A practical technique for enzymatic dissociation and isolation of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) (Percidae, Teleostei) early stage germ cells (eGC), including spermatogonia and spermatocytes, is reported in this study. Their potential to differentiate into functional gametes, and transmit genetic information to the next generations makes them suitable for cryopreservation and surrogate reproduction studies by germline chimera. Two different age groups (14 month old and 18 month old) of pikeperch were used to adjust the correct stage of eGC isolation. Finally the 18 month old samples were selected due to their high average gonadal volume (0.513 g). 10 ml PBS + 0.3% trypsin (304 mOsm/kg, pH 8) were used for enzymatic dissociation of testicular cells and they were sorted by centrifugation in Percoll density gradient. eGCs were identified on the basis of their ploidy level by CYSTAIN DNA 1 steps kit (PARTEC) and morphological characteristics trough by light microscopy. Cell counting was performed on histological sections and Percoll gradient layers whit the method of random square counting. The method of isolation enriched the number of eGC from 41.3% to 84.7%, obtained from the 33% of Percoll concentration.

Submitted by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2018-09-28T17:39:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Missio.pdf: 779272 bytes, checksum: 6b39f5d8e9f05222e1d9034c1daa6e30 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2018-09-28T17:39:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Missio.pdf: 779272 bytes, checksum: 6b39f5d8e9f05222e1d9034c1daa6e30 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-28T17:39:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Missio.pdf: 779272 bytes, checksum: 6b39f5d8e9f05222e1d9034c1daa6e30 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Na produção in vitro de embriões (PIV) bovinos são utilizadas diferentes técnicas de seleção espermática, a fim de recuperar o maior número de espermatozoides com boa qualidade e remover componentes do sêmen e diluente. Dentre essas técnicas, a seleção por gradientes descontínuos de Percoll, é a mais utilizada atualmente em laboratórios de PIV de bovinos. Porém essa técnica vem sendo modificada principalmente com o aumento da utilização do sêmen sexado. O sêmen sexado possui características distintas do sêmen convencional, como baixo número de células por dose e baixa motilidade pós-descongelamento. Assim, o desenvolvimento de um método eficiente para a seleção espermática, que aumente a taxa de recuperação sem prejudicar a qualidade dos espermatozoides é essencial. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do volume de Percoll na recuperação espermática, qualidade dos espermatozoides, estresse oxidativo e cinética do desenvolvimento embrionário de embriões bovinos PIV. Palhetas de sêmen convencional ou sexado foram descongeladas a 35º C por 20 s e distribuídas em alíquotas iguais em três diferentes volumes de Percoll: 300 μL de cada gradiente de Percoll (90, 60 e 30%), Controle; 100 μL de cada gradiente de Percoll, P100; e 200 μL de cada gradiente de viii Percoll, P200. Qualidade espermática, taxa de fecundação e cinética do desenvolvimento embrionário até 48 horas pós-inseminação foram avaliadas. Para o sêmen convencional, a motilidade, o vigor e a taxa de recuperação foram maiores nos tratamentos P100 e P200 comparado ao Controle (P < 0,05), enquanto os níveis de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS), peroxidação lipídica e atividade da enzima superóxido dismutase (SOD) não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. Para o sêmen sexado, P100 aumentou a velocidade curvilínea, velocidade média da trajetória e amplitude de deslocamento lateral da cabeça (P < 0,05). A taxa de recuperação foi maior em P100 do que no Controle e P200 (P < 0,05). A formação de ROS foi menor em P100 do que em P200 e Controle, e a atividade SOD foi menor em P100 do que no Controle. As taxas de fecundação e clivagem, momento da primeira clivagem e número de células foram similares entre P100 e Controle (P > 0,05). Portanto, o volume de Percoll de 100 μL aumentou a taxa de recuperação espermática sem prejudicar a qualidade dos espermatozoides e desenvolvimento embrionário, permitindo assim, aumentar o número de gotas inseminadas/ dose e diminuir custos. / For in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos, different sperm selection techniques are used to recover the highest number of sperm with good quality and to remove components of the semen and diluent. Among these techniques, the selection by discontinuous Percoll gradients is currently the most used in bovine IVP laboratories. However, this technique has been modified mainly with the increase of the use of sex-sorted semen. The sex-sorted semen has distinct characteristics of conventional semen, such as low number of cells per dose and low post-thaw motility. Thus, the development of an efficient method for sperm selection, which increases the rate of recovery without impairing the quality of sperm is essential. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Percoll volume on recovery rate, sperm quality, oxidative stress and embryo development kinetics in bovine embryos IVP. Conventional or sex-sorted semen straws were thawed at 35°C for 20 s and distributed in equal aliquots into three different Percoll volume: 300 μL of each Percoll gradient (90, 60, and 30%), Control; 100 μL of each Percoll gradient, P100; and 200 μL of each Percoll gradient, P200. Sperm quality, fertilization rate, and embryonic development kinetics up to 48 h post-insemination were evaluated. For conventional semen, motility, vigor, and recovery x rate improved in the P100 and P200 treatments compared to the Control (P < 0.05), whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) activity were not influenced by treatments. For sex-sorted semen, P100 increased sperm curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement (P < 0.05). Recovery rate was higher in P100 than in the Control and P200 (P < 0.05), formation of ROS was lower in P100 than in the Control and P200, and SOD activity was lower in P100 than in the Control. Fertilization and cleavage rates, moment of first cleavage, and cell number were similar between P100 and the Control (P > 0.05). Therefore, a Percoll volume of 100 μL increased sperm recovery rate without damage to sperm quality or early embryonic development, allowing to increase the number of inseminated drops / dose and to reduce costs.

Submitted by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2016-09-09T19:43:53Z No. of bitstreams: 2 CECILIA ISABEL INES URQUIZA MACHADO PAVIN.pdf: 662363 bytes, checksum: ba4999290c4e1737856e3587e64e850d (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2016-09-09T19:44:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 CECILIA ISABEL INES URQUIZA MACHADO PAVIN.pdf: 662363 bytes, checksum: ba4999290c4e1737856e3587e64e850d (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-09T19:44:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 CECILIA ISABEL INES URQUIZA MACHADO PAVIN.pdf: 662363 bytes, checksum: ba4999290c4e1737856e3587e64e850d (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-05 / Os métodos de seleção espermática são utilizados com o objetivo de isolar uma maior população de espermatozoides morfologicamente melhor, além de permitir a capacitação destes, incrementando a taxa de embriões produzidos in vitro. Entre os métodos de seleção, o mais utilizado comercialmente na produção in vitro (PIV) de embriões bovinos é o método de Gradiente Descontínuo de Percoll® (GDP). No entanto, apesar da praticidade desta técnica, a etapa de centrifugação é prejudicial, sendo responsável por danos estruturais as células espermáticas, bem como a diminuição da motilidade e da taxa de recuperação, interferindo assim, nas taxas de fecundação in vitro (FIV). Este estudo objetivou avaliar a centrifugação com amortecimento utilizando uma solução de iodixanol durante a seleção espermática para a PIV de embriões bovinos. No experimento I, o sêmen foi descongelado e dividido em quatro grupos, e os espermatozoides submetidos a separação espermática pelo método de GDP com ou sem a solução colóide; sendo o amortecimento testado na primeira (C1), segunda (C2) ou ambas centrifugações (C1-2). Em seguida, foram avaliadas a taxa de recuperação, a cinética espermática, e a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs). No experimento II foi avaliada a taxa de fecundação e a cinética de desenvolvimento embrionário dos grupos C e C1, que foram os tratamentos que demonstraram os melhores resultados para a cinética espermática, taxa de recuperação e análise bioquímica no primeiro experimento. Neste estudo, o grupo com amortecimento obteve um aumento na taxa de fecundação e clivagem, quando comparado ao grupo controle (60,5 vs 48,55 e 80,0 vs 64,7%, respectivamente). Com base nestes resultados foi possível concluir que o uso de 9 uma solução de amortecimento durante a etapa de centrifugação para a seleção espermática permitiu a preservação da cinética e da integridade da membrana dos espermatozoides, sem reduzir a taxa de recuperação. Adicionalmente, foi demonstrado pela primeira vez que o uso da centrifugação com amortecimento incrementa, não apenas a taxa de fecundação e clivagem, mas também o número de embriões que clivam mais cedo. / In order to optimize bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF), sperm selection methods have been used to isolate sperm subpopulations with high fertilizing capacity for use in animal breeding. Among the methods of sperm selection, the most common method used is the Discontinuous Percoll® Gradients (DPG). However, again despite the practicality of this technique, the centrifugation step is harmful, accounting for structural damage in sperm and decrease in motility and sperm recovery rate, as well as interfering with in vitro fertilization rates. This study aimed to evaluate the cushioned centrifugation using an iodixanol solution on sperm selection for in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos. In experiment I, the thawed semen was divided into four groups and the sperm subjected to the separation method by discontinuous Percoll® gradients with and without a colloid solution, where the cushioning was tested in the first (C1), second (C2), and both centrifugations (C1-2). Then, the recovery rate, sperm kinetics, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. Experiment II evaluated the fertilization rate and embryonic development kinetics of C and C1 groups; who were the treatments that have shown the best results for motion kinetics, recovery rate, and biochemical analysis in Experiment I. In this assay, the group with cushioning obtained an increase in the fertilization and cleavage rate when compared with the control (60.5 vs 48.55 and 80.0 vs 64.7%, respectively). With this study, we can conclude that the use of a cushion solution during centrifugation on sperm selection had preserved the motion properties of spermatozoa and the 11 integrity of the sperm membrane without lowering the recovery rate. Furthermore, it was demonstrated for the first time that the use of cushioned centrifugation increases not only the cleavage rate but the number of embryos previously cleaved.

Les tendinites sont des lésions communes chez le cheval athlète, ayant un impact financier et sportif considérable. Les cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSMs) de moelle osseuse (MO) sont empiriquement utilisées en clinique pour améliorer la guérison des affections myoarthrosquelettiques. Cependant, il est nécessaire de standardiser les protocoles d’isolement des CSMs équines et d’analyser leurs effets sur la guérison tendineuse pour ajuster leur dose. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de comparer 3 méthodes d’isolement des CSMs équines et d’établir un modèle de guérison tendineuse minimal invasif pour analyser l’effet des CSMs sur cette guérison. Des CSMs de MO du sternum de juments étaient isolées par 3 protocoles couramment utilisés (adhérence au pétri (Classique) et 2 méthodes par gradient de densité (Percoll et Ficoll)). La viabilité des cellules après isolement, le rendement d’isolement, le nombre de CSMs obtenues après 14 jours de culture et leurs caractéristiques fonctionnelles (renouvellement et différentiation) étaient comparés entre les 3 protocoles. Les résultats suggéraient que le Percoll était le meilleur protocole en termes de rendement et de capacité de renouvellement des cellules. La différence n’était pas significative pour leur viabilité et leur capacité de différentiation. Un modèle de guérison tendineuse, consistant en une ténectomie du tendon extenseur latéral du doigt fut ensuite développé. Cependant, la grande variabilité interindividuelle de qualité de guérison dans le groupe pilote implique une ré-évaluation du modèle. Des études futures, avec des CSMs isolées par le Percoll dans de nouveaux modèles de guérison tendineuse devraient permettre de déterminer la dose adéquate de CSMs. / In equine athletes, tendinitis lesions are common and lead to substantial financial losses. Bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are employed clinically empirically to enhance healing of musculoskeletal injuries. However, there is a need to standardize equine MSC isolation protocols, to analyze the effects of MSCs on tendon healing and to optimize dosage. The objectives of the study were to compare 3 methods of equine MSC isolation and develop a minimally invasive model of tendon healing to analyze the effects of MSCs on tendon healing. BM MSCs from the sternum of mares were isolated by 3 protocols (adherence to a plastic culture dish (Classic) and two gradient density separation protocols (Percoll and Ficoll)) to compare for cell viability, MSC yield, number of MSCs attained after 14 days of culture and functional characteristics (self-renewal and multilineage differentiation) of the MSCs. The results suggested that the Percoll protocol was the best of those assessed in terms of MSC yield and self-renewal potential and that MSCs retrieved with the Ficoll protocol had the lowest self-renewal. There were no significant differences in terms of cell viability and differentiation capacity. A tendon healing model was then developed and consisted of a 0.5 cm tenectomy of the lateral digital extensor tendon. However, interanimal variation of healing quality was so high within the pilot group that the model should be re-evaluated. Further studies using MSCs isolated with Percoll in other novel models of tendon healing would allow determination of the adequate dosage of MSCs.

Les tendinites sont des lésions communes chez le cheval athlète, ayant un impact financier et sportif considérable. Les cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSMs) de moelle osseuse (MO) sont empiriquement utilisées en clinique pour améliorer la guérison des affections myoarthrosquelettiques. Cependant, il est nécessaire de standardiser les protocoles d’isolement des CSMs équines et d’analyser leurs effets sur la guérison tendineuse pour ajuster leur dose. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de comparer 3 méthodes d’isolement des CSMs équines et d’établir un modèle de guérison tendineuse minimal invasif pour analyser l’effet des CSMs sur cette guérison. Des CSMs de MO du sternum de juments étaient isolées par 3 protocoles couramment utilisés (adhérence au pétri (Classique) et 2 méthodes par gradient de densité (Percoll et Ficoll)). La viabilité des cellules après isolement, le rendement d’isolement, le nombre de CSMs obtenues après 14 jours de culture et leurs caractéristiques fonctionnelles (renouvellement et différentiation) étaient comparés entre les 3 protocoles. Les résultats suggéraient que le Percoll était le meilleur protocole en termes de rendement et de capacité de renouvellement des cellules. La différence n’était pas significative pour leur viabilité et leur capacité de différentiation. Un modèle de guérison tendineuse, consistant en une ténectomie du tendon extenseur latéral du doigt fut ensuite développé. Cependant, la grande variabilité interindividuelle de qualité de guérison dans le groupe pilote implique une ré-évaluation du modèle. Des études futures, avec des CSMs isolées par le Percoll dans de nouveaux modèles de guérison tendineuse devraient permettre de déterminer la dose adéquate de CSMs. / In equine athletes, tendinitis lesions are common and lead to substantial financial losses. Bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are employed clinically empirically to enhance healing of musculoskeletal injuries. However, there is a need to standardize equine MSC isolation protocols, to analyze the effects of MSCs on tendon healing and to optimize dosage. The objectives of the study were to compare 3 methods of equine MSC isolation and develop a minimally invasive model of tendon healing to analyze the effects of MSCs on tendon healing. BM MSCs from the sternum of mares were isolated by 3 protocols (adherence to a plastic culture dish (Classic) and two gradient density separation protocols (Percoll and Ficoll)) to compare for cell viability, MSC yield, number of MSCs attained after 14 days of culture and functional characteristics (self-renewal and multilineage differentiation) of the MSCs. The results suggested that the Percoll protocol was the best of those assessed in terms of MSC yield and self-renewal potential and that MSCs retrieved with the Ficoll protocol had the lowest self-renewal. There were no significant differences in terms of cell viability and differentiation capacity. A tendon healing model was then developed and consisted of a 0.5 cm tenectomy of the lateral digital extensor tendon. However, interanimal variation of healing quality was so high within the pilot group that the model should be re-evaluated. Further studies using MSCs isolated with Percoll in other novel models of tendon healing would allow determination of the adequate dosage of MSCs.