The objective of this study was to monitor the effects on physical and reproductive parameters in mares supplemented with Ractopamine HCl (RAC), in an effort to provide some insight concerning the use of RAC in horse diets. Physical deviation was recorded via measurements of body weight (BW), muscle size, and fat deposition. Reproductive deviation was recorded via ultrasonographic measurement of follicular growth and ovulation, while hormonal analyses were conducted for leptin and luteinizing hormone (LH). Data analyses of physical measurements indicated an effect of RAC supplementation (P<.001) as treated horses had a greater increase in BW compared to the controls. Treatment horses increased gaskin circumference (P<.001) compared to horses on the control diet. Both groups showed an increase in rump fat with the treated horses gaining less (P<.05). A similar effect was revealed in body fat percentage (P<.01) with the treated horses gaining less when compared to the controls. No statistical differences were noted for changes in forearm circumference or rib fat. No change was derived for length of estrous or pre-ovulatory follicle size between groups. When analyzing the data from first to last cycle in the treatment group, length of estrous was significantly (P<.05) shortened over the 90-day study. Upon analysis of serum leptin concentrations, the control group had a significantly (P<.001) higher overall concentration as compared to the treated horses; however, no difference was noted for normalized data, though RAC supplementation may have caused the profile of leptin to become more erratic. Analysis of LH concentrations revealed a strong trend (P=0.0527) of RAC-supplemented horses having a lower mean concentration of LH throughout the 90-day study as compared to the controls. Means were also analyzed for day and treatment by day effects, suggesting possible trends (P=0.2944 and P=0.1591 respectively) of seasonality. Area Under the Curve (AUC) was calculated for individual horses and analyzed for treatment effects. Only a trend (P=0.1631) was noted for RAC-supplemented horses having a smaller AUC (80.10 ± 29.72) as compared to the controls (140.60 ± 27.50).

A number of chemicals may have a negative impact on the environment and wildlife. Endocrine disruptors (EDs), which can mimic estrogen, interfere with natural hormones in organism and can have a negative effect on the reproductive system. Such substances include zearalenone (ZEA) - mycotoxin, produced by the fungi Fusarium. Despite the non-steriodal structure of its molecule, ZEA and its derivates possess potent estrogenic activity. The influence of ZEA on reproductive parameters and changes in expression of selected genes were tested in the outbred line of mice. This study showed significant effects of ZEA on number of reproductive performances. This effect was observed at lower examined dose, to which are humans normally exposed, and at higher doses, both showed changes in the tested parameters.

Orientador: Sergio Ricardo Batlouni / Resumo: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o efeito das diferentes densidades de estocagem e proporções sexuais sobre o desempenho reprodutivo da espécie Astyanax altiparanae em sistema semi-natural. Foram realizados dois experimentos distintos, para o primeiro objetivo testamos quatro densidades de estocagem (3; 6; 12; 24 indivíduos) com quatro réplicas, mantendo sempre a proporção sexual de dois machos para uma fêmea. Quando o efeito da proporção sexual foi avaliado, utilizamos cinco proporções diferentes (1:1; 2:1; 3:1; 1;2; 1:3; macho: fêmea) e dois controles com três repetições, respeitando a densidade de 12 indivíduos em cada unidade experimental. Em ambos os experimentos os tratamentos foram comparados pelo desempenho reprodutivo por meio de variáveis como: a sobrevivência dos reprodutores, a proporção de réplicas com desovas, o volume de desova, percentual médio de fêmeas desovadas por réplica, taxas de fertilidade e eclosão, número de embriões obtidos por tratamento, histologia dos ovários e concentrações plasmáticas dos esteroides sexuais. A densidade não influenciou de forma negativa no desempenho reprodutivo da espécie, sendo observados os melhores desempenhos para as variáveis: volume médio de desova considerando apenas as réplicas onde houve desova 131,50±33,17ml e no número médio de embriões viáveis 73819,2±20462,1, nas unidades com maior densidade (24) animais. Notamos desempenhos muito semelhantes quando as diferentes proporções foram testadas, sendo a variável volume relati... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of different storage densities and sexual proportions on the reproductive performance of the species Astyanax altiparanae in a semi-natural system. Two different experiments were carried out. For the first objective, we tested four stocking densities (3; 6; 12; 24 individuals) with four replicates, always maintaining the sex ratio of two males to one female. When the sex ratio effect was evaluated, we used five different ratios (1: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1, 1, 2, 1: 3, male: female) and two controls with three replicates, respecting the density of 12 individuals in each experimental unit. In both experiments the treatments were compared by reproductive performance using variables such as: reproductive survival, proportion of replicates with spawning, spawning volume, mean percentage of spawned females per replicate, fertility and hatching rates, number treatment embryos, ovarian histology, and plasma steroid plasma concentrations. The density did not negatively influence the reproductive performance of the species, with the best performances for the variables: average spawning volume considering only spawning replicates of 131.50 ± 33.17 ml and the average number of viable embryos 73819.2 ± 20462.1, in the units with higher density (24) animals. We observed very similar performances when the different proportions were tested, being the relative variable spawning volume in which the proportion of (3 males: 1 female) was more efficient than the oth... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

In this study, I describe the seasonality of reproduction in bottlenose dolphins by examining data from stranded animals, photographic surveys and focal follows. I examined inter-birth intervals from focal follows of known female dolphins. I found bottlenose dolphins that frequent the coastal waters of North Carolina to be comprised of at least two populations; one with a primarily spring birthing peak and a presumed second (or second and third) with two smaller birthing peaks in the fall and winter. These animals are reproducing at 2-3 year inter-birth intervals, which are shorter than bottlenose dolphin inter-birth intervals in the Moray Firth, Scotland, Shark Bay, Australia, or Sarasota Bay, FL. A decrease in reproductive intervals can indicate a density-dependent response to an anthropogenic disturbance or a natural change. Association patterns between and among these known females revealed relationships that have persisted for more than a decade. Most association patterns of the female dolphins in this area are long-term casual acquaintances which are evident in the fission-fusion grouping pattern, and individuals are not highly gregarious. Females appear to associate with most other females in the local area and do not form bands, as defined by researchers in Sarasota, FL (Wells et al. 1987). However, females do exhibit preferred associates, with whom they associate, regardless of reproductive state. Associations of females with young of the year were slightly stronger than associations between females with different aged calves, except for preferred associates. Future work will include genetic research on some of these known females, and continued study of the life and reproductive histories of these known females and their offspring. / Dissertation

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:47:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 419294 bytes, checksum: 5dc8e6813f3ee8e2069d7256037dd591 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In pig farming, gilts represent the highest percentage of females within a farm producer and those with a greater number of born in the first farrowing tend to have a greater number of born during their lifetime. The present study investigated the influence of age and the numbers of estrus to first mating (from the second) and age at first estrus on reproductive performance of sows at first farrowing. Were evaluated gilts of the lineage Camborough ® 25, born between 2007 and 2012, from seven commercial farms situated in Ponte Nova MG. Data were obtained from databases of management programs PigChamp and Agriness. The size of the first litter was not influenced (P>0,05) by age at first insemination, age at first estrus and by the number of estrus in which the female was inseminated the first time, in the seven farms. The repetition rate of estrus also was not influenced by age at first insemination. It is conclude for lineage evaluated, that the repetition rate of estrus and the litter size at first farrowing are not influenced by age at first estrus, as well as by age and number of estrus at first insemination. In view of these considerations, gilts should be inseminated as from the second estrus, aiming a smaller period of nonproductive days, without commitment of reproductive efficiency. / Na suinocultura, as marrãs representam o maior percentual de fêmeas dentro de uma granja produtora e aquelas que apresentam um maior número de nascidos no primeiro parto tendem a ter um maior número de nascidos durante a vida. O presente estudo investigou a influência da idade e do número de estros à primeira cobertura (a partir do segundo) e da idade ao primeiro estro no desempenho reprodutivo de matrizes no primeiro parto. Foram avaliadas fêmeas da linhagem Camborough® 25, nascidas entre 2007 e 2012, em sete granjas comerciais situadas na região de Ponte Nova MG. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de bancos de dados dos Programas de gerenciamento Pigchamp® e Agriness®. O tamanho da primeira leitegada não foi influenciado (P>0,05) pela idade à primeira inseminação, idade ao primeiro estro e pelo número de estros em que a marrã foi inseminada a primeira vez, nas sete granjas. A taxa de repetição de estros também não foi influenciada pela idade à primeira inseminação. Pode-se concluir para a linhagem avaliada, que a taxa de repetição de estro e o tamanho da leitegada no primeiro parto não são influenciados pela idade ao primeiro estro, assim como pela idade e número de estros à primeira inseminação. Diante destas considerações, as marrãs devem ser inseminadas a partir do segundo estro, visando um menor período de dias não produtivos, sem comprometimento da eficiência reprodutiva.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of couples in reproductive age suffer from infertility problems, and up to 60% of cases are caused by male factor. Causes of this condition could be genetic background, environmental factors and various diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DM on reproductive parameters and expression of selected testicular genes using mouse model (FVB inbred mouse strain). DM (type 1) was artificially induced by chemical substance streptozotocin, which causes destruction of pancreatic β cells. These mice were exposed to diabetic condition for 6 weeks and then subjected to analysis. Our results have shown that diabetic condition had an impact on body weight, weight of reproductive organs as well as kidneys and livers. We also observed decreased concentration and viability of diabetic sperm compared to control. Moreover, we noticed increased staining with apoptotic marker annexin V. Further, we evaluated changes of sperm nuclear proteins - protamines. In diabetic animals, we observed higher number of sperm with insufficient protamination. Nevertheless, protamine 1 to protamine 2 ratio (P1/P2), a marker of male fertility, was not altered in sperm of diabetic animals compared to control. Regarding the...

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever aspectos biológicos das espécies de cienídeos na baía de Santos. As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente, entre dezembro de 2004 e dezembro de 2005. Foram estudadas a composição específica; a estrutura populacional de dez espécies, incluindo idade e crescimento; a biologia reprodutiva de quatro espécies; e o tipo de fecundidade de Stellifer rastrifer. Foram capturados 29.306 exemplares pertencentes a 13 gêneros e 21 espécies, com S. rastrifer representando 70,4 % da composição total, seguido por Isopisthus parvipinnis e Stellifer brasiliensis, perfazendo 85%. A baía de Santos é caracterizada principalmente por indivíduos jovens, com a entrada de indivíduos para as populações ocorrendo em diversas épocas do ano. As análises reprodutivas e a confirmação histológica da maturação indicaram que as quatro principais espécies estudadas completam ciclo reprodutivo na região. As análises histológicas indicaram erros na identificação dos estádios macroscópicos dos ovários: fêmeas classificadas como \"em maturação\" (estádio B) foram reclassificadas como \"em reorganização\" após as análises microscópicas. Isopisthus parvipinnis e Stellifer brasiliensis apresentaram fêmeas desovantes nos meses de verão e Paralonchurus brasiliensis no inverno. A espécie Stellifer rastrifer apresentou distribuição de diâmetro dos ovócitos de maneira contínua, indicando que a espécie apresenta desenvolvimento assincrônico e fecundidade indeterminada. / The goal of this study was to describe the biological aspects of Sciaenid species in Santos bay. Samplings were performed monthly, between November/2004 to December/2005. The specific composition; the population structures of ten species, including the age and growth; the reproductive biology of four species and the type of fecundity of Stellifer rastrifer were studied. In the present study 29,306 individuals were caught, belonging to 13 genus and 21 species, with the specie Stellifer rastrifer represented 70.4%, followed by Isopisthus parvipinnis and S. brasiliensis, resulting in 85% of the total Sciaenid composition. The Santos bay is mainly characterized by juveniles, with the recruitment of new individuals to the population occurring in several periods of the year. The reproductive analysis and the histological confirmation of the maturation stages indicated which the four main species studied complete their reproductive cycle in this region. The histological analysis indicated some errors in the identification of the macroscopic ovary stages, i.e., females classified as \"in maturation\" (stage B) were reclassified as \"in reorganization\" after the microscopic analysis. Hydrated females of Isopisthus parvipinnis and Stellifer brasiliensis occurred during the summer months while the hydrated females of Paralonchurus brasiliensis in the winter. The specie Stellifer rastrifer showed the oocytes diameter distribution in continuous pattern, indicating that the species has asynchronous development and indeterminate fecundity.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever aspectos biológicos das espécies de cienídeos na baía de Santos. As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente, entre dezembro de 2004 e dezembro de 2005. Foram estudadas a composição específica; a estrutura populacional de dez espécies, incluindo idade e crescimento; a biologia reprodutiva de quatro espécies; e o tipo de fecundidade de Stellifer rastrifer. Foram capturados 29.306 exemplares pertencentes a 13 gêneros e 21 espécies, com S. rastrifer representando 70,4 % da composição total, seguido por Isopisthus parvipinnis e Stellifer brasiliensis, perfazendo 85%. A baía de Santos é caracterizada principalmente por indivíduos jovens, com a entrada de indivíduos para as populações ocorrendo em diversas épocas do ano. As análises reprodutivas e a confirmação histológica da maturação indicaram que as quatro principais espécies estudadas completam ciclo reprodutivo na região. As análises histológicas indicaram erros na identificação dos estádios macroscópicos dos ovários: fêmeas classificadas como \"em maturação\" (estádio B) foram reclassificadas como \"em reorganização\" após as análises microscópicas. Isopisthus parvipinnis e Stellifer brasiliensis apresentaram fêmeas desovantes nos meses de verão e Paralonchurus brasiliensis no inverno. A espécie Stellifer rastrifer apresentou distribuição de diâmetro dos ovócitos de maneira contínua, indicando que a espécie apresenta desenvolvimento assincrônico e fecundidade indeterminada. / The goal of this study was to describe the biological aspects of Sciaenid species in Santos bay. Samplings were performed monthly, between November/2004 to December/2005. The specific composition; the population structures of ten species, including the age and growth; the reproductive biology of four species and the type of fecundity of Stellifer rastrifer were studied. In the present study 29,306 individuals were caught, belonging to 13 genus and 21 species, with the specie Stellifer rastrifer represented 70.4%, followed by Isopisthus parvipinnis and S. brasiliensis, resulting in 85% of the total Sciaenid composition. The Santos bay is mainly characterized by juveniles, with the recruitment of new individuals to the population occurring in several periods of the year. The reproductive analysis and the histological confirmation of the maturation stages indicated which the four main species studied complete their reproductive cycle in this region. The histological analysis indicated some errors in the identification of the macroscopic ovary stages, i.e., females classified as \"in maturation\" (stage B) were reclassified as \"in reorganization\" after the microscopic analysis. Hydrated females of Isopisthus parvipinnis and Stellifer brasiliensis occurred during the summer months while the hydrated females of Paralonchurus brasiliensis in the winter. The specie Stellifer rastrifer showed the oocytes diameter distribution in continuous pattern, indicating that the species has asynchronous development and indeterminate fecundity.

<p>Cilj istraživanja bio je da se ustanovi povezanost energetskog statusa krava u postpartalnom periodu, iskazanog<br />kroz vrijednost odnosa mliječna mast: proteini, i parametara reproduktivne efikasnosti. Istraživanje je sprovedeno<br />na ukupno 350 oteljenih krava hol&scaron;tajn rase (121 prvotelka, 115 drugotelki i 114 krava koje su se telile tri i vi&scaron;e<br />puta), smje&scaron;tenih na farmi mliječnih krava industrijskog tipa, u slobodnom sistemu držanja i hranjenih uobičajenim<br />obrocima za datu rasu goveda, proizvodnu kategoriju, stadijum laktacije i period godine. Sve ispitane krave, bez<br />obzira na paritet, podijeljene su u odnosu na stadijum laktacije (15-45 dana, 46-75 dana, 76-105 dana i 106-135<br />dana), a u okviru svakog njih formirane su podgrupe u odnosu na vrijednost odnosa mliječna mast : proteini (OMP<br />&lt; 1,0 , OMP 1,0-1,3 i OMP &gt; 1,3). Podjela krava unutar svakog pariteta (prvotelke, drugotelke, krave sa tri i vi&scaron;e<br />teljenja), izvr&scaron;ena je na osnovu trajanja servis perioda (SP do 60 dana, SP 61-90 dana, SP 91-135 dana). Praćeni su<br />sljedeći reproduktivni parametri: period do prvog vje&scaron;tačkog osjemenjavanja (dani), trajanje servis perioda (dani),<br />trajanje perioda od prvog vje&scaron;tačkog osjemenjavanja do uspostavljanja steonosti (dani), indeks osjemenjavanja,<br />trajanje graviditeta (dani) i trajanje međutelidbenog intervala (dani). Uzorci mlijeka uzimani su u okviru<br />uzorkovanja za potrebe selekcijske službe. U uzorcima mlijeka su određene koncentracije mliječne masti i proteina,<br />te je izračunat njihov međusobni odnos (OMP). Podaci su statistički obrađeni metodama deskriptivne statistike, a<br />značajnost razlika između grupa testirana je t-testom. Pored numeričkih vrijednosti za ispitane parametre, za sve<br />ispitane grupe krava u radu je dat i grafički prikaz odnosa mliječne masti i proteina. U prilogu je dat pregled<br />vrijednosti parametara deskriptivne statistike za ispitane parametre za sve ispitane grupe krava. U svakoj od<br />ispitanih grupa krava, bez obzira na način podjele, ustanovljen je veliki procenat krava sa vrijednostima OMP izvan<br />fiziolo&scaron;kih okvira, bilo da se radi o povi&scaron;enim ili sniženim vrijednostima. Zbirni podaci za svaku od ispitanih grupa<br />krava, prikazani na grafikonima, ukazuju na generalno nepovoljan metabolički status krava na ispitanoj farmi i<br />visok procenat subkliničkih poremećaja zdravlja, prije svega subkliničke forme ketoze, udružene sa različitim<br />stepenom zama&scaron;ćenja jetre, &scaron;to se odražava i na vrijednosti reproduktivnih parametara. Podaci o trajanju perioda do<br />prvog vje&scaron;tačkog osjemenjavanja u svim ispitanim grupama krava, bez obzira na način grupisanja, ukazuju na visok<br />stepen varijacija, kao rezultat različite sposobnosti krava prilagode nepovoljnom bilansu energije,. Energetski status<br />grla je, preko različitih mehanizama opisanih u radu, uticao i na trajanje perioda od prvog do uspje&scaron;nog vje&scaron;tačkog<br />osjemenjavanja i servis perioda, kao i na vrijednost indeksa osjemenjavanja u svim ispitanim grupama krava, pri<br />čemu su grla sa povoljnijim energetskim statusom generalno imala povoljnije vrijednosti ovih parametara. Pored<br />energetskog statusa, podaci prikazani u radu govore i o neadekvatnoj organizaciji otkrivanja estrusa, kao<br />značajnom ograničavajućem faktoru za postizanje optimalnih reproduktivnih rezultata na ispitanoj farmi. Prosječno<br />trajanje graviditeta u svim ispitanim grupama krava kretalo se u okvirima za datu vrstu i rasu, te je stoga trajanje<br />međutelidbenog intervala bilo primarno uslovljeno trajanjem servis perioda.<br />Rezultati ovog istraživanja ukazuju da postoji pozitivna veza između energetskog statusa krava, iskazanog kroz<br />vrijednosti odnosa mliječna mast : proteini, i reproduktivnih parametara, pri čemu prilikom tumačenja dobijenih<br />rezultata treba imati u vidu i niz dodatnih faktora, kao &scaron;to su rasa, visina dnevne proizvodnje mlijeka, sastav i<br />konzumacija obroka, ambijentalni uslovi i slično. Odabir grla na kojima je istraživanje sprovedeno uslovio je da se reproduktivni rezultati svih ispitanih grupa krava kreću u okvirima koji se u literaturi navode kao zadovoljavajući,<br />iako su njihove vrijednosti na nivou cijele farme značajno nepovoljnije. Rezultati ovog istraživanja ukazuju na<br />značajan potencijal primijenjene metode za rano otkrivanje grla sa predispozicijom za nastanak poremećaja<br />zdravlja i reprodukcije, te pravovremeno preduzimanje dijagnostičkih i terapijskih procedura sa ciljem da se<br />posljedice negativnog bilansa energije tokom perioda rane laktacije ublaže, i time omogući postizanje adekvatnih<br />reproduktivnih rezultata.</p>

Vital rates and movement patterns of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) have never been studied at the northern extent of their North American range in Manitoba, Canada. Using radio telemetry during 2011 and 2012, this study collected estimates of female spring/summer survival, reproductive success, dispersal, home range size, and habitat use. Females had a 53% survival probability, 82% nesting frequency, 29% nesting success, 35% hen success, 11.3 eggs/clutch, 89% hatching success, and a natality rate of 2.3. Winter weather and relatively high predator numbers appear to have caused annual variation in survival and hen success. Spring dispersal distances and home ranges averaged 8.2 km and 554.4 ha, respectively. Home ranges were selected in relation to forests, cattle feedlots, and grasslands; while within home ranges, individuals selected areas close to grasslands, forests, and intermittent streams. These results can be used when modeling current populations, managing harvest, and structuring future releases.