PGC-1 é uma família de coativadores de fatores de transcrição que controlam a expressão de diversos genes envolvidos na homeostase energética celular. As isoformas PGC-1 e estão presente em tecidos com alto metabolismo oxidativo e são capazes de aumentar biogênese mitocondrial, -oxidação de ácidos graxos e gliconeogênese em resposta à exposição ao frio, jejum e exercício. Inicialmente mostramos que macrófagos in vitro aumentaram a expressão de PGC-1 após 1h da exposição à zymosan. Com isso, hipotetizamos que PGC-1 poderia ter sua expressão aumentada em resposta a um insulto bacteriano. Para verificar nossa hipótese analisamos a expressão de PGC-1 em um modelo de pancreatite aguda (PA), caracterizada por uma forte resposta inflamatória estéril inicial, seguida, após poucos dias, por translocação bacteriana intestinal e infecção disseminada. PA foi induzida por infusão retrograda de taurocolato de sódio (2,5%). Também analisamos PGC-1 em um modelo de sepse por ligadura e perfuração cecal (CLP), cujo conteúdo intestinal é depositado no peritôneo, causando infecção grave local e disseminada. Animais tratados com Imipenem durante 48h após PA também foram analisados, bem como a interferência de PGC-1 ASO no processo de fagocitose. A expressão de PGC-1 e foi medida por PCR quantitativo. PA foi confirmada pelo aumento da amilase sérica e a inflamação sistêmica ratificada por leucocitose. PGC1 aumentou no baço e nos leucócitos circulantes 48h após PA e no lavado peritoneal 24h após PA e CLP. No entanto, PGC1 diminuiu no baço 24h após PA. Tratamento com Imipenem diminuiu PGC- 1. A diminuição de PGC-1 após transfecção com ASO levou à redução do processo de fagocitose. Assim, concluímos que ocorre aumento de PGC-1 na presença de bactérias e esse aumento está relacionado com fagocitose / PGC1 is a family of transcriptional coactivators that controls the expression of several genes involved in cell energy homeostasis. PGC1 isoforms and are present in tissues with high oxidative metabolism and are able to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis, -oxidation of fatty acids and gluconeogenesis in response to exposure to cold, fasting and exercise. Initial results showed macrophages in vitro present increased PGC-1 expression after 1h exposure to zymosan. Thus, we hypothesized that PGC-1 could be up-regulated in response to bacterial insult. We tested our hypothesis following PGC-1 expression in an acute pancreatitis (AP) model, characterized initially by a strong sterile inflammatory response, followed, few days later, by bacterial intestinal translocation and disseminated infection. AP was induced by retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate (2.5%). We also analysed PGC-1 in a model of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), whose intestinal content is deposited in the peritoneum, causing a severe local and disseminated infection. Animals submitted to PA and treated with Imipenem for 48 hours were also analyzed, as well as the interference of PGC-1 ASO in phagocytosis process. PGC-1 and expression were measured by quantitative PCR. AP was confirmed by increased blood amylase and the systemic inflammation was noted by leukocytosis after 48h. PGC1 was increased in spleen and circulating leukocytes 48h after AP and in peritoneal lavage 24h after AP and CLP. On the other hand, PGC1 was decreased in spleen 24h after AP induction. Imipenem treatment decreased PGC-1. The decreased of PGC-1 after ASO transfection led to a reduction of phagocytosis process. Thus, we conclude there is a PGC-1 increase in bacterial presence and this increase is related to phagocytosis

O aumento do consumo de alimentos ricos em gorduras e carboidratos associado à reduzida prática de exercícios físicos pode ter como consequência o desenvolvimento da obesidade e de distúrbios metabólicos, tais como intolerância à glicose, resistência à insulina, diabetes tipo 2 e dislipidemias. O músculo esquelético contribui diretamente para o desenvolvimento e progressão dos distúrbios metabólicos, especialmente em decorrência da disfunção mitocondrial. Uma das ferramentas amplamente utilizada para o tratamento de distúrbios metabólicos é o treinamento físico, pois promove adaptações metabólicas no sentido oposto aos prejuízos metabólicos induzidos por dietas hipercalóricas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar se o treinamento físico aeróbio seria capaz de prevenir o desenvolvimento de distúrbios metabólicos induzidos por dieta hipercalórica composta por ração de cafeteria mais frutose e sacarose diluídas em água de beber em camundongos, e se essa resposta seria mediada por adaptações no músculo esquelético. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que o treinamento físico aeróbio preveniu os distúrbios metabólicos induzidos por dieta hipercalórica, tais como deposição de gordura, hiperfagia, hiperglicemia e aumento de pressão arterial, bem como melhorou a capacidade aeróbia. Essas respostas foram associadas apenas ao aumento na capilarização do músculo esquelético, já que a capacidade oxidativa determinada pela citrato sintase e a expressão da proteína PGC-1? não modificaram / The increased consumption of foods rich in fats and carbohydrates associated with reduced physical exercise may result in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders such as glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Skeletal muscle contributes directly to the development and progression of metabolic disorders, especially as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction. One of the tools widely used for the treatment of metabolic disorders is physical training, which promotes metabolic adaptations in the opposite direction to metabolic damage induced by hypercaloric diets. The present study aimed to evaluate whether physical training could prevent the development of metabolic disorders induced by hypercaloric diet consisting of cafeteria diet plus fructose and sucrose diluted in drinking water in mice, and if this response was mediated by adaptations in skeletal muscle. The results showed that physical training prevented metabolic disorders induced by hypercaloric diet, such as fat deposition, hyperphagia, hyperglycemia, increased blood pressure, and improved aerobic capacity. These responses were associated only with the increase in skeletal muscle capillarity, because oxidative capacity citrate synthase and protein expression of PGC-1? did not change

PGC-1 é uma família de coativadores de fatores de transcrição que controlam a expressão de diversos genes envolvidos na homeostase energética celular. As isoformas PGC-1 e estão presente em tecidos com alto metabolismo oxidativo e são capazes de aumentar biogênese mitocondrial, -oxidação de ácidos graxos e gliconeogênese em resposta à exposição ao frio, jejum e exercício. Inicialmente mostramos que macrófagos in vitro aumentaram a expressão de PGC-1 após 1h da exposição à zymosan. Com isso, hipotetizamos que PGC-1 poderia ter sua expressão aumentada em resposta a um insulto bacteriano. Para verificar nossa hipótese analisamos a expressão de PGC-1 em um modelo de pancreatite aguda (PA), caracterizada por uma forte resposta inflamatória estéril inicial, seguida, após poucos dias, por translocação bacteriana intestinal e infecção disseminada. PA foi induzida por infusão retrograda de taurocolato de sódio (2,5%). Também analisamos PGC-1 em um modelo de sepse por ligadura e perfuração cecal (CLP), cujo conteúdo intestinal é depositado no peritôneo, causando infecção grave local e disseminada. Animais tratados com Imipenem durante 48h após PA também foram analisados, bem como a interferência de PGC-1 ASO no processo de fagocitose. A expressão de PGC-1 e foi medida por PCR quantitativo. PA foi confirmada pelo aumento da amilase sérica e a inflamação sistêmica ratificada por leucocitose. PGC1 aumentou no baço e nos leucócitos circulantes 48h após PA e no lavado peritoneal 24h após PA e CLP. No entanto, PGC1 diminuiu no baço 24h após PA. Tratamento com Imipenem diminuiu PGC- 1. A diminuição de PGC-1 após transfecção com ASO levou à redução do processo de fagocitose. Assim, concluímos que ocorre aumento de PGC-1 na presença de bactérias e esse aumento está relacionado com fagocitose / PGC1 is a family of transcriptional coactivators that controls the expression of several genes involved in cell energy homeostasis. PGC1 isoforms and are present in tissues with high oxidative metabolism and are able to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis, -oxidation of fatty acids and gluconeogenesis in response to exposure to cold, fasting and exercise. Initial results showed macrophages in vitro present increased PGC-1 expression after 1h exposure to zymosan. Thus, we hypothesized that PGC-1 could be up-regulated in response to bacterial insult. We tested our hypothesis following PGC-1 expression in an acute pancreatitis (AP) model, characterized initially by a strong sterile inflammatory response, followed, few days later, by bacterial intestinal translocation and disseminated infection. AP was induced by retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate (2.5%). We also analysed PGC-1 in a model of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), whose intestinal content is deposited in the peritoneum, causing a severe local and disseminated infection. Animals submitted to PA and treated with Imipenem for 48 hours were also analyzed, as well as the interference of PGC-1 ASO in phagocytosis process. PGC-1 and expression were measured by quantitative PCR. AP was confirmed by increased blood amylase and the systemic inflammation was noted by leukocytosis after 48h. PGC1 was increased in spleen and circulating leukocytes 48h after AP and in peritoneal lavage 24h after AP and CLP. On the other hand, PGC1 was decreased in spleen 24h after AP induction. Imipenem treatment decreased PGC-1. The decreased of PGC-1 after ASO transfection led to a reduction of phagocytosis process. Thus, we conclude there is a PGC-1 increase in bacterial presence and this increase is related to phagocytosis

PGC-1 beta é um co-ativador de transcrição gênica responsável pela regulação do metabolismo celular, principalmente na biogênese e função mitocondrial, disponibilidade de substrato e síntese de lipídios. Nos últimos anos, outras isoformas de PGC-1 têm sido descritos como participantes na gênese e manutenção de tumores. Portanto, nosso objetivo foi determinar se o PGC-1beta está relacionado ao aumento da proliferação celular de células de melanoma. Inicialmente, foi demonstrado que os níveis de RNAm e proteína de PGC-1beta são muito mais elevados em linhagens de células de melanoma (Tm1 e Tm5) do que na linhagem parental de melanócitos não tumorais (Melan-a) como detectado por PCR quantitativa e western blotting. A fim de descobrir uma relação causal entre a expressão de PGC-1? e crescimento celular da linhagem Tm5, células de tal linhagem foram transfectadas com um oligonucleotídeo antisense (ASO) contra PGC-1beta. As células tratados com ASO apresentaram níveis mais baixos de RNAm e proteína PGC-1beta, além de redução em sua atividade avaliada pela expressão de genes PGC-1beta dependentes. Além disso, as células transfectadas apresentaram uma taxa de proliferação inferior em comparação com células de controle Tm5. Este fenômeno também foi observado in vivo. Quando injetadas em camundongos, as células Tm5 desenvolvem-se em um tumor que atinge 1,34 ± 0,20 cm3 após nove dias. Tumores tratados com ASO após o mesmo tempo apresentaram volume tumoral de 0,75 ± 0,05 cm3. Este crescimento não estava relacionada à necrose tumoral, mas sim com a proliferação reduzida de células. Finalmente, verificamos se o mesmo fenômeno seria observado em humanos. A expressão PGC-1beta foi muito maior em amostras de melanoma do que em nevos, alterações não-malignas da pele com alto conteúdo de melanina. Por conseguinte, conclui-se que a expressão PGC-1? está aumentada no melanoma, tanto murino e humano, e que o bloqueio da sua atividade leva à diminuição da proliferação celular e crescimento tumoral / PGC-1beta is a co-activator of gene transcription primarily responsible for the regulation of cellular metabolism, mainly in mitochondrial biogenesis and function and also substrate and lipid synthesis. In recent years, other isoforms of PGC-1 have been described as participating in the genesis and maintenance of tumors. Therefore, our objective was to determine whether PGC-1beta is related to increased proliferation of melanoma cells. Initially, it was demonstrated that mRNA and protein levels of PGC-1beta are much higher in melanoma cell lines (Tm1 and TM5) than in the non-tumoral parental lineage melanocytes (melan-a) as detected by quantitative PCR and Western blotting. In order to find a causal relationship between the expression of PGC-1beta and cell growth, Tm5 lineage cells were transfected with an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) against PGC-1beta. The cells treated with ASO had lower levels of PGC-1beta mRNA and protein, as well as reduction in its activity detected by quantitation of PGC-1beta dependent genes expression. Furthermore, transfected cells showed a lower rate of proliferation compared to Tm5control cells. This phenomenon was also observed in vivo. When injected into mice, Tm5 cells develop a tumor which reaches 1.34 ± 0.20 cm3 after nine days. Tumors treated with ASO, after the same time, presented tumor volume of 0.75 ± 0.05 cm 3. This growth was not related to tumor necrosis, but with reduced cell proliferation. Finally, we checked whether the same phenomenon would be observed in humans. The PGC-1beta expression was much higher in melanoma samples than in nevi, a non-malignant skin alteration filled with melanin. Therefore, we concluded that PGC-1beta expression in melanoma is increased, both in murine and human, and that blocking its activity leads to decreased cell proliferation and tumor growth

A capacidade de sincronizar vias metabólicas a estímulos ambientais é um aspecto central da homeostase em mamíferos. Dentro desse contexto, o controle molecular da função mitocondrial representa um aspecto fundamental e defeitos na integridade desse sistema podem levar a severas perturbações à homeostase celular levando a um amplo espectro de doenças como a obesidade e o diabetes tipo 2. O controle transcricional do metabolismo energético é um processo dinâmico que depende da ação coordenada de fatores de transcrição, enzimas modificadoras de cromatina e coreguladores transcricionais. Co-reguladores podem agir como interruptores transcricionais ativando ou reprimindo a atividade de receptores nucleares. Neste estudo, demonstramos que o coativador PGC-1? e o co-repressor NCoR1 são importantes mediadores do metabolismo energético e da homeostase redox mitocondrial em células musculares. Nossos resultados sugerem que os efeitos desses co-reguladores são mediados pela transativação do elemento responsivo de PPAR (PPRE) em promotores de seletos grupos de genes. Ainda, a indução da capacidade oxidativa e da defesa antioxidante pelo silenciamento de NCoR1 ou pela expressão de PGC-1? atenua a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e a morte celular induzida por estresse metabólico. Essas evidências sugerem que o equilíbrio entre a ativação e a repressão transcricional em promotores contendo PPREs exerce um papel central na função mitocondrial em células musculares esqueléticas. Coletivamente, os resultados deste estudo indicam que o antagonismo entre os coreguladores PGC-1? e NCoR1 é um componente central no controle da função mitocondrial representando uma interface promissora para o desenvolvimento de novas abordagens terapêuticas para o tratamento e prevenção da disfunção metabólica. / The ability to synchronize metabolic pathways to environmental stimuli is a central aspect of mammalian homeostasis. Within this context, the molecular control of mitochondrial function represents a fundamental aspect and defects in the integrity of this system can lead to severe disturbances to cellular homeostasis causing a wide spectrum of pathologies such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Transcriptional control of energy metabolism is a dynamic process that depends on the coordinated action of transcription factors, chromatin modifying enzymes, and transcriptional co-regulators. Co-regulators can act as transcriptional switches activating or repressing the activity of nuclear receptors. In this study, we demonstrated that the co-activator PGC-1? and NCoR1 co-repressor are essential mediators of energy metabolism and mitochondrial redox homeostasis in muscle cells. Our results suggest that the effects of these co-regulators are mediated by the transactivation of the PPAR responsive elements (PPREs) in promoters of selected gene groups. Furthermore, the oxidative capacity and antioxidant defense induction by either NCoR1 knockdown or PGC-1? overexpression attenuates the production of reactive oxygen species and cell death induced by metabolic stress. These evidence suggest that the balance between activation and transcriptional repression in promoters containing PPREs exert a central role in mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle cells. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that the antagonism between the co-regulators PGC-1? and NCoR1 is a central component of mitochondrial function representing a promising interface for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment and prevention of metabolic dysfunction.

O aumento do consumo de alimentos ricos em gorduras e carboidratos associado à reduzida prática de exercícios físicos pode ter como consequência o desenvolvimento da obesidade e de distúrbios metabólicos, tais como intolerância à glicose, resistência à insulina, diabetes tipo 2 e dislipidemias. O músculo esquelético contribui diretamente para o desenvolvimento e progressão dos distúrbios metabólicos, especialmente em decorrência da disfunção mitocondrial. Uma das ferramentas amplamente utilizada para o tratamento de distúrbios metabólicos é o treinamento físico, pois promove adaptações metabólicas no sentido oposto aos prejuízos metabólicos induzidos por dietas hipercalóricas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar se o treinamento físico aeróbio seria capaz de prevenir o desenvolvimento de distúrbios metabólicos induzidos por dieta hipercalórica composta por ração de cafeteria mais frutose e sacarose diluídas em água de beber em camundongos, e se essa resposta seria mediada por adaptações no músculo esquelético. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que o treinamento físico aeróbio preveniu os distúrbios metabólicos induzidos por dieta hipercalórica, tais como deposição de gordura, hiperfagia, hiperglicemia e aumento de pressão arterial, bem como melhorou a capacidade aeróbia. Essas respostas foram associadas apenas ao aumento na capilarização do músculo esquelético, já que a capacidade oxidativa determinada pela citrato sintase e a expressão da proteína PGC-1? não modificaram / The increased consumption of foods rich in fats and carbohydrates associated with reduced physical exercise may result in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders such as glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Skeletal muscle contributes directly to the development and progression of metabolic disorders, especially as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction. One of the tools widely used for the treatment of metabolic disorders is physical training, which promotes metabolic adaptations in the opposite direction to metabolic damage induced by hypercaloric diets. The present study aimed to evaluate whether physical training could prevent the development of metabolic disorders induced by hypercaloric diet consisting of cafeteria diet plus fructose and sucrose diluted in drinking water in mice, and if this response was mediated by adaptations in skeletal muscle. The results showed that physical training prevented metabolic disorders induced by hypercaloric diet, such as fat deposition, hyperphagia, hyperglycemia, increased blood pressure, and improved aerobic capacity. These responses were associated only with the increase in skeletal muscle capillarity, because oxidative capacity citrate synthase and protein expression of PGC-1? did not change

Le coactivateur de facteurs de transcription PGC-1a (PPARC1A) est connu pour jouer un rôle clé dans la thermogénèse adaptative ainsi que dans l’homéostasie et la croissance musculaire chez l’homme et la souris. Le gène codant pour PGC-1 est contrôlé par deux promoteurs et est soumis à un épissage alternatif, il en résulte de multiples protéines. Chez le bovin, malgré son implication dans la croissance et dans les caractéristiques du lait relevée par des études de SNP, le gène et les transcrits de PGC-1a restent peu étudiés. Ainsi, notre objectif a été de mettre en évidence la structure et l’expression des transcrits de PGC-1a chez le bovin. Nous avons montré que deux formes longues PGC-1a-a et PGC-1a-b étaient exprimées chez le bovin de même que deux formes tronquées NT-PGC-1a-a et NT-PGC-1a-b (aussi appelé PGC-14). En conditions basales, les formes tronquées sont plus exprimées que les formes longues dans le muscle squelettique. De plus, les transcrits dérivants du promoteur proximal sont prédominants, ce qui suggère que NT-PGC-1a serait la forme prédominante dans le muscle squelettique bovin. Nous avons également créé des lignées cellulaires sur-exprimant indépendamment les formes longues ou tronquées et montré que la sur-expression des isoformes bovins entrainait une différenciation accrue des myoblastes associée à une augmentation de l’expression d’IGF-1 et une sousexpression de la myostatine. La multitude d’isoformes codée par le gène PGC-1a ainsi que leur implication dans la myogenèse positionne PGC-1a en gène d’intérêt dans l’étude de la variabilité phénotypique retrouvé chez certaines races bovines. De plus, les transcrits de PGC-1a semblent être de puissants modulateurs de la masse musculaire. PGC-1a pourrait donc être un gène de plus à étudier lors de la sélection des animaux domestiques présentant une plus grande musculature. / The transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α (PPARGC1A) has been reported to play a key role in adaptive thermogenesis and to influence muscle homeostasis and growth in mouse and human. PGC-1α has a complex structure with multiple protein domains whose gene is controlled by two promoters and is subject to alternative splicing events. In cattle, very little is currently known about PGC-1α, despite its implication in growth and milk characteristics revealrd by SNP study. So, the aim of our study was to investigate the presence and the structure of bovine PGC-1α alternative transcripts. We found different transcripts, two full-length isoforms named PGC-1α-a and PGC-1α-b, and two truncated forms, NT-PGC-1α and PGC-1α4. In basal conditions, our results showed that the truncated forms are the most expressed in bovine muscle. In addition, the transcripts derived from the proximal promoter are predominant, suggesting that NT-PGC-1 would be the main form. Finally, we showed that the overexpression of either fulllength or truncated isoforms of bovine PGC-1 enhances myoblasts differentiation. The multiplicity of isoforms resulting from PGC-1α as well as their implication in myogenesismakes PGC-1α as a gene of interest for the study of the muscular phenotypic variability found in different cattle breeds. In addition, PGC-1 transctipts appear to be a strong modulators of muscle mass. So the bovine PGC-1a isoforms could be used to engineer future breeds with higher muscularity.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic disorder with multi-organ involvement(1). Patients with SCD suffer from recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) resulting from sickling of red blood cells, which is induced by polymerization of deoxy-sickle hemoglobin (HbS)(1,2). Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can ameliorate symptoms of SCD by inhibiting deoxy-HbS polymerization(3). Hydroxyurea (HU) is approved by FDA for the treatment of SCD(4). It induces HbF synthesis through multifactorial and still not well understood mechanisms(4-7). However, approximately 5-15% of patients show no significant clinical improvement(8). Additionally, numerous patient and physician-related factors limit its utilization(9). Therefore, it is important to identify additional HbF-inducing therapeutic agents, particularly those that act by mechanisms different from HU to allow potential combination therapy in the future. Previously, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) was shown to activate γ-globin gene transcription(10). Forced overexpression of PGC-1α in erythroid progenitors obtained from Lin- cells from SCD transgenic mice induces γ-globin expression(10), suggesting that PGC-1α represents a new molecular target for potential therapeutic intervention in treating SCD. In the present study, the effect of PGC-1α upregulation in primary human CD34+ derived erythroid cells was explored; an increase in γ-globin mRNA and the percent of F-cells was observed. Through literature search, ZLN005 and SR-18292 were identified as potential PGC-1α agonists(11,12). Both compounds increase the percentage of F-cells in primary human CD34+ derived erythroid cell culture. Combined treatment with HU led to a significantly higher increase in F-cell % than the increase observed under treatment with either HU, ZLN005 or SR-18292 alone. Results from those studies add to the understanding of PGC-1α and its effects on primary human erythroid cell differentiation, maturation, and HbF induction. Additionally, the results show proof of principle for combination therapy to treat SCD patients to ameliorate their disease severity by up-regulating HbF expression. Together, the knowledge gained through these studies is novel and will potentiate the development of a new class of compounds to induce HbF synthesis in adults.

There are two distinct types of adipose tissue which have different functions within the body, white (WAT) and brown (BAT). Browning of WAT occurs with increases in the WAT sympathetic nervous system (SNS) drive. In this regard we previously reported that melatonin (MEL) stimulation of MEL receptor 1A (MEL1a) within the SNS outflow to the WAT might be implicated in a naturally-occurring reversal of obesity (by ~30% of total body fat). Therefore, in this study we tested the hypothesis that MEL causes browning of WAT through the stimulation of SNS drive to WAT. This was done by comparing specific browning and lipolytic markers in WAT following 10 weeks of MEL treatment, short day housing (SD), and long day housing with saline injections (LD+VEH). Browning effects of a 5 day treatment of a β3-adrenergeric (β3 AR), CL 316, 243, were also measured. We found that CL 316, 243, MEL treatment, and SD housing had increased expressions of browning markers within WAT and lipolytic activity in MEL treated animals was increased in specific WAT.

Orientador: José Senhorini / Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe a procedure for sampling, reproduction, and first feeding of the Neotropical catfish Pseudopimelodus mangurus. Wild adult P. mangurus specimens were collected in the Mogi Guassu river, and subsequently, were induced to spawn in laboratory conditions. After hand-stripping the females, the average weight of the oocytes was 143 ± 1.66 g, having an average of 718 ± 49.802 oocytes g-1. The diameter of zygotes was about 1226.354 ± 47.719 µm nonhydrated to 1761.256 ± 26.412 µm after hydration. The fertilization rates were 98.00 ± 0.63%, and the hatching rate were 68.94 ± 11.83%. Three days after hatching, the larvae started exogenous feeding. First feedings were made with 6 different treatments, in which the best results arose with sequential feeding with artemia nauplii, Astyanax altiparanae, and Prochilodus lineatus larvae. This condition resulted in a growth rate of 2012.795 ± 44.891 µm by the tenth day of experiment, higher survival rate (65 ± 0.09%), and a lower cannibalism rate 14 ± 0.03% on the tenth day after exogenous feed. The data obtained in this study is important for reproductive biotechniques and mass production of the endangered catfish P. mangurus. / Mestre