Abstract This study aimed to verify the impact of high-fat diet consumption for a prolonged period on oxidative stress, fetal growth, umbilical vascular system, and placental structures in pregnant goats. Twenty-two pregnant goats were grouped into the control diet (n= 11) and fat diet (n = 11). Flaxseed meal was added to the fat diet, replacing the corn grain of concentrate, from gestational day 100 to delivery date. Diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic, differing in fat content (2.8% vs. 6.3% dry matter). The fat group showed higher feed intake and total plasma lipid levels than the control group (P < 0.001). No difference was found in placentome, and umbilical vascular development. Fat diet-fed goats exhibited a lower systolic peak in the umbilical artery. At delivery, placental traits were similar with the exception of the cotyledon width (P = 0.0075), which was smaller in the fat group and cotyledon surface (P = 0.0047) for multiple pregnancy of fat diet. Cotyledonary epithelium showed more intense staining of lipid droplets and a greater area for lipofuscin staining in the fat group compared to control group (P < 0.001). The mean live weight of the kids was lower in the fat group in the first week after delivery than in control group. Thus, in goats, the continuous administration of a high-fat diet during pregnancy does not appear to modify the fetal-maternal vascular structures but has an impact on a part of the placental structure; therefore, its use must be carefully evaluated.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the reproductive effects of adding monosodium glutamate (MSG) to the diet of goats. Eleven adult goats received synchronized estrus and follicular waves using three prostaglandin analog injections every seven days. Goats allocated to individual pens received 1 g/kg BW of MSG in their diet for 23 days (MOGLU group, n = 6), whereas the control group (n = 5) maintained the base diet. The supplemented animals showed an increase in dry matter intake (P < 0.0001) and a reduction in heart rate (P < 0.05), respiratory rate, and ruminal movement (P < 0.001). Surface and rectal temperatures were higher in the MOGLU group, (P < 0.0001) with a significant increase in the afternoon. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in the frequency of behaviors related to rumination, defecation, and urination in the MOGLU group, and a reduction in behaviors associated with stress (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the plasma levels of proteins, albumin, urea, cholesterol, or triglycerides. Glucose levels were lower (P < 0.05) in the MOGLU group, which also showed increased glutathione peroxide levels during the induction of ovulation. Supplemented animals recorded a larger number (P < 0.05) of follicles throughout the experimental period and higher intraovarian blood perfusion (P < 0.05) during ovulation induction. We conclude that MSG exerts a positive effect on the reproductive response in goats and therefore represents an effective nutritional supplement.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of a short glutamate supply on the ovarian response in goats with low body condition scores. Twenty-one goats had their estrus and follicular waves synchronized using three injections of prostaglandin analog at seven-day intervals. Goats were allocated to groups receiving 10 mg/kg LW (iv) of glutamate administered in a single dose (group LBCG1, n = 7) or in two doses five days apart (group LBCG2, n = 7). The control group (LBC; n = 7) received saline solution. Glutamate treatment did not affect glucose, cholesterol, or glutathione peroxidase levels, body weight, or adipose deposits. During the experimental period, the LBCG2 group showed a higher (P < 0.05) number of follicles (> 3 mm) and an increase in follicle diameter (P < 0.05). Glutamate supply improved (P < 0.05) the intraovarian Doppler blood area size in the LBCG groups, and the second dose in LBCG2 also induced a higher (P < 0.05) systolic and diastolic peak of the ovary artery. After ovulation induction, LBCG2 exhibited a high (P < 0.05) volume of the corpus luteum and vascularized area. We concluded that the supply of two doses of glutamate five days apart was efficient in ovarian stimulation in goats with a low body condition.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the use of smartphones’ messaging apps as a stressor affecting the well-being of gynecologists who use this tool to communicate with patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with gynecologists who use message applications to communicate with patients. Participants answered the WhatsApp Stress Scale, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and the techno-stress questionnaire. The population sample consisted of gynecologists and obstetricians selected by convenience. RESULTS: Physicians who spent more time using WhatsApp to communicate with patients had higher levels of stress (p=0.010), Burnout (p<0.001), and techno-invasion score (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A positive association was found between the high frequency of WhatsApp usage for communication with patients and doctor's Burnout and stress, negatively influencing professional's well-being.

Resumo Objetivo Construção e validação do WhatsApp Stress Scale (WASS, na sigla em inglês), questionário desenvolvido para médicos que avalia como o uso do smartphones e aplicativos de comunicação afetam a qualidade de vida dos ginecologistas que usam estas ferramentas para comunicação com pacientes. Métodos O presente estudo transversal observacional analisou 60 ginecologistas de acordo como tempo de uso semanal doWhatsApp para comunicação compacientes e comparou os dados de percepção dos médicos do uso desta interação virtual como agente estressor. Os profissionais foram igualmente divididos em 3 grupos:<2 horas, de 2 a 5 horas e>5 horas. Foi criado um questionário no formato de escala tipo Likert. O estudo procedeu em três fases: desenvolvimento dos itens do questionário, préteste, construção, validação de constructo e teste de confiabilidade usando análise fatorial, coeficiente alfa de Cronbach e teste t pareado. Resultados Um instrumento com 9 itens foi criado e administrado aos participantes em 3 tempos diferentes: T0, T1 (15 minutos após o término de T0) e T2 (15 dias depois). Todos os itens possuíam validade de conteúdo adequada e a consistência interna do instrumento foi satisfatória (alfa de Cronbach 0,935; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95%: 0,744-0,989; p=0,0001). Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as rodadas de teste, indicando boa confiabilidade teste-reteste. Foi demonstrada uma associação positiva entre maior tempo de uso do WhatsApp para comunicação com pacientes e estresse percebido pelos médicos. Conclusão O WASS demonstra ser um instrumento válido e confiável para avaliar o uso de aplicativos de mensagens para comunicação médico-paciente como agente estressor percebido pelo ginecologista.

Abstract Objective Construction and validation of the WhatsApp Stress Scale (WASS), a questionnaire designed for physicians that measures how the use of smartphones and related software communication applications affects the quality of life of gynecologists who use this tool to communicate with patients. Methods The present cross-sectional observational study analyzed 60 gynecologists according to weekly WhatsApp usage time for communication with patients and compared the data with the perception of the doctor on the use of this virtual interaction as a stressor. Physicians were equally divided into three groups:<2hours, 2 to 5 hours, and>5 hours. The authors created a questionnaire in Likert scale format. The study proceeded in three phases: development of the questionnaire items, pretesting, constructing, and validity and reliability testing using factor analysis, Cronbach α coefficient, and paired t-test. Results A 9-item instrument using a 5-point Likert scale was created and administered to the participants in 3 different times: T0, T1 (15minutes after the end of T0), and T2 (15 days later). All questionnaire items possessed adequate content validity indices and the internal consistency of the instrument was satisfactory (Cronbach α 0.935; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.744-0.989; p=0.0001). No statistically significant differences were observed in the responses between the rounds of testing, indicating good test-retest reliability. A positive association between the high frequency of WhatsApp usage for communication with patients and the stress perceived by the doctor was shown. Conclusion The WASS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the use of messaging applications to communicate with patients as a stressor perceived by gynecologists.

Abstract The effect of high dietary lipid on the meat quality parameters of shoulder meat adult goats in raw meat and during curing and smoking was evaluated by classical and multivariate approaches. The animals were divided into two groups of different finishing strategies: without whole full-fat linseed (WFFLG, n = 9) and whole full-fat linseed (FFLG, n = 9), with diets containing an ether extract content of 2.7% and 6.9%, respectively. The physicochemical attributes did not vary according to the experimental diets in raw meat. The colorimetric parameters and pH varied during curing and smoking. Through multivariate analysis the first two principal components (PC), it was possible to identified variables were highly importance the total variation (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, and fat content) in raw meat and smoking. The fat content and color b* presented the highest scores for importance of the variable in the projection. Lipid supplementation of adult goats did not influence the quality parameters physicochemical of the raw shoulder meat. However, after curing and smoking there was a significant effect of diet on Hue angle (h*).

Abstract This study examined the effect of glycerin supply strategies in different short-term protocols on follicular dynamics and ovulatory rate in Morada Nova sheep. Eighteen Morada Nova ewes with body condition > 2.9 had their estrus and follicular waves synchronized using three injections of prostaglandin analogue at seven-day intervals. All animals received the same diet during 21 days, which consisted of a total mixed ration (TMR) based on chopped elephant grass and concentrate twice daily. In thecontrol group (n=9), ewes were fed the TMR diet. In the other four groups, ewes received 150 mL of glycerol daily, supplied as an oral drench or mixed in the TMR during three or seven days prior to the application of thethird PGF2 alfa analogue. These groups were named as follows: Drench3d (n=10), Drench7d (n=8), TMR3d (n=9) and TMR7d (n=9). Follicle dynamics were monitored by ultrasonography, and plasma glucose and glutathione peroxidase levels were measured at the third prostaglandin administration. Six days after the final PGF2 alfa analogue dose, ovulatory rate was measured by laparoscopy. Glucose was higher (P< 0.001) in the glycerin-treated groups than in control group (83.7 ± 1.7 vs. 68.4 ± 4.5 mg. dL-1; P < 0.001). Ewes in the TMR3d, Drench7d and TMR7d groups had a greater (P < 0.001) number of large follicles (≥ 3 < 5 mm), and the presence of follicles larger than 5 mm was observed. In the same groups, at the third PGF2 alfa analogue dose, a greater (P < 0.001) number of growing follicles (> 3 mm) and a larger size of the largest follicle (P < 0.001) were also recorded. Ovulation rate was 30% higher in the groups that received glycerin for seven days (1.6 ± 0.1 53 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1; P < 0.05), and they also exhibited a 38% reduction in glutathione peroxidase. Thus,the use of glycerin in Morada Nova sheep as a source of energy in short-term supplementation for increase ovulation rate is an efficient strategy when provided for seven days, either orally or in the feed.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate the techno-stress questionnaire proposed by Ragu Nathan et al into Brazilian Portuguese and to culturally adapt and validate it. For this, 4 of the 11 original questionnaires’ domains were used. METHODS: The questionnaires’ domains translated and adapted were as follows: techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, and job satisfaction. Initially, the techno-stress questionnaire was translated into Brazilian Portuguese language according to international standards, followed by cultural adaptations. Validation for feasibility and psychometric properties of translated questionnaire was performed on 138 gynecologists and obstetricians who use message applications to communicate with patients. The physicians were divided into groups according to the weekly messaging application usage time for communication with patients: <2 h (GI, n=89), 2–5 h (GII, n=29), and >5 h (GIII, n=23). The questionnaire was applied to all participants twice on the same day, overseen by two different interviewers, at a 15-min interval. After 15 days, it was readministered. The discriminant validity and reliability were calculated to validate the instrument. RESULTS: Techno-stress subscales showed statistically significant differences between the groups. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the techno-stress questionnaire was >0.80, showing good internal consistency. No differences were observed in the test-retest comparison of the techno-stress questionnaire, and the intraclass correlation coefficient results showed excellent reproducibility (³0.75). CONCLUSION: The techno-stress questionnaire was adequately translated into Brazilian Portuguese, with good discriminant validity, good internal consistency, and adequate test-retest results.

Abstract Here, we aimed to discriminate between the spectral profiles of spent culture media after oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and culture (IVC) from goats of different ages subjected to repeated hormonal treatments. The profiles were discriminated using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate methods. A total of 19 goats (young = 10; old = 9) were subjected to serial hormonal stimulation (HS) with gonadotropins. Cumulus oophorus complexes (COCs) were collected using laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) and subjected to IVM and parthenogenetic activation. The initial embryos were subjected to IVC. Spent culture media were collected after oocyte IVM and on day 2 of IVC and analyzed using NIR spectroscopy. NIR spectral data were interpreted through chemometric methods, such as principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The results of PCA analysis clearly showed a separation in the spectral profiles between the experimental groups (HS sessions; young and old animals) both after IVM and IVC. Overall, the main absorption bands were attributed to the C-H group second overtone, first overtone of O-H and N-H, and C-H combinations and may serve as molecular markers. On the other hand, the spectral data obtained using PLS-DA models provided a better classification of the groups. The results showed the possibility of discriminating young and old groups as well as the three HS sessions with high specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy using NIR spectra. Thus, the culture medium analysis using NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate methods indicated the dissimilarities between the groups and provided an insight into the in vitro development of goat oocytes. This technique serves as an efficient, objective, rapid, and non-invasive method to discriminate spectral profiles.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS O prolapso de órgãos pélvicos (POP) é uma situação muito frequente em nossa população que pode levar a uma diminuição significativa da qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Atualmente, buscam-se fatores preditivos para o desenvolvimento de POPs e, assim, este estudo correlaciona um polimorfismo de Fibulina 5 (FBLN5) com a ocorrência da doença. MÉTODOS Estudo de coorte com mulheres na pós-menopausa, divididas por grupos pelos estádios 0 e I do POP (grupo controle) e POP III e IV (grupo caso). Posteriormente, análises do polimorfismo genético de FBLN5 foram realizadas utilizando a técnica de Polimorfismo de Comprimento de Fragmentos de Restrição (RFLP). RESULTADOS Um total de 292 mulheres foi incluído no estudo. Gestação, paridade e parto vaginal, como bem descritos na literatura, foram relacionados à ocorrência de POPs na análise univariada. No entanto, após a regressão logística binária, o parto domiciliar e a idade permaneceram como fatores de risco independentes para os POPs. Não encontramos associação deste polimorfismo FBLN5 com a ocorrência de POP (p=0,371). CONCLUSÃO Não houve associação deste polimorfismo FBLN5 com a ocorrência de POPs em mulheres brasileiras.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a very frequent situation in our population that may lead to a significant decrease in patients’ quality of life. Currently, we are looking for predictive factors for the development of POPs; thus, this study seeks to evaluate whether the Fibulin 5 polymorphism (FBLN5) is associated with the occurrence of POP. METHODS This is a cohort study with postmenopausal women who were divided into groups by POP stage: POP stages 0 and I (control group) and POP stages III and IV (case group). Subsequently, analyses of genetic polymorphisms of FBLN5 were performed using the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) technique. RESULTS A total of 292 women were included in the study. Pregnancy, parity and vaginal delivery in the patients, as well as in data described in the literature, were related to the occurrence of POP in the univariate analysis. However, after binary logistic regression, home birth and age remained independent risk factors for POP. We found no association between the FBLN5 polymorphism and the occurrence of POP (p = 0.371). CONCLUSION There was no association between the FBLN5 polymorphism and the occurrence of POP in Brazilian women.