Black women have higher incidence rates of aggressive subtypes of endometrial cancer and worse survival rates compared with white women. The overall incidence rate has been increasing in black women and, accounting for their higher prevalence of hysterectomy, may be higher than in white women. Exposures related to obesity and metabolic disorders, reproductive factors, and use of exogenous hormones have been associated with endometrial cancer risk in prior studies. However, because these studies have primarily included white women, little is known about these associations in black women. We therefore examined associations of endometrial cancer with previously identified risk factors in 47,555 participants in the Black Women’s Health Study, a prospective cohort of U.S. black women. Study 1 focused on anthropometric and metabolic factors. After adjustment for age at menarche, parity, menopausal status, smoking, and use of oral contraceptives, estrogen-only female menopausal hormones (FMH), and estrogen plus progestin FMH, self-reported body mass index (BMI), BMI at age 18, greater weight gain since age 18, and diagnosis of diabetes were positively associated with endometrial cancer risk. Self-reported diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension were not independently associated. In study 2, we examined associations with reproductive factors. Endometrial cancer incidence was higher among women with early age at menarche, a history of infertility, a greater number of lifetime menstrual cycles, and diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Parity and early age at first birth were associated with lower risk, while a greater number of births and breastfeeding were not associated with risk. Positive associations with late age at menarche among premenopausal women and longer duration of breastfeeding among obese women require confirmation in other studies. In study 3, we examined the associations of endometrial cancer with exogenous hormone use. The inverse association with oral contraceptive use was primarily among women who used oral contraceptives for ≥5 years. Incidence was higher among current users of estrogen-only and estrogen plus progestin FMH, and ever users of progestin only FMH. Lower risk was observed among former users of estrogen plus progestin FMH. / 2019-04-30

A ema (Rhea americana americana) é uma ave que pertence ao grupo das Ratitas, ordem Rheiforme e a família Rheidae. Neste trabalho foram analisadas as características morfológicas, macroscópicas e microscópicas, dos órgãos do aparelho reprodutor masculino (testículos, epidídimos, ductos deferentes e falo) e a cloaca em 23 emas, quatro filhotes com duas semanas, sete jovens (de três a oito meses) e doze adultas (três anos), provenientes do abatedouro da Cooperativa Emas do Brasil, RS e do CEMAS, Mossoró, RN. Fragmentos de cada órgão foram fixados por imersão em formoldeído 10%, tampão fosfato pH 7,4, 0,1M ou em solução de Karnovsky (paraformoldeído 4% e glutaraldeído 2,5%, tampão fosfato pH 7,4, 0,1M) e processados na rotina para microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura, respectivamente. Os testículos da ema possuem formato alongado e localizam-se na cavidade celomática, na região intra-abdominal dorsal, com comprimento e largura médias de 7,6 ± 1,2 cm e 2,6 ± 0,7 cm nos adultos; 4,5 ± 1,5 cm e 0,9 ± 0,4 cm nos jovens; e 0,8 ± 0,3 cm, e 0,2 ± 0,1 cm nos filhotes. O testículo está envolto pela túnica albugínea e seu parênquima possui túbulos seminíferos, compostos por epitélio espermatogênico e por células de sustentação, e pelo tecido intersticial, com as células endócrinas intersticiais, tecido conjuntivo frouxo e vasos. Nos adultos observaram-se todas as células da linhagem espermatogênica, enquanto nos jovens com 3 meses os testículos apresentaram túbulos seminíferos com luz reduzidas, espermatogônia e células de sustentação indiferenciadas. O epidídimo apresentou-se alongado e fusiforme junto a margem medial do testículo. Os ductos eferentes possuem um epitélio pseudoestratificado colunar ciliado baixo, enquanto no ducto epididimário o epitélio é alto. O ducto deferentes apresentou trajeto sinuoso nos adultos, retilíneo nos jovens, convoluto na sua porção média, diminuindo seu formato sigmóide em sua porção caudal, próximo à cloaca. O epitélio é pseudoestratificado reveste a luz irregular nos adultos, e circular nos jovens, mantendo proximidade com o ureter. A cloaca dividiu-se em três segmentos: o coprodeu, o urodeo e o proctodeo. No urodeu os ductos deferentes desembocaram em papilas na parede ventro-lateral, próximo a inserção do falo fibroso. O falo é um órgão fibroso linfático, localizado na parede ventral, no assoalho da cloaca, e apresentou duas porções: uma rígida bifurcada e contorcida, e outra simples espiralada e flexível, a qual normalmente esteve invertida. De forma geral os órgãos reprodutores das emas compartilharam da morfologia de outras aves, principalmente aquelas descritas para os avestruzes. / The ema (Rhea american american) is a bird that belongs to the group of the Ratitas, order Rheiforme and family Rheidae. At this study were analyzed the morphological characteristics, macroscopic and microscopic, of the male genital organ (testes, epididymis, deferent ducts, and fhallus) and the cloaca in 23 emas, four chicken (two weeks old), young witer three to ten months old and twelve adult animals (three years old), originating from Cooperativa Emas do Brasil, RS and also from CEMAS, Mossoró, RN. Slices from each organ were fixed by immersion in phorformaldehyde 10%, or in Karnovsky solution (phorformaldehyde 10%, buffer phosphate pH 7.4, 0.1M and glutaraldehyde 2.5% buffer phosphate pH 7.4, 0.1M) and processed for light and scanning microscopy, respectively. The testis of rhea had elongated shape and were located inside coelomatic cavity, in dorsal region of abdominal cavity, with medium length and width of 7.6 ± 1.2 cm and 2.6 ± 0.7 cm at adult animals; 4.5 ± 1.5 cm and 0.9 ± 0.4 cm at young animals; and 0.8 ± 0.3 cm, and 0.2 ±0.1 cm at chicken. The testis were recovered by the tunica albuginea and its parenchyma had seminiferous tubules composed by spermatogenic epithelium and by sustentation cells, and also interstitial tissue, with interstitial endocrine cells, connective tissue and vessels. At the adult animals were observed all the cells from spermatogenic lineage, whilst at the youngs with 3 months the seminiferous tubules had a smale lumen with spermatogonia and undifferentiated sustentacular cells. The epididymis was elongated and fusiform closely to medial testis board. The efferents ductus were composed by a low ciliated pseudoestratified epithelium, while the epididimydis duct had a light epithelium. The deferent duct had sinuous stretch at adult animals, rectilineae at young animal, convolute at its medium portion, decreasing its sigmoid shape at caudal portion, next to cloaca. The epithelium was pseudostratified ciliated, irregular lumen at adult animal, and circular at young animal, closely with urether. The cloaca was divided into three segments: coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum. At urodeum the deferent ducts discharged into papillas at the ventral side wall, next to fibrous phallus`s insertion. The phallus was a lymphatic fibrous organ, located at ventral wall, at the cloaca floor, and was composed by two portions: one rigid forked and twisted, and another simple spiraled and flexible, which normally was inverted. In a general way the Rhea genital organs shared the morphology from others birds, mainly those described to the ostrich.

A ema (Rhea americana americana) é uma ave que pertence ao grupo das Ratitas, ordem Rheiforme e a família Rheidae. Neste trabalho foram analisadas as características morfológicas, macroscópicas e microscópicas, dos órgãos do aparelho reprodutor masculino (testículos, epidídimos, ductos deferentes e falo) e a cloaca em 23 emas, quatro filhotes com duas semanas, sete jovens (de três a oito meses) e doze adultas (três anos), provenientes do abatedouro da Cooperativa Emas do Brasil, RS e do CEMAS, Mossoró, RN. Fragmentos de cada órgão foram fixados por imersão em formoldeído 10%, tampão fosfato pH 7,4, 0,1M ou em solução de Karnovsky (paraformoldeído 4% e glutaraldeído 2,5%, tampão fosfato pH 7,4, 0,1M) e processados na rotina para microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura, respectivamente. Os testículos da ema possuem formato alongado e localizam-se na cavidade celomática, na região intra-abdominal dorsal, com comprimento e largura médias de 7,6 ± 1,2 cm e 2,6 ± 0,7 cm nos adultos; 4,5 ± 1,5 cm e 0,9 ± 0,4 cm nos jovens; e 0,8 ± 0,3 cm, e 0,2 ± 0,1 cm nos filhotes. O testículo está envolto pela túnica albugínea e seu parênquima possui túbulos seminíferos, compostos por epitélio espermatogênico e por células de sustentação, e pelo tecido intersticial, com as células endócrinas intersticiais, tecido conjuntivo frouxo e vasos. Nos adultos observaram-se todas as células da linhagem espermatogênica, enquanto nos jovens com 3 meses os testículos apresentaram túbulos seminíferos com luz reduzidas, espermatogônia e células de sustentação indiferenciadas. O epidídimo apresentou-se alongado e fusiforme junto a margem medial do testículo. Os ductos eferentes possuem um epitélio pseudoestratificado colunar ciliado baixo, enquanto no ducto epididimário o epitélio é alto. O ducto deferentes apresentou trajeto sinuoso nos adultos, retilíneo nos jovens, convoluto na sua porção média, diminuindo seu formato sigmóide em sua porção caudal, próximo à cloaca. O epitélio é pseudoestratificado reveste a luz irregular nos adultos, e circular nos jovens, mantendo proximidade com o ureter. A cloaca dividiu-se em três segmentos: o coprodeu, o urodeo e o proctodeo. No urodeu os ductos deferentes desembocaram em papilas na parede ventro-lateral, próximo a inserção do falo fibroso. O falo é um órgão fibroso linfático, localizado na parede ventral, no assoalho da cloaca, e apresentou duas porções: uma rígida bifurcada e contorcida, e outra simples espiralada e flexível, a qual normalmente esteve invertida. De forma geral os órgãos reprodutores das emas compartilharam da morfologia de outras aves, principalmente aquelas descritas para os avestruzes. / The ema (Rhea american american) is a bird that belongs to the group of the Ratitas, order Rheiforme and family Rheidae. At this study were analyzed the morphological characteristics, macroscopic and microscopic, of the male genital organ (testes, epididymis, deferent ducts, and fhallus) and the cloaca in 23 emas, four chicken (two weeks old), young witer three to ten months old and twelve adult animals (three years old), originating from Cooperativa Emas do Brasil, RS and also from CEMAS, Mossoró, RN. Slices from each organ were fixed by immersion in phorformaldehyde 10%, or in Karnovsky solution (phorformaldehyde 10%, buffer phosphate pH 7.4, 0.1M and glutaraldehyde 2.5% buffer phosphate pH 7.4, 0.1M) and processed for light and scanning microscopy, respectively. The testis of rhea had elongated shape and were located inside coelomatic cavity, in dorsal region of abdominal cavity, with medium length and width of 7.6 ± 1.2 cm and 2.6 ± 0.7 cm at adult animals; 4.5 ± 1.5 cm and 0.9 ± 0.4 cm at young animals; and 0.8 ± 0.3 cm, and 0.2 ±0.1 cm at chicken. The testis were recovered by the tunica albuginea and its parenchyma had seminiferous tubules composed by spermatogenic epithelium and by sustentation cells, and also interstitial tissue, with interstitial endocrine cells, connective tissue and vessels. At the adult animals were observed all the cells from spermatogenic lineage, whilst at the youngs with 3 months the seminiferous tubules had a smale lumen with spermatogonia and undifferentiated sustentacular cells. The epididymis was elongated and fusiform closely to medial testis board. The efferents ductus were composed by a low ciliated pseudoestratified epithelium, while the epididimydis duct had a light epithelium. The deferent duct had sinuous stretch at adult animals, rectilineae at young animal, convolute at its medium portion, decreasing its sigmoid shape at caudal portion, next to cloaca. The epithelium was pseudostratified ciliated, irregular lumen at adult animal, and circular at young animal, closely with urether. The cloaca was divided into three segments: coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum. At urodeum the deferent ducts discharged into papillas at the ventral side wall, next to fibrous phallus`s insertion. The phallus was a lymphatic fibrous organ, located at ventral wall, at the cloaca floor, and was composed by two portions: one rigid forked and twisted, and another simple spiraled and flexible, which normally was inverted. In a general way the Rhea genital organs shared the morphology from others birds, mainly those described to the ostrich.

[ES] La selección de gametos de alta calidad es un requisito indispensable a tener en cuenta en los programas de reproduccion asistida. El desarrollo de herramientas biotecnológicas como la criopreservación de gametos, juega un papel importante en la producción acuicola y en la formación de bancos de germoplasma, que contribuiran luego en la mejora genética de las poblaciónes de peces, principalmente aquellas en peligro y que pudieran estar más afectadas ante futuros cambios climáticos. En la primera fase de esta tesis realizada en la Unesp, se trabajó con una especie neotropical de elevada importancia económica para la region Suramericana. La segunda fase realizada en la UPV se trabajó con la Anguila europea (Anguilla anguilla), una especie clasificada en la Lista Roja de la (UICN) como especie "en peligro crítico de extinción". En la primera fase se buscó caracterizar la composición bioquímica del plasma y las características seminales de la especie para evaluar las posibles relaciones entre estos parámetros. El plasma seminal estuvo principalmente compuesto por iones de sodio (Na+) y dentro de los componentes orgánicos sobresalieron las proteínas totales y la glucosa. A través del análisis de componentes principales (PCA) se observó que la motilidad tenía una fuerte correlación positiva con el tiempo de motilidad, la concentración de espermatozoides y las proteínas totales. Estos análisis sirvieron de base para la creación de una solución diluyente utilizada posteriormente en la sustancia crioprotectora. Luego se determinó la influencia del plasma seminal como constituyente de la solución crioprotectora en la criopreservación de semen de P. reticulatum. Se utilizaron tres tratamientos: glucosa 5% + metanol 10% (T1), a este crioprotector se le agregó 30% de plasma seminal natural (T2) y 30% de plasma seminal artificial en base a los resultados de los componentes bioquímicos del plasma determinados para la especie en el experimento anterior (T3). Se evaluaron parámetros de motilidad espermática, capacidad fecundante del semen criopreservado, así como fragmentación del ADN. El tratamiento T1 resultó con los mejores valores de motilidad seguido del T2, y la capacidad fertilizante de estos dos tratamientos fue similar al control, sin embargo, el tratamiento T2 mostró menos daño en el ADN. Mediante el PCA se demostró que T1 tenía una mejor relación positiva con la fertilidad y la motilidad total y progresiva. Finalmente, evaluamos las estructuras de las subpoblaciones espermáticas en cada uno de los tratamientos utilizados. Mediante análisis multivariado en dos etapas, fue posible determinar tres subpoblaciones espermáticas en el semen crioconservado de la especie, SP1 (rápido-lineal), SP2 (rápido-no lineal) y SP3 (lento-lineal). T1 presentó el mayor porcentaje de SP1, siendo confirmado por la efectividad en la protección de las células de este tratamiento en el proceso de criopreservación de la especie. En la segunda fase que se está llevó a cabo en la UPV, el objetivo general fue determinar el efecto de la temperatura y el pH del agua de mar sobre la motilidad de los espermatozoides en la Anguila europea. Se determinó que el bajo pH del agua de mar (6.5-7.4) disminuyó la motilidad de los espermatozoides de anguila en comparación con el control (pH= 8.2). Cuando estudiamos el efecto combinado del pH del plasma seminal artificial y el pH de ASW (7.8 y 8.2), no encontramos diferencias estadísticas en la motilidad y cinética de los espermatozoides en relación con el pH del plasma seminal artificial, pero sí el pH del agua de mar. Se encontraron valores más altos de motilidad total (MOT), FA(rápidos) y ME (médios) con un pH de 8.2 que con un pH de 7.8. En contraste, la temperatura del agua de mar no afectó los parámetros de motilidad de los espermatozoides o la longevidad de los espermatozoides en el contexto del cambio climático. / [CA] La selecció de gàmetes d'alta qualitat és un requisit indispensable a tenir en compte en els programes de reproducció assistida. El desenvolupament d'eines biotecnològiques com la criopreservació de gàmetes, juga un paper important en la producció aqüicola i en la formació de bancs de germoplasma, que contribuiran després a la millora genètica de les població de peixos, principalment aquelles en perill i que poguessin estar més afectades davant de futurs canvis climàtics. A la primera fase d'aquesta tesi realitzada a la Unesp, es va treballar amb una espècie neotropical d'elevada importància econòmica per a la regió sud-americana. La segona fase realitzada a la UPV es va treballar amb l'Anguilla europea (Anguilla anguilla), una espècie classificada a la Llista Vermella de la (UICN) com a espècie "en perill crític d'extinció". A la primera fase es va buscar caracteritzar la composició bioquímica del plasma i les característiques seminals de l'espècie per avaluar les possibles relacions entre aquests paràmetres. El plasma seminal va estar principalment compost per ions de sodi (Na+) i dins dels components orgànics van sobresortir les proteïnes totals i la glucosa. A través de l'anàlisi de components principals (PCA), es va observar que la motilitat tenia una forta correlació positiva amb el temps de motilitat, la concentració d'espermatozoides i les proteïnes totals. Aquestes anàlisis van servir de base per a la creació d'una solució diluent utilitzada posteriorment a la substància crioprotectora. Després es va determinar la influència del plasma seminal com a constituent de la solució crioprotectora en la criopreservació de semen de P. reticulatum. Es van utilitzar tres tractaments: glucosa 5% + metanol 10% (T1), a aquest crioprotector se li va afegir 30% de plasma seminal natural (T2) i 30% de plasma seminal artificial sobre la base dels resultats dels components bioquímics del plasma determinats per a l'espècie a l'experiment anterior (T3). S'avaluaren paràmetres de motilitat espermàtica, capacitat fecundant del semen criopreservat, així com fragmentació de l'ADN. El tractament T1 va resultar amb els millors valors de motilitat seguit del T2, i la capacitat fertilitzant d'aquests dos tractaments va ser similar al control, però el tractament T2 va mostrar menys mal a l'ADN. Mitjançant el PCA es va demostrar que T1 tenia una millor relació positiva amb la fertilitat i la motilitat total i progressiva. Finalment, avaluem les estructures de les subpoblacions espermàtiques a cadascun dels tractaments utilitzats. Mitjançant anàlisi multivariada en dues etapes, va ser possible determinar tres subpoblacions espermàtiques en el semen crioconservat de l'espècie, SP1 (ràpid-lineal), SP2 (ràpid-no lineal) i SP3 (lent-lineal). T1 va presentar el percentatge més gran de SP1, i va ser confirmat per l'efectivitat en la protecció de les cèl·lules d'aquest tractament en el procés de criopreservació de l'espècie. A la segona fase que es va dur a terme a la UPV, l'objectiu general va ser determinar l'efecte de la temperatura i el pH de l'aigua de mar sobre la motilitat dels espermatozoides a l'Anguila europea. Es va determinar que el pH baix de l'aigua de mar (6.5-7.4) va disminuir la motilitat dels espermatozoides d'anguila en comparació del control (pH= 8.2). Quan estudiem l'efecte combinat del pH del plasma seminal artificial i el pH d'ASW (7.8 i 8.2), no trobem diferències estadístiques en la motilitat i la cinètica dels espermatozoides en relació amb el pH del plasma seminal artificial, però sí el pH de l'aigua de mar. Es van trobar valors més alts de motilitat total (MOT), FA(ràpids) i ME (metges) amb un pH de 8.2 que amb un pH de 7.8. En contrast, la temperatura de l'aigua de mar no va afectar els paràmetres de motilitat dels espermatozous o la longevitat dels espermatozous en el context del canvi climàtic. / [EN] The selection of high-quality gametes is an essential requirement to take into account in assisted reproduction programs. The development of biotechnological tools such as cryopreservation of gametes plays an important role in aquaculture production and in the formation of germplasm banks, which will later contribute to the genetic improvement of fish populations, mainly those in danger and that could be more affected by future climate changes. In the first phase of this thesis carried out at Unesp, we worked with a neotropical species of high economic importance for the South American region. The second phase carried out at the UPV worked with the European Eel (Anguilla anguilla), a species classified on the (IUCN) Red List as a "critically endangered" species. In the first phase, we sought to characterize the biochemical composition of the plasma and the seminal characteristics of the species to evaluate the possible relationships between these parameters. The seminal plasma was mainly composed of sodium ions (Na+) and within the organic components, total proteins and glucose stood out. Through principal component analysis (PCA) it was observed that motility had a strong positive correlation with motility time, sperm concentration and total proteins. These analyzes served as the basis for the creation of a diluent solution later used in the cryoprotective substance. Then the influence of seminal plasma as a constituent of the cryoprotectant solution in the cryopreservation of P. reticulatum semen was determined. Three treatments were used: 5% glucose + 10% methanol (T1), 30% natural seminal plasma (T2) and 30% artificial seminal plasma were added to this cryoprotectant based on the results of the determined biochemical components of the plasma. for the species in the previous experiment (T3). Parameters of sperm motility, fertilizing capacity of cryopreserved semen, as well as DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Treatment T1 resulted with the best motility values followed by T2, and the fertilizing capacity of these two treatments was similar to the control, however, treatment T2 showed less DNA damage. Using PCA, it was shown that T1 had a better positive relationship with fertility and total and progressive motility. Finally, we evaluated the structures of the sperm subpopulations in each of the treatments used. Through two-stage multivariate analysis, it was possible to determine three sperm subpopulations in the cryopreserved semen of the species, SP1 (fast-linear), SP2 (fast-nonlinear) and SP3 (slow-linear). T1 presented the highest percentage of SP1, being confirmed by the effectiveness in protecting the cells of this treatment in the cryopreservation process of the species. In the second phase that is being carried out at the UPV, the general objective was to determine the effect of temperature and pH of seawater on sperm motility in the European Eel. It was determined that the low pH of seawater (6.5-7.4) decreased the motility of eel sperm compared to the control (pH= 8.2). When we studied the combined effect of the pH of the artificial seminal plasma and the pH of ASW (7.8 and 8.2), we did not find statistical differences in the motility and kinetics of the sperm in relation to the pH of the artificial seminal plasma, but we did find the pH of the water of sea Higher values of total motility (MOT), FA (fast) and ME (medium) were found at a pH of 8.2 than at a pH of 7.8. In contrast, seawater temperature did not affect sperm motility parameters or sperm longevity in the context of climate change. / I also thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES/PROEX) (N° 88887.302629/2018-00), National Council for Scientific, Technological Development CNPq (N° 200452/2022-3) and the Brazilian fostering agencies Foundation for Research Support of the State of Sao Paulo FAPESP (N° 2020/15020-0), for its financial support in Brazil. In Spain, the ThinkInAzul programme, supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN) with funding from the European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and the Generalitat Valenciana (THINKINAZUL/2021/012) to SEASPERM, which has made it possible the preparation of this work. To the AUIP (Ibero-American Postgraduate University Association) for the Academic Mobility scholarship between Institutions Associated with the AUIP 2022 / Padilla Sánchez, M. (2023). Sperm Quality and Cryopreservation in Teleost: Effect of Seminal Plasma Component and Climate Change [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/201549