Invasive non-indigenous species are among the principle drivers of global change, altering nutrient cycles, changing disturbance regimes, and generally threatening biodiversity. Climate change is widely expected to exacerbate invasions by relaxing abiotic barriers, such as low temperature, but the mechanistic evidence supporting this is limited. Here, I evaluate the hypothesis that low temperatures determine the northern range limit of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), an invasive Asiatic vine in North America, by assessing freezing and chilling tolerance of kudzu plants in winter, spring, summer, and fall. Kudzu was widely planted throughout the southeastern U.S. in the early 20th Century to prevent erosion. It is winter-deciduous and reproduces primarily from buds on stem nodes. In the last 40 years, kudzu has migrated northward in concert with a northward shift in the -20oC minimum winter temperature isocline, indicating that less severe winter cold is permitting northward migration. Freezing mortality during winter does not explain this correlation. Electrolyte leakage assays demonstrate that above- and belowground kudzu stems can survive to -27oC and -17oC. Insulation provided by soil and snow protects belowground stems from lethal temperatures to well north of kudzu's current range limit. Severe spring chill stops growth and photosynthesis and causes some shoot mortality, but both growth and photosynthesis recover quickly following the chill. Summer growth rates are rapid (up to 22 cm/d), responding within hours to temperature changes, and are unimpaired by nighttime lows. Photosynthesis is reduced at cool temperatures, but on cool days, kudzu leaves tend to be warmer than air temperature, so photosynthesis rates generally remain close to optimal values. In autumn, growth stops below 15oC, but leaves are retained and maintain modest photosynthetic competence until killed by frost in November. In colder climates that occur far north of kudzu's current range, reductions in the length and quality of the growing season could accumulate over time to reduce kudzu's success. There is, however, no strong evidence that low temperatures in any season will prevent kudzu from migrating throughout southern Ontario, making kudzu a good candidate for invasive species regulations.

Invasive non-indigenous species are among the principle drivers of global change, altering nutrient cycles, changing disturbance regimes, and generally threatening biodiversity. Climate change is widely expected to exacerbate invasions by relaxing abiotic barriers, such as low temperature, but the mechanistic evidence supporting this is limited. Here, I evaluate the hypothesis that low temperatures determine the northern range limit of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), an invasive Asiatic vine in North America, by assessing freezing and chilling tolerance of kudzu plants in winter, spring, summer, and fall. Kudzu was widely planted throughout the southeastern U.S. in the early 20th Century to prevent erosion. It is winter-deciduous and reproduces primarily from buds on stem nodes. In the last 40 years, kudzu has migrated northward in concert with a northward shift in the -20oC minimum winter temperature isocline, indicating that less severe winter cold is permitting northward migration. Freezing mortality during winter does not explain this correlation. Electrolyte leakage assays demonstrate that above- and belowground kudzu stems can survive to -27oC and -17oC. Insulation provided by soil and snow protects belowground stems from lethal temperatures to well north of kudzu's current range limit. Severe spring chill stops growth and photosynthesis and causes some shoot mortality, but both growth and photosynthesis recover quickly following the chill. Summer growth rates are rapid (up to 22 cm/d), responding within hours to temperature changes, and are unimpaired by nighttime lows. Photosynthesis is reduced at cool temperatures, but on cool days, kudzu leaves tend to be warmer than air temperature, so photosynthesis rates generally remain close to optimal values. In autumn, growth stops below 15oC, but leaves are retained and maintain modest photosynthetic competence until killed by frost in November. In colder climates that occur far north of kudzu's current range, reductions in the length and quality of the growing season could accumulate over time to reduce kudzu's success. There is, however, no strong evidence that low temperatures in any season will prevent kudzu from migrating throughout southern Ontario, making kudzu a good candidate for invasive species regulations.

It is estimated that 90% of new chemical entities in development pipelines exhibit poor aqueous solubility. For compounds not limited by biological membrane permeability, this poor aqueous solubility is the limiting factor in bioavailability. Therefore, the formulation of such drugs has primarily been centered on improving dissolution properties. Traditional approaches for overcoming poor aqueous solubility include salt formation of the active ingredient, complexation, the use of surface active agents, formulation into oil based systems, particle size reduction, or a combination of these methods. More recently amorphous solid dispersions have been explored. Currently, the drug loading within solid dispersions is limited resulting in large quantities of the formulation being required for a therapeutically relevant dose. In the frame of the work herein, Thin Film Freezing was utilized to generate high drug loaded amorphous solid dispersions of the poorly water soluble drug phenytoin utilizing a hydrophilic polymer or an amphiphilic graft copolymer for system stabilization. Additionally a new solvent removal technique, atmospheric freeze drying, was investigated for removal of the solvents used during Thin Film Freezing. The Thin Film Freezing materials were subsequently incorporated into a polymeric carrier for solid dispersion formulation by a novel fusion production technique termed Kinetisol® dispersing. Studies of the solid dispersions produced by Thin Film Freezing revealed an amorphous system had been obtained for both stabilizing polymers. The formulation containing a hydrophilic carrier was capable of achieving supersaturation. Conversely, the amphiphilic graft copolymer demonstrated a phenytoin-polymer interaction resulting in poor dissolution. Atmospheric freeze drying of the Thin Film Freezing product demonstrated that the alternative drying technique generated powders with significantly improved handling properties as a result of reduced electrostatic interactions due to the increased pore size, reduced surface area, larger particle size, and higher, though acceptable, residual solvent levels. The use of Thin Film Freezing powders during Kinetisol Dispersing resulted in a single phase amorphous system while solid dispersions produced from physical mixtures of bulk materials were amorphous two-phase systems. This indicates that the use of amorphous drug compositions during solid dispersion production may increase drug loading in the final system while remaining single phase in nature. / text

Poorly water-soluble and insoluble chemical agents are routinely investigated in the pharmaceutical industry for pharmacological activity, but many of these are never commercialized due to inadequate dissolution and subsequent low oral bioavailability following oral administration. The bioavailability of many hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can be increased by enhancing their aqueous dissolution. Spray-Freezing into Liquid (SFL) is a novel particle engineering technology that has been demonstrated in the following studies to significantly enhance the dissolution of insoluble APIs. The ultimate goal throughout the studies was to produce micronized SFL powders where the inherently insoluble API would be completely dissolved in aqueous dissolution media within a minimal amount of time (less than ca. 10 minutes). The SFL particle engineering technology is a novel process that was developed, investigated and optimized in order to broaden its applications in pharmaceutical drug delivery systems. Micronized SFL powders were compared head-to-head with powders produced from milling, co-grinding with excipients and slow freezing of liquids containing dissolved API and excipients followed by lyophilization. To strengthen the applicability of the SFL particle engineering technology, studies were conducted where micronized SFL powders were exposed to various stability storage conditions, and characterized to determine the influences of the exposure conditions and time on the physicochemical properties of the powder containing the API. The utility of the SFL process was further enhanced by developing an atmospheric freeze-drying (ATMFD) technique to obtain dry micronized SFL powders. Micronized SFL powders dried by ATMFD were compared to micronized SFL powders dried by vacuum-freeze drying to determine any changes in physicochemical properties or dissolution profiles as a function of the drying technique utilized. The usefulness of the SFL particle engineering technology was broadened when it was found that highly concentrated emulsions could be processed by SFL to produce micronized powders that rapidly wetted and dissolved in dissolution media. Micronized SFL powders produced from emulsion were investigated and compared to slowly frozen agglomerates from emulsion and a micronized SFL powder from solution. As a result of the following studies, the enabling examples using the SFL platform were designed to illustrate applications of the SFL technology as a tool to enhance the aqueous dissolution of poorly water-soluble and insoluble APIs. Therefore, it was demonstrated that this novel particle engineering technology is a feasible method that may be used in the pharmaceutical industry to solve the ever-present solubility and dissolution problems associated with poorly water-soluble or insoluble APIs, or chemical agents being investigated for pharmacological activity as future APIs / text

The paper presents results of the experimental research on the process of CO2 gas hydrates formation in the porous media of sediments under positive and negative temperatures. The subject of research were sediment samples of various compositions including those selected in the permafrost area. The research was conducted in a special pressure chamber, which allowed to monitor pressure and temperature. Using the monitoring results it was possible to make quantitative estimation of the kinetics of CO2 hydrates accumulation in the model sediments. In the course of the research it was demonstrated, that active hydrates accumulation occurred in frozen sediments under negative temperatures (about -4 оС). At the same time a comparative analysis of СО2 and СН4 hydrates accumulation was made in the porous media of the sediment under negative temperatures. The performed experiments enabled to estimate an influence of temperature, sediment composition and water content on kinetics of CO2 hydrates accumulation in porous media. Besides, we made an estimation of the amount of hydrates, which could be formed in hydrates containing sediments at freezing of the remaining pore water.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T14:49:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotal.pdf: 1254323 bytes, checksum: 6acc00404bdf28b53693a7553204b077 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / After despesca shrimp is highly perishable, with a shelf life limited due to the occurrence of melanosis and microbial contamination. The melanosis is triggered by a biochemical mechanism that oxidizes phenols to quinones by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Quinones in turn react non-enzymatically with other compounds forming dark melanin pigments responsible for melanosis. Although not damaging to consumer health, melanosis dramatically reduces the commercial value of the shrimp. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enzymatic activity of PPO shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei subjected to freezing, modified atmosphere and cooling in ice for their respective stores. Samples were obtained in trading environment, packed and transported to the Laboratory of Technology and Processing Meat and Fish (LTPCP / DEA / UFPB). The products were made from whole shrimp and subsequently submitted to the following treatments: the domestic freezer (-18 ± 1 ° C) - FREEZER; tunnel freezing at (-35 ° C) - TUNNEL, liquid nitrogen (-86 ° C) - NITROGEN; cooling on ice - ICE; Modified Atmosphere (75% CO2 / 25% O2) - AM1, Modified Atmosphere (25% CO2 / 75% O2) - AM2 and Vacuum Packaging - VOID. The samples were stored subjected to freezing (-18 ° C) for 90 days, and the samples cooled on ice and modified atmosphere were stored for 9 days. The vacuum packaging liquid nitrogen and were more effective in inhibiting PPO activity, and delayed melanosis during storage. The color parameters pH, shear force and water activity have changed over time, both in frozen samples as in chilled. / Após a despesca o camarão é muito perecível, com vida de prateleira limitada, devido à melanose e contaminação microbiológica. A melanose é desencadeada por um mecanismo bioquímico que oxida fenóis a quinonas pela enzima polifenoloxidase (PPO). As quinonas por sua vez, reagem não enzimáticamente com outros compostos formando melaninas pigmentos escuros, responsável pela melanose. Apesar de não causar danos à saúde do consumidor, a melanose reduz drasticamente o valor comercial do camarão. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade enzimática da PPO do camarão Litopenaeus vannamei submetido ao congelamento, atmosfera modificada e ao resfriamento em gelo durante seus respectivos armazenamentos. As amostras foram obtidas em ambiente de comercialização, acondicionadas e transportadas ao Laboratório de Tecnologia e Processamento de Carnes e Pescado (LTPCP/DEA/UFPB). Os produtos foram elaborados a partir de camarões inteiros e posteriormente, submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: freezer doméstico à (-18 ± 1 °C) FREEZER; túnel de congelamento a (-35 °C) TÚNEL; nitrogênio líquido (-86 °C) NITROGÊNIO; refrigeração em gelo GELO; Atmosfera Modificada (75%CO2 / 25% O2) AM1; Atmosfera Modificada (25%CO2 /75% O2) AM2 e Embalagem a Vácuo VÁCUO. As amostras congeladas foram armazenadas (-18 °C) por 90 dias e as amostras refrigeradas em gelo e atmosfera modificada foram armazenadas durante 9 dias. O nitrogênio líquido e a embalagem a vácuo mostraram-se mais eficácia na inibição da atividade da PPO e no retardamento da melanose durante o período de armazenamento. Quanto aos parâmetros físicos houve uma redução na cor e atividade água e um aumento no pH e força de cisalhamento ao longo do tempo, tanto nas amostras congeladas como nas refrigeradas.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-10-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:50:59Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 baroza_pfj_me_jabo.pdf: 472300 bytes, checksum: 8c0c255232fc2e33839f99f65b3e5d49 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Os objetivos do estudo foram: 1. avaliar as concentrações de proteína total, imunoglobulina G, enzimas e minerais na secreção láctea de cabras e vacas, nos primeiros 30 dias pós-parto, estabelecendo o limite máximo possível para se obter secreção láctea que permita adequada transferência de imunidade passiva aos neonatos; 2. avaliar a influência do congelamento nestes constituintes; e, disponibilizar informações que possam auxiliar na montagem de bancos de colostro. Foram examinadas amostras de secreções lácteas de 10 cabras da raça Saanen e 10 vacas da raça Holandesa recém-paridas e sadias, de terceira ou quarta lactação, coletadas nos momentos: dia do parto e 1, 3, 5, 9, 14 e 29 dias após o parto. As amostras foram obtidas após a ordenha completa das cabras e vacas. As amostras de colostro caprino foram submetidas aleatoriamente a seis tratamentos, de acordo com o período de congelamento; enquanto as amostras de colostro bovino foram submetidas a cinco tratamentos. As amostras do grupo G1 são colostros caprinos “in natura”; as amostras do grupo G2 são as mesmas amostras do G1, porém submetidas ao aquecimento de 56ºC durante 60 minutos; as amostras do grupo G3 foram submetidas a 30 dias de congelamento, as amostras do grupo G4, a 60 dias de congelamento, as amostras do grupo G5, a 90 dias de congelamento e as do grupo G6, a 180 dias de congelamento. As amostras de colostro bovino foram submetidas aos mesmos períodos de congelamento... / The goals of the study were: 1. to evaluate total protein, G immunoglobulin, enzymes and minerals concentrations in goat and cow milky secretion, during the first 30 days postparturition, establishing the possible maximum limit to obtain milky secretion that allows appropriate transfer of passive immunity to the newborns kids; 2. to evaluate the influence of freezing in these constituents; and, 3. to create information that can aid in the assembly of colostrum banks. It were used samples of milky secretions of 10 Saanen goats and 10 Holstein cows recently-given birth and healthy, of third or fourth nursing, collected in the moments: in the day of the parturition and 1, 3, 5, 9, 14 and 29 days after the parturition. The samples were obtained after goats and cows complete milks. The samples of goat colostrum were submitted to six treatments, in agreement with the freezing period; the samples of cow colostrum were submitted to five treatments. The samples of the group G1 are goat colostrums “in natura; the samples of the group G2 are the same samples of G1, however submitted to the heating of 56ºC for 60 minutes; the samples of the group G3 were submitted to 30 days of freezing, the samples of the group G4, to 60 days of freezing, the samples of the group G5, to 90 days of freezing and the one of the group G6, to 180 days of freezing. The samples of cow colostrum were submitted to the same freezing periods... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-09-05T14:11:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1034115 bytes, checksum: 2c4176b8c0311b2aceaf8bd753013545 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-05T14:11:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1034115 bytes, checksum: 2c4176b8c0311b2aceaf8bd753013545 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-26 / The search for products that supply more which satiety the persons, it is doing so that the man explores sea foods as fountain of alternative and healthy food. Among several fish sorts, the shrimp is gaining emphasis, due to his composition nutricional and the beneficial effects to the health. But because of being a very perishable food, he are some methods of conservation investigated with the objective to extend his life of shelf, in this work, there was checked the job of additive ones associated to the use of low temperatures. The samples were obtained of a local enterprise, UFPB conditioned and transported to the Center of Technology and of Regional Development-. The products were prepared from whole shrimps and subsequently, subjected to 10 different treatments: T1 and T6 - without additive (control), T2 and T7 - solution of sorbato of potassium to 0,1 %, T3 and T8 - solution of sorbato of potassium to 0,3 %, T4 and T9 - mixes (sorbato of potassium, eritorbato of sodium and chloride of sodium) to 0,1 % and T5 and T10 - it mixes (sorbato of potassium, eritorbato of sodium and chloride of sodium to 0,3 %). The samples of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were subjected to the slow freezing (freezer) temperature of-18°C and the samples T6, T7, T8, T9 T10 were subjected to quick freezing (tunnel of freezing) temperature of-34°C and next they were stored (-18 °C) by a period of 60 days of evaluation. Physical and chemical analyses such as took place pH, water activity, profit in the cooking, capacity of water retention, texture, color, total volatile bases and reactive substances to the acid tiobarbitúrico and microbiological analyses in the times 0 and 60 days. it is possible to end that the effect of the sorbato of potassium associated to low temperatures maintained the quality of the cultivated shrimp, when values are maintained inside the standards demanded by the legislation, when equated to that of the literature.. / A procura por produtos que fornecem mais que saciedade as pessoas, vem fazendo com que o homem explore alimentos marinhos como fonte de alimentação alternativa e saudável. Dentre as várias espécies de pescado, o camarão vem ganhando ênfase, devido a sua composição nutricional e os efeitos benéficos à saúde. Mas por ser um alimento muito perecível, alguns métodos de conservação vem sendo pesquisados com o objetivo de prolongar sua vida de prateleira, neste trabalho, averiguou-se o emprego de aditivos associado a o uso de baixas temperaturas. As amostras foram obtidas de uma empresa local, acondicionadas e transportadas ao Centro de Tecnologia e de Desenvolvimento Regional - UFPB. Os produtos foram elaborados a partir de camarões inteiros e posteriormente, submetidos a 10 diferentes tratamentos: T1 e T6 - sem aditivo (controle), T2 e T7- solução de sorbato de potássio a 0,1%, T3 e T8 - solução de sorbato de potássio a 0,3%, T4 e T9 - mistura (sorbato de potássio, eritorbato de sódio e cloreto de sódio) a 0,1% e T5 e T10 - mistura (sorbato de potássio, eritorbato de sódio e cloreto de sódio a 0,3%). As amostras de T1, T2, T3, T4 e T5 foram submetidas ao congelamento lento (freezer) temperatura de -18°C e as amostras T6, T7, T8, T9 T10 foram submetidas a congelamento rápido (túnel de congelamento) temperatura de -34°C e em seguida foram armazenadas (-18 °C) por um período de 60 dias de avaliação. Efetuaram-se análises físicas e químicas tais como pH, atividade de água, rendimento na cocção, capacidade de retenção de água, textura, cor, bases voláteis totais e substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico e análises microbiológicas nos tempos 0 e 60 dias. Pode-se concluir que o efeito do sorbato de potássio associado a baixas temperaturas manteve a qualidade do camarão cultivado, mantendo-se valores dentro dos padrões exigidos pela legislação, quando equiparados aos da literatura.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T17:32:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 resumo MARIANA.pdf: 200440 bytes, checksum: c70e5f1ef3e842ad10423fc46fc308a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As escalas Modified Parkinson Activity Scale (PASm) e a Lindop Parkinson s Disease Mobility Assessement (LPA) foram desenvolvidas para avaliar a mobilidade funcional em pacientes com Doença de Parkinson (DP) sendo diretamente aplicadas à prática fisioterapêutica. Os eventos de quedas prévios e o congelamento da marcha são considerados os principais fatores de risco para novas quedas na DP e apresentam influência direta sobre a mobilidade funcional. O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar a tradução e adaptação transcultural das escalas PASm e LPA para a Língua Portuguesa-Brasil, e analisar algumas propriedades psicométricas, além de comparar o nível de mobilidade funcional com o congelamento da marcha e com os eventos de quedas vivenciados nos paciente com a DP. 32 indivíduos participaram do estudo. Considerando o escore total, as confiabilidades interavaliadores e teste-reteste apresentaram um coeficiente de correlação intra-classe que variou entre 0,97 e 0,98. Ambas as escalas apresentaram excelente consistência interna com coeficiente alfa de Cronbach variando entre 0,83 e 0,94. Foram obtidas excelentes correlações positivas entre as versões brasileiras da PASm e LPA e a PAS-Brasil, com valores entre _= 0,63 e 0,92. A validade concorrente entre as escalas e a UPDRS-parte III, estabeleceram uma moderada correlação negativa, (_=-0,54 e -0,65). A ANOVA one way mostrou que a LPA Brasil discrimina o indivíduo com DP entre todos os estágios segundo HY, e a PASm Brasil entre os estágios leve e grave, e moderado e grave. A MDC para as escalas variou entre 1 e 2 pontos. Houve efeito teto apenas para a LPA Brasil. Na comparação entre os grupos, o que congela obteve menor pontuação na escala PASm Brasil em relação ao que não congela (p=0,011) e a diferença significativa entre as médias das pontuações foram relativas às questões de mobilidade na cama (p=0,009). Além das tarefas do domínio de mobilidade da cama, o item 8 referente ao domínio da acinesia da marcha, apresentou diferença significativa entre as pontuações, p=0,033. O grupo que cai obteve menor pontuação na escala PASm Brasil em relação ao que não cai (p=0,018) e a diferença significativa entre as médias das pontuações dos grupos também foram relacionadas às questões de mobilidade na cama (p=0,015). Comparando o desempenho do grupo que cai e que não cai no TUG, o grupo que cai realizou o teste em maior tempo em relação ao que não cai (18,69s e 11,5s, respectivamente, p=0,006). Da mesma forma, o grupo que congela realizou o teste em maior tempo em relação ao que não congela (18,28s e 11,03s respectivamente, p=0,004). As versões brasileiras da PASm e LPA são instrumentos válidos e confiáveis para avaliar a mobilidade funcional no nível de atividade em pacientes com a DP, sendo diretamente aplicadas à prática clínica fisioterapêutica. O congelamento da marcha e os eventos de quedas vivenciados influenciam em alguns aspectos da mobilidade do paciente com DP, sobretudo na mobilidade na cama. Os achados deste estudo são relevantes uma vez que um dos principais objetivos da fisioterapia na DP é manter a mobilidade funcional e independência do paciente.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-07-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:17:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 martins_jla_me_botfmvz.pdf: 366556 bytes, checksum: 5564f8a57d5ae434024a1843feeb124b (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A análise dos efeitos da refrigeração sobre a congelabilidade da célula espermática da cauda do epidídimo de gatos domésticos foram avaliados nesse experimento. Após prévia refrigeração a 5O C por 24 horas alíquotas de sêmen foram submetidas a criopreservação e posteriormente descongeladas para análise morfofuncional. 15 animais foram submetidos a orquiectomia de conveniência e seus epidídimos foram manipulados para obtenção de amostras que foram suspensas em meio TE (TRIS/Equex/Gema de Ovo), analisadas, refrigeradas e congeladas. Amostras referentes ao grupo controle foram congeladas imediatamente após a colheita. A analise morfofuncional consistiu em motilidade, vigor, morfologia espermática e Integridade de membrana. Após a descongelação os resultados dos grupos controle e trabalho foram analisados estatisticamente e observou-se que não existe diferença estatística para nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. Embora tenha sido observada diferença estatística entre os momentos pós-colheita e pós-refrigeração por 24 horas para as variáveis motilidade, vigor, integridade de membrana e defeitos primários, nenhuma variável diferiu entre as amostras congeladas pós-colheita e as amostras congeladas pós-refrigeração prolongada. Tais resultados demonstram que um transporte refrigerado a 5O C por 24 horas não interfere sobre a congelabilidade de sêmen do epidídimo de gatos domésticos. Do ponto de vista da conservação tais resultados abrem portas para um melhor fluxo de gametas de espécies selvagens para centrais de biotecnologia permitindo um melhor aproveitamento e conservação deste material. / The present study analyzed the effect of cooling on sperm cells obtained from the epididymis tail from domestic cats in respect to their capability for freezing. The treatment group had their samples submitted to freezing after being cooled at 5° C during 24 hours, and th~ control group samples were frozen immediately after collection, Samples from both groups were then thawed and submitted to mo rphofunctiona I analysis. Fifteen animais were submitted to a convenient routine orchiectomy and their epididymis were processed to obtain a semen samples which were suspended in TE medium (TRIS/Equexl egg yolk). The samples were then analyzed, coo,led and frozen. The morphofunctional analysis consisted of sperm motility, vigor, morphology and membrane integrity. After thawing, the semen samples from treatment and control groups were analyzed and no statistic difference was found among ali variables described above.