Rupture of Achilles tendon is a common accident affecting professional and recreational athletes. Acute and chronic pain are symptoms commonly observed in patients with rupture. However, few studies have investigated whether Achilles tendon rupture is able to promote disorders in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate nociceptive alterations and inflammatory response in the L5 lumbar segment of Balb/c mice spinal cord after Achilles tendon rupture. We found increased algesia in the paw of the ruptured group on the 7th and 14th days post-tenotomy compared with the control group. This phenomenon was accompanied by overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) as well as hyperactivation of astrocytes and microglia in nociceptive areas of L5 spinal cord as evidenced by intense GFAP and IBA-1 immunostaining, respectively. Biochemical studies also demonstrated increased levels of nitrite in the L5 spinal cord of tenotomized animals compared with the control group. Thus, we have demonstrated for the first time that total rupture of the Achilles tendon induced inflammatory response and nitrergic and glial activation in the CNS in the L5 spinal cord region.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the antioxidant myricetin to protect ovine spermatozoa during freezing-thawing. Five semen pools, obtained from four rams, were diluted and frozen in Tris-egg yolk extender (5% glycerol) supplemented with myricetin at 0, 20, 30, 40, 100, 200, 300, and 400 nM. After thawing at 37 °C for 30 seconds and incubation (37 °C) for two hours, these variables were measured: kinematics, plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lipid peroxidation and membrane stability. There was no interaction between treatment and time, and no direct effect of treatments for the kinematics parameters (P >0.09; P >0.2113, respectively) and flow cytometry (P >0.41; P > 0.52, respectively). The means of progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, linearity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, percentage of intact plasma membrane and acrosome membrane, oxidative stress and membrane stability were reduced during incubation (P <0.04), whereas the cross-beat frequency increased (P =0.0001) throughout incubation. Thus, the addition of myricetin to the semen extender does not produce an antioxidant effect on ram semen in vitro.

SUMMARY: Intermittent fasting and concurrent training have been performed frequently to decrease body mass. The aim was to analyze the effects of concurrent training (CT) and intermittent fasting (IF) on cardiac remodeling. In total, 39 adult male Wistar rats were used, divided into four groups: control (C [n = 12]), fasting control (FC [n = 11]), training (T [n = 8]) and fasting training (FT [n = 8]). The CT protocol was composed of 12 sessions, with 30 minutes of aerobic training (AT) in the liquid medium at an intensity of 80 % of the anaerobic threshold, followed by resistance training (RT) with 4 series of 10 aquatic jumps at an corresponding to 50 % of body weight. The IF period was established at 12/12 hours, starting at 9 p.m. and ending at 9 a.m. Echocardiographic analyzes were performed before and after the intervention and, at the end of the experiment, samples of the cardiac tissue were collected to perform the histological analyses. Data analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk tests, Analysis of Variance - ANOVA with Tukey's post-test, and Kruskal- Wallis with Dunn's post-test. All procedures assumed an error of 5 % (p<0.05). Neither group showed alterations in the functional (min. p= 0.12 - max. p= 0.83) and structural parameters of the heart (min. p=0.31 - max. p=0.83). A decrease was observed in the area of cardiomyocytes in the T (p=0.001) and FT groups (p=0.001). The CT and IF did not alter the functional and structural parameters of the heart, but did cause a decrease in the area of the cardiomyocytes.

RESUMEN: El ayuno intermitente y el entrenamiento concurrente se han realizado frecuentemente para disminuir la masa corporal. El objetivo fue analizar los efectos del entrenamiento concurrente (EC) y el ayuno intermitente (AI) sobre el remodelado cardíaco. En total, se utilizaron 39 ratas Wistar macho adultas, divididas en cuatro grupos: control (C [n = 12]), control en ayunas (AC [n = 11]), entrenamiento (E [n = 8]) y ayuno, entrenamiento [n = 8]). El protocolo de EC estuvo compuesto de 12 sesiones, con 30 minutos de entrenamiento aeróbico (EA) en el medio líquido a una intensidad del 80 % del umbral anaeróbico, seguido de entrenamiento de resistencia (ER) con 4 series de 10 saltos acuáticos correspondiente al 50 % del peso corporal. El período de AI se estableció a las 12/12 horas, a partir de las 21:00 horas. finalizando a las 9 a.m. Se realizaron análisis ecocardiográficos antes y después de la intervención y, al finalizar el experimento, se reco- lectaron muestras del tejido cardíaco para realizar los análisis histológicos. El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante las pruebas de Shapiro-Wilk, Análisis de Varianza - ANOVA con pos test de Tukey y Kruskal-Wallis con postest de Dunn. Todos los procedimientos asumieron un error del 5 % (p <0,05). No se observaron alteraciones funcionales de los grupos (mín. P = 0,12 - máx. P = 0,83) y estructurales del corazón (mín. P = 0,31 - máx. P = 0,83). Se observó una disminución en el área de cardiomiocitos en los grupos E (p = 0,001) y EA (p = 0,001). La EC y la AI no alteraron los parámetros funcionales y estructurales del corazón, pero sí provocaron una disminución del área de los cardiomiocitos.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of body image dissatisfaction on symptoms of depressive disorder in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study that included 2,162 adolescents ages 18-19 born in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, which was part of the joint RPS cohort (Brazilian birth cohorts of Ribeirão Preto-SP, Pelotas-RS, and São Luís-MA). Socioeconomic characteristics, nutritional status, mental health, and body image characteristics were evaluated. Body image was assessed by Stunkard’s silhouettes scale. The presence of symptoms indicative of depressive disorder was investigated through a diagnostic interview MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). A theoretical model was built in a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) in order to investigate the relationship between the variables of the study. The relationship was estimated weighting the inverse probability of selection for the variables of adjustment: sex and nutritional status. Among the dissatisfied adolescents due to overweight, 66.54% were girls, 32.85% were overweight, and 11.99% were obese (P<0.01). There was a significant association between dissatisfaction due to overweight and symptoms of depressive disorder (P=0.01), and there was no evidence of the same association with dissatisfaction due to thinness. Therefore, only dissatisfaction due to overweight was associated with the symptoms of depressive disorder in the evaluated adolescents.

RESUMO A ferrugem da videira, uma das doenças mais importantes de Vitis spp., é manejada no Brasil seguindo um programa de calendário de pulverização de fungicidas. Apesar da utilização de fungicidas, as perdas de produção e qualidade das uvas devido à ferrugem da videira são elevadas. A doença causa queda de folhas, tamanho e cor desigual de bagas e perda de vigor das plantas para a próxima safra. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre a dispersão de urediniósporos presente no ar e os parâmetros meteorológicos, para fins de manejo da doença. Para tanto, monitorou-se vinhedos com a cultivar Syrah, suscetível a ferrugem da videira, para determinar a dinâmica de dispersão aérea de Phakopsora euvitis. As armadilhas tipo cata-vento foram mantidas a 0,5 m acima do dossel da videira e as amostras coletadas a cada 24 h, com troca de lâminas as 09h 00min. As médias horárias da temperatura do ar, velocidade do vento, umidade relativa e precipitação foram também registradas. Modelo de regressão logística foi desenvolvido para estimar a probabilidade de dispersão de urediniósporos. As maiores concentrações de urediniósporos foram observadas entre abril e agosto, enquanto nos demais meses a concentração foi baixa ou zero. O modelo de regressão da concentração de urediniósporos disperso no ar em relação aos parâmetros climáticos foi descrito por logit (y) = 15,6668–0,6333(temperatura)+0,4291(velocidade do vento), e o limiar de decisão de valor 0,47 foi determinado para fins de previsão.

ABSTRACT Grape rust, one of the most important diseases of Vitis spp., is managed in Brazil according to a calendar-based fungicide spray program. Despite the use of fungicides, the crop and the quality of grapes have shown significant losses due to rust. This disease causes leaf fall, unequal size and color of berries and loss in plant vigor in the following harvest. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between airborne urediniospore dispersal and weather parameters to improve the management of this disease. Thus, vineyards of the cultivar ‘Syrah’, susceptible to grape rust, were monitored to determine Phakopsora euvitis airborne dispersal dynamic. Wind vane spore traps were maintained at 0.5 m above the grapevine canopy and samples were collected every 24 h, while slides were changed at 9:00 a.m. A logistic regression model was developed to estimate the urediniospore dispersal probability. Higher urediniospore concentrations were observed between April and August, while in the remaining months the concentration was low or zero. The regression model of the airborne urediniospore concentration relative to the weather parameters was described as logit (Y) = 15.6668 - 0.6333 (temperature) + 0.4291 (wind speed), and a decision threshold of 0.47 was determined for predictive purposes.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do rolipram durante a maturação de oócitos bovinos, expressão gênica e embriões produzidos in vitro. Os ovários bovinos foram coletados no matadouro. Os COCs foram selecionados e divididos em cinco grupos: controle 0 tempo; controle: MIV por 24 horas; tratamentos rolipram com bloqueio MIV por 24 horas em meio de maturação contendo 100, 150 e 200µM. Após 24 horas, todos os grupos foram recolocados em MIV por mais 24 horas. Subsequentemente COCs foram submetidos ao mesmo sistema MIV e fertilizados, sendo avaliada a taxa de clivagem e de blastocisto, além da expressão dos seguintes genes: Mater, BMP15 e Bax. Nenhuma diferença foi observada na expressão gênica. Dos oócitos avaliados logo após a aspiração folicular, 79,0% estavam em GV, GVBD, MI, enquanto 13,40% estavam em MII, e 7,60% em D/NI. A diferença significativa foi observada em diferentes concentrações (T100, T200 e T150µM) em oócitos que atingiram a fase MII em comparação aos tratamentos de controle (P=0,3). Diferenças foram observadas nas taxas de clivagem (P<0,5) entre T150 e T200 quando comparadas com as taxas do grupo C/24. Uma grande diferença foi observada na taxa de blastocisto (P<0,1) entre os tratamentos em relação ao grupo controle.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the Rolipram during the maturation of bovine oocytes and gene expression of embryos produced in vitro. Bovine ovaries were collected in slaughterhouse. The COCs were selected and divided into 5 groups: Control 0 time; Control: IVM for 24 hours; Rolipram treatments with IVM blocking for 24 hours in maturation medium containing (100, 150 and 200µM). After 24 hours all groups were reseated in IVM for another 24 hours. Subsequently COCs were subjected to the same IVM system and fertilized, being checked for cleavage post fertilization and for blastocyst. In addition, performed expression of the following genes: Mater, BMP15 and Bax. No difference was found in gene expression. Of oocytes evaluated shortly after follicular aspiration, 79.00% were in GV, GVBD, MI, while 13.40%, were in MII and 7.60%, D/NI. Significant difference was observed in different concentrations (T100, T200 and T150µM) in oocytes that have reached the MII phase compared to control treatments (P= 0.003). Differences were observed in cleavage rate (P< 0.05) between T150 and T200 when compared to the C/24 Group. A high difference was observed on blastocyst rate (P< 0.001) among treatments compared to the control group.

Resumo: Objetivo: Analisar o efeito do catch-up de estatura na idade escolar na massa óssea em adolescentes em uma coorte brasileira de nascimento. Métodos: Estudo de coorte, utilizando dados dos três momentos (nascimento, aos 7/9 anos e 18/19 anos) da pesquisa Coortes-RPS. Catch-up de estatura foi definida a partir da diferença entre o Z-score do escolar e Z-score do nascimento. Para a análise da massa óssea em adolescentes foi utilizado o índice Z-score da coluna lombar medido pela densitometria por dupla emissão de raio X. Para análise proposta, foi construído modelo teórico usando os gráficos acíclicos direcionados e pareado por escore de propensão do tipo vizinho mais próximo utilizando o software STATA versão 14.0. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: Das 297 crianças, 24,58% realizaram o catch-up estatural. Massa óssea abaixo do esperado para a idade foi de 5,39%. O Z-score médio da coluna lombar foi −0,34 (± 1,01). Após ajuste, não foi observado efeito entre catch-up de estatura na idade escolar e massa óssea no adolescente (Coef = 0,598; IC 95% −0,117-1,313; p = 0,101). Conclusão: Mesmo com os gráficos acíclicos direcionados e o método de inferência causal por ajuste do escore de propensão, o catch-up de estatura parece não afetar a massa óssea em adolescentes, resultado talvez relacionado ao tamanho da amostra.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the effect of height catch-up at school age on the bone mass of adolescents of a Brazilian birth cohort. Methods: A cohort study using data obtained from the three moments (birth, 7/9 years and 18/19 years of age) of the Cohorts-RPS study. Height catch-up was defined based on the difference between the schoolchild's z-score and birth z-score. The adolescents' bone mineral mass was analyzed using the z-score index for the lumbar spine measured by dual emission X-ray absorptiometry. A theoretical model was developed for the proposed analysis using directed acyclic graphs paired through the nearest-neighbor matching propensity score using the STATA software, version 14.0. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Of the 297 studied children, 24.5% achieved height catch-up. The bone mass below the expected for age was observed in 5.39% of the subjects. The mean lumbar spine z-score was −0.34 (±1.01). After the adjustment, no effect was observed between height catch-up at school age and bone mass in adolescents (Coeff = 0.598; 95% CI −0.117 to 1.313; p = 0.101). Conclusion: Even using the directed acyclic graphs and the causal inference method by adjusting the propensity score, the height catch-up did not seem to affect bone mass in adolescents, a result perhaps related to the sample size.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lycopene on quality parameters of cryopreserved ram semen. Semen samples were collected from three Santa Inês rams to form a seminal pool (n = 8). Aliquots from each pool were diluted in Tris-egg yolk extender to create experimental groups containing 0 μΜ (control), 0.1 μΜ, 1 μΜ and 5 μΜ lycopene. The samples were evaluated for sperm kinetics, integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation immediately after thawing and after incubation for two hours at 37 °C. The addition of lycopene had no effect on the parameters that were evaluated at the time of thawing when compared with the control. However, after incubation, the groups with added lycopene showed a decrease in progressive motility. All experimental groups showed a significant reduction in linearity and straightness following incubation. Furthermore, the 5 μΜ lycopene group showed a decrease in wobble and an increase in amplitude of lateral head displacement. In conclusion, the addition of lycopene to the freezing extender of ram semen affected the kinetics parameters of cryopreserved spermatozoa after a two-hour incubation period.

Tendon rupture is a very frequent accident involving average people and high-performance athletes. Clinical studies describe tendon recovery as a painful and slow process involving different biochemical and histological events. Ascorbic acid (AA) is a potent antioxidant as well as an important cofactor for collagen synthesis. In the current study, we evaluated if local treatment with AA is able to promote tendon repair in tenotomized rats. Animals were submitted to Achilles tendon rupture followed by surgical suture. Control and AA groups received in loco injection of saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and 30 mM AA, respectively. Histological and functional recovery of Achilles tendon tissue was evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery. Hematoxylin/eosin staining and collagen fluorescence analysis showed intense disarrangement of tendon tissue in the saline group. Tenotomized animals also showed hypercellularity in tendon tissue compared with non-tenotomized animals. The Achilles functional index (AFI) showed a significant decrease of tendon functionality in tenotomized animals at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery. AA accelerated tissue organization and the recovery of function of the Achilles tendons. The beneficial effect of AA treatment was also observed in the organization of the collagen network. Data presented in the current work showed that in loco treatment with AA accelerated the recovery of injured Achilles tendon post-surgery.

Abstract: The systemic effect of chronic periodontitis (CP) has been suggested by several studies as an etiologic factor and modulator of diseases based on the changes in the inflammatory marker levels. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the changes in clinical periodontal outcomes and serum biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, albumin and percentage of leukocytes) after non-surgical periodontal therapy in systemically healthy adults. An interventional study was conducted with a sample of 29 individuals without CP (control group) and 33 with CP (CP group). Periodontal clinical variables were recorded, and the serum levels of inflammatory markers were measured. Statistical analysis included the chi-square and Student’s t-tests and Pearson’s correlation analysis. After 90 days of non-surgical periodontal treatment, a reduction of periodontal parameters and IL-6 in both groups could be observed (P < 0.001). The correlation analysis revealed a directly proportional correlation between changes in the probing depth (r = 0.349, P = 0.049) and clinical attachment level (r = 0.374, P = 0.034) with CRP in the CP group. The findings suggest a reduction of IL-6 serum concentration and periodontal clinical measures 90 days after periodontal therapy in both groups.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação do diluidor de congelação de sêmen ovino com o flavonoide miricetina contra os danos ocasionados aos espermatozoides. Oito pools de sêmen, obtidos de quatro reprodutores ovinos, foram congelados com diferentes concentrações de miricetina (0, 1, 10, 100 e 1000nM). Após o descongelamento, o sêmen foi avaliado quanto à cinética espermática, à integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal, ao potencial de membrana mitocondrial, aos níveis de ROS intracelular, à peroxidação lipídica e à estabilidade de membrana. Amostras tratadas com miricetina 10nM apresentaram menor percentual de células rápidas (P≤0,05), quando comparadas ao grupo miricetina 1000nM. Amostras do grupo controle apresentaram maior (P≤0,05) VAP que o grupo 10nM de miricetina, enquanto amostras criopreservadas com miricetina (10, 100 e 1000nM) evidenciaram maior (P<0,05) BCF, quando comparadas ao grupo controle. O grupo tratado com miricetina 1000nM apresentou maior percentual (P<0,05) de células com peroxidação lipídica, quando comparado ao grupo controle. Em conclusão, a suplementação do diluidor de criopreservação de sêmen ovino com 10 e 100nM de miricetina afeta a cinética espermática sem provocar alterações na estrutura geral do gameta, enquanto 1000nM de miricetina provoca mudanças na cinética associadas à danos peroxidativos.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of ram semen frozen with extender with the flavonoid myricetin against damage to sperm. Eight pools of semen obtained from four ram breeders, were frozen with different concentrations of myicetin (0, 1, 10, 100 and 1000nM). After thawing, the semen was evaluated for spermatic kinetics, plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS levels, lipid peroxidation, and membrane stability. Samples treated with 10nM myricetin preserved a lower percentage of rapid cells (P≤0.05) when compared to the 1000nM myricetin group. Samples from the control group presented higher (P≤0.05) VAP than 10nM group of myricetin, while cryopreserved samples with myicetin (10, 100 and 1000nM) showed greater (P<0.05) BCF, when compared to control group. The group treated with 1000nM myricetin had a higher percentage (P<0.05) of cells with lipid peroxidation, when compared to the control group. In conclusion, supplementation of ram semen cryopreservation extender with 10 and 100nM myricetin affects sperm kinetics, without causing changes in the overall structure of the gamete, while 1000nM myricetin causes changes in the kinetics associated with peroxidative damage.

RESUMO A melhoria microclimática é frequentemente apontada como um dos benefícios gerados pela arborização urbana. No entanto, ainda são poucos os estudos que abordam quantitativamente essa questão. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi quantificar a diferença microclimática entre ruas arborizadas e sem arborização, para cada estação do ano e arranjo paisagístico. Para isto foram selecionados três locais, contendo um trecho de rua com e sem arborização. Cada local apresentava diferentes espécies compondo os arranjos paisagísticos: Tipuana tipu, Handroanthus chrysotrichus e Lafoensia pacari com Parapiptadenia rigida. Para o monitoramento das variáveis meteorológicas, uma miniestação da marca Kestrel® permaneceu na rua arborizada e a outra na rua sem arborização. A coleta desses dados foi das 9 às 15 horas, com intervalo de monitoramento de 1 minuto, repetida nas quatro estações do ano, com início no inverno de 2011. As variáveis microclimáticas analisadas foram: temperatura, umidade relativa e velocidade do vento. Os resultados indicaram que a maior diferença de temperatura foi observada na estação do verão (2,5°C) e a menor no inverno (1,2°C). Para a umidade relativa, as diferenças ficaram entre 6,4% (primavera) e 5,6% (inverno) e para a velocidade do vento a maior diferença foi encontrada na estação do inverno (0,17 m/s). O arranjo paisagístico que utiliza o plantio com Tipuana tipu nos dois lados da rua, plantadas de modo a fazer com que suas copas se entrelacem e formem um túnel, é a melhor escolha para se buscar um microclima mais agradável em todas as estações do ano.

ABSTRACT Microclimate improvement is frequently stated as one of the benefits generated by urban forestry. However, there are still few studies that quantitatively approach this issue. The goal of this study was to quantify the microclimatic difference between streets with and without trees, for each season and landscaping type. For this, three locations were chosen. Each location showed different species composing landscaping types: Tipuana tipu, Handroanthus chrysotrichus, and Lafoensia pacari with Parapiptadenia rigida. A Kestrel® mini station was placed on a street with trees and another one on a street without trees. The daily period for collecting this data was from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with monitoring intervals of 1 minute, repeated during the four seasons of the year, beginning in the winter of 2011. The microclimatic variables analyzed were temperature, relative humidity and wind speed. The results indicated that the streets with trees always had lower temperatures and greater relative humidity values than the streets without trees. The greatest temperature difference was observed in the summer (2.5 oC) and the smallest one in the winter (1.2 oC). For relative humidity, the differences were between 6.4% (spring) and 5.6% (winter), and for wind speed the greatest difference was found in the winter (0.17m/s). Landscaping that uses Tipuana tipu on both sides of the street, planted in a way such as to make their canopies entangle and form a tunnel, is the best choice for a more pleasant microclimate in all seasons of the year.

RESUMO Informações sobre a vascularização da parede folicular e do corpo lúteo equino, associadas à superovulação, são escassas. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito superovulatório do extrato de pituitária equina (EPE) no fluxo sanguíneo folicular e luteal, foram utilizadas seis éguas Puro Sangue Árabe, em dois ciclos estrais (controle e tratamento). As éguas foram monitoradas diariamente por ultrassonografia modo B, até que os folículos atingissem diâmetro de 23mm (desvio). No ciclo tratamento, as éguas receberam 8mg de EPE, uma vez ao dia, por via IM, até que dois ou mais folículos atingissem o diâmetro entre 32 e 35mm. A ovulação foi induzida com acetato de deslorelina, quando os folículos atingiram, no mínimo, 35mm. No momento do desvio folicular, da indução da ovulação e do último exame pré-ovulatório, foi utilizada a ultrassonografia modo B para medir o diâmetro dos folículos e, no oitavo dia pós-ovulação, para a área do corpo lúteo (CL). Utilizou-se também ultrassonografia com Doppler colorido para avaliar a perfusão sanguínea da parede folicular e do parênquima luteal. No ciclo controle, foi realizado o mesmo procedimento, exceto pelo uso do EPE. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, com nível de significância de 5%. Não foi observado efeito do EPE sobre o número de ovulações, o diâmetro dos folículos, a vascularização da parede folicular e a concentração sérica de estrógeno. Os animais, tratados ou não, apresentaram CLs funcionais, não havendo diferença na área do parênquima ou da vascularização luteal, nem na concentração sérica de progesterona, no oitavo dia após a ovulação. Foi observado que o EPE proporcionou um maior número de folículos subordinados no momento da indução da ovulação do folículo dominante (P ≤ 0,05). Embora esses folículos não tenham chegado a ovular, concluiu-se que o EPE atuou no crescimento de folículos, que podem ser utilizados em outras biotécnicas, como a transferência de oócitos, com maior aproveitamento da reserva folicular de ovários equinos.

ABSTRACT Knowledge about follicle and corpus luteum vascularization associated with superovulation in mares is scarce. Aiming to evaluate the effect of equine pituitary extract (EPE) on superovulation, the experiment was conducted using six mares Purebred Arabian in two estrous cycles (control and treatment). The mares were synchronized, and monitored daily by ultrasound B mode until the follicles reached diameter ≤ 23 mm (deviation). In the treatment cycle, from the deviation, mares received 8 mg of EPE, once a day, intramuscularly, until two or more follicles reached a diameter between 32 and 35 mm. Ovulation was induced with deslorelin acetate when follicles reached at least 35 mm. At the time of follicular deviation, induction of ovulation and final preovulatory exam, it was used B-mode ultrasound to measure the diameter of follicles and on the eighth day after ovulation to measure the area of the corpus luteum (CL); color Doppler was also used to assess blood perfusion of the follicle wall and luteal parenchyma. In the control cycle was performed the same procedure except for the use of EPE. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, with 5% significance level. There was no effect of EPE on ovulation number, diameter of follicles, vascularity of the follicular wall and serum estrogen concentration. The animals treated or not, showed functional CLs, with no difference in parenchymal area or luteal vascularization, or in serum progesterone concentration on the eighth day after ovulation. It was observed that the EPE provided a greater number of subordinate follicles at the time of induction of ovulation of the dominant follicle. Although these follicles have failed to ovulate, it was concluded that EPE influenced the follicles growth, and it can be used in other biotechnologies, with greater utilization of equine ovarian follicular reserve.

Muscular atrophy is a progressive degeneration characterized by muscular proteolysis, loss of mass and decrease in fiber area. Tendon rupture induces muscular atrophy due to an intrinsic functional connection. Local inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) accelerates tendon histological recovery and induces functional improvement. Here we evaluate the effects of such local nitrergic inhibition on the pattern of soleus muscle regeneration after tenotomy. Adult male Wistar rats (240 to 280 g) were divided into four experimental groups: control (n=4), tenotomized (n=6), vehicle (n=6), and L-NAME (n=6). Muscular atrophy was induced by calcaneal tendon rupture in rats. Changes in muscle wet weight and total protein levels were determined by the Bradford method, and muscle fiber area and central core lesion (CCL) occurrence were evaluated by histochemical assays. Compared to tenotomized (69.3±22%) and vehicle groups (68.1%±17%), L-NAME treatment induced an increase in total protein level (108.3±21%) after 21 days post-injury. A reduction in fiber areas was observed in tenotomized (56.3±1.3%) and vehicle groups (53.9±3.9%). However, L-NAME treatment caused an increase in this parameter (69.3±1.6%). Such events were preceded by a remarkable reduction in the number of fibers with CCL in L-NAME-treated animals (12±2%), but not in tenotomized (21±2.5%) and vehicle groups (19.6±2.8%). Altogether, our data reveal that inhibition of tendon NOS contributed to the attenuation of atrophy and acceleration of muscle regeneration.