DSpace Coleção: Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPGL)

Expression of apomixis genes during reproductive development in Urochloa decumbens and Urochloa ruziziensis (Poaceae).

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Título: Expression of apomixis genes during reproductive development in Urochloa decumbens and Urochloa ruziziensis (Poaceae). Autoria: ROCHA, M. J. da; DAMASCENO, A. G.; DIOGO JUNIOR, R.; SANTOS, H. O. dos; SOUZA SOBRINHO, F. de; TECHIO, V. H.; PEREIRA, W. A. Conteúdo: This study aimed to correlate the developmental stages of the embryo sac with the morphometric traits of spikelets and to characterize the expression of the BbrizRan, BbrizSti1, and BbrizAGL6genes in Urochloa ruziziensis(sexual) and U. decumbens(apomictic). Data on the length and diameter of spikelets and anatomical sections were also obtained. Gene expression was determined using RT-qPCR in spikelets at megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis. The spikelet length could be used as a reliable morphological marker to discriminate between the two stages in both species. The embryo sacs observed were of the Polygonumtype in U. ruziziensisand the Panicumtype in U. decumbens. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the BbrizRan, BbrizSti1, and BbrizAGL6genes were differentially expressed in the studied species during reproductive development. The BbrizSti1gene was more highly expressed in U. decumbens(apomictic) than in U. ruziziensis(sexual) during megasporogenesis, while for BbrizRan, U. decumbensshowed higher expression than U. ruziziensisduring both megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis. An increase in the expression level of BbrizAGL6was observed in both species at both developmental stages ofthe embryo sac.

Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on echotextural attributes of the original corpus luteum in Morada Nova ewes.

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Título: Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on echotextural attributes of the original corpus luteum in Morada Nova ewes. Autoria: GONÇALVES, J. D.; VERGANI, G. B.; RODRIGUES, J. N. D.; DIAS, J. H.; PEREIRA, V. S. do A.; GARCIA, A. R.; ESTEVES, S. N.; FONSECA, J. F. da; OLIVEIRA, M. E. F. Conteúdo: This study evaluated whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) affects biometric, echotextural, and signs color Doppler variables of the original corpus luteum (oCL) in Morada Nova ewes. Sixty-four ewes underwent estrus synchronization with intravaginal sponges impregnated with 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for six days, with an intramuscular injection of 37.5 µg of d-cloprostenol and 200 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin thirty-six hours before sponge removal. The ewes were subjected to natural mating and subsequently allocated to receive 300 IU of hCG (hCG group; n=34) or 1 mL of saline solution (Control group; n=30) intramuscularly 7.5 days after sponge removal. Biometric variables of the corpus luteum (diameter, area, volume), echotextural variables (numerical pixels values and heterogeneity), and color Doppler signals (color Doppler area, color Doppler volume, and percentage of perfusion) were evaluated on days 7.5, 10.5, 13.5, and 21.5 after sponge removal. The oCL showed no differences in biometric or color Doppler signals between the hCG and control groups (P>0.05). However, hCG increased the echotextural variables, with oCL exhibiting higher numerical pixel values (88.8±4.7a vs. 70.0±0.8b ; P=0.0001) and heterogeneity (14.3±0.6a vs. 11.5±0.2b 38; P<0.0001) compared to the control 39 oCL, respectively. Furthermore, this increased echotextural variables was also observed in pregnant females with oCL hCG when compared to pregnant females with oCL control (P<0.05). These findings indicate that hCG enhances echotextural attributes of the oCL, suggesting functional improvement rather than structural or vascular changes during the early luteal phase.

Prevention of renal and genital leptospirosis in experimentally infected ewes by vaccination.

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Título: Prevention of renal and genital leptospirosis in experimentally infected ewes by vaccination. Autoria: LORIA, J.; EZEPHA, C.; ROUSSOULIÉRES, I.; SOUZA, G. N. de; SARDI, F.; ALONZO, P.; LILENBAUM, W. Conteúdo: Infection by Leptospira sp. caused by strains of serogroup Sejroe impairs ruminants’ reproductive efficiency. Control of leptospirosis is complex, and although systemic vaccination minimizes the clinical effects of the disease, the protection against genitourinary colonization is still controversial. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the efficacy of vaccines against L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo in preventing renal and genital leptospirosis in experimentally infected ewes. Twenty-four adult Santa Inˆes ewes were divided into four groups (N = 6 each), where Groups 1, 2, and 3 were vaccinated with two doses before challenge (on D-43 and D-15) and Group 4 remained unvaccinated. Groups 1 and 2 received experimental vaccines formulated with the same antigen (L. borgpetersenii sv Hardjo), but with different adjuvants (aluminum hydroxide and mineral emulsion adjuvant, respectively). In contrast, Group 3 received a commercial multivalent vaccine. On D0, all animals were challenged via the genital route with 108 leptospires (L. borgpetersenii serogroup Sejroe, serovar Hardjo). Microscopic Agglutination Test was performed on day D-43, D-15, D0, D7, D14, D21, D30, and D60. Quantitative analysis of urinary and reproductive tract colonization was performed using qPCR of urine and cervicovaginal mucus collected on the same days. The results demonstrate that, although vaccination did not completely prevent kidney colonization, Vac2 (mineral oil) and Vac3 (multivalent) reduced the bacterial load and the number of infected animals throughout the experiment. Regarding genital colonization, Vac2 stimulated an immune response that cleared the infection of all ewes at D30 onwards, presenting an interesting potential for protection of the genital tract.

Zoning of degraded pastures for wind farms in Brazil.

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Título: Zoning of degraded pastures for wind farms in Brazil. Autoria: MOTTA, M. B.; ANDRADE, R. G.; RIBEIRO, C. B. de M.; HOTT, M. C.; ROCHA, W. S. D. da; MAGALHAES JUNIOR, W. C. P. de; MARTINS, C. E.; BARROS, I. de; OLIVEIRA, P. S. d' Conteúdo: The increasing demand for energy is leading to a search for new energy sources worldwide. Linked to this is the need to ensure that this energy generation comes from renewable sources, such as wind farms. The existence of degraded areas is an increasingly researched problem in Brazil, both in academia and in the political, social, and economic spheres. Therefore, there is a possibility to reuse degraded areas for energy generation, more specifically wind power. There is a knowledge gap in studies that have assessed the potential of degraded areas in Brazil for wind power production. This study aimed to perform the zoning of areas with indicative degradation suitable for wind energy generation through the combined use of GIS and MCDM and several layers of climatological, physical, social, political, economic, and infrastructure data. In these layers, the weights of each layer were calculated using the MCDM method AHP to allow for the most accurate calculation of suitability. The results showed that the methodology proved effective in selecting areas for wind power expansion, with over 71 thousand km² included in the good and excellent classes – over 60% of suitability - with particular emphasis on the southern and northeastern regions.