Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Feral animals'

This thesis examines whether juvenile feral pigeons, Columba livia, form sibling alliances when competing for access to a defensible food source. When tested as a flock at a non-depletable column feeder, with room for either one or two birds to feed, siblings associated with each other more often than expected by chance. Frequency of aggression between siblings at these feeders tended to be lower than expected on the basis of their association. Removal experiments showed that sibling presence had a positive effect on relative feeding success at the single column feeder: a juvenile who lost to another juvenile on a one-to-one basis tended, in the presence of its sibling, to lose less badly to, or even beat, that same juvenile. In contrast, presence of the winner's sibling tended not to affect the relative feeding success of competitors. These results support the hypothesis that pigeon siblings form aggressive alliances when competing for food that is defensible.

According to the material feminist corpus, namely Stacy Alaimo’s concept of trans-corporeality, material flows and interconnectivity between humans and their environment insists that the human body has never been atomistic, but rather a porous figure that continually interacts/intra-acts with its environment. The recent biotechnological boom allowing for the production of human-animal hybrids (chimeras) provides the kind of visualization of these interconnectivities that can help instigate a reconception of the human—as not human at all, but rather posthuman. This study looks at the presence of these human-animal hybrids in popular art media, specifically: the horror film, Splice (Dir. Natali 2009); the YA novel, Inhuman (Falls 2013); and the comic, Sweet Tooth (Lemire 2009-2013). This thesis argues that the human-animal hybrid figure exhibits utopian horror, or the use of horror to produce new, better, ways of conceptualizing human-animal relationships, ones that acknowledge our already posthuman plurality of self.

Introduced animals impact ecosystems due to predation, competition and disease transmission. The effect of introduced infectious disease on wildlife populations is particularly pronounced on islands where parasite populations are characterised by increased intensity, infra-community richness and prevalence (the “Island Syndrome”). This thesis studied parasite and bacterial pathogens of conservation and zoonotic importance in feral cats from two islands (Christmas Island, Dirk Hartog Island) and one mainland location (southwest Western Australia), and in black rats from Christmas Island. The general hypothesis tested was that Island Syndrome increases the risk of transmission of parasitic and bacterial diseases introduced/harboured by cats and rats to wildlife and human communities. To investigate the Island Syndrome, necropsies were performed on feral cats and black rats and the macro parasites identified were collected and quantified to ascertain parasite prevalence, infra-community richness and intensity. On Christmas Island, it was determined that 92% of feral cats and 84% of rats harboured helminth parasites with an infra-community richness of 0-6, and 0-7, species in cats and rats, respectively. A high intensity (number of individual parasites recovered per host) was observed for some parasite species. These findings demonstrated that three epidemiological characteristics (high prevalence, infra-community richness and intensity/abundance) conformed to the characteristics of the Island Syndrome. However, contrary to the Island Syndrome hypothesis, a high regional richness of parasites was observed on Christmas Island, with nine species of helminth recorded in cats and 10 species in rats). The parasite community characteristic observations were repeated on Dirk Hartog Island, which also exhibited the same three characteristics of Island Syndrome (high prevalence, infra-community richness and intensity/abundance), but where no difference in regional richness was observed compared with the mainland environment. Specifically, the overall prevalence was significantly higher (p≤0.01) on Dirk Hartog Island (100%) compared to southwest WA (79.6%), as was mean infra-community richness (p≤0.001) (3.61±1.41 on Dirk Hartog Island and 1.57±1.29 from southwest WA). For those parasite species occurring on Dirk Hartog Island and in southwest WA, the prevalence and abundance was found to be significantly higher on Dirk Hartog Island than the southwest WA (p≤0.019 and p≤0.003, respectively). These findings suggest that not all facets proposed by the Island Syndrome hypothesis apply to all island environments, particularly for parasite communities harboured by invasive species. Parasites of both zoonotic and conservation significance were detected in the cats and rats from both islands and from mainland Western Australia. Pathogenic bacteria of public health importance were identified; two species of Bartonella in rats (Bartonella phoceensis and an unidentified Bartonella species) on Christmas Island, two species Bartonella in cats (B. henselae and B. koehlerae) from southwest Western Australia, and Leptospira interrogans from both cats and rats on Christmas Island. The presence of Trypanosoma in cats and rats (from all three locations) and Leishmania (Christmas Island only) were investigated, with neither of these vector-borne protozoans identified at any of the locations. In summary, this thesis presents new data pertaining to parasite community structures in two invasive mammalian pest species of global importance following their introduction to islands, and the potential relationship between their parasite community structures and parasite biology, prevailing physiographic factors and faunal biology. The observations suggest that cats and rats are important in contributing to and maintaining artificially elevated parasite species’ richness within both insular and mainland environments. The findings also highlight potential threats that invasive animals pose with respect to disease transmission to susceptible ecological communities, in particular insular ecosystems, as reservoir hosts for parasitic and bacterial organisms.

In this thesis I examine the population ecology of wild horses (Equus caballus) in the Australian Alps. Wild horses were first introduced into the Alps over 150 years ago. Paradoxically, they are a feral animal impacting on the environment, but are also a cultural icon. Managing wild horse populations is contentious and needs to be founded on knowledge of their population ecology. This is the first study of its kind in the Australian Alps and therefore has a broad focus. Four general areas were addressed: distribution, estimation of abundance and density, population dynamics and the influence of brumby-running. The study was conducted between 1999 and 2002 inclusive in the Australian Alps national parks, which form a contiguous protected area in south-eastern Australia from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the north, through New South Wales (NSW) and into Victoria in the south. The current distribution of wild horses in the Australian Alps national parks is patchy. There are five major discrete populations in NSW and Victoria with the northern most population in Kosciuszko National Park (NSW) bordering on the ACT. A review of published material and oral history reveals historic influences on distribution. The presence of each population is associated with introductions by people. The distribution of some populations expanded after introductions and many have fluctuated over time. Distributions have been contained or reduced through control by people, natural events such as snow and drought and by geographical barriers. Park managers eliminated a population of wild horses in the ACT in the 1980s. Distributions have expanded in areas without active management (notably northern Kosciuszko National Park) and are likely to continue expanding under a policy of no management. In February and March 2001, abundance and density of wild horses were estimated by helicopter aerial survey in areas where the mapping showed horses to occur. This was the first time that these parameters have been estimated empirically. I compared three different aerial survey techniques (strip, mark-recapture and line transect) based on relative accuracy and precision and found that line transect analysis gave the highest, most precise estimate. Given that aerial surveys usually underestimate abundance, this method was also likely to be the most accurate. Mark-recapture over a 50m wide strip gave a similar result but lacked precision. Strip and mark-recapture techniques performed poorly over 200m strips because animals were missed. Numbers observed dropped off dramatically beyond the 50m strip. Line transect analysis (for both observers combined) gave an estimate of 5010 (+/- 1408SE) horses while mark recapture over 50 metres gave an estimate of 4915 (+/-2733SE). These estimates correspond to a density of 1.8 horses km-2 over the area surveyed (2789km2). The results suggest that aerial surveys of large mammals using a wide strip width (200m) and mark recapture analysis may seriously underestimate population density. The population dynamics and demography of wild horses were estimated at three sites, Big Boggy, Cowombat and Currango, every spring and autumn over 3 years. The sites were spread widely across the Alps with the aim of obtaining a broad understanding of population dynamics. The survey used Pollock�s robust design and natural markings were used to identify individuals. There was a seasonal spring peak in population size at Big Boggy with no clear seasonal trend at the other two sites. Mean wild horse densities determined at Big Boggy (2.01km-2) and Currango (2.13km-2) were not significantly (p<0.5) different to the density calculated in the aerial survey, whereas density was significantly higher at Cowombat (6.4 km-2). Census techniques were of limited use in estimating annual population growth rate because of low precision. Demographic analysis showed that none of the populations were increasing at the maximum intrinsic rate (l = 1.2), and the Big Boggy and Cowombat populations may be stable (l = 1.0/yr). There was an apparent trend of food limitation across the sites. Body condition was positively related (p<0.01) to pasture biomass. The Currango population was increasing (l = 0.09) associated with higher recruitment, body condition and pasture biomass than in the other two populations studied. The Cowombat population had the lowest annual finite rate of increase (l = 1.03), and horses at this site were in the poorest condition and pasture biomass was lowest. The Big Boggy population was intermediate between the two. Annual adult survival was constant in all populations at 0.91. Survival in the first three years of life was more variable with the average at each site ranging from 0.63/yr to 0.76/yr. An average of 0.26 female foals was born per adult female per year. Sensitivity analysis showed that population growth rate is most sensitive to changes in adult survival, followed by fecundity and then survival in the first three years of life. The dynamics observed at each site was representative of the demography of wild horses in other parts of the world and is typical for large mammalian herbivores. Brumby-running is a form of harvesting that is currently being used to control wild horses in the Alpine National Park (Victoria) and is soon to be trialled in Kosciuszko National Park (NSW). The effectiveness of brumby-running has not been assessed prior to this study. Data collected by the Alpine Brumby Management Association and predictive modelling were used to examine the influence of brumby-running on the wild horse population in Alpine National Park. Brumby-runners remove about 200 horses per year with a preference for young animals and adult females. More horses are caught in autumn (61/yr) and least in summer (30/yr) (p<0.05). Brumby-runners do not appear (p>0.05) to target horses in poor condition. One skilled brumby-runner caught an average of 1.16 horses/day, while his companions caught an average of 0.55 horses/day. Brumby-runners show behaviour analogous to social carnivores. Predictive modelling suggests that brumby-runners could suppress the population of wild horses in Alpine National Park similar to the effects of predators, or human harvesting of other large mammals. Selecting young animals in the harvest reduces the impact of harvesting on the population compared to unselective harvesting, while selecting adult females increases the predicted impact. There are several management recommendations based on the findings of this thesis that address concerns for both environmental impact and the cultural value of wild horses. The distribution of wild horses should not be allowed to expand further, and the size of the wild horse population should be prevented from increasing further. Other management recommendations that are more complex involve reducing some populations so that the level of environmental impact they are causing is acceptable. This requires a definition of �acceptable impact.� Finally managers should consider eradicating smaller populations.

This essay applies human-animal studies in relation to the Swedish author Kerstin Ekman's books Guds barmhärtighet (1999), Sista Rompan (2002) and Skraplotter (2003) together called Vargskinnstrilogin. Kerstin Ekman's authorship is characterized by a coexistence between human, nature and animals where the stories entangle them into a dense complexity. As a reader, one is constantly reminded of this coexistence through Ekman's narrative approach as her stories contain many contact zones between humans and animals, which creates space for problematizing this entangled coexist from a posthumanistic perspective. The animals in the stories are at different distances to the human being based on their characteristics of being regarded as wild, domesticated or ferral. Based on these three categories, the wolf as a representative of the wild animals is analyzed in a theoretical context focusing on the function of different power structures within the anthropocentric paradigm. Ferral conditions are analyzed on the basis of, among other things, Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari's theories of animal-becomings, escape lines and rhizom where the dog mainly exists when it is embodied in close interaction with humans in Ekman's stories. The domesticated animals are analyzed on the basis of the tension between rural and urban, where the progress of the civil society are rapidly changing during the 20th century which creates changed relations between people and agricultural animals.

Los animales han tenido siempre una gran repercusión en la Historia del ser humano. Durante el Paleolítico eran cazados como fuente de alimento para complementar una dieta pobre en proteínas. Más tarde, la domesticación de algunas especies fue uno de los principales motores de la revolución neolítica, convirtiéndolos en un recurso económico de gran importancia. Además de la carne y las pieles, se empezaron a explotar otros productos secundarios como la leche o la lana, y algunos animales fueron empleados como fuerza de trabajo agrícola y medio de transporte terrestre. Pese a estos cambios trascendentales, los animales salvajes siguieron teniendo una importante presencia en la sociedad. Los depredadores eran una amenaza constante para las personas y sus rebaños, mientras que los herbívoros seguían siendo cazados por necesidad o por entretenimiento. El caso de Mesopotamia no es distinto. A lo largo de toda su historia encontramos multitud de referencias a los animales salvajes tanto en las fuentes escritas como en las representaciones figurativas, demostrando que su importancia, al menos simbólica, era parecida a la de los animales domésticos. Incluso algunos de ellos tuvieron cierta trascendencia en actividades económicas. En este contexto, la presente tesis analiza la presencia de fauna salvaje en la Mesopotamia del tercer milenio a. C. y su relación con la sociedad de la época, centrándose en el caso concreto de los grandes mamíferos. Para ello, se propone un enfoque multidisciplinar que incluye el estudio de los restos faunísticos, las representaciones figurativas y las fuentes escritas (lexicográficas, literarias y administrativas), con el objetivo de tener una visión lo más completa posible sobre la situación concreta de cada una de estas especies en el periodo estudiado.
Animals have always had quite a large repercussion on humans’ history. In the Paleolithic, they were hunted as feeding source to complement a low-protein diet. Later on, the domestication of some species facilitated the Neolithic revolution as animals became an important economic resource. Apart from consuming their meat and using their furs, other secondary products such as milk and wool started to being exploited. Some others were used as working animals in agriculture and for terrestrial transportation. Even though all these transcendental changes, wild animals still had an important presence in society. Predators were a constant threat for people and herds, while herbivores were hunted because of necessity or as entertainment. Mesopotamian case was not different. Throughout all its history, numerous references to wild animals in textual sources as well as figurative representations can be found, what demonstrates that their importance was similar to the domestic animals’, at least in a symbolic way. Some of these wild animals even had a certain transcendence in economic activities. In this context, the aim of this dissertation is to analyse the presence of wild fauna in Mesopotamia during the third millennium BC and its relationship with the society of the period, focusing on the specific case of big mammals. To achieve such a goal, an interdisciplinary approach is proposed, which includes the study of faunal remains, figurative representations and written sources (lexical, literary and administrative) to provide a general picture of the status of the animal world in the third millennium BC.

Predation by exotic predators (cats Felis catus and foxes Vulpes vulpes) is believed to be one of the factors that has contributed to the decline of medium-sized mammals in arid Australia. Other factors include habitat degradation by introduced herbivores (rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and grazing stock) and altered fire regimes after Aboriginal people moved into permanent settlements. In general, the impact of exotic predators on arid zone mammals is believed to be significant only when predator numbers have been elevated by increased food availability from exotic prey species (rabbits, house-mice Mus domesticus, cattle carcasses) or when native prey populations have already been dramatically reduced by competition from introduced herbivores. In much of the spinifex grasslands of the central Australian deserts, pastoralism never occurred, rabbit colonisation was extremely patchy and in some areas, traditional burning was still being practised when the extinctions commenced. None of the current models of mammalian extinctions adequately explain the declines in this environment. In this study I examined predator-prey interactions in two areas of the Tanami Desert to investigate whether predation by exotic predators may be a primary agent of extinction in its own right, capable of causing mass declines even in the absence of other human-induced perturbations. If this were the case then the following would be expected: (i) cats and foxes would eat medium-sized mammals when they are available, but be able to survive on alternative prey when mammals are scarce; (ii) populations of cats and foxes would be buffered against the declines of mammals during droughts, or would be able to recover more quickly than medium-sized mammals after droughts; (iii) medium-sized mammals would be more vulnerable to predation by cats and foxes than by dingoes Canis lupus dingo and other native predators, and (iv) there would be a correlation between the timings of the extinctions and the colonisation (or sudden increase) of cats and foxes. These predictions were investigated by monitoring the diets and relative abundance of cats, foxes and dingoes in relation to fluctuating prey availability in two areas of the Tanami Desert at latitudes separated by approximately 400 km. Mean annual rainfall is higher and more reliable in the northern study area which was situated in the centre of bilby Macrotis lagotis distribution within the Northern Territory, whereas the southern study area was located on the southern edge of the bilby�s range. Within each study area, monitoring occurred at three sites, approximately 20 km apart. Each site contained a sub-plot in each of two habitat types. Field work was conducted between September 1995 and December 1997. When the study began, the southern study area was experiencing drought conditions, however both study areas received significant rainfall in early 1997. The population dynamics of a variety of potential prey groups were monitored to examine their resilience during droughts, patterns of recolonisation after rainfall, and use of two habitat types: the ubiquitous sandplain, and the moister, nutrient enriched palaeodrainage habitat which is believed to have provided a refuge for medium-sized mammals during droughts. Native mammals were uncommon throughout the study period. Bilbies and macropods were significantly more abundant in the northern study area, and tended to occur more frequently in palaeodrainage habitat than sandplain. However, the palaeodrainage habitat did not appear to provide adequate refuge for the medium and large mammals during drought conditions in the southern study area, as they disappeared from the study sites altogether. Small mammals were significantly more abundant in the southern study area but densities remained low (less than 2% trap success) throughout the study, and showed little response to improved seasonal conditions. In contrast, the abundance and species richness of birds showed a marked increase following rainfall in the southern study area. Flocks of nomadic birds arrived within several months of drought-breaking rains, increasing the relative abundance of birds from 9.3 per km of transect in December 1996 to 49/km in July 1997. Reptiles were the most resilient prey group during the drought conditions. Both varanids and smaller reptiles were equally abundant in the wet and dry years and showed no difference in abundance between study areas. However, reptiles showed marked temperature-related patterns in activity, with many species becoming inactive in the winter months. A total of 142 cat scats, 126 fox scats and 75 dingo scats were analysed to investigate predator diets in the two study areas. Unlike cat, fox and dingo diets elsewhere in Australia (and the world), mammalian prey did not dominate. Reptile was the prey category that was most frequently consumed by cats and foxes in �summer� (October-April) and by dingoes throughout the year, and was identified as a �seasonal staple� prey type for all three predators in the Tanami Desert. When biomass of prey was taken into account, the varanids (predominantly the sand goanna Varanus gouldii) were the most important prey sustaining predators in the two study areas. Birds were an important part of the diets of cats and foxes in winter when reptiles were less active. Small mammals were consumed by cats and foxes throughout the study, in proportion to their field abundances. Invertebrates were a major component of the diets of foxes, representing 31% of prey items consumed. There was considerable overlap in the diets of the three predator species, but dingoes ate more medium (100-999 g) and large (greater than 1000 g) prey than cats and foxes did. The scarcity of medium-sized mammals in the study areas provided little opportunity to find evidence of predation events on such prey. However, bilby remains were found in two cat scats and one dingo scat in the northern study area, mulgara Dasycercus cristicauda remains occurred in several cat and fox scats from the southern study area, and there were fourteen occurrences of marsupial mole Notoryctes typhlops in predator scats during the study, primarily in fox scats. Elsewhere in Australia, there is ample evidence that cats and foxes regularly consume medium-sized mammalian prey (e.g. rabbits and ringtail possums Pseudocheirus peregrinus) when it is available. Overall cats were the most abundant eutherian predators in the two study areas, and they were significantly more abundant in the northern study area than the southern study area. Surveys revealed that cats can persist into droughts by feeding on reptilian prey. When the study commenced, cats occurred on five of the six sub-plots in the southern study area, despite six consecutive years of below-average rainfall. However, by the end of the first year, they could only be detected on one sub-plot. Recolonisation of the sites rapidly occurred after significant rainfall (260 mm in 2 months), when nomadic birds colonised the sites and provided a plentiful food source. Foxes also declined to very low densities during drought in the southern study area, but they had recolonised all sites by the winter of 1997. This coincided with the increase in abundance of birds, which became their most frequently consumed prey item. Overall, foxes were equally abundant in the two study areas, but statistical analyses revealed a significant interaction between latitude and habitat because in the southern study area foxes tended to utilise the palaeodrainage habitat more than the sandplain, whereas in the northern study area the majority of fox sign was detected in the sandplain habitat. This may have been due to the abundance of dingoes in the palaeodrainage habitat in the northern study area. Dingoes were significantly more abundant in the northern study area than the southern, where they were usually only present at one of the three sites. The northern study area had higher densities of macropods (supplementary prey for dingoes) and more reliable access to drinking water, which persisted in the palaeodrainage channels for up to 6 months after significant rain events. Dingo numbers were relatively stable throughout the study and did not increase in response to improved seasonal conditions in the southern study area in 1997. This study revealed that the distribution of foxes extends further north into the Tanami Desert than has previously been reported, and is not necessarily tied to the distribution of rabbits in the Northern Territory. Furthermore, discussion with Aboriginal people who lived a traditional lifestyle in the area until the 1940s, revealed that foxes were already present in the northern Tanami desert at that time, before the disappearance of many medium-sized mammal species. The patterns of medium-sized mammalian extinctions in the northern and western deserts between 1940 and 1960 is thus consistent with the colonisation of the fox. Although cats had been present in central Australia for at least 50 years before the mammalian declines occurred, this does not discount them from contributing to the extinction process. It is postulated that during the early decades of their colonisation of the arid interior, cat populations may have been maintained at low levels by predation from dingoes and also Aboriginal people (for whom cats were a favoured food). But between 1920 and 1960 the western deserts were depopulated of Aboriginal people, and human hunting of cats diminished. This coincided with the introduction of the dingo bounty scheme, which encouraged many Aboriginal people to continue making regular excursions into the deserts to collect dingo scalps. In this study, cat remains occurred in 9% of dingo scats, suggesting that dingoes may be an important predator of cats. Thus, there may have been an increase in the cat population between 1930 and 1960, producing a more significant impact on native mammal populations than had previously occurred. Information collected during this study was used to construct a new model of mammalian extinctions in the spinifex grasslands of central Australia that promotes predation by cats and foxes as the primary agent of extinction. The model proposes that cats and foxes will eat medium-sized mammals when they are available, but are capable of subsisting on naturally occurring alternative prey when mammals are scarce. Thus, cats and foxes can persist into drought periods by feeding on reptilian prey, which remains an abundant resource regardless of rainfall (at least during the warmer months). Predator populations eventually decline after a series of dry winters. When the drought breaks, the rapid response of nomadic birds provides a readily available food source for cats and foxes as they recolonise areas and commence breeding. Predation by cats and foxes thereby has the potential to exacerbate the declines of native prey populations during droughts and delay their recovery when seasonal conditions improve. In this way, introduced predators are capable of causing local extinctions of medium-sized mammals when populations contract during drought periods, even in the absence of introduced herbivores and altered fire regimes. Although dingoes also prey upon medium-sized mammals, dingoes did not cause extinctions of medium-sized mammals in the spinifex grasslands because (i) they are more reliant on drinking water than foxes and cats, thus waterless areas would have provided some degree of predation refugia, and (ii) their social structure and territoriality prevent high densities accumulating, even when resources are abundant. If further extinctions of medium-sized mammals (such as the bilby) are to be prevented, it may be necessary for wildlife managers to establish a series of predation refugia where fox and cat populations can be controlled without extinguishing local dingo populations. This could be achieved with a combination of predator-proof enclosures, zones in which foxes are killed through poison baiting and areas where Aboriginal people are employed to utilise traditional hunting methods to control introduced predators.

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The Vikings, people who inhabited the Medieval Scandinavia, before the adoption of Christianity as the official religion in the eleventh century, had a very rich set of beliefs, rites and myths that were partially preserved by oral culture, manuscripts and archaeological remains and has been studied by researchers from all over the world. This dissertation makes an investigation of religious symbolisms attributed to animals in stone monuments erected during the Viking Age, and for that we use, as a study center object, the iconography present in the Scandinavian steles, making a dialogue between these imagistic representations and literary sources of Norse mythology, as well as many other sources of Old Norse Religion. Thus so, besides highlighting the peculiarities, inquiries and religious characteristics related to the main animals present in the Nordic religion, this work provides an overview of the current concept of religion of the Vikings and their most important aspects in a systematizing approach, because no one element of this fascinating religiosity of the north can be understood disassociated from the rest.
Os vikings, populações que habitavam a Escandinávia Medieval, antes da adoção do cristianismo como religião oficial no século XI, possuíam um riquíssimo conjunto de crenças, ritos e mitos que foram parcialmente preservados pela cultura oral, por manuscritos e por vestígios arqueológicos e que vem sendo estudado por pesquisadores de todo o mundo. A presente dissertação realiza uma investigação dos simbolismos religiosos atribuídos aos animais em monumentos de pedra erguidos durante a Era Viking, e para tanto, utilizamos como objeto central de estudo a iconografia presente nas estelas escandinavas, fazendo um diálogo entre estas representações imagéticas e as fontes literárias da mitologia nórdica, bem como com diversas outras fontes da Religiosidade Nórdica Pré-Cristã. Desta maneira, além de evidenciar as peculiaridades, indagações e características religiosas relacionadas aos principais animais presentes na religiosidade nórdica, este trabalho fornece um panorama geral da atual conceituação da religiosidade dos vikings e seus aspectos mais relevantes em uma abordagem sistematizadora, pois nenhum elemento da fascinante religiosidade deste povo pode ser entendido desassociado dos demais.

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Alguns fatores relacionados a produção de leite, como ambiente e manejo, podem alterar o bem estar dos animais provocando estresse e trazendo prejuízos a produção. Daí a importância do estudo do comportamento animal, sua relação com o aumento do cortisol e seus efeitos na produção leiteira. Dez vacas Girolanda e seus bezerros foram avaliados durante as primeiras catorze semanas de lactação. Foram feitas análises comportamentais e colheita de fezes semanais para determinação do nível de cortisol das vacas e dos bezerros. As observações e medidas dos comportamentos foram realizadas após o parto, durante 3 dias por semana, nas 14 primeiras semanas de lactação. Foram analisadas as posições e comportamentos alimentares e maternos das vacas e o comportamento filial dos bezerros. Os valores de cortisol nas fezes para os bezerros foram de 17,87 ng/g de fezes para o parto e 12,51 ng/g de fezes nas semanas após o parto. Os valores de cortisol nas fezes para as vacas foram de 11,71 ng/g de fezes para o parto e 7,59 ng/g de fezes nas semanas após o parto. Para bezerros foi verificada associação entre o cortisol e alguns dos comportamentos, com valores de correlação baixos (r² < 0,30) entre cortisol e Levanta-se, Anda, e Mama' e valores médios de correlação (r² < 0,30 e r² < 0,70) entre o cortisol e Deitado, Procura pelos tetos e 'Tenta mamar. Para vacas também foi verificada associação entre o cortisol mensurado nas fezes e alguns comportamentos maternos. Neste caso, foram encontrados valores de correlação baixos (r ²< 0,30) entre o cortisol e Facilita a mamada e valores médios de correlação (r² < 0,30 e r² < 0,70) entre o cortisol e Lambe a cria, Estimula a cria a mamar, Deixa mamar, Anda ou movimenta-se e Afasta-se da cria. As analises de regressão demonstraram que foi possível descrever equações preditorias que fornecem informações importantes sobre a relação cortisol e ...
Some factors related to milk production, such as environment management can alter the welfare of animals causing stress and damages to production. Hence, the importance of the study of animal behavior, its relation with increased cortisol and its effects on milk production. Ten girolando cows and their calves were evaluated during the first fourteen weeks of lactation. Behavioral analysis and collection of feces occured weekly stool to determine the level of cortisol in cows and calves. The observations and measurements of the behaviors were performed after delivery, for 3 days a week, in the first 14 weeks of lactation. Positions and eating behaviors and maternal cows and filial behavior of calves were analyzed. The levels of cortisol in the feces for calves were 17.87 ng / g feces in parturition and 12.51 ng / g of feces in the weeks after birth. The cortisol levels in stools for cows were 11.71 ng / g feces in parturition and 7.59 ng / g of feces in the weeks after birth. For calves, was association between cortisol and some of the behaviors with low correlation values (r ² <0.30) between cortisol and Rises, Come, and Nurse and average correlation (r ² <0 , 30 and r² <0.70) between cortisol and Lick, Search by ceilings and Tries to feed herself. For cows also was association between cortisol measured in stool and some maternal behaviors. In this case, low values of correlation (r ² <0.30) were found between cortisol and facilitates breastfeeding and average correlation (r ² <0.30 and r ² <0.70) between cortisol and Lick the calf, stimulates suckling , Lets calf , Walk or moving and Deviate creates the . The regression analysis showed that it was possible to describe preditorias equations that provide important information about the relationship cortisol and behavior of calves. Correlations in Lying dow, ises, Standing, searsh and Tries to feed herself were checked. For cows is possible to observe ...

Orientador: João Albert Negrão
Banca: Mauro Dal Secco de Oliveira
Banca: Andrea Roberto Bueno Ribeiro
Resumo: Alguns fatores relacionados a produção de leite, como ambiente e manejo, podem alterar o bem estar dos animais provocando estresse e trazendo prejuízos a produção. Daí a importância do estudo do comportamento animal, sua relação com o aumento do cortisol e seus efeitos na produção leiteira. Dez vacas Girolanda e seus bezerros foram avaliados durante as primeiras catorze semanas de lactação. Foram feitas análises comportamentais e colheita de fezes semanais para determinação do nível de cortisol das vacas e dos bezerros. As observações e medidas dos comportamentos foram realizadas após o parto, durante 3 dias por semana, nas 14 primeiras semanas de lactação. Foram analisadas as posições e comportamentos alimentares e maternos das vacas e o comportamento filial dos bezerros. Os valores de cortisol nas fezes para os bezerros foram de 17,87 ng/g de fezes para o parto e 12,51 ng/g de fezes nas semanas após o parto. Os valores de cortisol nas fezes para as vacas foram de 11,71 ng/g de fezes para o parto e 7,59 ng/g de fezes nas semanas após o parto. Para bezerros foi verificada associação entre o cortisol e alguns dos comportamentos, com valores de correlação baixos (r² < 0,30) entre cortisol e "Levanta-se", "Anda", e "Mama' e valores médios de correlação (r² < 0,30 e r² < 0,70) entre o cortisol e "Deitado", "Procura pelos tetos" e 'Tenta mamar". Para vacas também foi verificada associação entre o cortisol mensurado nas fezes e alguns comportamentos maternos. Neste caso, foram encontrados valores de correlação baixos (r ²< 0,30) entre o cortisol e "Facilita a mamada" e valores médios de correlação (r² < 0,30 e r² < 0,70) entre o cortisol e "Lambe a cria", "Estimula a cria a mamar", "Deixa mamar", "Anda ou movimenta-se" e "Afasta-se da cria". As analises de regressão demonstraram que foi possível descrever equações preditorias que fornecem informações importantes sobre a relação cortisol e ...
Abstract: Some factors related to milk production, such as environment management can alter the welfare of animals causing stress and damages to production. Hence, the importance of the study of animal behavior, its relation with increased cortisol and its effects on milk production. Ten girolando cows and their calves were evaluated during the first fourteen weeks of lactation. Behavioral analysis and collection of feces occured weekly stool to determine the level of cortisol in cows and calves. The observations and measurements of the behaviors were performed after delivery, for 3 days a week, in the first 14 weeks of lactation. Positions and eating behaviors and maternal cows and filial behavior of calves were analyzed. The levels of cortisol in the feces for calves were 17.87 ng / g feces in parturition and 12.51 ng / g of feces in the weeks after birth. The cortisol levels in stools for cows were 11.71 ng / g feces in parturition and 7.59 ng / g of feces in the weeks after birth. For calves, was association between cortisol and some of the behaviors with low correlation values (r ² <0.30) between cortisol and "Rises", "Come", and "Nurse" and average correlation (r ² <0 , 30 and r² <0.70) between cortisol and "Lick", "Search by ceilings" and "Tries to feed herself". For cows also was association between cortisol measured in stool and some maternal behaviors. In this case, low values of correlation (r ² <0.30) were found between cortisol and "facilitates breastfeeding" and average correlation (r ² <0.30 and r ² <0.70) between cortisol and "Lick the calf"," stimulates suckling "," Lets calf "," Walk or moving "and" Deviate creates the ". The regression analysis showed that it was possible to describe preditorias equations that provide important information about the relationship cortisol and behavior of calves. Correlations in Lying dow, "ises", "Standing", "searsh" and "Tries to feed herself" were checked. For cows is possible to observe ...
Mestre

Sociologists have described the characteristics of individuals who become involved in social movements, their motivations for becoming involved, and the methods used to recruit participants. One group that has been underrepresented in the existing literature is feral cat caretakers. The purpose of this study is to examine the traits of this group, information which would be valuable to groups dedicated to educating the public about the plight of feral cats, groups which offer information and resources to caretakers, individuals wishing to network with other feral cat caretakers, and policy makers in need of knowing what options exist to deal with feral cats. A small sample of fifteen participants was interviewed either face-to-face or by email. Questions were open-ended to facilitate individual discussion and expression. The sample was drawn from personal acquaintances, recruitment letters posted in spay/neuter clinics, email blasts to members of feral cat networks, and referrals from participants. Results demonstrated that while the demographics of the participants were similar to others involved in social movements, there were some differences in their recruitment methods and involvement in organized groups. Feral cat caretakers demonstrated a very strong sense of personal efficacy and self motivation.

Orientador: Marcus Alexandre Finzi Corat
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Resumo: A anemia falciforme é uma doença hereditária que acomete milhões de pessoas Promove destruição crônica das células vermelhas (eritrócitos) do sangue, causando anemia, vaso-oclusão, isquemia e consequentes sintomas deintensa dor, susceptibilidade à infecções e, em alguns casos, a morte precoce. Nas últimas décadas, estudos têm mostrado que o aumento dos níveis de hemoglobina fetal (HbF) inibe o processo de falcização das Hemácias melhorando os sintomas de pacientes com anemia falciforme. Neste estudo, produzimos um modelo animal humanizado com traço falciforme e expressão concomitante de HbF persistente, associando as características genéticas dos camundongos transgênicos B-HPFH195 e Berk-SCM . O primeiro é animal transgênico com persistência de hemoglobina fetal, onde aprodução de HbF continua após o nascimento. A segunda linhagem corresponde ao modelo para doença falciforme, Hbatm1Paz Hbbtm1Tow Tg (HBA - HBBS ) 41Paz / J ( Berk - SCM) e mimetiza a doença humana em sua forma mais grave. Nestes animais a reprodução está comprometida, as fêmeas não levam a gestação ao termino e a maioria dos neonatos morrem horas depois do nascimento. Isto ocorre principalmente devido ao fato de que a (HbF) presente no transgene humano destes animais ser trocada pela HbS enquanto o feto ainda esta em gestação. O novo modelo desenvolvido foi analisado clinicamente e histologicamente para a caracterização e apresentou em sua constituição sanguínea hemoglobinas totalmente humanizadas com cadeias ?, ?s e ? persistente porém, ainda mantendo alterações histopatológicas semelhantes aos modelos da doença falciforme. Este novo animal representa um modelo potencial para uso em testes de drogas no aumento de HbF onde os resultados podem ser relevantes para o estudo e tratamento de hemoglobinopatias, bem como para compreender o comportamento das mutações hereditárias para a expressão persistente da cadeia de globina Y
Abstract: Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disease that affects millions of people promotes chronic destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes), causing anemia, vascular occlusion, ischemia, pain, and susceptibility to infections and in some instances, death premature. In recent decades, studies have shown that increased HbF levels play an important role in improving the symptoms of patients with sickle cell anemia. In this study, we produced and characterized a humanized animal model with sickle cell trait and concomitant expression of persistent HbF, using the genetic characteristics of transgenic mice B - HPFH195 with Berk¿SCM. This model is a transgenic mice model with hereditary persistence of HbF. The second strain constitutes a mouse with sickle cell disease, Hbatm1Paz Hbbtm1Tow Tg ( HBA - HBBs ) 41Paz /J ( Berk - SCM ), an animal model used to study SCD with human hemoglobin S ( HbS ) in its blood. The Berkeley mouse mimics the human disease in severe form, which compromises in its, females do not lead to pregnancy termination and most newborns die hours after birth. This occurs mainly due to the fact that fetal hemoglobin (HbF), present in the human transgene of these animals,is exchanged to HbS while the fetus still in gestation. The new model produced was analyzed clinically and histologically for proper characterization and presents in its constitution humanized blood, hemoglobin chains with ?, ? ?s and persistent, but still maintains histopathological changes similar to models of sickle cell disease. This model may be a potential model for use in drug in testing increase HbF. And results may be relevant for the study and treatment of hemoglobinopathies as well as for understanding the behavior of hereditary mutations for the persistent expression of the Y globin chain
Mestrado
Clinica Medica
Mestra em Clínica Médica

O número de animais terminados em sistema de confinamento cresce rapidamente no Brasil, concomitante com aumento no teor de amido das dietas utilizadas. A expansão da agricultura e custos mais baixos por unidade de energia digestível proveniente do grão em relação aos volumosos deve acelerar este processo. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: a) avaliar as perdas de amido em confinamentos comerciais; b) calibrar a metodologia de NIRS para estimativa do teor de amido fecal; c) estudar as relações entre parâmetros fecais (% de amido, MS e pH) com desempenho e eficiência de bovinos Nelore e cruzados recebendo dietas de médio/alto concentrado; d) avaliar o efeito do horário de coleta e da raça dos animais no teor de amido fecal. Foram avaliados os teores de amido fecal de animais de experimentos controlados e de confinamentos comerciais. Resultados de 2.003 amostras para teor de amido fecal foram analisados. Foi observada diferença no teor de amido fecal em função do horário de coleta tanto em experimento quanto em confinamentos comerciais (P < 0,01). Os teores de amido fecal em animais 100% Nelores foram maiores em comparação com o de animais cruzados (P < 0,01). Há necessidade de padronização do horário da coleta e grupo genético para utilizar o teor de amido nas fezes como indicador do uso de amido. Para os dados de experimentos controlados houve efeito de experimento (P < 0,0001), sexo (P = 0,006) e grupo genético (P = 0,0466), sendo maior o teor de amido fecal para machos e animais Nelore, quando comparados com fêmeas e cruzados. A correlação com amido nas fezes foi baixa (r < 0,20) para as variáveis peso médio metabólico (kg0,75), consumo de matéria seca (kg/dia) e eficiência alimentar (kg/kg). Não houve correlação entre teor de amido fecal e consumo alimentar residual (CAR) para novilhas e touros Nelore, demonstrando que talvez o amido nas fezes não seja um boa ferramenta para selecionar os animais mais eficientes em dietas de baixo teor de amido. A correlação entre o teor de amido fecal com pH fecal para animais em confinamentos comerciais apresentou correlação negativa de r = -0,57 e -0,51 quando a fonte de amido foi milho e sorgo, respectivamente. Foi detectada diferença (P =0,0006) no teor de pH fecal em função da fonte de amido da dieta (milho ou sorgo), 6,55 para o milho e 6,04 para o sorgo, sugerindo um menor aproveitamento do amido para os grãos de sorgo, embora o teor de amido fecal para as diferentes fontes avaliadas não tenha sido diferente (P = 0,29). Já para a %MS fecal, houve efeito de fonte de amido (P = 0,06), sendo os teores para milho menores (20,5%) em relação ao sorgo (23,1%). As 1.985 análises de amido nas fezes tanto dos experimentos quanto dos confinamentos comerciais permitiram a obtenção e validação de uma equação de calibração do NIRS para teor de amido fecal. Uma parte dos dados coletados foram utilizados na calibração e outra parte na validação independente da equação. Foram feitas equações para três diferentes conjuntos de amostras: a) todas independente da fonte de amido; b) amostras contendo o milho como principal fonte de amido; c) amostras contendo o sorgo como principal fonte de amido. Todas as equações apresentaram boa habilidade preditiva (R2 > 0,92), alta acurácia (erros sistemático inferior a 2% do teor de amido fecal) sendo que uma única equação pode ser utilizada para estimar o teor de amido fecal independente da fonte de amido da dieta.
The number of animals finished in the feedlot system is rapidly growing in Brazil. At the same time there is an increase in the starch content of the diets. The expansion of grain production and lower costs of digestible energy from grain compared to roughages should accelerate this process. The objectives of this work were: a) evaluate starch losses in commercial feedlots; b) develop the NIRS methodology for fecal starch content; c) study the relationships between fecal parameters (%starch, dry matter and pH) with performance efficiency of Nellore and crossbreed cattle receiving diets of medium/high concentrate; d) evaluate the effect of time at fecal sample collection and animal breed on fecal starch content. The fecal starch content was determined on 2,003 samples. Fecal starch content was affected by time of fecal sample collection both in the controlled experiment and in commercial feedlots (P < 0.01). There was higher fecal starch content in animals 100% zebu compared to B. taurus crossbreds (P < 0.01). There is a need to standardize the time of collection and genetic group to use fecal starch as a management tool. There was an effect of experiment (P < 0.0001), sex (P = 0.006) and genetic group (P = 0.0466), with higher fecal starch content found for males, Nellore, when compared to females and crossbreds. The correlations between fecal starch and metabolic mid weight (kg0.75), dry matter intake (kg/day) and feed efficiency (kg/kg) were low (r < 0.20). There was no correlation between fecal starch content and residual feed intake for Nellore heifers or bulls, suggesting starch content is not a good tool to determine efficient animals fed medium concentrate diets. The correlation between the level of fecal starch and fecal pH for animals in commercial feedlots showed a negative correlation of r = -0.57 and -0.51 when corn and sorghum were the sources of starch. Fecal pH was different (P = 0.0006) depending on the source of the dietary starch, 6.55 and 6.04 for corn and sorghum respectively, suggesting lower efficiency of starch use with sorghum. However there was no difference in fecal starch percentage for the two starch sources evaluated (P = 0.29). For the fecal DM, there was an effect of source of starch (P = 0.06), lower for corn (20.5%) when compared to sorghum (23.1%). The database obtained with the 1,985 lab analysis of fecal starch from both controlled experiments and commercial feedlots were used to develop a NIRS calibration equation for fecal starch content. Part of the analysis was used to independently validate the equations. Equations were developed from three different sets of samples: a) all samples regardless the starch source; b) samples where corn was the main source of starch c) samples were sorghum was the main source of starch. All equations had good predictive ability, with high regression coefficients (R2 > 0.92) and low bias (< 2%) indicating high accuracy with independent data. Results suggest a single equation can be used to estimate the fecal starch regardless the source of starch in the diet.

Os camundongos têm sido amplamente utilizados na experimentação desde o século XVII, devendo sua qualidade microbiológica ser pesquisada e mantida, para evitar que eles adoeçam ou morram durante o experimento, não transmitam zoonoses e para que os resultados apresentados no experimento sejam confiáveis. A Escherichia coli faz parte da microbiota entérica dos mamíferos, podendo algumas linhagens causar infecções. As estirpes patogênicas apresentam diferentes fatores de virulência, como as endotoxinas, adesinas, enterotoxinas, fator citotóxico necrosante e as hemolisinas. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: analisar as microbiotas aeróbias bacteriana e fúngica presentes no intestino das linhagens de camundongos Swiss, C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H/HePas, C3H/HeJ, MDX e YCx43, verificando se existem diferenças entre elas; avaliar a suscetibilidade \"in vitro\" frente aos antimicrobianos das E. coli isoladas, verificando se existem diferenças entre as linhagens; verificar a ocorrência de resistência a múltiplos antimicrobianos nas E. coli isoladas; pesquisar os fatores de virulência das E. coli isoladas, também investigando se existem diferenças destes entre as linhagens estudadas; identificar os microrganismos presentes nos diferentes ambientes em que estes animais são mantidos, verificando se existem diferenças entre eles. Os camundongos foram necropsiados e coletou-se uma pequena quantidade de seu conteúdo fecal que foi semeado nos meios de cultura BHI, ágar sangue de carneiro 5%, ágar MacConkey e ágar Saboraud dextrose. Foi realizando o antibiograma e PCR das E. coli isoladas. Realizou-se a cultura de suabes da mesa, maçaneta de porta e exterior das luvas dos funcionários. Verificou-se que as linhagens de camundongos estudadas apresentam microbiotas fecais diferentes; as estirpes de E. coli são diferentes em cada linhagem e apresentam resistência a múltiplos antibióticos, que as estirpes de E. coli isoladas não são patogênicas, que as bactérias isoladas nas salas do biotério não foram influenciadas pela microbiota fecal dos camundongos e que o monitoramento microbiológico de rotina dos animais, do ambiente e dos técnicos, e as normas de biossegurança são indispensáveis e devem ser sempre adotados e mantidos no biotério.
Mice have been largely used at experiences since 17o century, so their microbiological quality should be investigated and kept safety in order to avoid they become ill or die during an investigation and don\'t transmit zoonosis to those who handle them; this is important in order to make the results presented in the experience be reliable. The Escherichia coli is part of enteric microbiota of mammals, and some of them may cause infections. The pathogenic strains of E. coli show different virulence factors, such as endotoxins, adhesins, enterotoxins, necrotizing citotoxic factors (cnf) and hemolysins. This study has aimed to analyze: the bacterial and fungi aerobic microbiota present at intestine of lineages Swiss, C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H/HePas, C3H/HeJ, MDX and YCx43 mice, checking if there are differences among them; to evaluate the susceptibility in vitro to antimicrobial agents of E. coli isolated, checking if there are differences among lineages; to verify the occurrence of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents at E. coli isolated; to investigate the virulence factor\'s of lineages of E. coli, also checking if there are differences among these lineages and the lineages studied; identify the micro-organisms presented at different environments where these animals are kept, checking if there are differences among them. The mice were submitted to necropsy and it was collected a little amount of their fecal content. This fecal content was seeded in culture mediums of BHI, sheep blood agar 5%, MacConkey agar and Saboraud dextrose agar. The mice\'s lineages studied have different fecal microbiotas; the E. coli strains are different in each lineage and they\'ve showed resistance to multiple antibiotics; the E. coli strains are not pathogenics; isolated bacteria on animal rooms were not affected by mice\'s fecal microbiotas, the microbiological monitoring of animals and biosafety standards always must be adopted and followed at animal rooms.

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Introdução: Estudo previamente realizado em nosso laboratório demonstrou que a restrição alimentar intra-uterina (RAIU) provoca um retardo na termorregulação dos recém-nascidos. Em neonatos o tecido adiposo marrom (TAM) é essencial para a termogênese, principalmente devido à presença de proteínas desacopladoras (UCPs), cuja expressão pode ser modificada pela ação de hormônios como os hormônios da tireóide, a leptina e a insulina, que podem ser afetados pela restrição alimentar. A bomba de cálcio do retículo sarcoplasmático (SERCA1), presente no músculo e recentemente identificada no TAM, pode contribuir para a produção de calor. Objetivo: Avaliar a expressão das proteínas UCP1, UCP2, UCP3 e da SERCA1 no TAM e da UCP3 e da SERCA1 no músculo esquelético (ME) de animais submetidos a RAIU, bem como o perfil plasmático de insulina, leptina e hormônios tireoidianos destes filhotes. Métodos: Ratos fêmeas Wistar EPM-1 controle (C) receberam ração ad libitum durante todo o período gestacional e o grupo restrito (R) recebeu 50% desta quantidade. Quinze horas após o nascimento (pico de expressão das UCPs), os filhotes foram pesados e decapitados para coleta de sangue (pool) para a dosagem plasmática de insulina, leptina, T3 e T4 por ELISA. Foram coletados TAM e ME, para determinação da expressão das UCPs e da SERCA1 por imuno-histoquímica. Para análise dos resultados, utilizou-se o teste “t” de Student não pareado, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Os animais R (n=16) apresentaram durante a gestação um ganho de peso corporal (g) significantemente inferior quando comparado ao C (n=16), (27,6 ± 3,8 e 109,0 ± 4,1). Os filhotes R (n=172) apresentaram redução significante do peso corporal (g) ao nascimento em relação aos filhotes C (n=169) (4,82 ± 0,05 e 5,83 ± 0,04); entretanto, não houve redução no número de filhotes por ninhada. A RAIU levou a um aumento significante na expressão (pixels) da UCP1 e da UCP2 no TAM da prole R em relação à prole C (em 42% e 53%, respectivamente). Não observamos diferença significante entre os grupos em relação à expressão da UCP3 e da SERCA1 no TAM e no ME. A concentração plasmática de insulina (ng/ml) foi significantemente maior nos filhotes R (n=8) em relação aos C (n=13) (3,34 ± 0,78 e 1,17 ± 0,18) e os níveis plasmáticos de T3 (ng/ml) foram significantemente menores nos filhotes R (n=10) quando comparados aos C (n=14) (0,82 ± 0,06 e 1,09 ± 0,08). Não houve diferenças significantes para as dosagens plasmáticas de leptina (pg/ml) (R (n=8) 987,79 ± 261,08 e C (n=11) 1255,54 ± 392,37) e T4 (ng/ml) (R (n=10) 20,99 ± 3,74 e C (n=12) 16,00 ± 1,68). Conclusão: O atraso no desenvolvimento da termorregulação previamente descritos nesses animais não parece resultar de redução na termogênese, mas de aumento na termólise, pois a RAIU provocou baixo peso dos filhotes ao nascimento, levando a uma maior relação superfície/ volume. A maior expressão da UCP1 e UCP2 no TAM observada nos filhotes restritos possivelmente ocorreu como um mecanismo compensatório para aumentar a termogênese, o que pode ter sido modulado por ação hormonal.
Background: Previous study from our laboratory has shown that intrauterine food restriction (IUFR) delayed thermoregulation of the newborns. In neonates brown adipose tissue (BAT) is essential for thermogenesis mainly due to the presence of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) and their expression can be modified by action of hormones such as thyroid hormone, leptin and insulin, which can be affected by food restriction. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca++ ATPase, (SERCA1) recently identified in BAT may contribute to heat production. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protein expression of UCP1, UCP2, UCP3 and SERCA1 in BAT and UCP3 and SERCA1 in skeletal muscle (SM) and the plasmatic concentration of insulin, leptin, T3 and T4 of newborn rats exposed to IUFR. Methods: Female Wistar EPM-1 control rats received chow ad libitum during pregnancy period (C) and food-restricted rats (R) received 50% of the amount ingested by C. Fifteen hours after birth, newborns were weighted and sacrificed by decapitation. Blood was collected for determination of insulin, leptin, T3 and T4 by ELISA. BAT and SM were used for determination of protein expression (UCPs and SERCA1) by immunohistochemistry. Unpaired Student’s t-test was used for statistical analysis of the results (p<0,05). Results: R animals (n=16) showed a significant lower weight gain (g) during pregnancy when compared to C (n=16) (27,6 ± 3,8 and 109,0 ± 4,1). R pups (n=172) showed a significant reduction in their body weight (g) at birth when compared to C (n=169) (4,82 ± 0,05 and 5,83 ± 0,04); however, there was no reduction in number of pups per litter. IUFR caused a significant increase in the expression (pixels) of UCP1 and UCP2 in BAT of the pups (42% and 53% respectively). UCP3 and SERCA1 expression in BAT and SM showed no significant differences between groups. Plasmatic insulin (ng/ml) was significantly higher in R pups (n=8) when compared to C (n=13) (3,34 ± 0,78 and 1,17 ± 0,18) and T3 levels (ng/ml) was significantly lower in R pups (n=10) when compared to C (n=14) (0,82 ± 0,06 and 1,09 ± 0,08). No differences between groups were found for leptin (pg/ml) (R (n=8) 987,79 ± 261,08 and C (n=11) 1255,54 ± 392,37) and T4 (ng/ml) levels (R (n=10) 20,99 ± 3,74 and C (n=12) 16,00 ± 1,68). Conclusion: The delay in development of thermoregulation previously described in these animals appears not to result from impairment in thermogenesis, but from an increase in heat loss, since IUFR caused low birth weight in pups, leading to greater surface/ volume ratio. The higher expression of UCP1 and UCP2 in BAT showed by R pups possibly occurred as a compensatory mechanism to increase thermogenesis, which may have been modulated by hormonal regulation.
TEDE
BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

The effect of interleukin-3 (IL-3), a candidate hemopoietic growth factor, on prenatal hemopoiesis is unclear. Microinjection of IL-3 directly into mouse fetuses (day 13) via the yolk sac, allowed us to evaluate the effects on morphogenetic events and more specifically on fetal liver populations using quantitative in vitro clonal assays for hemopoietic precursors. Control studies, required to distinguish stress effects of surgical laparotomy and microinjection, clearly revealed that the fetal liver is a sensitive organ responding with limited tissue disorganization, reduced cellularity and erythropoietic activity as identified 24 h after experimental intervention. Microinjection of 15 units of IL-3 promoted significant expansion of the depleted fetal liver hemopoietic cell populations and had stimulatory effects on connective tissue mast cells, absolute cell numbers including hemopoietic precursors (erythroid, granulocyte, macrophage, megakaryocyte) compared to controls. These studies suggest that fetal liver cells acquire a responsiveness to IL-3 early in development and that, IL-3 has a positive stimulatory effect on fetal liver cell populations, promoting the recovery of normal liver hemopoiesis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hypoxia due to placental insufficiency and prenatal undernutrition are probably the two major causes worldwide of an adverse intrauterine environment having an impact on neurodevelopment. Clinically, both situations manifest as an intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a situation defined as a significant reduction in fetal growth resulting in a birth weight below the 10th percentile. This situation is a well-recognized cause of neurobehavioral and cognitive impairments extending beyond childhood and early adulthood period. Although all these evidence, the structural ground of these functional impairments and the pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully characterized. An improvement in these two aspects would allow us to propose different therapeutic strategies aiming to ameliorate and even revert the long-lasting consequences of the IUGR. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that IUGR produces subtle structural brain changes that underlie the long-term neurobehavioral and cognitive impairments. The severity of the neurodevelopmental consequences might be related to the severity of the prenatal insult (reduction in nutrients with or without a reduction in oxygen). High-resolution brain imaging along with specific histological techniques focused on neuronal connectivity could evidence these structural brain changes. Additionally, we hypothesized that an early postnatal stimulation might ameliorate the structural and functional impairments that persist at the long-term period after IUGR. METHODS: Two animal models of IUGR were used in this thesis: i. A cohort of pregnant rabbits was randomized to reproduce an undernutrition model based on maternal food reduction intake, ii. Another cohort of pregnant rabbits was randomized to the placental insufficiency model based on the surgical ligation of 40-50% of the uteroplacental vessels that irrigate each gestational sac. After the delivery in both models, IUGR and controls animals were followed up to the 70th postnatal days. At the 30th postnatal days, a subgroup of IUGR animals was randomized to an environmental enrichment strategy. In all the groups at the neonatal period, general motor skills, reflexes, and olfactory sensitivity were evaluated. Similarly, at the 70th postnatal days, anxiety, memory, and learning were evaluated. Afterward, animals were sacrificed and brains were fixed and diffusion MRI was then performed. In a subset of animals, changes at the microstructural level and differences in the number of fibers in two specific brain circuits (anxiety and memory circuits) were performed by using a Voxel-Based approach (VBA) and Tractography analysis, respectively. Moreover, brain networks were obtained and evaluated by means of a Connectomics. Finally, a subgroup of animals was also histologically evaluated by means of dendritic spine and perineural nets evaluation in the Hippocampus. RESULTS: IUGR animals showed poorer functional performance in both moments, especially in the model of placental insufficiency. At the long-term period, IUGR animals presented an altered brain network architecture, being again these differences more pronounced in the placental insufficiency model. Moreover, VBA analysis and Tractography analysis evidenced microstructural brain changes mostly affecting gray matter and a decreased in the number of fibers involved in the anxiety and memory circuits in the IUGR animals in comparison to controls. At the cellular level, IUGR animals presented abnormal neuronal connectivity with changes in the dendritic spine density and in the perineural nets. In contrast, stimulated IUGR animals presented a functional and structural improvement in comparison to non-stimulated IUGR animals over the long-term period. CONCLUSIONS: This thesis adds to the previous evidence new insights regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying IUGR and gives strong evidence linking IUGR with altered brain connectivity as the basis for the neurological sequelae associated with IUGR. Additionally, it gives preliminary evidence suggesting that a strategy based on physical, sensory, cognitive as well as social stimulation applied during early postnatal life, where brain plasticity is higher, might ameliorate the neurodevelopmental consequences of IUGR.

It is widely recognized that livestock industries are vulnerable to intentional or accidental introductions of Foreign Animal Diseases (FADs). Combating disease is difficult because of unknown wildlife-livestock interactions. Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) could harbor and shed disease in areas used by domestic livestock such as cattle (Bos taurus). Extent of risk logically depends on spatio-temporal interactions between species. I used Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on cattle and hogs in combination with a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for detailed analysis on movement patterns of these 2 species on a ranch in southwestern Texas, USA. Motion-triggered video recorders were also utilized to determine interspecific activity patterns. I tested hypotheses that spatio-temporal distributions of domestic cattle and feral hogs on rangeland overlap and that interspecific contact occurs. If these posits are true, it is possible that introduced pathogens like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) could be transmitted from feral hogs to cattle. Using a rate of 1 GPS fix/15 min (96 fixes/day), I found that spatial distribution of individual hogs and cattle overlapped on both the 95% and 50% kernel area use among 4 seasons. Both cows and feral hogs used Clay Flat, Clay Loam, and Rolling Hardland more so than other range sites. During Summer 2004, riparian zones were the most used feature, identified at 14% (2,760/19,365) of cattle and 70% (445/632) of hog fixes. Other than brush strips, cattle and feral hogs primarily interacted at riparian zones, fencelines, and roads. There were no direct interspecific contacts evident from GPS data, but 3 cases were recorded from video data. Indirect interspecific contacts that may be sufficient for disease transmission occurred much more frequently (GPS = 3.35 indirect contacts/day, video = cows follow hogs: 0.69 indirect contacts/day and hogs follow cows: 0.54 indirect contacts/day). Research results suggested that both species often travel along the same roads and fencelines to water and food sources, especially during extreme heat and low-precipitation conditions. This research provides basic information needed to improve models for management of FAD outbreaks in the U.S., based on specific knowledge of landscape usage and movement patterns of feral hogs and cattle.

Orientador: Américo Garcia da Silva Sobrinho
Banca: Sarita Bonagurio Gallo
Banca: Cledson Augusto Garcia
Banca: Otávio Rodrigues Machado Neto
Banca: Carla Joice Härter
Resumo: Foram utilizadas cinquenta ovelhas Ile de France submetidas à programação fetal, que consistiu no fornecimento de dietas com dois níveis de energia, uma dieta controle para atender as exigências nutricionais do terço final de gestação (D0), e outra acrescida em 20% das exigências de energia para a categoria (D20). Avaliou-se a influência nutricional no escore de condição corporal, peso corporal, espessura de gordura e perfil metabólico das ovelhas, no momento do parto e aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias de lactação, assim como a repercussão nos cordeiros, tais como desempenho, características quantitativas da carcaça e de seus não-componentes, qualitativas da carne e na morfometria dos componentes gastrintestinais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos e 20 repetições (experimento com as ovelhas) e dois tratamentos e 10 repetições (experimento com os cordeiros), nível de significância de 5% e auxiliado pelo programa do SAS (versão 9.2). Nas comparações entre dietas e as variáveis respostas das ovelhas utilizou-se contrastes ortogonais polinomiais (1º, 2º, 3º e 4º grau). As médias das características corporais das ovelhas foram semelhantes (P>0,05), com decréscimo gradual ao longo dos 60 dias de lactação, para peso corporal, escore condição corporal e espessura de gordura. Observou-se efeito quadrático (P<0,05) nos valores médios de glicose, triglicerídeos e betahidroxibutirato, no decorrer dos 30 dias após o parto. O acréscimo em 20... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Fifty Ile de France ewes were subjected to fetal programming, which consisted of feeding them diets with two levels of energy: one control diet formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the last third of gestation (D0) and another with an additional 20% of the energy requirements of the category (D20). We evaluated the nutritional influence on the body condition score, body weight, fat thickness, and metabolic profile of ewes at calving and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days in milk, as well as the impacts on their lambs; e.g., performance, quantitative traits of carcass and of noncarcass components, qualitative traits of their meat, and morphometry of their gastrointestinal components. A completely randomized design with two treatments and 20 replicates (experiment with the ewes) and two treatments and 10 replicates (experiment with the lambs) was adopted at a significance level of 5%, with analyses run in SAS software (version 9.2). Orthogonal polynomial contrasts (1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-degree) were used in the comparison between diets and the response variables of the ewes. Mean values for the body traits of the ewes were similar (P>0.05), decreasing gradually along the 60 days in milk for body weight, body condition score, and fat thickness. A quadratic effect was observed (P<0.05) for mean glucose, triglycerides, and beta-hydroxybutyrate values over the 30 days after calving. The additional 20% of the energy required for the last third of gestation in the ewe diets ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

An extensive 10 year monitoring project was initiated in 1986 to examine the effects of a combination of BMPs on surface water quality within a watershed with complex land use. This research specifically examined bacteriological water quality and BMP impacts. Bimonthly grab samples were collected from four surface water monitoring stations, including the watershed outlet, and analyzed for fecal coliform, total coliform, and fecal streptococcus bacteria. Other data compiled from the watershed included hydrologic, meteorologic, geologic and land use data, also collected on a regular basis. Data were collected continuously throughout the project, and thus included both pre- and post-BMP monitoring data. BMP implementation included animal waste storage facilities, nutrient management plans, conservation tillage, alternative water sources for livestock, fences, vegetative filter strips, runoff diversions, and others.

Statistical analysis of the monthly precipitation data indicated no significant difference in rainfall quantity between the pre-BMP and post-BMP monitoring periods. Monthly runoff totals increased 39% from the pre- to the post-BMP periods at the watershed outlet. Increases at all of the subwatershed outlets occurred as well (B, 40%; C, 38%; D, 16%). Statistical analysis did not show a significant difference in runoff between the two monitoring periods, except at station C, where post-BMP runoff was significantly greater than the values measured during the pre-BMP period.

Overall reductions in the mean (geometric) levels of total coliform, fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus bacteria observed at the watershed outlet were 81%, 30% and 76%, respectively. Both parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis techniques were applied to the bacteriological data. Regression analysis of the fecal coliform data showed an increase during the pre-BMP period followed by a decrease post-BMP and a statistically significant difference between the two periods (p=0.004). No trends were evident. Only one of the four stations had a statistical difference between pre- and post-BMP fecal streptococcus data, however, a downward trend was present at every station. No statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-BMP total coliform bacteria was evident, although a downward trend was present at the watershed outlet. These findings indicate that the combination of BMPs implemented in the watershed were effective in reducing the loss of fecal bacteria to receiving streams via overland flow.
Master of Science

Foram utilizadas 10 cadelas prenhez (SRD), oriundas de Centros de Controle de Zoonoses de São Paulo e Região, em diferentes estágios de gestação. Os animais foram submetidos a exame clinico geral e a uma avaliação ultrasonográfica para determinação do tempo de gestação. O desenvolvimento de tecnologias que possam auxiliar o diagnóstico prematuro de alterações genéticas em animais é algo ainda novo, contudo fundamental para o futuro. Uma destas técnicas é a Biopsia de corio fetal a qual nos permite coletar de modo pouco invasivo amostra de tecido fetal e submeter este a exames cromossõmicos e de DNA. Através deste conseguimos identificar o sexo do feto com total exatidão. Também realizamos um estudo sobre a composição dos líquidos fetais, o qual obtivemos os seguintes resultados para líquido amniótico e alantoideano respectivamente: pH 8,19 e7,13, proteína 144,44 e 121,11, densidade 1007,5 e 1011,44, Creatinina 2,21 e 22,71, Albumina 0,28 e 0, 13, Fosfatase alcalina 432,94 e 22,73, proteína total 0,22 e 0,24, concluindo assim a grande semelhança dos líquidos fetais com a urina. A macroscopia do cordão umbilical nos forneceu alguns dados interessantes tais como a relação de tamanho entre o feto e o cordão umbilical a qual é de 2:1, outro dado interessante que é a relação de peso entre a placenta e o cordão umbilical que fica na proporção de 11,5:1. Microscopicamente o cordão umbilical do cão possui características próprias como a confluência das veias umbilicais ocorrendo próximo a cavidade abdominal, as paredes das veias (2) são delgadas e das artérias (2) são musculares e espessas, o dueto alantoideano localiza-se entre os quatro vasos. O saco vitelínico apresenta grande quantidade de capilares, parede delgada e vitelo.
We used pregnant female mongrel dogs, froco Control centers of Zoonoses of São Paulo and region, in different periods of gestation. The animais had been submïtted the general clinic examination and to a ultrasonographyc evaluation for determination of the time of pregnancy period. The development of technologies can assist the prematura diagnoses of genetic alterations, in animais is something new, however still basic for the future. One of these techniques and the biopsy of fetal chorion which in allows them to collect in little invasive fetal tissue and to submit this the chromosomic and DNA examïnations. Through this we obtain to identify the embryo sex with total exactness. Also carry through a study on the composition of the fetal fluids, which we found the respectìvely he following results to amniotic and allantois liquida pH 8,19 and 7,13, protein 144,44 and 121.11, density 1007,5 and 1011,44, Creatinina 2.21 and 22.71, Albumina 0,28 and 0,13, alkaline Fosfatase 432,94 and 22,73, total protein 0,22 and 0,24, thus concluding the great similarity of the fetal fluids with urine. The gross shape of the umbilical cord in supplied to some interesting data such to them as the relation of size between the embryo and the umbilical cord which is of 2:1, another interesting data that are the relation of weight between the placenta and the umbilical cord is the ratio of 11,5:1. Microscopicolly the umbilical cord of the dog possess proper aspects as the confluente of the umbilicais veins occurring next the abdominal cavity, the walis of the veins (2) are thin and arteries (2) are muscular and thick, allantois duct are between situated the four vasas. The yoik sac presents great amount of capillaries, thin wall and yoik.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 246-280) and index. Deals with the domestication of the goat and the history of the cashmere industry; investigates fibre physiology and production in general; and gives a detailed account of skin histology and fibre production of goats with particular reference to the cashmere-bearing animal; followed by research related to cashmere fibre production

Leptin is produced primarily by white adipose tissue but also by brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the placenta. It has a major physiological role in the control of energy balance. BAT is critically important for the initiation of non-shivering thermogenesis in precocial newborns through the uncoupling protein, UCP1 unique to BAT. This is particularly important in neonatal lambs and infants in which levels of UCP1 peak at birth concomitant with a peak in plasma leptin and a surge in Cortisol. Other mitochondrial proteins may contribute to this effect e.g. VDAC which is located in the outer mitochondrial membrane. The aim of this thesis was to: 1. investigate the role of the late gestation Cortisol surge on BAT development 2. investigate the effect of route of delivery on subsequent neonatal plasma leptin concentrations 3. assess the effect of leptin administration to neonatal lambs on thermoregulation Late gestation fetuses were infused with Cortisol or saline or underwent adrenalectomy or sham operation. BAT was sampled at 129 and 144 days of gestation, respectively. UCPl abundance was significantly increased in the animals receiving Cortisol treatment compared to controls and was significantly reduced in adrenalectomised animals. Plasma leptin was analysed from lambs delivered vaginally or near term by caesarean section (CS). Cord plasma leptin decreased significantly after birth, an adaptation that was delayed by CS delivery. Acute and chronic administration of leptin to neonatal lambs improved thermoregulation by preventing a decline in body temperature. Chronic leptin treatment over 7 days (lOOp-g daily) promoted the loss of UCP1 mRNA and protein, but had no deleterious effects on body temperature. Polyclonal antibodies were developed against mitchondrial voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC). The postnatal ontogeny of VDAC was found to be similar to that of UCP1 and cytochrome c, with abundance peaking around one day of age. VDAC was found in high abundance in organs with high metabolic requirements such as heart, muscle and BAT. These results suggest that VDAC is involved in ensuring BAT maintains a maximal rate of thermogenesis after birth. In conclusion, I have shown for the first time that leptin has an important role in thermogenesis during the transition from fetal to neonatal life. This is attenuated in CS animals, possibly linked to a reduced sympathetic nervous system activity. The rapid loss of UCP1 mRNA, which occurs within the first few days of life, appears to be modulated by leptin, possibly stimulating the development of white adipose tissue and generation of body heat through mechanisms other than nonshivering thermogenesis in BAT. VDAC may be important during this period in ensuring adequate substrate delivery to BAT. Intact adrenal glands are also necessary for the increase in UCP1 abundance during late gestation, an effect mediated in part by Cortisol. NB. This ethesis has been created by scanning the typescript original and may contain inaccuracies. In case of difficulty, please refer to the original text.

A presente pesquisa teve a finalidade de padronizar a técnica de cardiotocografia a ser utilizada para avaliar a existência de hipóxia/sofrimento fetal durante a vida intrauterina, procurando estabelecer a partir do 7º mês da gestação os padrões de normalidade da frequência cardíaca fetal para fetos sadios e oriundos de inseminação artificial, bem como avaliar a influência da clonagem nos parâmetros obtidos no exame de cardiotocografia. Foram acompanhadas as gestações de 14 vacas, sendo os animais divididos em três grupos experimentais: Grupo de Clones Mortos composto de 5 vacas gestantes nas quais acompanhou-se a carditocografia de fetos gerados pela técnica de clonagem e nos quais a morte do bezerro ocorreu nas primeiras 36 horas de vida ; Grupo de Clones Vivos composto de 4 vacas gestantes nas quais acompanhou-se a carditocografia de fetos gerados pela técnica de clonagem e que permaneceram vivos após o nascimento; Grupo Controle - composto de 5 vacas gestantes nas quais acompanhou-se a carditocografia de fetos gerados por inseminação artificial e que deram origem a bezerros sadios. Os animais foram acompanhados por exames periódicos de cardiotocografia realizados nos seguintes momentos: 90, 60, 30, 15, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 dia antes do parto e no dia do parto. Para a realização dos exames foi utilizado o aparelho de cardiotocografia da marca Philips modelo Avalon FM30,no local onde as vacas se encontravam. Os exames tiveram uma duração de 20 a 40 minutos de traçado, sendo que o transdutor de ultra-som era acomodado de forma a obter o melhor sinal cardíaco fetal. Imediatamente após o nascimento, realizou-se a avaliação da viabilidade de bezerros recém-nascidos pelo método APGAR e a observação de bezerros tingidos de amarelo em decorrência da presença de mecônio nas secreções uterinas.Através dos traçados obtidos com a cardiotocografia foram analisados os parâmetros da cardiotocografia: linha de base, acelerações transitórias, acelerações prolongadas, variabilidade, taquicardia, bradicardia e desacelerações, sendo ao final calculado o índice cardiotocométrico. Nos animais classificados como hipoativo ou inativo aplicava-se estimulação por palpação retal com beliscamento do espaço interdigital do feto com o objetivo de modificar o comportamento fetal e evitar resultados falso positivos.O exame de cardiotocografia mostrou ser eficaz na avaliação da vitalidade fetal na espécie bovina. Os valores médios e o desvio padrão da frequência cardíaca fetal basal (linha de base) em fetos hígidos foi igual a 116,4 ± 9,07 bpm. Considerou-se taquicardia uma frequência cardíaca fetal igual ou maior do que 145 bpm e bradicardia uma frequência cardíaca igual ou menor do que 90 bpm. Considerou-se normal para bovinos uma variabilidade com valores situados entre 5 e 15 bpm. Verificou-se que a presença de acelerações transitórias são indicativas de bem estar fetal, sendo que o número de acelerações transitórios consideradas como fisiológicas varia entre 1 e 5. Desacelerações são indicativos da existência de sofrimento fetal, não sendo observadas em animais hígidos. No grupo de clones mortos, existem modificações da carditocografia compatíveis com a ocorrência de sofrimento fetal/ hipóxia intrauterina. Os fetos do grupo de clones mortos apresentaram com maior frequência momentos de hipoatividade fetal do que os fetos do grupo de clones vivos e fetos do grupo controle e os fetos do grupo de clone mortos foram classificados com maior frequência como não reativos ao estímulo de beliscamento das extremidades do que os fetos do grupo controle. Os fetos do grupo de clones mortos apresentaram com mais frequência bradicardia (11,8%) do que a observada no grupo controle (0,00 %). Observou-se que no grupo de clones mortos (1,4 ± 1,6) o número de acelerações transitórias foi significativamente menor do que o observado no grupo de clones vivos (3,50 ± 2,70) e no grupo controle (2,70 ± 1,80).
This research had the purpose to standardize the technique of cardiotocography to be used to assess the presence of hypoxia / fetal distress during intrauterine life, trying to establish from the 7th month of pregnancy the normal range of fetal heart rate in healthy fetuses and from artificial insemination and cloning to evaluate the influence of the parameters obtained in the examination of cardiotocography. Were followed the pregnancies of 14 cows and animals are divided into three experimental groups: Dead Clones Group - composed of 5 pregnant cows which was accompanied the cardiotocography of fetuses generated by the technique of cloning, in which the death occurred in the calf first 36 hours of life; Living Clones Group - composed of 4 pregnant cows which is accompanied cardiotocography of fetuses generated by the technique of cloning and remained alive after the birth, control group - composed of 5 pregnant cows in which follow - the cardiotocography of fetuses generated by artificial insemination and gave rise to healthy calves. The animals were monitored by periodic assessment of cardiotocography performed in the following periods: 90, 60, 30, 15, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 day before parturition and day of birth. For the examinations we used the apparatus of cardiotocography Brand Philips Avalon FM30 model, where the cows were. The tests had a duration of 20 to 40 minutes of track, and the ultrasound transducer was adjusted to obtain the best fetal cardiac signal. Immediately after birth, was held to assess the viability of newborn calves by the method APGAR and the observation of colored yellow calves due to the presence of meconium in the uterine secretions. Through cardiotocography tracings were analyzed with the parameters of cardiotocography : the baseline, acceleration transient, prolonged accelerations, variability, tachycardia, bradycardia, and deceleration modes, and the final calculated the index cardiotocométrico. In the animals classified as inactive or hypoactive stimulation was applied by rectal palpation of the interdigital space with pinch of the fetus with order to modify the behavior and prevent fetal false positives. An examination of cardiotocography has proven effective in evaluation of fetal vitality in the bovine species. The mean values and standard deviation of the baseline fetal heart rate (from baseline) in healthy fetuses was equal to 116.4 ± 9.07 bpm. Tachycardia was considered a fetal heart rate equal to or greater than 145 bpm bradycardia and a heart rate less than or equal to 90 bpm. It was considered normal for cattle variability with values between 5 and 15 bpm. It was found that the presence of transient accelerations are indicative of fetal well-being, and the number of transient accelerations considered physiological ranges between 1 and 5. Deceleration is indicative of the existence of fetal distress and is not observed in healthy animals. In the group of clones dead, there are changes in cardiotocography consistent with the occurrence of fetal distress / intrauterine hypoxia. The fetuses of the group of clones had killed more often moments of fetal hypoactivity than the fetuses of the group of clones live fetuses and the control group and the group of fetuses dead clone were classified more frequently as non-reactive to stimulation of the pinch ends of the fetuses in the control group. The fetuses of the group of dead clones showed bradycardia more often (11.8%) than that observed in the control group (0.00%). It was observed that the group of dead clones (1.4 ± 1.6) the number of transient acceleration was significantly lower than that observed in the group of live clones (3.50 ± 2.70) and the control group (2 , 70 ± 1.80).

Memoria para optar al Titulo Profesional de Médico Veterinario
El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la gestación en la vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) mantenida bajo condiciones de manejo en semicautiverio, mediante la determinación de la fertilidad y la definición de la curva de crecimiento embrio-fetal, por medio de la ecografía transrectal y la medición de las concentraciones plasmáticas de progesterona materna. El estudio se realizó en el predio Ancara, ubicado en la localidad de Chislluma, comuna de General Lagos, I Región de Tarapacá. El rebaño en estudio estuvo constituido por 45 vicuñas adultas. Luego del diagnóstico de gestación, se seleccionaron 12 hembras en las que se realizaron exámenes ecográficos donde se midió el diámetro biparietal (DBP), altura de tórax (AT) y diámetro abdominal (DA) fetales y se tomaron muestras de sangre materna para la medición de concentración plasmática de progesterona. Estos procedimientos se realizaron cada 2 meses, hasta el parto. La medición de la concentración plasmática de progesterona se llevó a cabo mediante radioinmunoanálisis. La fertilidad del rebaño fue de 62%. La concentración plasmática de progesterona fue ≥ 5 nmol/L en hembras preñadas y ≤ 2 nmol/L en hembras secas. El crecimiento de las variables morfométricas fetales se representan mediante las siguientes ecuaciones: EG = 0,2333 + (47,09 * DBP) r² = 0,96 EG = -0,1048 + (50,17 * AT) r² = 0,93 EG = 0,05122 + (36,22 * DA) r² = 0,90 Donde EG es la edad gestacional y se mide en días y DBP, AT y DA en cm. El alto coeficiente de determinación de las características morfométricas fetales permitirán evaluar el crecimiento intrauterino o estimar la fecha probable de parto, cuando no se conoce la fecha de encaste
proyecto FIA, BIOT-01-P-001 “Introducción de tecnologías para el mejoramiento de la fertilidad en vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna), mantenidas en semicautiverio” y el Centro Internacional de Estudios Andinos (INCAS) de la Universidad de Chile

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária
Giardiosis is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution, responsible for gastrointestinal disease in both humans and animals. Transmitted by contaminated water and food, Giardia represents a risk to veterinary and public health. Because of its prevalence in companion animals, veterinarians and animal owners awareness of the importance of its identification and treatment in infected animals, made it an important part of the routine diagnostic techniques in the parasitology laboratories. In this project, faecal sampling for Immunofluorescence Microscopy technique (IF) was evaluated in order to improve Giardia diagnostic routine at the Statens Veterinärmedicinska Anstalt Parasitology Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden. The objective was to see if there were differences between using the recommended three samples from three different days from the same animal, and using only one sample. It was also evaluated if a protocol procedure change, while subsampling the faeces at laboratory level, could influence the final result. From 282 animals (dogs and cats) faecal analysis, once again it was proved that the use of three samples is important to improve IF sensitivity, especially in faeces with low cyst concentration, since it returned less false negative samples. The three samples can be analyzed as a pool for there was no difference when analyzed separately. Regarding the technique, the swab should be used in different places of the sample to improve the cysts detection, although it does not increase the sensibility. In accordance with other authors, the IF sensitivity is afected by a low number of cysts in the samples but the clinical relevance of the presence of Giardia in these animals should be evaluated through a close communication between the clinical veterinary and the Parasitology Laboratory.
RESUMO - Avaliação de diferentes métodos de amostragem fecal para o diagnóstico de Giardia em animais de companhia - A giardiose é uma zoonose com distribuição mundial, responsável por causar doença gastrointestinal em animais e humanos. Transmitidos por água e alimentos contaminados, os protozoários do género Giardia representam um risco para a saúde pública e veterinária. Devido à sua prevalência em animais de companhia, os veterinários e proprietários dos animais consciencializaram-se da importância da identificação e tratamento de animais infectados, integrando-a nos diagnósticos de rotina dos laboratórios de parasitologia. Neste projecto, foi avaliado o método de amostragem fecal no sentido de melhorar a técnica de Microscopia de Imunofluorescência (IF) usada como diagnóstico de rotina no Laboratório de Parasitologia do Instituto Statens Veterinärmedicinska Anstalt, Uppsala, Suécia. O objectivo foi avaliar as possíveis diferenças entre usar três amostras de três dias diferentes para um mesmo animal, e usar somente uma amostra. Foi também avaliado se uma alteração num dos procedimentos do protocolo, relativamente à subamostragem a nível laboratorial, poderia influenciar o resultado final. De 282 animais (cães e gatos) testados a nível coprológico, uma vez mais se concluiu que o uso de três amostras é importante para melhorar a sensibilidade da IF, nomeadamente em amostras com baixa concentração de quistos, uma vez que apresenta menos falsos negativos. As três amostras podem ser analisadas em “pool” pois não se verificaram diferenças relativamente à análise individual. A colheita de subamostras com a zaragatoa deve ser efectuada em diferentes locais da amostra de fezes para facilitar a observação dos quistos, ainda que não aumente a sensibilidade do método. Tal como demonstrado por outros autores, a sensibilidade da IF foi afectada pelo baixo número de quistos nas fezes mas a relevância clínica da presença de Giardia nestes animais deverá ser avaliada através da cooperação entre o Veterinário clínico e o Laboratório de Parasitologia.

Orientadores: Maria de Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono, Cláudio Saddy Rodrigues Coy
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Resumo: A ocorrência de deiscência de anastomose intestinal está associada com aumento do tempo de internação, morbimortalidade, necessidade de reoperações, custos de assistência médico-hospitalar e sofrimento do paciente. O conhecimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na cicatrização de tecidos permite o cirurgião interferir no reparo de tecidos, prevenindo e prevendo complicações. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da lavagem peritoneal com bupivacaína na mortalidade e na cicatrização da anastomose em cólon descendente de ratos, em vigência de peritonite fecal ou não. Foram utilizados quarenta ratos machos Wistar, pesando entre 300-350g, distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos de dez animais cada. Foi realizada laparotomia e anastomose em cólon descendente seis horas após injeção intraperitoneal de solução fisiológica (SF) ou de fezes autólogas. Grupo 1: sem peritonite e lavagem com 3ml de SF; Grupo 2: Sem peritonite e lavagem com 8 mg/kg de bupivacaína a 0,5% (0,5ml) adicionado a 2,5ml de SF; Grupo 3: Peritonite e lavagem com 3ml de SF; Grupo 4: Peritonite e lavagem com 8 mg/kg de bupivacaína a 0,5% (0,5ml) adicionado a 2,5ml de SF. Os animais que evoluíram para óbito foram submetidos a necropsia. A eutanásia e o teste biomecânico de Energia Total de Ruptura (ETR) foram realizados no quinto dia de pós-operatório dos animais sobreviventes. O grupo 4 apresentou maior sobrevida quando comparado ao Grupo 3, sem significância estatística. O grupo 3 apresentou valores de ETR menores que os dos outros grupos, com significância estatística. Concluímos que a peritonite fecal aumentou a mortalidade e influenciou negativamente a anastomose em cólon descendente de ratos, diminuindo sua resistência intrínseca. A lavagem peritoneal com bupivacaína aumentou a resistência da anastomose em cólon descendente de ratos em vigência de peritonite fecal
Abstract: Ocurrence of intestinal anastomotic dehiscence is associated with significant increase of length of stay, morbidity, mortality, need of reoperations, healthcare costs and patient's distress. The knowledge on the mechanisms involved in tissue healing allows the surgeon to interfere on tissue healing, prevent and anticipate complications. Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of peritoneal lavage with bupivacaine on survival and initial healing of anastomosis on distal colon, performed under peritonitis or not. Forty male Wistar rats, weighing from 300 to 350g, were randomly divided in four groups and underwent laparotomy and anastomosis on the distal colon six hours after intraperitoneal injection of physiological solution (NS) or autologous fecal material. Group 1: No peritonitis and lavage with 3ml NS; Group 2: No peritonitis and lavage with 0.5ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (8mg/kg) added to 2.5 mL of NS; Group 3: Peritonitis and lavage with 3ml NS; Group 4: Peritonitis and lavage with 0.5ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (8mg/kg) added to 2.5 mL of NS. Necropsies were performed on the animals that died. Surviving animals were submitted to euthanasia and Total Energy of Rupture (TER) biomechanical test on the fifth post-operative day. Group 4 showed survival increase compared to Group 3, without statistical significance. Group 3 presented the smallest average TER, with statistical significance. We concluded that fecal peritonitis increased mortality and negatively influenced anastomosis performed on descending colon in rats, decreasing its resistance. Peritoneal lavage with bupivacaine increased the resistance of colic anastomosis performed on descending colon in rats under fecal peritonitis
Mestrado
Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica
Mestre em Ciências

The increase of animal agriculture coupled with excess manure production, and the reduced availability of land has led to the over application of animal manure on agricultural fields. The excessive application of manure is responsible for nutrient and bacterial pollution of downstream waterbodies. Manure application based on the crop phosphorus (P) requirements has been recommended as a viable method to reduce nutrient pollution. A plot scale study was conducted to measure the loss of nutrients and bacterial transport in runoff from cropland treated with poultry litter, dairy manure and inorganic fertilizer according to the P requirements of the crop. Three simulated rainfall events were conducted 1, 2 and 35 days after planting of corn. Highest P and N concentrations were observed in the runoff from plots treated with poultry litter, followed by dairy manure and inorganic fertilizer. The poultry litter treated plots exhibited highest concentrations of bioavailable P in the runoff, compared to all other treatments. The P from poultry litter treated plots was also mostly in the soluble form, which underscores the need to control the runoff from cropland in order to decrease the P losses from the poultry litter treated fields. The edge of the field nutrient concentrations observed in this study were high enough to cause severe to moderate eutrophication problems in downstream waterbodies unless they are diluted. In general, nutrient concentrations were lower during the second simulated event, compared with those from the first event. A significant reduction in the nutrient concentrations of runoff was observed from the second to the third simulated event for all the treatments. This reduction was attributed to the loss of nutrients by natural rainfall-runoff events during the time period between the second and the third simulated rainfall event, plant uptake of nutrients, sorption and leaching processes. The indicator bacteria analyzed in the present study were fecal Coliform (FC), Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) and Enterococcus (ENT). The bacterial concentrations reported in the runoff for the first and second simulated events were 104 to 105 times higher than the federal and state limits for primary contact recreation waters. No significant effect of treatments was observed on the bacterial concentrations in runoff. The highest concentrations were observed for FC, followed by ENT and EC in the runoff. The ratio of bacteria removed in runoff to the bacteria applied also followed the above trend. The concentrations of bacteria generally increased from the first to second simulated event; unlike the nutrients. However, the bacterial concentrations dropped significantly from second to the third simulated rainfall event to the levels lower than those designated for primary contact recreation water limits. This reduction was attributed to the washing away of bacteria by the heavy rainfall-runoff events in the period between second and third simulated rainfall events and the die-off of bacteria. The results reported from this study suggest that the manure application based on crop P requirements can also be a significant source of nutrient pollution and should be coupled with other best management practices (BMPs) also to reduce nutrient pollution. The results also suggest that the manure treated cropland can be a source for significant indicator bacterial pollution and appropriate BMPs are required to mitigate their effect.
Master of Science

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Insultos ocorridos em um período crítico no início da vida, como na gestação e/ou lactação, atuam como fator de impressão e podem repercutir em alterações fisiológicas na idade adulta, estabelecendo o futuro estado metabólico e hormonal da progênie, sendo este efeito denominado programação . A desnutrição materna parece reduzir a proliferação de mioblastos e a formação de fibras musculares do feto em desenvolvimento. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar o efeito do treinamento físico moderado na morfologia de fibras dos músculos sóleo e extensor longo dos dedos (EDL) de animais submetidos à desnutrição por dieta baixa em proteína durante a gestação e lactação. Ratos machos Wistar (60 dias de idade) provindos de mães desnutridas durante a gestação e lactação (8% de caseína, n=5) ou controle (17% caseína, n=5), foram divididos em 4 grupos: controle (Cf, n=6), desnutrido (Df, n=6), controle treinado (CTf, n=6) e desnutrido treinado (DTf, n=6). O programa de treino consistiu em 8 semanas, 5 dias/semana, 60 min/dia a 70% do VO2max. O peso corporal e a taxa de crescimento foram avaliados diariamente durante o experimento. Após o período de treinamento, os músculos sóleo e EDL foram retirados para análise histológica dos tipos de fibras pelo técnica de ATPase. Os animais Df apresentaram uma diminuição de 60% na taxa de crescimento até os 60 dias de idade. A partir dos 60 dias, o grupo Df apresentou um aumento no ganho de peso corporal. No músculo EDL, o grupo CTf apresentou um aumento do percentual de fibras do Tipo IIa (CTf = 68,8 ± 0,7; Cf = 59,5 ± 1,1; p<0,05) e uma diminuição no percentual de fibras do Tipo IIb (CTf = 32,2 ± 0,6; Cf = 36,7 ± 1,1; p<0,05). Este mesmo resultado ocorreu para o grupo DTf quando comparado ao seu controle Df. No músculo sóleo, o grupo Df apresentou uma diminuição no percentual de fibras do tipo I (Df = 77,8 ± 0,5; Cf = 83,1 ± 0,5; p<0,05) e um aumento no percentual de fibras do tipo IIa (Df = 19,0 ± 0,4; Cf = 12,9 ± 0,4; p<0,05). Os animais do grupo DTf apresentaram um aumento no percentual de fibras do tipo I (80,3 ± 0,7) e uma diminuição no percentual de fibras do tipo IIa (17,2 ± 0,7) quando comparados ao grupo Df. Em conclusão, a desnutrição hipoprotéica durante a gestação e lactação tem efeito programador na proporção dos tipos de fibras musculares nos animais adultos. O treinamento físico moderado pode atuar como estímulo ambiental para as mudanças fenotípicas em fibras de músculos mantendo a proporção de fibras oxidativas e afetando minimamente a proporção de fibras glicolíticas mesmo em animais programados pela desnutrição

Recent studies have indicated the possible importance of cytokines in the onset of term and preterm labour. To understand this further, the effect of interleukin-1 ($\alpha$ and $\beta)$ and interleukin 6 on prostaglandin output by dispersed cells from human amnion, chorion laeve, and decidua obtained at term (38-42 weeks gestation) was examined. During the first or second 24 hours of culture, no significant effect of these interleukins on prostaglandin output was observed. The apparent refractoriness of these cells to interleukin-1 was further investigated by studying the distribution of IL-1 receptors in frozen sections of undisrupted fetal membranes and decidua at term. Whole-tissue and emulsion autoradiography indicated that receptors were present in the chorion and decidua but not in the amnion. Fresh cells labeled for IL-1 receptors confirmed the intact tissue findings. No labeling was found in the amnion; labeling was found in certain populations of the chorion cells. These studies indicate that under normal circumstances in human pregnancy at term, IL-1 does not stimulate prostaglandin production by dispersed cells. In the case of amnion, this may be due to the absence of receptors, and therefore it would appear that the IL-1 receptor must first be induced in this tissue before it can respond to this cytokine. Furthermore, although chorion laeve expresses the IL-1 receptor, dispersed cells from this tissue did not respond to the cytokine by increasing prostaglandin output. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Memoria para optar al título Profesional de Médico Veterinario
Una alteración del ambiente materno durante la gestación puede originar una readecuación fisiológica en el feto llamada “reprogramación fetal” (RF), con consecuencias funcionales adversas a largo plazo. La exposición prenatal a cadmio (Cd2+) puede generar un ambiente adverso a nivel placentario debido a que se acumula en la placenta induciendo menor peso de nacimiento de las crías. Esta hipótesis propone que la exposición a Cd2+ durante la gestación induce RF la que se manifiesta en una disfunción endotelial vascular en las crías en la edad adulta. Ratas vírgenes hembra Wistar fueron cruzadas y expuestas a Cd2+ en el agua de bebida (30 ppm de Cd2+como CdCl2) durante el período de gestación (21 días). Después del parto, las crías se mantuvieron en condiciones normales hasta la adultez (60 días). A esa edad se extrajeron los anillos aórticos y se determinó la reactividad vascular endotelio-dependiente (parámetro de función endotelial) y endotelio- independiente, y marcadores moleculares de factores de inflamación (VCAM-1) y estrés (HO-1), así como marcadores plasmáticos de angiogénesis (VEGF) y estrés oxidativo (8-isoprostano). El tejido aórtico de las ratas adultas expuestas a Cd2+ durante la gestación mostró una respuesta disminuida de relajación inducida por acetilcolina, indicando daño endotelial. Este efecto se manifestó tanto en hembras como en machos. No se detectó niveles de VEGF ni 8-isoprostano circulante ni en los animales controles ni tratados in útero. La expresión de VCAM-1 (mRNA) fue mayor en machos que en hembras y no se modificó con el tratamiento. El mRNA de HO-1 aumentó en aortas de animales tratados in útero, tanto en machos como en hembras aunque el efecto fue mayor en las hembras. No se detectó Cd2+ (ICP-MS) ni en tejidos fetales ni en leche materna aunque sí en placenta, lo que indica que este metal tóxico no traspasa la barrera placentaria ni tampoco se transfiere a las crías a través de la lactancia. Concluimos que la exposición prenatal a Cd2+ es un factor de RF porque induce, a largo plazo, una disfunción endotelial del tejido aórtico, proceso inicial característico de enfermedad cardiovascular. Se sugiere que estos efectos están mediados, en parte, por una alteración en la expresión de HO-1, gen inducible por Cd2+ y estrés, la que se genera por un efecto indirecto de Cd2+, que al acumularse en la placenta, altera su fisiología y funcionalidad.
Proyecto FONDECYT 1071110