural and biochemical functions of boar spermatozoa frozen with extenders including resveratrol and vitamin E loaded into polymeric nanocapsules. Resveratrol was added at 0 (control), 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µg/ml, whereas Vitamin E was added at 0 (control), 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml. Both antioxidants were tested in free and nanoencapsulated presentations. In contact with empty nanocapsules, some sperm kinetics parameters were impaired compared to the control (p < .05), whereas lipoperoxidation declined (p < .05). With inclusion of 40 µg/ml nanoencapsulated resveratrol, some sperm kinetics parameters were improved (p < .01), but sperm motility, structural and biochemical functions did not differ from the control (p > .05). No improvement in sperm quality occurred with inclusion of vitamin E, although sperm kinetics with 400 µg/ml nanoencapsulated vitamin E was reduced compared to the control (p < .01). Inclusion of 40 µg/ml nanoencapsulated resveratrol benefitted boar sperm kinetics after thawing, but no improvement resulted from inclusion of vitamin E.
Merlyn dos Santos Maidana, Antônio Sergio Varela Junior, Carine Dahl Corcini, Jessica Ribeiro Pereira, Diego Martins Pires, Ronan Adler Tavella, Caroline Lopes Feijo Fernandes, Marina dos Santos, Edariane Menestrino Garcia, and Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior
Elsevier BV
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to investigate the oral cytological changes in young adults with recent history of alcohol consumption, as well as its relation with the consumption of alcohol.
DESIGN
The sample included 67 young adults, who performed a smear of the oral mucosa and answered a questionnaire about recent and lifetime consumption of alcohol and other drugs. The methods used were sensitive to show the association between alcohol consumption and other drugs with the damage to oral cavity cells.
RESULTS
DNA fragmentation index, mitochondrial functionality and cell viability, showed a significant difference between alcohol users and nonusers. However, there was no distinction between these parameters and different frequency consumption. Alcohol consumption, economic class and use of illicit drugs were related to the cytological parameters evaluated.
CONCLUSIONS
This result shows the existence of cell damages among the evaluated students and can direct future studies towards more in-depth investigations of the mechanisms involved.
Camila R. C. Brito, Antonio Sergio Varela Junior, Stela Mari M. Gheller, Izani B. Acosta, Andreia N. Anciuti, Norton Luiz S. Gatti, Edenara A. Silva, Nathalia W. Knabah, and Carine D. Corcini
Wiley
In semen cryopreservation, egg yolk is still widely used as a non-penetrating cryoprotectant. Much has been developed in the search for alternatives for this biological product. This work aimed to evaluate the processed egg yolk through ultracentrifugation and / or sonication in the cryopreservation of swine semen. Twenty-seven semen doses were purchased from a commercial boar stud and processed for cryopreservation using egg-yolk lactose 11% (control) extender, processed using two different methods: high-speed centrifugation and sonication. Then, they were submitted to freeze-thawing protocol and were assessed for kinematic and cell structural parameters. Samples in which extenders underwent centrifugation had better results in velocity parameters, meanwhile those that only sonication was performed had poorest results in this parameter. The preservation of the membrane and mitochondria structure had better results when the diluent was only centrifuged in comparison to the other treatments. Therefore, centrifugation of extender containing egg yolk is important for better cryopreservation of swine semen.
Claudio Luis Quaresma Bastos Junior, Tatiane Senna Bialves, Kamila Foguesatto, Estevão Melo Arantes, Gleidson Barcelos de Souza, Thiago Obiedo Garcia, Antonio Sergio Varela, and Robert Tew Boyle
Elsevier BV
Sea anemones of the genus Bunodosoma possess along their body column, longitudinally arranged brown-colored vesicles. We have shown that in B. cangicum, these warty structures contain a mixture of potent toxins. This work highlights the neuro-inhibitory effects exhibited by two decapod crustacean species exposed to the extracts from these vesicles. For this, we use the unrefined toxin in doses, exposure times, and different exposure pathways. The findings show that at least one neuro-inhibitory compound is present and remains active regardless of the exposure method or dose tested. This toxin affects neuro-motor pathways but not neuro-sensory pathways. Shrimp exposed to toxin could continue to perceive and track food pellets but could not secure and consume their ration. Of six anatomical reflexes tested under the toxin's influence, voluntary movements of the mouthparts were impacted most commonly. Interestingly, all subject animals recovered from the toxin exposure within 2 h. Finally, we propose Reflexive Action Analysis (RAMP) as a tool to evaluate the potency of other neurotoxic or neuro-inhibitory compounds in crustacea. This work is the first to show the neuro-inhibitory activity of extracts from these sea anemone columnar vesicle structures and the first to evaluate these effects using RAMP reflex analysis.
Marina Zanin, Antonio Sergio Varela Junior, Izani Bonel Acosta, Stela Mari Meneghello Gheller, Etiane Zimermann, Charles Nunes Froes, Martielo Ivan Gehrcke, and Carine Dahl Corcini
Elsevier BV
Abstract Tricaine is a widely-used compound in the anesthesia of fish in both aquaculture and research laboratories. Studies on fish reproduction to date suffer from the impact of anesthetics used for euthanasia, especially the quality of gametes. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effect of the different concentrations of tricaine (0, 200 and 400 mg/L) on sperm kinetics parameters, structural parameters of plasma membrane fluidity and integrity, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial functionality, lipoperoxidation and DNA fragmentation index by flow cytometry method. Our results showed that the concentration of 400 mg/L tricaine (MS-222) can be used to euthanize Danio rerio even in experiments with reproductive parameters, for humanitarian reasons and avoiding animal suffering, once this concentration has not influenced kinetic parameters like sperm, plasma membrane functionality, DNA fragmentation index, reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxidation.
Lucas dos Santos da Silva, William Borges Domingues, Bruna Fagundes Barreto, Amanda Weege da Silveira Martins, Eduardo Nunes Dellagostin, Eliza Rossi Komninou, Carine D. Corcini, Antônio Sergio Varela Junior, and Vinicius Farias Campos
Elsevier BV
Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) has a potential application in the generation of transgenic animals. Capillary electroporation consists of the application of electrical pulses, resulting in an increased transfection rate. Little is known about the impacts of the transfection of exogenous DNA on sperm epigenetics. MicroRNAs are epigenetic factors that are related to sperm motility. MiRNA-122-5p regulates genes that influence motility, and consequently, the fertilizing potential of sperm. Therefore, we aimed at identifying whether epigenetic factors such as microRNAs could be altered after DNA transfection, using the capillary electroporation technique. In this study, bull sperm was electroporated using voltages of 600V, 1500V, and 0V (control group), with or without exogenous DNA. Parameters of sperm quality were analyzed using CASA and flow cytometry, and expression of the miRNA-122-5p was analyzed using RT-qPCR. It was observed that electroporation increased the internalization of exogenous DNA (P<0.05), but did not impair the mitochondrial activity (P>0.05). It reduced sperm motility (P<0.05). The expression of miRNA-122-5p was upregulated in sperm electroporated at 1500V, and the presence of exogenous DNA did not affect its expression. Thus, we can conclude that electroporation influences the expression of miRNA-122-5p from bull sperm cells.
Murilo de Oliveira Fernandes, Crislaine Barbosa, Daiana Kaster Garcez, Antonio Sergio Varela Junior, Matheus Vieira Volcan, and Lizandra Jaqueline Robe
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
A significant portion of the threatened ichthyofauna is composed by annual fish, whose gene flow is commonly affected by large water bodies. Austrolebias minuano is an endangered species that lives in temporary wetlands of the Patos-Mirim Lagoon System, in Brazil, inhabiting both margins of the Patos Lagoon. This species has previously been target of taxonomic split, leading to the description of A. pongondo, and there are doubts about its distinction in relation to A. charrua. The objective of this study is to understand the evolutionary patterns and processes associated with the geographic distribution of A. minuano, A. charrua and A. pongondo, while assessing their taxonomic status. For this, specimens were collected along the distribution range of the three species, and sequences of the mitochondrial cyt b and CO1 and of the nuclear ENC1 gene were characterized. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches showed subdivision of the dataset in four lineages: one clustering the type population of A. minuano with A. charrua, two presenting populations previously assigned to A. minuano that inhabit the Eastern margin of the Patos Lagoon and one corresponding to A. pongondo. Patterns of migration and genetic divergences support the assignment of each of these lineages as independent evolutionary units. In the chronophylogenetic reconstructions, the two lineages inhabiting the Western margin of the Patos Lagoon constituted the first to branch out whereas the eastern lineages diverged more recently. These divergences seem to have occurred before the Pleistocene Lagoon-Barrier Depositional System related to the paleogeographic evolution of the South American Coastal Plain.
T. Picoli, C.M. Peter, M.G. Lopes, L.S. Barcelos, A.S. Varela Júnior, C.D. Corcini, M. Lima, S.O. Hübner, G.D.A. Vargas, and G. Fischer
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
ABSTRACT Among the immune system cells, macrophages have an important role. Apamin, a bee venom constituent, is important in the defense of these insects. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the metabolism of J774 1.6 macrophage cell line when exposed to isolated and purified apamin, using cytotoxicity tests by MTT reduction and analysis by flow cytometry (apoptosis / necrosis, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), membranous lipoperoxidation (LPO), electrical potential of the mitochondrial membrane (mMP) and DNA fragmentation). None of the tested concentrations (10 to 100μg/mL) were cytotoxic according to MTT reductions. Apoptosis rates decreased at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0μg/mL (P<0.05), while necrosis rates increased (P<0.05). However, rates of healthy cells at the highest tested concentration (10μg/mL) did not differ from control (P>0.05). Apamin did not alter ROS, LPO, or DNA fragmentation. Therefore, all analyzed concentrations (1.25 to 10μg/mL) decreased mMP. Such decrease in apoptosis might be due to a suppression of mitochondrial pro-apoptotic messengers, as this peptide causes no oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. Highly sensitive techniques are majorly important for proper interpretation of cellular toxicity mechanisms, combined with routine laboratory methods.
Angela Maria Casaril, Micaela Domingues, Darling de Andrade Lourenço, Beatriz Vieira, Karine Begnini, Carine Dahl Corcini, Raqueli Teresinha França, Antônio Sergio Varela Junior, Fabiana Kӧmmling Seixas, Tiago Collares,et al.
Elsevier BV
Only in the last decade the long-term consequences of sepsis started to be studied and even less attention has been given to the treatment of psychological symptoms of sepsis survivors. It is estimated that 60% of sepsis survivors have psychological disturbances, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Although the causative factors remain largely poorly understood, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disturbances, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress have been investigated. Therefore, we sought to explore if the immunomodulatory and antioxidant selenocompound 3-[(4-chlorophenyl)selanyl]-1-methyl-1H-indole (CMI) would be able to ameliorate long-term behavioral and biochemical alterations in sepsis survivors male Swiss mice. CMI treatment (1 mg/kg, given orally for seven consecutive days) attenuated depression- and anxiogenic-like behaviors and cognitive impairment present one month after the induction of sepsis (lipopolysaccharide, 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally). Meantime, CMI treatment modulated the number of neutrophils and levels of reactive species in neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. In addition, peripheral markers of liver and kidneys dysfunction (AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine) were reduced after CMI treatment in post-septic mice. Notably, CMI treatment to non-septic mice did not alter AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine levels, indicating the absence of acute hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity following CMI treatment. Noteworthy, CMI ameliorated BBB dysfunction induced by sepsis, modulating the expression of inflammation-associated genes (NFκB, IL-1β, TNF-α, IDO, COX-2, iNOS, and BDNF) and markers of oxidative stress (reactive species, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation levels) in the prefrontal cortices and hippocampi of mice. In conclusion, we unraveled crucial molecular pathways that are impaired in post-septic mice and we present CMI as a promising therapeutic candidate aimed to manage the long-lasting behavioral alterations of sepsis survivors to improve their quality of life.
William B. Domingues, Eduardo B. Blodorn, Amanda S.W. Martins, Eduardo N. Dellagostin, Eliza R. Komninou, Joaquin I. Hurtado, Carine D. Corcini, Antonio S. Varela Junior, Luciano S. Pinto, Frederico S. Kremer,et al.
Elsevier BV
MicroRNAs have been hypothesized to be involved in the regulation of male fertility potential. The primary aim of our study was to demonstrate the effects of transfection with dendrimer nanostructure on the parameters of bovine sperm quality and to investigate whether the microRNA profile could be disturbed after cationic dendrimer-mediated exogenous DNA transfection of bovine spermatozoa. The binding of exogenous DNA was significantly increased when dendrimer-based transfection was implemented. However, cationic dendrimer transfection induced detrimental changes in the kinetics and sperm quality parameters, such as membrane integrity, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial membrane potential, when compared to the control group. Sperm microRNA sequencing revealed 218 known and 106 novel microRNAs in the sperm samples, among which nine were dysregulated after transfection (one was upregulated and eight were downregulated), in comparison to the non-transfected sperm. All the dysregulated microRNAs were related to sperm quality and embryonic development. These results suggest that the transfection process using the dendrimer nanostructure has an impact on the quality and microRNA profile of bovine sperm.
Larissa O. Daneluz, Izani B. Acosta, Leandro S. Nunes, Eduardo B. Blodorn, William B. Domingues, Amanda W. S. Martins, Eduardo N. Dellagostin, Gabriela T. Rassier, Carine D. Corcini, Charles N. Fróes,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) has a potential use for zebrafish transgenesis. However, transfection into fish sperm cells still needs to be improved. The objective was to demonstrate the feasibility of tip type electroporation in zebrafish sperm, showing a protocol that provide high transfection efficiency, with minimal side-effects. Sperm was transfected with a Cy3-labelled DNA using tip type electroporation with voltages ranging from 500 to 1500 V. Sperm kinetics parameters were assessed using Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) and cell integrity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial functionality and transfection rate were evaluated by flow cytometry. The transfection rates were positively affected by tip type electroporation, reaching 64.9% ± 3.6 in the lowest voltage used (500 V) and 86.6% ± 1.9 in the highest (1500 V). The percentage of overall motile sperm in the electrotransfected samples was found to decrease with increasing field strength (P < 0.05). Increase in the sperm damaged plasma membrane was observed with increasing field strength (P < 0.05). ROS and sperm mitochondrial functionality did not present a negative response after the electroporation (P > 0.05). Overall results indicate that tip type electroporation enhances the internalization of exogenous DNA into zebrafish sperm cells with minimal harmful effects to sperm cells.
Sara L. Soares, Andreia N. Anciuti, Lucia Dias, Carine D. Corcini, Antônio S. Varela, Eliza R. Komninou, Marli L. Tebaldi, Mariana G. Marques, Francisco N. Fonseca, and Thomaz Lucia
Elsevier BV
Polymers may be used to deliver compounds in freezing extenders to minimize injuries in spermatozoa during cryopreservation, although their activity and toxicity for boar sperm are unknown. This study investigated the effects of the polymer (N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL), when included in extenders for boar sperm cryopreservation. In Experiment 1, sperm was exposed to PNVCL at: 0 (control); 39.1; 78.1; 156.3; and 312.5 μg/mL. Spermatozoa structure, kinetics and biochemical functions were unaltered in contact with PNVCL at 38 °C (P > .05) but declined with prolonged exposure (10, 60 and 120 min) in all treatments (P > .05). In Experiment 2, after inclusion of PNVCL in the freezing extender at the same concentrations, post-thawing sperm quality did not differ compared to the control (P > .05). Lipid peroxidation and the production of reactive oxygen species were the only parameters of sperm quality that were unaffected in both experiments, even after contact with PNVCL for 120 min (P > .05). As no negative effects were observed in post-thawing boar sperm quality, PNVCL did not incur in cytotoxicity and may be a potential carrier for antioxidants in freezing extenders.
J. M. Galo, D. P. Streit-Jr, C. D. Corcini, A. S. Varela-Jr, R. D. Jardim, and R. P. Ribeiro
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between proteins in the seminal plasma of tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1818) with seminal quality indicators after thawing. The semen was cryopreserved with a dilution based on BTS with 8% DMSO. A 200 µL sample of semen from each animal was diluted in 800 µL BTS, centrifuged at 800 rpm, and the supernatant was cryopreserved to further analyze of the protein profile of seminal plasma through one-dimensional electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). After 15 days of cryopreservation, a cryopreserved semen straw was thawed to analyze both qualitative and quantitative parameters. When considering all collections, the SDS-PAGE identified 15 protein bands in the seminal plasma of tambaqui. When the interaction (presence or absence) between proteins observed in the seminal plasma and the post thawed spermatic parameters was evaluated, we observed a great influence of the presence of proteins on spermatic quality. A greater (P<0.05) fertilization rate was observed with the presence of proteins 12, 34, 44, 85, and 90 kDa. Proteins in seminal plasma of tambaqui influenced the spermatic quality after thawing, and thus, they can be utilized as an indicator of sperm quality, especially the proteins with a molecular weight ≤ 50 kDa.
Murilo de Oliveira Fernandes, Daiana Kaster Garcez, Izani Bonel Acosta, Stela Mari Meneghello Gheller, Carine Dahl Corcini, Lizandra Jaqueline Robe, and Antonio Sergio Varela Junior
Wiley
The effects of the cryoprotectants dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol and methyl glycol at different concentrations on Austrolebias minuano sperm quality parameters were evaluated in this study. The cellular kinetic parameters, determined using flow cytometry, indicated the best results with the samples cryopreserved with 7.5% methyl glycol. Dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations of 7.5% and glycerol concentrations of 10%, 12.5% and 15% demonstrated the least benefit across all evaluated sperm kinetic parameters. When assessed using flow cytometry, a concentration of 7.5% methyl glycol similarly showed better sperm kinetic parameters than 12.5% dimethyl sulfoxide. We conclude that cryoprotectants, especially methyl glycol, are effective for the preservation of sperm quality in A. minuano. However, high sensitivity of spermatozoa against glycerol was observed in these studies; thus, it is not recommended for cryopreservation purposes.
Graciela Quintana Saalfeld, Antônio Sergio Varela Junior, Tiane Castro, Diego Martins Pires, Jéssica Ribeiro Pereira, Fernanda Alves Pereira, Carine Dahl Corcini, and Elton Pinto Colares
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
The present study evaluated the effects of low doses of atrazine administered during gestation and breastfeeding on sperm characteristics of the wild rodent Calomys laucha. Adult females were divided into groups of 10 and administered different doses of atrazine through gavage, during gestational or breastfeeding period. At 3 months of age, the F1 adult male progeny of these females was evaluated. We observed a drastic reduction in the total and progressive motility of male sperm cells at all doses and during both the exposure periods. Moreover, the plasma membrane integrity of adult male sperm cells decreased at all doses of atrazine administered during the breastfeeding, whereas the membrane fluidity of these cells increased at all tested doses. Atrazine led to a decrease in the sperm mitochondrial functionality at all doses and during both exposure periods. The damage to the sperm DNA was higher in males exposed to the highest dose (1.0 mg/kg) during the gestation period, and in animals exposed to the lowest dose of atrazine (0.1 mg/kg) during breastfeeding period. Furthermore, the highest dose (1.0 mg/kg) of atrazine reduced the sperm concentration. Furthermore, the reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were observed at all evaluated doses in males exposed during the gestation period. These results suggest that the administration of low doses of atrazine at critical periods of development may permanently reduce the sperm quality in C. laucha.
C. R. Silveira, A. S. Varela Junior, C. D. Corcini, S. L. Soares, A. N. Anciuti, M. T. Kütter, and P. E. Martínez
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a potential endocrine disruptor besides being associated with oxidative damage in several vertebrate classes. In the present study we investigated oxidative effects in erythrocytes and sperm cells as well as spermatic quality in Danio rerio exposed to 14 days at BPA concentrations of 2, 10 and 100 μg/L. Organelles structure, reactive species of oxygen (ROS) and lipoperoxidation (LPO) on erythrocytes and sperm cells were measured by flow cytometry and spermatic parameters were analyzed by the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. For both cell types, when compared with control BPA treatment induced a significant increase in ROS and LPO production causing the membrane fluidity disorder, loss of membrane integrity and mitochondrial functionality. Furthermore, it was found a significant increase in DNA fragmentation in erythrocytes of zebrafish BPA exposed. Regarding the spermatic quality, results showed lower sperm motility in animals exposed to BPA, and alterations on velocity parameters of spermatozoa. Thus, the present study concludes that BPA affects the oxidative balance of both cell types, and that can directly affects the reproductive success of the adult Danio rerio. The sensitivity of erythrocytes to oxidative damage induced by BPA was similar to sperm cells, indicating a potential use of blood cells as indicators of oxidative damage present in fish sperm.
Maicon Borges Moraes, Cassio Noronha Martins, Melina Hauck, Douglas Dalcin Rossato, Carine Dhal Corcini, Antonio Sergio Varela Junior, and Luis Ulisses Signori
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
ABSTRACT Introduction: Skeletal muscle injuries stimulate a systemic inflammatory response which may interfere in species reproduction. Objective: To evaluate the effects caused by skeletal muscle injuries on the inflammatory response and sperm parameters of male adult rats. Methods: The sample group was composed of 30 Wistar rats distributed evenly across control and injury groups. Muscle injury was induced by bruising, caused by the release of a 200 g weight from a height of 30 cm onto the gastrocnemius muscle. Blood (CBC and damage/muscle inflammation markers), muscle (oxidative stress) and gonad (sperm parameters) samples were collected 72h after the injury. Results: The muscle injury increased monocytes, creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration and lipid peroxidation. In contrast, the injury reduced antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), membrane integrity (36%) and sperm acrosome (33%). Membrane integrity and acrosome (p<0.05) correlate directly with ACAP (ρ=0.602; ρ=0.513 respectively) and inversely with monocytes (ρ=-0.703; ρ=-0.635, respectively), creatine kinase (ρ=-0.450; ρ=-0.603), C-reactive protein (ρ=-0.511; ρ=-0.703) and parameters of oxidative stress (ROS ρ=-0.703; ρ=-0.635; lipid peroxidation ρ=-0.494; ρ=-0.559). Conclusion: The acute systemic inflammatory response arising from skeletal muscle injury interferes in the male reproductive cell organelles (membrane and acrosome). Level of Evidence V; Experimental study.
Fernanda Maria Pazinato, Bruna da Rosa Curcio, Antonio Sergio Varela Junior, Carine Dahl Corcini, Camila Gervini Wendt, Fabiana Moreira, Rubia Alves Schmit, and Carlos Eduardo Wayne Nogueira
Elsevier BV
Placental tissues from humans, rodents, and farm animal contain leptin and its receptor. Expression of leptin has already been described in horses, although there is no description about immunolocalization of leptin and its receptor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of leptin and ObR-b in the equine placenta at term by immunofluorescence staining, and the changes on plasma leptin concentrations during late gestation. The present study involved eight Criollo-type mares carrying healthy pregnancies. Blood samples were collected during the third trimester of gestation, at foaling, and at 24 hours after foaling. Leptin concentrations were analyzed via radioimmunoassay. Plasma leptin concentrations did not change from the 8th to the 10th month of gestation and displayed a discrete decrease 24 hours after parturition (P = .07). The expression of leptin and ObR-b was observed in the cytoplasm of pseudostratified epithelial cells in the areolar region and in the epithelium of microcotyledons. Also, leptin receptor was allocated in the apical surface of the cells. The presence of leptin and its receptor (ObR-b) in the placenta of mares at term supports an endocrine and autocrine/paracrine action of leptin within this organ.