O objetivo deste trabalho foi elucidar aspectos morfológicos, ecológicos e comportamentais dos percevejos castanhos. Foram realizados estudos de levantamento populacional, dimorfismo sexual, polimorfismo alar e comunicação sonora com diferentes espécies de Scaptocoris. O levantamento populacional e a distribuição vertical no solo foi realizado com S. carvalhoi. As ninfas foram predominantes durante todo o período, não sendo influenciadas pela precipitação média mensal. O número de adultos foi dependente das chuvas, ocorrendo uma maior incidência destes com o incremento da precipitação. Ninfas e adultos mantiveram-se nas camadas mais superficiais do solo no período chuvoso e aprofundaram-se nos períodos de deficiência hídrica. Os adultos foram menos tolerantes ao estresse hídrico e aprofundaram-se logo no início da época seca, enquanto as ninfas o fizeram somente no final desse período. No estudo de dimorfismo sexual, as genitálias externas de machos e fêmeas de S. carvalhoi, S. buckupi e S. castanea foram extraídas e analisadas. As fêmeas se diferenciaram dos machos por apresentarem placas genitais. Nas fêmeas de S. carvalhoi o laterotergito 8 é dividido em duas partes, ao invés da placa única que forma a genitália de S. castanea e S. buckupi. Nos machos, a genitália é formada pelo 9º segmento abdominal da qual se projetam o 10º segmento abdominal e os parâmeros, sendo esta característica semelhante nas três espécies. No estudo de polimorfismo alar foram mensurados o comprimento do corpo, escutelo, asas anteriores e posteriores, comprimento da membrana, e distância entre a inserção da asa e o ápice do abdome em S. carvalhoi. Uma análise de agrupamento demonstrou a existência de dimorfismo alar, serparando-os em indivíduos de asas curtas (braquípteros) e longas (macrópteros). Nos braquípteros as asas não recobriram os últimos tergitos e nos macrópteros elas ultrapassaram o ápice do abdome. As razões entre o comprimento do corpo e das asas anteriores (RAC) e posteriores (RPC), foram superiores a 0,8 e 0,6, respectivamente, para os indivíduos macrópteros. Os braquípteros predominaram no solo durante todo o ano, apresentando menor mobilidade e asas não são funcionais. Os macrópteros ocorreram, principalmente, no início das chuvas e após um longo período seco, apresentando maior mobilidade e reação de vôo em 67% dos casos. A maior freqüência de macrópteros na camada mais superficial do solo (até 20 cm), coincidiu com a época de revoada nestes insetos e os adultos coletados após a revoada foram todos macrópteros, demonstrando a importância destes indivíduos na dispersão para novas áreas. O estudo da morfologia do aparato estridulatório localizado nos abdomes e asas posteriores de S. carvalhoi e S. castanea apresentou diferenças entre os sexos e espécies. O registro dos sons produzidos por estas estruturas e a sua dispersão através do substrato (solo e planta), confirmou que machos e fêmeas de cada espécie produzem sons distintos, e que a propagação deste som no solo ocorre somente a curtas distâncias. / The objective of this study was to elucidate morphological, ecological and behavioral aspects of the burrowing bugs (Scaptocoris). Population dynamic studies, sexual dimorphism, wing polymorphism, and acoustic communication were investigated on different species of Scaptocoris. Studies on population dynamics and vertical distribution in the soil were carried out with S. carvalhoi. Nymphs occurred during the entire length of the study, and their abundance was not influenced by monthly rainfall. Adult population augmented with the increase of rainfall. Nymphs and adults were located in the top layer of the soil during the rainy season and they were found deeper in the soil during droughts. Adults were less tolerant to droughts than nymphs. External male and female genitalia of S. carvalhoi, S. buckupi and S. castanea were extracted for sexual dimorphism studies. Females differed from males by presenting genital plates. Females of S. carvalhoi have the laterotergite 8 separated in two parts, differently from S. castanea e S. buckupi that have only one plate. Male genitalia present the 10th abdominal segment and paramers linked to the 9th segment. This characteristic is similar among the three species. The wing polymorphism was compared by measuring body length, scutellum, anterior and posterior wings, membrane length and distance from the point of insertion of the wing to the apical part of the abdomen of S. carvalhoi. Cluster analysis allowed the identification of two groups based on the wing dimorphism. It was possible to classify each group, according to wing length as brachypterous (short wings) and macropterous (long wings). Wings of brachypterous specimens do not cover the last tergites and the wings of macropterous surpass the apical part of the abdomen. The ratio of the body length and anterior wings (RAC) e posterior wings (RPC) was greater than 0.8 and 0.6, respectively, for macropterous specimens. Brachypterous insects were more prevalent on the soil than macropterous. They were less active and their wings were not functional. Macropterous stinkbugs occurred predominantly during the onset of the rainfall and after long droughts. They were more active flying in 67% of the times when touched. The higher frequency of macropterous stinkbugs in the top soil layer (first 20 cm), occurred during swarm when they were the only group of adult stinkbugs collected, demonstrating their importance on dispersion to new areas. Morphological differences of the stridulatory apparatus, located at the abdomen near the posterior wings, were detected for S. carvalhoi and S. castanea and also between males and females. The sounds produced by these insects and its propagation across the substrate (soil and plant) varied between species and sexes. The sounds propagate only within short distances.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T19:59:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Josimar Borille.pdf: 3226589 bytes, checksum: cb8561fb2eb7f3379035bac6be315d0d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-29 / Resveratrol is a phytoalexin found in several plants, like grapes (Vitis vinifera), synthesized in response to injury, attack by fungior, mechanical action and also by ultraviolet radiation Currently this bioactive compound has been the subject of interesting research, due to some properties that have already been assigned such as antioxidant and phytoestrogen. Its antioxidant activity is wellknown and is conferred by its ability to capture free radicals produced by cells or to interfere with signaling pathways of free radical production and detoxification. Furthermore, it is known that resveratrol exhibits characteristics of phytoestrogens, being molecularly similar to oestrogen. The intake of bioactive compounds in the diet is important because they exert effects on immune responses. Macrophages are cells in our immune system that are constituents of the mononuclear phagocytic system, which is our first line of defense against infectious agents. Several authors have reported that these cells express receptors for oestrogen hormones, and are regulated by these. So this study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol on the functionality of rat´s peritoneal macrophages, making a comparative study between males and females. Macrophages were obtained median laparotomy from the peritoneal cavity of Wistar rats divided into 3 groups (males, females in diestrus and proestrus females). Macrophages in culture medium RPMI 1640 supplemented with fetal calf serum (10%) were seeded in culture plates and incubated in an incubator with humid atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 2 hours. After complete adhesion, the cells were treated for a period of 24 hours with 5 and 10 M resveratrol, quercetin 5 and 10M (control of antioxidant activity) and 17-estradiol 0.01M and 10M (control of estrogenic activity). Afterwards the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen were evaluated as well as the phagocytic capacity of macrophages treated. Resveratrol 10M significantly inhibited the: production of nitric oxide (NO) measured using the Griess reagent and production hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) determined by use of reagent xylenol orange. However the resveratrol didn’t change the phagocytic capacity under opsonized and nonopsonized particles assessed by optical microscopy. The inhibition of NO and H2O2 production by resveratrol was homogeneous among the groups. This inhibitory effect on NO production and H2O2 was also observed for quercetin.The treatment with 17-estradiol reduced production of NO and H2O2 induced by LPS only for macrophages in rats males. The immunosuppressive effects of resveratrol corroborate the described anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of this phenolic compound. Resveratrol in this study, compared to 17-estradiol and quercetin, shown to have antioxidant effects stronger than phytoestrogens. It was observed yet that its effect may vary between groups, and males and females in diestrus respond similarly to treatment with resveratrol and females in proestrus, the answer is different, thereby displaying a pre-modulation by 17-estradiol which these groups were exposed. However, in future, these results will need to be confirmed. / O resveratrol é uma fitoalexina encontrada em várias plantas, como por exemplo, na uva (Vitis vinifera),sintetizado em resposta a injúrias por ataques fúngicos ou mecânicos e ainda pela ação da radiação ultravioleta. Atualmente este composto tem sido alvo de interessantes pesquisas, devido às propriedades que já lhe foram atribuídas, tais como antioxidante, antiinflamatória, antitumoral e mais recentemente fitoestrogênica. Sua ação antioxidante já é bem conhecida e lhe é conferida por sua capacidade de captar radicais livres produzidos pelas células ou mesmo interferir em vias de sinalização que culminam na produção de radicais livres ou de sua detoxificação através de enzimas antioxidantes. Além disso, é sabido que o resveratrol apresenta atividade fitoestrogênica, por ser uma molécula similar ao hormônio estrogênio. A ingestão de compostos bioativos pela dieta é importante, pois estes exercem efeitos moduladores em geral, inclusive sobre as respostas imunes. Os macrófagos são células do sistema imune que fazem parte do sistema mononuclear fagocitário, que constitui a primeira linha de defesa frente a agentes infecciosos. Diversos autores já relataram que os macrófagos expressam receptores para estrogênio e, por conseguinte, são reguladas por este hormônio. Assim este estudo teve por objetivo investigar o efeito de resveratrol na funcionalidade de macrófagos peritoneais de ratos, fazendo um estudo comparativo entre machos e fêmeas. Os macrófagos foram obtidos por laparatomia mediana da cavidade peritoneal de ratos Wistar distribuídos em três grupos: 1) machos, 2) fêmeas em diestro e 3) fêmeas em proestro, sendo as fêmeas previamente identificadas quanto a fase do ciclo estral por análise de microscopia do material vaginal. Os macrófagos em meio de cultura RPMI 1640 suplementado com soro fetal bovino (10%) foram semeados em placas de cultivo e incubados em estufa de atmosfera úmida com 5% de CO2 por 2 horas. Após completa adesão, as células foram tratadas pelo período de 24 horas com resveratrol 5 e 10M, quercetina 5 e 10 M (controle de atividade antioxidante) e 17- estradiol 0,01 e 10M (controle de atividade estrênoigca). Na seqüência avaliou -se a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio, bem como a capacidade fagocítica dos macrófagos tratados. O resveratrol nas concentrações de 5 e 10M inibiu significativamente a produção de óxido nítrico (NO) avaliada utilizando-se o reagente de Griess e a produção peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) determinada pelo emprego do reagente xylenol orange. Todavia o resveratrol não alterou a capacidade fagocítica dos macrófagos às partículas de zimosan opsonizadas e não opsonizadas que foi avaliada por microscopia óptica. A inibição da produção de NO e H2O2 pelo resveratrol foi similar entre os grupos. Esse efeito inibitório na produção de NO e H2O2 foi também observado para a quercetina. Já os tratamentos com 17-estradiol reduziram a produção de NO e H2O2 induzida por LPS apenas dos macrófagos de ratos machos. Comparado com a quercetina e com o 17-estradiol, o resveratrol demonstrou ter efeito antioxidante mais acentuado do que fitoestrogênico. De fato, os efeitos imunossupressores do resveratrol, observados neste estudo, corroboram com o descrito potencial antioxidante e antiinflamatório deste composto. Todavia observou-se que o efeito do resveratrol pode ser diferente entre os grupos, sendo que machos e fêmeas em diestro respondem de maneira similares aos tratamentos com resveratrol, que por sua vez diferem da resposta das fêmeas em proestro, inferindo-se assim a existência de uma pré-modulação pelo 17-estradiol a qual esses grupos estavam expostos. Entretanto outros estudos se fazem necessários para comprovar esta observação.

Le déterminisme génétique du sexe nécessite souvent l’évolution d’une région non-recombinante (NR) formant ainsi paire de chromosomes sexuels. Bien que la reproduction sexuée ait une origine commune à tous les eucaryotes, l’évolution des chromosomes sexuels s’est quant à elle effectuée de manière répétée et indépendante. Les chromosomes du sexe ont été particulièrement étudiés dans les systèmes diploïdes (chromosomes sexuels XY et ZW) des plantes et animaux. Le récent séquençage du génome d’Ectocarpus, modèle d’étude des algues brunes, donne non seulement une chance unique d’analyser les chromosomes sexuels dans un groupe phylogénétiquement distant des opisthocontes et de la lignée verte ; mais il donne aussi l’opportunité d’examiner un système haploïde de chromosomes sexuels (système UV). Chez Ectocarpus l’expression du sexe a lieu pendant la phase haploïde du cycle de vie, avec les chromosomes U et V, respectivement spécifiques aux femelles et aux mâles. L’analyse des chromosomes sexuels chez Ectocarpus a montré que la taille de la région NR est restée modeste pour un système vieux de plus de 70 millions d’années. Une analyse des dimorphismes sexuels a été effectuée ainsi que l’étude comparative des transcriptomes mâle et femelle d’Ectocarpus. Le développement parthénogénétique est, dans certaines populations d’Ectocarpus, un dimorphisme sexuel. Le lien génétique entre parthénogenèse et sexe a été analysé et suggère qu’un locus contrôlant la parthénogenèse est localisé au niveau de la partie recombinante du chromosome sexuel d’Ectocarpus. De plus, une analyse de fitness indique que le locus de la parthénogenèse est soumis à une sélection antagoniste entre les deux sexes. / Genetic sex determination is usually controlled by sex chromosomes carrying a non-recombining sex-determining region (SDR). Despite the common origin of sex (meiosis) in Eukaryotes, the evolution of sex chromosomes has evolved repeatedly and independently. Our knowledge in sex chromosomes comes mainly from the analysis of diploid systems (XY and ZW sex chromosomes) in animals and land plants. However the recent genome sequencing of the brown alga Ectocarpus, not only opens up the possibility of studying sex chromosomes in a phylogenetic distant group but also of analysing a haploid sex chromosome system (UV sex chromosomes). Indeed in Ectocarpus sex is expressed during the haploid phase of the life cycle, where U and V sex chromosomes are restricted to female and male, respectively. The Ectocarpus sex chromosomes have some unusual evolutionary features such as the size of the non-recombining region, which is surprisingly small for a 70 million year old system. Also the evolutionary aspect of sexual dimorphism was studied by analyzing male and female transcriptomes and by identifying several subtle sexual dimorphic traits. Parthenogenetic capacity is a sexual dimorphic trait in some populations of Ectocarpus. The genetic link between parthenogenesis and sex was analysed and a locus that controls parthenogenetic was located to the Ectocarpus sex chromosome, in the recombining pseudoautosomal region. Fitness analysis strongly suggested that the parthenogenetic locus is a sexual antagonistic locus

Orientador: Selma Maria Almeida-Santos / Banca: Otavio Augusto Vuolo Marques / Resumo: Dados sobre a biologia reprodutiva (e.g. ciclos reprodutivos, maturação e dimorfismo sexual, padrões de estocagem de esperma e padrões de atividade) de três espécies de serpentes da Família Viperidae da região neotropical, Crotalus durissus (N = 228), Bothrops leucurus (N = 320) e Bothrops erythromelas (N = 239), são apresentados neste estudo. Os machos atingem a maturidade sexual com comprimento rostro-cloacal (CRC) menor que as fêmeas em B. erythromelas e B. leucurus. Nas populações de C. durissus da região Nordeste do Brasil, machos e fêmeas atingem a maturidade sexual com comprimentos semelhantes, porém há relatos de padrões diferentes para outras populações. Não há diferença quanto ao CRC de machos e fêmeas sexualmente maduros de C. durissus e B. leucurus, espécies paras as quais há relato de combate entre os machos. Fêmeas de B. erythromelas são maiores que os machos, característica esperada para uma espécie em que não há a ocorrência de combate. Os ciclos reprodutivos de machos e fêmeas das três espécies, descritos com base em análises morfológicas e histológicas das gônadas e vias genitais, são sazonais e influenciados tanto pelas condições climáticas quanto pelas relações filogenéticas. O período de vitelogênese ocorre ao longo de grande parte do ano em B. leucurus e B. erythromelas e em um período mais restrito em C. durissus, durante o outono e a primavera. Relatos de acasalamento durante o outono estão disponíveis para as três espécies, embora para B. leucurus o acasalamento também possa ocorrer durante o inverno. Em B. leucurus e C. durissus, após a cópula, os espermatozóides permanecem estocados no trato reprodutivo da fêmea, no interior da contração muscular uterina, até o momento da ovulação e fertilização (final do inverno - início do verão). É provável que as fêmeas de B. erythromelas também... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: New data about reproductive biology (e.g. reproductive cycles, sexual maturation and dimorphism, sperm storage and activity patterns) of three species of Viperidae snakes from the Neotropical region, Crotalus durissus (N = 228), Bothrops leucurus (N = 320) and Bothrops erythromelas (N = 239), are presented. B. erythromelas and B. leucurus males attain sexual maturity at smaller sizes (snout-vent length - SVL) than conspecific females. C. durissus males and females from northeastern Brazil attain sexual maturity at similar sizes. However, other sexual maturity patterns have already been described for other populations. No significant difference was observed on SVL between mature males and females of C. durissus and B. leucurus. Male-male combat behavior has been previously described for these species. B. erythromelas females are larger than males and male-male combat has never been reported for this species. Reproductive cycles are described considering morphological and histological analysis of the gonads and genital ducts. Reproductive cycles of the three species considered herein are seasonal and influenced by climatic conditions and phylogenetic relationships. Secondary vitellogenic follicles may be found in every season in B. leucurus and B. erythromelas, and only during autumn and spring in C. durissus. Records of mating during the autumn are available for the three studied species, but it may also occur during winter in B. leucurus. After mating, spermatozoa are stored in the female reproductive tract by means of an uterine muscular twisting (UMT) until ovulation and fertilization occur (end of winter - beginning of summer) in C. durissus and B. leucurus. It is probable that it also occurs in B. erythromelas because mating and ovulation are not synchronous in this species either. However, we did not find evidences for the occurrence of the UMT to confirm... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by MICHAEL JOSÉ HEREMAN null (mhereman@gmail.com) on 2017-02-17T17:54:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA- Dissertação MSC Hereman com MAAP e PH final corrigido.pdf: 2015217 bytes, checksum: 72153cdccdd31531f005b82e9415e10c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-02-22T17:08:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 hereman_mj_me_svic.pdf: 2015217 bytes, checksum: 72153cdccdd31531f005b82e9415e10c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-22T17:08:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 hereman_mj_me_svic.pdf: 2015217 bytes, checksum: 72153cdccdd31531f005b82e9415e10c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-17 / As praias de Santos (SP) apresentam legislação municipal de proibição de captura das espécies de Callianassidae, p ex. Callichirus major (Lei Municipal nº 1.293/93), fato este não verificado em municípios limítrofes, como São Vicente. Esta legislação foi decorrente de um amplo estudo de 10 anos (1983 a 1993), desde então não existindo outros mais aprofundados sobre a biologia populacional desta espécie. Portanto, a presente dissertação tem como objetivos realizar uma avaliação comparativa da biologia populacional de Callichirus major entre a praia do Gonzaga, localizada no Município de Santos (protegida) e a praia do Itararé, no Município de São Vicente (sem legislação pertinente à captura da espécie). O primeiro objetivo foi efetuar um teste de tamanho do quadrado ideal para as amostragens, através do método de Wigert (W), assim como o número de réplicas por subárea amostral, determinada pela estabilização das variâncias (V), indicando um mínimo ideal de 50 réplicas (V=24,6). O possível efeito da declividade e distância do mar sobre os parâmetros populacionais da espécie foi também testado em duas transecções de quadrados amostrais contíguos (vertical e paralela à linha de costa). Com base nos resultados obtidos, foi estabelecido o número de subáreas amostrais em cada praia, levando-se em conta sua extensão (Praia do Itararé: 2,3 km; e Praia de Santos: 4,7 km). A densidade foi maior nas transecções próximas aos canais (5,0 ± 1,6 e 4,5 ± 2,0 ind./m2) do que aquela mais equidistante (F = 13,20; p = 0,000), indicando para evitar áreas de canal próximas para minimizar o viés amostral durante as análises espaciais. Nas duas praias foram contabilizadas as galerias da espécie por quadrado amostral, a fim de comparar as condições de distribuição destes organismos de maneira particular nestas praias, e seus dados inseridos em planilhas eletrônicas, perfazendo o segundo objetivo do estudo. Em outra subárea, em ambas as áreas de estudo (Gonzaga e Itararé), exemplares de C. major foram coletatos a utilização com uma bomba sugadora em PVC, para cumprir o terceiro objetivo, o qual consistiu de registrar informações biométricas e reprodutivas, para caracterizar a população diante da pressão de pesca, ou diante de condições de proibição da captura. A densidade da espécie foi registrada pelo número de indivíduos/m2 e comparadas entre as praias através de um teste de GLM (modelos lineares generalizados), usando como variáveis explicativas o local, mês e o estirâncio. Os resultados indicaram que a densidade anual no município de Santos (STS = 6,8±3,3 galerias/m2) foi 2,5 vezes superior àquela registrada em São Vicente (SAV = 2,7±2,5 galerias/m2). A estrutura populacional foi avaliada pela distribuição dos exemplares de cada sexo em classes de tamanho (CC) de 1 mm e a razão sexual pela proporção macho:fêmea. Para isto, comparou-se a média do CC de machos e fêmeas usando um t-test ou U de Mann-Whitney, dependendo se a distribuição dos dados foi normal ou não. Durante o referido período de amostragens, um total de 546 espécimes de Callichirus major (204 machos, 342 fêmeas) na praia do Gonzaga e 404 (217 machos, 187 fêmeas) em Itararé, respectivamente. Em relação ao tamanho de CC, as fêmeas foram significativamente maiores em ambas as praias, 17,1 ± 1,92 mm (Gonzaga) e 16,5 ± 2,07 mm (Itararé), em relação aos machos 15,0 ± 2,83 e 15,0 ± 2,66, respectivamente. Contudo, este estudo provou a eficiência da legislação de proteção de C. major no Município de Santos, para as praias de São Vicente e outros municípios do estado de São Paulo, e demais locais do Brasil, com fins de contribuir com o manejo e conservação desta espécie, e ainda, ressaltou a importância de outros estudos aliados à exploração sustentável deste recurso. / The C. major from Santos (SP) are protected by law (municipal law number 1.293/93) so, it´s prohibited to capture this crustacean from the beaches, this fact isn´t verified at boundaries counties, just like São Vicente, for example. This legislation was due a great study during 10 years (1983 to 1993), since then, doesn´t exist other importants studies about this specie. Therefore, this present dissertation aims to realize a comparative avaliation of the populational biology of Callichirus major between Gonzaga beach (Santos, SP), a protected area, and Itararé beach (São Vicente, SP). The first objective was realize a test to obtain a optimiun quadrat size for the sampling, using the Wigert (W) method, as well as the number of replicates per sample areas, determinate by the stabilization of variances (V), indicating a minimum of 50 replicas (V=24,6). The possible effect of declivity and sea´s distance were evaluated too, using for this, two transections of contiguous sample quadrat (vertical and parallel to the coast line), the one with less variance of sazonal and temporal analyzes was chosen. Based in the obtained results, a number of sample areas were established, taking into account the beaches´s extension (Itararé´s beach: 2,3km; Santos´s beach: 4,7 km). The density was bigger at the transections near the channels (5,0 ± 1,6 e 4,5 ± 2,0 ind./m2) then the equidistant one (F = 13,20; p = 0,000), indicating to avoid nearby channels areas to minimize the sampling bias during the spatial analyzes. In both beaches the species´s galleries per sample quadrat were calculated, in order to compare the distribution conditions of this animal particularly at these beaches, and the respective data inserted in eletronics spreadsheets, reaching the second objective os this study. In other subarea, at both beaches (Gonzaga e Itararé), specimens of C. major were collected, using for this a manual pump made by PVC, to fulfill the third objective, that consisted in register the biometrical and breeding cycle informations, to characterize the population in front of the fishing pressure, or in front of prohibition capture conditions. The species density were registered by the number of individuals/ m2 and compared between the two beaches through a GLM test (Generalized Linear Model), using as explanatory variables the place, month and the foreshore. The results indicated that the annual density of Santos city (STS = 6,8±3,3 galleries/m2) was 2,5 times superior than the records from São Vicente (SAV = 2,7±2,5 galleries/m2). The population structure was evaluated by the specimens distribution of each sex in size classes of 1mm and the sex ratio by the proportion male: female. For this, the cephalothoracic length (CL) between males and females were compared, using a t-test or U of Mann-Whitney, being the data distribution normal or not. During the sampling period, a total of 546 specimens of Callichirus major (204 males, 342 females) were collected in Gonzaga beach and 404 (217 males, 187 females) in Itararé. Related to the CL size, the females were significantly higher on both beaches, 17,1 ± 1,92 mm (Gonzaga) and 16,5 ± 2,07 mm (Itararé), in relation to males 15,0 ± 2,83 e 15,0 ± 2,66, respectively. However, this study proved the efficiency of the C. major protection legislation in the city of Santos, of population control to the beaches of São Vicente and other cities from São Paulo state, and to other places in Brazil, in order to contribute with the management and conservation of the specie, emphasizing the importance of other allied studies to the sustainable exploitation of this resource.

Os trabalhos na área de neuroimumomodulação vêm contribuindo de forma marcante para o entendimento da regulação/modulação das respostas adaptativas dos organismos frente ao estresse ou às doenças. Sabe-se que o ato de um animal conviver com outro doente leva a alterações imunes e comportamentais, assim como acontece em humanos, nos caregivers. Nos animais foi comprovado que o odor liberado pelo outro doente é a fonte de estresse para todas essas alterações neuroimunes. Estudos em camundongos fêmeas mostraram uma diminuição de imunidade inata, alteração de comportamento; redução da atividade de neutrófilos e menor resistência ao crescimento de tumores em companheiros de animais doentes. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar alterações neuroimunes em camundos machos que conviveram por 11 dias com um companheiro doente portador de um tumor ascítico de Ehrlich, e avaliar a participação do eixo Hipotálamo-Pituitária-Adrenal (HPA) e do Sistema Nervoso Autônomo Simpático (SNAS) no fenômeno observado. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que esta convivência: 1) não alterou os níveis séricos de corticosterona; 2) não modificou o peso relativo da glândula adrenal; 3) aumentou os níveis plasmáticos de adrenalina e noradrenalina; 4) diminuiu o burst oxidativo de neutrófilos induzido por PMA e por S. aureus, porém não modificou a porcentagem e a intensidade de fagocitose; 5) diminuiu a resistência ao crescimento de um tumor ascítico de Ehrlich; 6) aumentou os níveis de TNF-α, INF-γ e IL-6 após 24 horas e de TNF-α e IL-6 após 48 horas de incubação de esplenócitos com LPS; 7) não modificou o comportamento avaliado no campo aberto; 8) aumentou o turnover de noradrenalina no córtex frontal, diminuiu os níveis de noradrenalina no bulbo olfatório, diminuiu os níveis de HVA, um metabólito da dopamina, no hipotálamo e no bulbo e aumentou os níveis de serotonina e seu metabólito 5HIAA no córtex frontal; 9) não modificou a expressão IL-1, IL-6 e TNF-α no hipotálamo e no córtex frontal. Em seu conjunto, os presentes resultados mostram que a convivência de camundongos machos com portadores de um tumor ascítico de Ehrlich, o que representa aqui um estresse prolongado, embora não tenha alterado o comportamento dos machos e a atividade do eixo HPA, modificou nestes animais a atividade do SNAS, reduzindo a imunidade inata dos animais. Conclui-se então, estar o SNAS envolvido com as alterações de imunidade inata desencadeadas em camundongos machos pela convivência com um companheiro doente. / Studies in the neuroimmunomodulation area have markedly contributed to the understanding of the regulation / modulation of the organisms adaptive responses against stressors or diseases. Cohabitation with a sick cage mate leads to immune and behavioral changes, similar to those reported in humans, called caregivers. In animals, it was shown that the odor released by the tumor injected partner is pivotal for the stress response they presented and for all the neuroimmune changes reported that included: a decreased innate immunity, altered behavior such as increased levels of locomotion and decreased resistance to tumor growth. Following this line of research, the present study aimed to evaluate the possible neuroimmune changes presented by males mice that lived for 11 days with a sick cage mate, i.e., carrier of an Ehrlich ascitie tumor; a search for the pathways responsible for the observed effects was also an objective of the present work. Our results showed that cohabitation with a sick cage mate produced in male mice: 1) increased levels of plasmatic adrenaline and noradrenaline, 2) decreased neutrophil oxidative burst after PMA and S. aureus stimulatior, but no changes in the percentage and intensity of neutrophil phagocytosis, 3) decreased organic resistance to an Ehrlich tumor growth 4) increased levels of TNF-α, INF-γ and IL-6 24 hours after and TNF-α and IL-6 48 hours after splenocytes stimulation with LPS, 5) increased turnover of norepinephrine in the frontal cortex, decreased levels of norepinephrine in the olfactory bulb, reduced levels of HVA in the bulb and hypothalamus and increased levels of serotonin and its metabolite 5HIAA in the frontal cortex. Further analysis, showed no changes in: 6) serum corticosterone; 7) the relative weight of adrenal glands; 8) behavior assessed by open field, 9) IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α expression in both hypothalamus and frontal cortex. Taken together our results, showed that cohabitation with a male sick cage mate taken here as a source of a prolonged stress induced in male mice a decrease in their innate immunity, most probably thought SANS stimulation and peripheral cytokine changes. As reported for female mice, the HPA axis was also not changed in male companion of tumor injected mice. Furthermore and importantly, our data showed some neuroimmune differences between male and female responses to the condition imposed, being the males less sensible than females. Differences in hormonal status and/or in the ethological predisposition and response of male and female mice the stress of living with a sick cage mate were discussed and taken as the possible causes for the observed discrepancies.

Growth rates between individually tagged Atlantic halibut, from a single batch of farm produced eggs, on-grown in sea cages and pump ashore tanks for three years were significantly different. The tank reared fish 405g - 5992g showed a 29% premium in growth (final weight) compared to the cage reared fish 444g -4640g. Females in both systems reached a greater size (7352g tanks, 5836g cages) than males. Males that matured early (3819g tanks, 2877g cages) had a lower mean end weight than males maturing a year later (4326g tanks, 3086g cages). Early maturing males had the largest initial size. Seasonal variations in growth were observed for all groups. Major divergences in growth between males and females only became apparent when the males first matured at around 1.5 - 2 kg. No female maturation was observed during the trial. Halibut growth was determined to be positively allometric with growth of males being more linear then females. Condition factor increased with time whilst there was a decrease in Specific Growth Rate (SGR) from approximately 0.5%day⁻¹ to 0.1%day⁻¹ throughout the trial. Concentrations of plasma cortisol, osmolality, chloride and glucose measured through the trial provided no evidence of chronic stress at either site. Acute confinement stress (2, 12 and 30 minutes) was shown to elicit both primary and secondary stress responses in accordance with other marine teleosts. Increases in plasma cortisol, osmolality, CI⁻, Na⁺ and glucose were observed, reaching maximum concentrations within 80 minutes, although there was no effect on plasma K⁺. The duration of the confinement appeared to have no effect on the magnitude of the response. Following repeat confinements (4 days later) there was no evidence of either habituation or a cumulative effect in terms of cortisol or glucose whereas the effects on osmoregulatory function (Na⁺, CI⁻ and osmolality) appeared to be longer lasting. The results provided the first information regarding the stress response of the Atlantic halibut and enabled a better interpretation of the vales measured in the fish reared in tanks and cages (chapter 1). In vitro cortisol production (% above basal secretion), measured by radioimmunoassay, from perifused interrenal tissue of the Atlantic halibut was significantly stimulated by porcine adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) (0.01-1.0 μM) and [Asn¹, Val⁵] angiotensin II (All) (0.1-lO μm). No significant increase in cortisol production resulted from physiological levels of potassium (K⁺) although non-physiological levels (lOmMKl) did elicit a mild response in comparison to the effects of ACTH and All. Maximum steroid production was in response to 0.01μM ACTH (1351% above basal secretion) and 1.0μM All (397% above basal secretion). With increased concentrations above these levels of both ACTH and All there was a reduction in the degree of cortisol stimulation. The results show that the interrenal tissue of the Atlantic halibut responds in accordance to that of other teleosts to classical steroidogenic peptides.

No description available.

The independent evolution of the sexes may often be constrained if male and female homologous traits share a similar genetic architecture. Thus, cross-sex genetic covariance is assumed to play a key role in the evolution of sexual dimorphism (SD) with consequent impacts on sexual selection, population dynamics and the speciation process. I used quantitative genetics tools to assess the importance of sex-specific genetic variance in facilitating the evolution of body mass and horn size SD in wild bighorn sheep from Ram Mountain, Alberta. I also developed a bighorn sheep genetic linkage map composed of 247 microsatellite markers to gain insights about the genetic architecture of trait variation. Finally, I conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses of published cross-sex genetic correlations (rMF, a standardized estimate of cross-sex genetic covariance) to test basic hypotheses about the importance of sex-specific genetic variance in the evolution of SD and mechanisms responsible for generating such variance. My results demonstrated that sex-specific genetic variance was present in bighorn sheep and that it likely played an important role in alleviating intralocus sexual conflicts. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping analysis resulted in the identification of numerous loci influencing body mass and horn dimensions, some of which had apparent sex-specific effects. An analysis of 553 rMF estimates recovered from 114 published sources allowed demonstrating that 1) the evolution of SD was generally constrained by positive cross-sex genetic covariance, 2) levels of SD were often sub-optimal, and 3) sex-specific genetic variance was an important mechanism allowing the evolution of SD. In addition, I confirmed the long-standing hypothesis of a general decline in rMF with age. Sexual dimorphism is an important evolutionary phenomenon, but our understanding of its evolution is still limited. After decades of speculation, my research has provided clear empirical evidence for the importance of sex-specific genetic variance in allowing its evolution. / Ecology

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive erosion of the articular cartilage. Epidemiological studies have established a relationship between osteoarthritis and menopause suggesting that estrogen may be important in the development of cartilage regeneration therapies. The overall goal of this research project was to advance the field of cartilage tissue regeneration by investigating the role of 17 ß -estradiol (E2), an active estrogen metabolite, on the chondrocyte phenotype. The central hypothesis was that E2 plays an important and sex-specific role in regulating chondrogenesis. Specific Aim-1 focused on establishing and characterizing a primary human articular chondrocyte (HAC) cell source, and then examining the response of the cells in culture to E2. It was demonstrated that the response of HACs to E2 treatment was sex-specific despite both male and females cells expressing estrogen receptors. Female HACs showed changes in proliferation, matrix production, and differentiation while male cells did not. In addition, the female response was regulated through a rapid membrane signaling pathway mediated by protein kinase C. Specific Aim-2 involved establishing an ovariectomized animal model to investigate the effects of E2 on orthopaedic tissue implants. Human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) was implanted intramuscularly into female nude mice and rats. Ovariectomy was shown to reduce the ability of DBM to induce the formation of cartilage and bone tissue. Moreover, the inductive properties of DBM were reestablished with subcutaneous E2 supplementation. Specific Aim-3 entailed developing and characterizing a microencapsulation method for in vitro culture and in vivo delivery of chondrocytes to study the effects of E2 on chondrogenesis. Rat growth plate chondrocytes and HACs were microencapsulated in alginate using an extrusion method in conjunction with high electrostatic potential. Chondrocytes maintained their phenotype in alginate suspension but were unable to form cartilage tissue when implanted into our animal model. Further optimization of the system is required before the role of E2 on chondrogenesis of tissue engineered constructs can be determined. In summary, our results suggest that the successful production of tissue engineered therapies will likely depend on understanding and manipulating the actions of sex hormones in both the in vitro and in vivo environment.