Estudando uma comunidade de serpentes da Serra da Mantiqueira, foram encontradas 11 espécies de serpentes, e constatada a superioridade numérica de indivíduos da família Viperidae. As áreas abertas foram as mais freqüentadas, além de mostrar maior riqueza de espécies. A maioria das espécies encontradas apresenta a viviparidade como modo reprodutivo. A altitude mostrou influenciar a distribuição e abundância das espécies. As três espécies mais abundantes foram B. neuwiedi, B. jararaca e C. durissus, e são apresentadas informações de sua história natural. As fêmeas são maiores e mais robustas do que os machos. Entre filhotes, o dimorfismo sexual não ocorre ou é restrito. Fêmeas são mais ativas na primavera e no verão, e machos no outono. As fêmeas parecem ser mais agressivas. As três espécies alimentam-se preferencialmente de pequenos mamíferos. A espermatogênese e a vitelogênese são sazonais, e machos e fêmeas estocam espermatozóides no trato genital a fim de harmonizarem seus ciclos. O nascimento dos filhotes ocorre no verão. / This study was conducted in the Serra da Mantiqueira, and show biological and ecological aspects within a community of snakes. Eleven species were found. The snakes was mostly found in open areas, and open areas also showed a greater richness of species. A significant percentage of the species reproduced by viviparity. Altitude influenced the abundance and distribution of the species. The three dominant species of snakes was B. neuwiedi, B jararaca and C. durissus. Females are bigger and stronger then the males. Among the young, sexual dimorphism does not happen or it is restricted. Females also showed increased activity during the spring and summer, whiles males had increased activity levels during the autumn months. Females were more aggressive. These three species feed primarily on small mammals. Spermatogenesis and vitellogenesis are seasonal, and males and females show sperm storage in the genital tract so their cycles are harmonized. B. jararaca is bigger and stronger than B. neuwiedi, and female B. jararaca have larger and heavier litters.

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2018-04-10T11:49:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 viniciusmoreiragoncalvescosta.pdf: 1203780 bytes, checksum: 236161fb3c437d13376ef5804ad9257c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-04-10T11:54:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 viniciusmoreiragoncalvescosta.pdf: 1203780 bytes, checksum: 236161fb3c437d13376ef5804ad9257c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-10T11:54:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 viniciusmoreiragoncalvescosta.pdf: 1203780 bytes, checksum: 236161fb3c437d13376ef5804ad9257c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-08 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Os dados estatísticos de prevalência e incidência de sobrepeso/obesidade vem aumetando ao longo dos anos e atinge milhões de pessoas ao redor do mundo, tornando-se assim, umas das grandes epidemias do século XXI. A globalização e o aumento na disponibilidade de alimentos mais palatáveis e ricos em gordura saturada, somados ao estilo de vida sedentário, contribuem diretamente no desenvolvimento dessa condição. Estudos demonstram que alterações nutricionais durante fases críticas do desenvolvimento infantil, como a lactação, estão associadas ao desenvolvimento de obesidade, alterações metabólicas, doenças cardiovasculares, problemas respiratórios e diabetes. Além disso, o sobrepeso/obesidade pode influenciar na função reprodutiva da população, gerando malformações fetais, infertilidade, assim como morte materna e fetal. Considerando o exercício físico como fator primário no combate ao sobrepeso/obesidade, pretendeu-se avaliar se o exercício físico, em diferentes intensidades, é capaz de influenciar na saúde reprodutiva de indivíduos com sobrepeso/obesos. Foram utilizadas 40 ratas Wistar provenientes de ninhadas padrão (NP=10 filhotes/mãe) e de ninhadas reduzidas (NR=4 filhotes/mãe) que promoveram o sobrepeso/obesidade. Os animais foram treinados durante oito semanas em protocolos de intensidade moderada (Endurance) e intervalar de alta intensidade (Hiit), acasalados aos 90 dias de vida e eutanasiados no 20o dia de gestação. As variáveis metabólicas, bioquímicas e reprodutivas foram coletadas e analisadas. Os animais dos grupos superalimentados treinados Endurance e Hiit apresentaram redução significativa das médias de peso, consumo, índice de tolerância à insulina e de determinados parâmetros bioquímicos e reprodutivos analisados quando comparados com o grupo superalimentado sedentário. Porém, não houve diferenças significativas com relação ao comprimento nasoanal; peso relativos de órgãos; gorduras retroperitoneal e perigonadal; além do teste de tolerância oral à glicose; índices de gestação, implantação e reabsorção fetal; e demais análises fetais nos grupos estudados. Concluiu-se que o treinamento físico, em suas diferentes intensidades, não foi capaz de melhorar significativemente a capacidade reprodutiva desses animais, entretanto, foi eficiente em promover redução do peso, consumo, sensibilidade à insulina e de determinados parâmetros bioquímicos de animais superalimentados durante a fase lactente. Além disso, o exercício Endurance se mostrou mais eficiente no controle das variáveis descritas acima, quando comparado ao exercício Hiit. / Statistical data of incidence and prevalence of Overweight/obesity have been growing over the years and this condition affects millions of people around the world, making it one of the great epidemics of the 21th century. Globalization and the increase in the availability of more palatable foods rich in saturated fat, added to the sedentary lifestyle, contribute directly to the development of this condition. Studies show that nutritional changes during critical stages of childhood development, such as lactation, are associated with the development of obesity, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems and diabetes. In addition, overweight/obesity can influence the reproductive function of the population causing fetal malformations, infertility, as well as maternal and fetal death. Considering physical exercise as a primary factor against overweight / obesity, we intend to evaluate whether physical exercise, in different intensities, is capable of influencing the reproductive health of overweight/obese individuals. Forty Wistar rats from normal litters (NL = 10) and small litters (SL = 4) were used and overweight/obesity was induced by litter reduction. The animals were trained for 8 weeks in protocols (Endurance and Hiit), mated at 90 days of age and euthanized on the 20th day of gestation. Metabolic, biochemical and reproductive datas were collected and analyzed. The animals of the overfeed groups trained Endurance and Hiit showed reduction with significant differences in body weight, consumption, insulin tolerance test and in some biochemical e reproductive parameters analyzed when compared to the control groups. However, there were no significant differences regarding nasoanal distance, relative organ weight, retroperitoneal and perigonadal fats, as well as oral glucose tolerance test, gestation index, implantation and fetal resorption in the studied groups. It was concluded that the physical training, in its different intensities, was not able to improve significantly the reproductive capacity of these animals, however, it was efficient to promote weight reduction, consumption, insulin sensitivity and certain biochemical parameters of supercharged animals during the phase. In addition, the Endurance exercise was more efficient in controlling the variables, described above, when compared to the Hiit exercise.

A glândula acessória (GA) e o ducto primário (DP) fazem parte do aparelho glandular de veneno da serpente Bothrops jararaca. Existem poucos estudos envolvendo a GA e o DP e ainda há controvérsias se as secreções liberadas por estas regiões podem modificar o veneno formado. Nossos resultados mostraram que a GA apresenta um epitélio secretor simples com células secretoras mucosas, células seromucosas, células ricas em mitocôndrias sem secreção, células horizontais, células basais e células dark. E o DP apresenta um epitélio pseudo-estratificado com células secretoras colunares com vesículas com diferentes eletrodensidades, células ricas em mitocôndrias, células dark, células basais e células horizontais. Observamos que a GA e o DP possuem um ciclo de produção e secreção longo semelhante à glândula principal de veneno. Além disso, mostramos pela primeira vez que a secreção da GA não participa na formação do veneno total e sugerimos que a secreção liberada pelo DP possa participar do veneno total e seja esta secreção o motivo das controvérsias existentes na literatura. / The accessory gland (AG) and the primary duct (PD) are components of the venom gland apparatus of Bothrops jararaca snake. There are few studies about AG and PD and there is still controversy on whether the secretions released by these regions can modify the total venom. Our results show that AG presents simple secretory epithelium with mucous secretory cells, seromucous cells, mitochondria-rich cells without secretion, horizontal cells, basal cells and dark cells. The PD duct presents pseudo-stratified epithelium with secretory columnar cells with different electrodensity vesicles, mitochondria-rich cells, dark cells, basal cells and horizontal cells. We also observed that the AG and the PD have a long cycle of synthesis and secretion as the main venom gland. Furthermore, we show for the first time that the secretion of AG does not participate in the formation of the whole venom and suggest that the secretion released by PD could contribute to the total venom and this secretion could be the subject of controversy in the literature.

A tribo Hydropsini compreende três gêneros de serpentes. Dados alimentares são escassos, mas indicam que as espécies consomem principalmente peixes e secundariamente anfíbios anuros. Os Hydropsini são ovíparos ou vivíparos e o polimorfismo é sugerido para algumas espécies. Entretanto, outros aspectos reprodutivos são desconhecidos para a maioria dessas serpentes. Por outro lado, as relações filogenéticas entre os Hydropsini estão estabelecidas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a reprodução e alimentação de doze espécies dos três gêneros, mapear a evolução e analisar possíveis relações entre a evolução de caracteres morfológicos, reprodutivos e alimentares, utilizando a filogenia disponível. Dados foram obtidos de indivíduos preservados (N = 2.871) de espécies amazônicas (Hydrops spp., Pseudoeryx spp., Helicops hagmanni, H trivittatus, H angulatus, H polylepis), do sudoeste (H leopardinus) e sudeste do Brasil (H carinicaudus, H modestus, H infrataeniatus, H gomesi). Os Hydropsini são especialistas em peixes, porém algumas Helicops (exceto H hagmanni) podem consumir anfíbios e lagartos. Hydrops triangularis e P. plicatilis são especialistas em peixes alongados (Synbranchiformes), Peixes Gymnotiformes, Siluriformes e Perciformes foram dominantes nas dietas de Hy. martii, H polylepis e H hagmanni, respectivamente. Nenhum tipo de presa teve dominância importante nas dietas das demais espécies, porém Perciformes foram consumidos com maior freqüência pela maioria. Esses dados indicam que as espécies diferem quanto ao local de forrageio. Aparentemente, o ancestral da tribo possuía cabeça pequena e dieta composta por Synbranchiformes. A dieta se toma mais ampla e o tamanho da cabeça parece ter aumento no ancestral de Helicops. As presas consumidas por muitas Helicops possuem corpos relativamente mais altos e são mais robustas o que pode explicar alterações no crânio de determinadas espécies. Fêmeas atingem a maturidade com tamanho, relativo ao tamanho médio dos adultos, similar em comparação aos machos. Fêmeas são maiores, possuem maior cabeça, circunferência e cauda mais curta que machos. O menor tamanho dos machos indica que o ritual de combate não deve ocorrer na tribo. Os Hydropsini são ovíparos ou vivíparos e o polimorfismo foi confirmado para H angulatus. A reprodução da maioria das espécies deve ser bienal, já que menos de 50% das fêmeas estavam reprodutivas. Os ciclos das fêmeas são sazonais, exceto para H angulatus. A reprodução das espécies amazônicas ocorre ao longo da estação seca e parte da chuvosa. Ciclos reprodutivos restritos às chuvas ocorrem para as espécies do sudeste e sudoeste. Diferenças nos ciclos das fêmeas podem estar associadas à variação no clima dessas regiões. A espermatogênese pode ser contínua ou sazonal. Os duetos deferentes de muitas espécies estão maiores na seca, sugerindo a ocorrência de cópula nesta estação. A fecundidade e o tamanho dos filhotes, relativos ao tamanho das fêmeas, não diferiu entre serpentes ovíparas e vivíparas. A oviparidade é característica plesiomórfica e a viviparidade pode ter surgido três vezes entre as Helicops. A fecundidade parece aumentar no ancestral do clado (Pseudoeryx, Helicops), o qual é composto por serpentes mais robustas em comparação a Hydrops e a muitos Xenodontinae. Porém, o tamanho dos filhotes tende a diminuir nessas serpentes. / The tribe Hydropsini comprises three genera of snakes. Information on food habits is scarce. However previous data indicate that species feed mainly upon fishes but also eat anurans. The Hydropsini are oviparous or viviparous and the polymorphism is suggested for some species. Other reproductive traits are unknown for most species. On the other hand, the phylogenetic relationships of Hydropsini are established. This study aimed to characterize the reproduction and the feeding habits of twelve species of three genera, hypothesise the evolution of morphological, reproductive and diet characters, as well as probable relationships among these traits. Data were obtained from preserved individuals (N = 2.871) of species from northern (Hydrops sp., Pseudoeryx sp., Helicops hagmanni, H. trivittatus, H. angulatus, H. polylepis), southwestern (H. leopardinus) and southeastern Brazil (H. carinicaudus, H. modestus, H. infrataeniatus, H. gomesi). The Hydropsini feed on fishes, but most Helicops eat also frogs and eventually lizards. Hydrops triangularis and P. plicatilis are specialized on Synbranchiformes fishes. Siluriformes, Perciformes and Gymnotiformes were the dominant item in of H. polylepis, H. hagmanni and Hy. martii, respectively. Other species eat several fishes, but Perciformes were consumed more frequently by most. These data here obtained suggest that the species differ in foraging microhabitat. The ancestor of the tribe probably had small head and diet composed predominantly by Synbranchiformes. The diet became widespread and the size of the head increase in the ancestor of Helicops. The preys consumed by most Helicops are stouter and have higher bodies, which may explain changes in the skull of some species. Females and males attain sexual maturity at similar body size, but adult females are larger. Moreover females have larger head and body circumference, and shorter tail than males. The smaller size of males indicates that the combat behavior should not occur in the tribe. The Hydropsini are oviparous or viviparous and the polymorphism was confirmed to H. angulatus. The reproduction of most species may be biennial, since less than 50% of females were reproductive. The cycles of females are seasonal. At the least H. angulatus, has continuous cycle. The reproduction of the Amazonian species occurs throughout the dry season and part of the rainy season. Cycles restricted mainly to the rainy season occur for species in southeastern and southwestern. Differences in the females cycles may be related to distinct climate in the occurrence areas of the species. The spermatogenesis are continuous or seasonal (restricted to the dry or rainy season). The diameter of deferent ducts of most species are larger in the dry season, suggesting that mating is restricted to this season. The fecundity and size of newborns, relative to the body size of female, was similar among species and did not differ between oviparous and viviparous snakes. The oviparity is plesiomorphic and the viviparity may have arisen at the least three times among Helicops. The fecundity increases in the ancestor of the clade (Pseudoeryx, Helicops), which is stouter than Hydrops and many Xenodontinae. However, the size of newborns tends to decrease in these snakes.

Este experimento foi realizado com objetivo de se avaliar os efeitos da suplentação com os energéticos propileno glicol, propionato de cálcio e "Dairy Power Drench ?" no período pré e pós-parto de vacas leiteiras sobre: a) variação do escore de condição corporal (ECC); b) variação de peso; c) produção de leite, d) parâmetros de eficiência reprodutiva e e) concentração plasmática dos ácidos graxos livres (AGL). Para este estudo, foram utilizadas 165 fêmeas da raça Holandesa (132 vacas e 33 novilhas) de dois rebanhos comerciais. As parições destes animais ocorreram entre 15 de março a 15 de junho de 1999. Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: grupo C-Controle com 41 animais; grupo DR- com 42 animais que receberam 3 aplicações de "Dairy Power Drench ?" no pós-parto; grupo PC- com 39 animais que receberam 500g diários de propionato de cálcio, iniciando em média 11 dias antes da data do parto até 49 dias pós-parto; grupo PG com 43 animais que receberam 500mL diários de propileno glicol, iniciando em média 13 dias antes da data do parto e continuando até o 51 o dia pós-parto. A avaliação da condição corporal foi feita semanalmente, usando-se a escala de 1 a 5 e o peso foi aferido com auxílio da fita barimétrica, ambos no mesmo dia e pela mesma pessoa. A mensuração individual da produção de leite e a colheita de sangue para avaliação da concentração de ácidos graxos livres foram realizados semanalmente. O parâmetro reprodutivo, dias para primeiro cio pós–parto, foi realizado por observação visual, realizada duas vezes ao dia. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância que separou como causas de variação efeito de tratamento e efeito dos blocos formados em função da fazenda (Fazenda 1 e 2) e do números de partos (primíparas ou multíparas). As análises referentes aos valores de produção de leite, escore de condição corporal, peso vivo, variação diária do peso corporal e concentração de ácidos graxos livres foram acrescidos do fator medidas repetidas no tempo (semanas). A comparação entre as médias dos tratamentos foi realizada através do teste de Tukey. Não foi observado efeito de interação de tempo x tratamento sobre a variável escore de condição corporal. Entretanto, houve uma tendência (P<0,08) de efeito de tratamento e efeito quadrático de tempo (P<0,01). As vacas que receberam "Drench" tenderam a apresentar uma condição corporal 6% superior ao grupo que recebeu propileno glicol. Já a variação da condição corporal (ECC6 – ECC1) não sofreu efeito de tratamento. Para o peso corporal e variação diária de peso não foi observado efeito dos tratamentos, nem interação entre tempo x tratamento. Entretanto, sofreram efeito de tempo de comportamento quadrático (P<0,01 e P<0,05, respectivamente). As vacas produziram em média 27,3 kg de leite/dia, sendo observado efeito de interação tempo x tratamento (P<0,01) sobre esta variável. Porém, dentro de cada semana, as possíveis diferenças não foram detectadas. Os tratamentos não afetaram os parâmetros de eficiência reprodutiva. Encontrou-se em média 69,5 dias para o aparecimento do primeiro cio, 2,23 serviços/concepção e 172,6 dias para o período de serviço. As concentrações médias dos ácidos graxos livres encontradas durante o período experimental foram de 376,6 µeq/L, não se observando efeitos de interação tempo x tratamento ou de tratamento. Porém, sofreram efeito de tempo (P<0,01) com comportamento linear (P<0,01), decrescendo 48,2 µeq/L por semana. / The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of propylene glycol, calcium propionate and "Dairy Power Drench ?" supplementation on pre and postpartum period of Holstein cows. Parameters studied were: a) body condition score variation (BCS); b) body weight variation; c) milk production, d) reproduction efficiency and e) nonesterified fatty acids concentration (NEFA). One hundred and sixty and five animals were used (132 cows and 33 heifers) from two commercial herds. Parturitions started on March 15 th and ended on June 15 th of 1999. Animals were allocated in four groups: group C-Control (41 animals); group DR- (42 animals) with administration of "Dairy Power Drench ?" (once a day for 3 days) during postpartum period; group PC-(39 animals) with daily administration of calcium propionate (500g), starting 11 days (in average) prior to parturition and ending 49 days postpartum; group PG (43 animals) with daily administration of propylene glycol (500mL), starting 13 days (in average) prior to parturition and ending 51 days postpartum. The evaluation of BCS was done weekly, using a five-point scale over values from 1 to 5 and body weight was also measured, on the same day, by the same person. Milk production was measured individually and blood was sampled weekly. The parameter days to postpartum first detected estrus was done visually, twice a day. Variance analysis separated as variation sources the effect of treatments and blocks in function of farms (Farm 1 and 2) and parity (primiparous or multiparous). Analyses referred to milk production, body condition score, body weight, daily variation of body weight and nonesterified fatty acids concentration were added with repeated measures factor (weeks). Treatments were compared using Tukey's test. Interaction between time (weeks) and treatment was not found for BCS, however, there was a tendency (P<0.08) of treatment effect and quadratic effect of time (P<0.01). Supplementation of "Drench" tended to cause a body condition score 6% higher compared to supplementation of propylene glycol. But the variation of BSC (BSC6 –BSC1) was not affected by treatments. Body weight and its variation were not affected by treatment or interaction time x treatment. However, there was a quadratic effect of time (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Milk production average was 27.3 kg/day and an interaction time x treatment was found (P<0.01) on this parameter. But inside of each week, the possible differences were not detected. Treatments also did not affect reproductive efficiency parameters. On average, days to postpartum first detected estrus were 69.5, service/conception was 2.23 and service period was 172.6 days. Nonesterified fatty acids concentration average was 376.6 µeq/L and there was no effect of interaction time x treatment or treatment. But there was a linear effect (P<0.01), decreasing 48.2 µeq/L per week.

<p>  </p> <p>Microbiome studies are varied and involve the examination of microorganisms at different levels: individual cells to determine individual functions, populations of specific microorganisms to determine interactions between organisms, and/or communities of microorganisms for a broader investigation of interactions between organism and environment. These studies are typically done within the context of a particular niche or environment. There are two parts to this dissertation, separated by the types of research involved. First, the analysis of bacterial communities using 16S rRNA sequencing and analysis. In this first part the bacterial communities of the reproductive tract of bulls and the gastrointestinal tract of weanling pigs were studied. The reproductive organs of the male, domestic species had not been studied from an ecological perspective prior to the study. As such, the research was mainly focused on characterizing the bacterial communities found within the prepuce of bulls that were considered to be healthy, or that the breeding soundness exam was satisfactory and the bulls had no clinical disease in the urogenital tract. Through this study two distinct types of bacterial communities were found based on the diversity of the observed taxa; the groups were split into a low diversity group identified by the presence of <em>Bradyrhizobium</em> and a high diversity group distinguished by the abundance of mucosal-associated bacteria found in oral, respiratory, and vaginal communities of cattle. Second, the effects of supplementary, soluble fiber on the intestinal bacterial communities of piglets pre- and/or post-weaning were studied. The rationale behind this study was to determine if pre-weaning fiber could alter the microbiome prior to weaning and the change of diet from liquid to solid. Pre-weaning, supplementary, soluble fiber was found to increase short-chain fatty acid concentrations and bacterial taxa potentially involved in their production. Additionally, bacterial taxa implicated in an increased inflammatory response were reduced in groups fed supplementary fiber. Taken together, the two bacterial community studies highlight the gaps in knowledge for reproductive communities in male animals as well as the potential for reducing weaning stress in pigs. Part two of this dissertation focuses on whole genome sequence analysis as a way to study bacterial populations associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a common and potentially fatal disease in cattle. Identification of BRD has low accuracy and the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria increases the chance of treatment failure. Using machine learning, the prediction of antibiotic resistance in bacterial isolates from animals with BRD was performed to find potential sequences for use in future molecular assays. While using known resistance genes was helpful for some antibiotics, several of the antibiotics used in treating BRD were better predicted using the machine learning models. Model output sequences should be further tested using molecular methods to determine function and importance before using as an assay target. Put together, the contents of this dissertation should serve as an introduction to bacterial ecology as well as how the concepts can be applied to food animal production systems.</p>

<p>Thyroid hormone is essential for regulating adult metabolism and proper fetal development. Under normal conditions, maternal and fetal thyroid hormones are subject to metabolism at the placenta and within fetal tissues through deiodination and sulfation to regulate fetal exposure to the bioactive hormone. Disruptions of the thyroid hormone system can result in non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), which is classified as the dysregulation of thyroid hormone homeostasis. The exact cause of the alterations in circulating thyroid hormone levels during NTIS is not well- known. In comparison, hypothyroidism results from the absence of thyroid hormone production and presents as low thyroid hormone levels.</p> <p>Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) crosses the late gestation placenta and causes suppression of circulating maternal and fetal thyroid hormone. Chapter 2 investigates the potential role of thyroid hormone metabolism in this disruption. Pregnant gilts were challenged with PRRSV2 (n=22) or sham inoculated (n=5) at gestation day 85. Samples were collected on day 106, and viral load was assessed in fetal serum and thymus. From the entire fetal population, three distinct subsets of fetuses representing biological extremes were identified, including uninfected with no detectable viral load (UNIF), high viral load viable (HV-VIA), or high viral load with severe meconium staining (HV-MEC). In addition, control fetuses from sham inoculated gilts (CON) were used as a reference group. Samples of fetal liver, kidney, and the corresponding fetal placenta and maternal endometrium for n=10 fetuses per group were then used to evaluate gene expression. A total of 11 genes associated with thyroid hormone metabolism including deiodinases (DIO1,2,3), sulfotransferases (SULT1A3,1B1,1C2,1E1,2A1), sulfatase (STS), and solute carriers (SLC16A2,16A10) were quantified using absolute quantification qPCR. Evidence of fetal decompensation was observed within the high viral fetuses in the form of decreased DIO1 expression within the fetal liver and increased DIO3 expression in both components of the placenta. Circulating levels of T4 and inactive thyroid hormone metabolites, reverse-triiodothyronine (rT3) and two diiodothyronines (3,5-T2 and 3,3’-T2), were measured in fetal serum. While T4 was depressed, no change was observed in circulating rT3 levels, and neither T2 metabolite reached the lower detection limit. This may suggest that alterations in thyroid hormone metabolism generate a localized effect on hormone metabolites in the respective tissues.</p> <p>Alternatively, the low levels of available T3 and T4 limit the production of downstream metabolites to be found in serum.</p> <p>The cause-and-effect relationship between PRRSV infection, fetal thyroid disruption, and the effects on fetal thyroid hormone metabolism are unclear. Therefore, Chapter 3 developed a non-pathogenic model using methimazole (MMI) to induce hypothyroidism in the late gestation fetus and evaluate the impact on fetal development and thyroid hormone metabolism. Pregnant gilts were either treated with oral methimazole or equivalent sham from gestation day 85-106 (n=4/group), followed by classification of all fetuses as live, live but meconium stained, or dead. Fetuses exposed to MMI in-utero were notably hypothyroid with significantly suppressed serum T3 and T4 and histological evidence of goiter. Surprisingly, fetuses from MMI-treated dams were substantially larger but appeared to exhibit non-allometric growth with an increase in girth but not length. The liver, kidney, and the corresponding fetal placenta and maternal endometrium were collected from a subset of 16 fetuses per group to evaluate the relative expression of five genes associated with thyroid hormone metabolism, including three deiodinases and two solute carriers known to transport thyroid hormone. Compensatory transcription of DIO3 was observed in all tissues evaluated, suggesting increased vertical transfer of maternal thyroid hormone at the placenta and decreased breakdown of thyroid hormone within fetal organs.</p> <p>The evaluation of thyroid hormone metabolism within the fetus and within the placenta has allowed us to differentiate suppressed thyroid hormone levels of the pig fetus under pathogenic and non-pathogenic conditions. In the context of PRRSV infection, the observed decompensation of thyroid hormone metabolism would further exacerbate the hypothyroid state and is therefore consistent with NTIS. In contrast, fetuses with induced thyroid hormone suppression following maternal exposure to MMI showed compensatory thyroid hormone metabolism in the same tissues. This indicates true hypothyroidism and clearly demonstrates a fetal capacity to respond to such endocrine disruption.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Heat stress is one of the leading welfare concerns for modern swine production globally. Swine are especially susceptible as the species has inactive sudoriferous glands and, as a result, these animals thermoregulate mainly through behaviors such as wallowing and rooting up cooler patches of ground. In commercial settings, access to open ground or wallowing pits would present a threat to the animals’ health in the form of a vector for diseases and parasites. This puts aspects of swine welfare in direct conflict with one another, while public legislature and consumer pressures increasingly call for approaches to animal welfare that encompass all aspects of welfare to be considered. Efforts towards improved welfare are also crucial to the environmental and economical sustainability for producers and consumers. Previous genetic selection tactics used in swine herds focused intensely on a few traits and have led to modern animals being highly productive but also more environmentally sensitive. Intensely selected animals have energy margins that are narrower and more devoted to higher production leaving less accommodations for resilience in moments of stress. Since swine behaviorally thermoregulate, the use of behavior studies combined with those of genetics is one possible way to effectively identify heritable aspects of climatic resilience into future herds while still improving production traits. The primary objectives of this thesis were to develop an ethogram that can be used to base phenotypes of behavior; calculate the variance components of the behavior traits; correlate these components with those of maternal productivity and heat tolerance; and finally explore the genetic background of the behavior traits based on the identification of genomic markers significantly associated with them. Data was collected on 1,678 Landrace × Large White sows from a commercial swine herd in North Carolina. The data comprised information on climatic factors, litter performance, and behavior during a standardized human handling procedure in the summer of 2021. These animals were genotyped using the PorcineSNP50K Bead Chip (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). These studies describe the development of an ethogram for use on lactating sows in a commercial setting in order to create the novel behavior traits of Responsiveness Score (RS), Vocalization Score (VS), and Shave Time (ST). The genetic variance components were then estimated, and heritabilities found to be 0.17 ± 0.05 for RS, 0.15 ± 0.05 for VS, and 0.10 ± 0.05. These novel behavior traits had low genetic correlations with traits of maternal performance and heat stress resilience. Genome-wide association studies were then performed, and 19 genomic markers were significantly associated with the three behavior traits. However, only one region located on chromosome 3 harbors a candidate gene that may play a role in heat stress resilience. Although the novel behavior traits explored in this study are heritable, they were not found to be viable indicator traits for heat stress resilience due to their low genetic correlations with direct indicators of heat tolerance in lactating sows. It is important that additional phenotypic records of behaviors related to welfare are generated in the future to better map their polygenic nature. </p>

Um componente considerado crítico para o manejo bem sucedido de populações silvestres é a manutenção da variação genética. No intuito de avaliar a magnitude e a distribuição da variabilidade genética existente em populações de Caiman latirostris, nove populações distribuídas ao longo do eixo latitudinal da distribuição da espécie no Brasil e uma população em cativeiro foram estudadas com auxílio de onze locos microssatélites. A diversidade gênica média (He=h) e a heterozigosidade média observada (Ho) apresentaram valores elevados, 0,628 e 0,567, respectivamente, denotando existência de elevada variabilidade genética para esta espécie nas regiões de estudo. A população paulista mesmo estando na zona intermediária de distribuição geográfica no Brasil não possui a maior variabilidade genética. O valor FST estimado foi 0,270 e o RST foi 0,342. Ambas as medidas de diferenciação entre as populações foram significativas (P<0,05). As altas estimativas de FST e RST sugerem a ausência ou fluxo gênico restrito entre essas populações, exceção feita entre as populações de Natal (RN) e João Pessoa (PB), onde não houve diferenciação significativa entre as populações, sugerindo assim que há fluxo gênico entre elas, fato confirmado pelo coeficiente de parentesco. Pôde-se concluir neste trabalho que a distância genética entre a população do litoral é afetada pela existência da Serra do Mar como barreira geográfica pelo fato desta população apresentar as maiores diferenciações genéticas e não se agrupar a nenhuma população pelo método de agrupamento UPGMA, mesmo estando próxima das populações paulista. A distância genética entre as populações parece não acompanhar a distância geográfica, em termos de gradiente latitudinal (r=0,206). Entretanto quando retiramos a população da Ilha do Cardoso esta correlação aumenta significativamente (r=0,540), indicando haver um certo padrão espacial da variabilidade genética entre as populações. O coeficiente médio de parentesco foi baixo entre e dentro das populações estudadas. Com estes resultados podemos começar a entender a dinâmica e estrutura social de populações de Caiman latirostris, e quanto mais se compreende sobre a biologia destes animais mais precisa serão decisões visando condições que permitam a existência continua da espécie. / A component considered critical for the managment well succeed of wild populations it is the maintenance of genetic variation. In the intention of evaluating the extend and the distribution of the existent genetic variability in populations of Caiman latirostris, nine populations distributed along the latitudinal axis of the distribution of the species in Brazil and a population in captivity they were studied with aid of eleven locos microsatellite. The genic mean diversity (He=h) and the observed mean heterozygosity (Ho) across all loci for all populations ranged from 0,628 and 0,567, respectively, denoting existence high genetic variability. The population from São Paulo being in the intermediate zone of geographical distribution in Brazil doesn't possess the largest genetic variability. The value dear FST was 0,270 and RST it was 0,342. Both differentiation measures among the populations were significant (P < 0,05). The higher estimates of FST and RST suggested a absence or low gene flow among those populations, exception done between the populations of Natal (RN) and João Pessoa (PB), where there was not significant differentiation among the populations, suggesting a gene flow pattern among them, fact confirmed by the related coefficient. It could be concluded in this work that the genetic distance among the population of the coast is affected by the existence of the Mountain of the Sea as geographical barrier for the fact of this population to present the largest genetic differentiations and not to group the any population for the grouping method UPGMA, same being close of the populations from São Paulo. The genetic distance among the populations seems not to accompany the geographical distance, in terms of latitudinal gradient (r=0,206). However when we removed the population of Cardoso's Island this correlation it increases significantly (r= 0,540), indicating there to be a certain space pattern of the genetic variability among the populations. The medium coefficient of related was low among and inside of the studied populations. With these results we can begin to understand the dynamics and it structures social of populations of Caiman latirostris.

Um componente considerado crítico para o manejo bem sucedido de populações silvestres é a manutenção da variação genética. No intuito de avaliar a magnitude e a distribuição da variabilidade genética existente em populações de Caiman latirostris, nove populações distribuídas ao longo do eixo latitudinal da distribuição da espécie no Brasil e uma população em cativeiro foram estudadas com auxílio de onze locos microssatélites. A diversidade gênica média (He=h) e a heterozigosidade média observada (Ho) apresentaram valores elevados, 0,628 e 0,567, respectivamente, denotando existência de elevada variabilidade genética para esta espécie nas regiões de estudo. A população paulista mesmo estando na zona intermediária de distribuição geográfica no Brasil não possui a maior variabilidade genética. O valor FST estimado foi 0,270 e o RST foi 0,342. Ambas as medidas de diferenciação entre as populações foram significativas (P<0,05). As altas estimativas de FST e RST sugerem a ausência ou fluxo gênico restrito entre essas populações, exceção feita entre as populações de Natal (RN) e João Pessoa (PB), onde não houve diferenciação significativa entre as populações, sugerindo assim que há fluxo gênico entre elas, fato confirmado pelo coeficiente de parentesco. Pôde-se concluir neste trabalho que a distância genética entre a população do litoral é afetada pela existência da Serra do Mar como barreira geográfica pelo fato desta população apresentar as maiores diferenciações genéticas e não se agrupar a nenhuma população pelo método de agrupamento UPGMA, mesmo estando próxima das populações paulista. A distância genética entre as populações parece não acompanhar a distância geográfica, em termos de gradiente latitudinal (r=0,206). Entretanto quando retiramos a população da Ilha do Cardoso esta correlação aumenta significativamente (r=0,540), indicando haver um certo padrão espacial da variabilidade genética entre as populações. O coeficiente médio de parentesco foi baixo entre e dentro das populações estudadas. Com estes resultados podemos começar a entender a dinâmica e estrutura social de populações de Caiman latirostris, e quanto mais se compreende sobre a biologia destes animais mais precisa serão decisões visando condições que permitam a existência continua da espécie. / A component considered critical for the managment well succeed of wild populations it is the maintenance of genetic variation. In the intention of evaluating the extend and the distribution of the existent genetic variability in populations of Caiman latirostris, nine populations distributed along the latitudinal axis of the distribution of the species in Brazil and a population in captivity they were studied with aid of eleven locos microsatellite. The genic mean diversity (He=h) and the observed mean heterozygosity (Ho) across all loci for all populations ranged from 0,628 and 0,567, respectively, denoting existence high genetic variability. The population from São Paulo being in the intermediate zone of geographical distribution in Brazil doesn't possess the largest genetic variability. The value dear FST was 0,270 and RST it was 0,342. Both differentiation measures among the populations were significant (P < 0,05). The higher estimates of FST and RST suggested a absence or low gene flow among those populations, exception done between the populations of Natal (RN) and João Pessoa (PB), where there was not significant differentiation among the populations, suggesting a gene flow pattern among them, fact confirmed by the related coefficient. It could be concluded in this work that the genetic distance among the population of the coast is affected by the existence of the Mountain of the Sea as geographical barrier for the fact of this population to present the largest genetic differentiations and not to group the any population for the grouping method UPGMA, same being close of the populations from São Paulo. The genetic distance among the populations seems not to accompany the geographical distance, in terms of latitudinal gradient (r=0,206). However when we removed the population of Cardoso's Island this correlation it increases significantly (r= 0,540), indicating there to be a certain space pattern of the genetic variability among the populations. The medium coefficient of related was low among and inside of the studied populations. With these results we can begin to understand the dynamics and it structures social of populations of Caiman latirostris.