https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/5476 2026-07-20T03:12:35Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/48884 Title: Correlação da integridade cromatínica e da morfometria da cabeça dos espermatozoides com a produção in vitro de embriões e taxa de prenhez na raça Senepol Abstract: This study assessed chromatin integrity and sperm head morphometry in Senepol bull semen to elucidate the relationships between these parameters and in vitro embryo production (IVEP) outcomes—specifically cleavage, embryonic development, and blastocyst rates—as well as pregnancy rates in recipient cows following embryo transfer. Cryopreserved semen samples, previously utilized in a commercial IVEP laboratory, were processed into smears and stained using Toluidine Blue or the Feulgen reaction for digital imaging. Additionally, the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) was performed to determine the percentage of cells with DNA fragmentation. Computational image analysis of the stained smears quantified various sperm head characteristics, including average decompaction and heterogeneity of sperm chromatin, percentage of spermatozoa with chromatin decompaction in specific regions of the sperm head, and diverse morphometric parameters. The findings revealed a moderate negative correlation between DNA fragmentation (SCSA) and cleavage rates. Similarly, total chromatin decompaction identified via the Feulgen reaction correlated negatively with blastocyst rates. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that ellipticity was significantly and positively correlated with pregnancy rates, whereas the width-to-length ratio and form factor exhibited negative correlations with the same outcome. These data demonstrate that even in semen samples deemed fertile by conventional andrological standards, chromatin alterations can compromise IVEP efficiency and subsequent pregnancy rates. While both SCSA and computational analysis of Feulgen-stained smears show moderate efficacy in detecting such alterations, reduced sperm head ellipticity resulting from chromatin decompaction— even when undetected by direct chromatin assays—serves as a robust predictor of IVEP performance and post-transfer pregnancy success. 2026-02-23T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/48518 Title: influência da condição corporal pré-parto na dinâmica do parto e intervenção manual em fêmeas suínas: avaliação por caliper Abstract: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of pre-partum body condition score, measured using the Caliper, on the occurrence of dystocia and the effects of manual intervention associated with the duration of farrowing. Body condition scores were measured in sows using the Caliper, pre-partum and during the first three weeks of lactation. The variables were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey's test, with a significance level of 5%. The results showed that touch was associated with increased farrowing duration and a higher incidence of stillbirths, even though sows in this group showed less body condition score loss during lactation, possibly due to post-partum therapeutic support. On the other hand, pre-partum body condition score did not significantly influence farrowing duration, number of live births, and stillbirths. Greater body condition score loss was observed among fat sows, suggesting greater mobilization of energy reserves throughout lactation. Therefore, the management of sows should prioritize good body condition at farrowing, reduction of unnecessary obstetric interventions, and efficient therapeutic support for recovery, prioritizing the well-being of the sow. 2026-01-14T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/48349 Title: Interação de aditivos alimentares em dietas ricas em amido à base de sorgo para cordeiras Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), condensed tannin, and an amylolytic enzyme on feed intake, diet digestibility, nitrogen balance, and blood parameters of ewe lambs fed high-starch sorghum-based diets. Five crossbred ewe lambs (Dorper × Santa Inês), with an average age of 5.6 ± 1.4 months and an initial body weight of 28.8 ± 3.7 kg, were housed in individual metabolic cages for a 75-day experimental period. The experimental diets were formulated with a 20:80 forage-to concentrate ratio, and animals were fed twice daily at 08:00 and 16:00 h. The treatments consisted of: i) diet without additives (control); ii) amylolytic enzyme + tannin (TE); iii) amylolytic enzyme + live yeast (EY); iv) live yeast + tannin (TY); and v) live yeast + tannin + amylolytic enzyme (TYE). During a five-day collection period, nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as protein, enzymatic, and energy-related blood metabolites, were evaluated. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS, considering differences significant at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P ≤ 0.10. The experiment was conducted in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The inclusion of additives increased plasma glucose, dry matter (DM) intake, and the digestibility of DM and starch. The TE, TY, and TYE treatments showed higher crude protein (CP) intake compared to the EY treatment. The digestibility of DM, CP, and starch was reduced in the TY and TYE treatments, which also showed higher fecal output (as-fed basis) and higher fecal dry matter content. The EY treatment reduced nitrogen balance and increased serum LDL concentrations, whereas the TE treatment resulted in lower fecal nitrogen excretion and lower triglyceride concentrations. A tendency toward increased serum urea and creatinine concentrations was observed in the EY and TE treatments. The TYE treatment promoted higher serum alkaline phosphatase activity. No effects of the additives were observed on water intake, fecal starch content, urinary volume and density, fecal dry matter output, fecal score, or urinary nitrogen excretion. A linear effect was observed in the glycemic curve, with the highest value recorded at 17:00 h (71.03 mg dL⁻¹). It is concluded that different combinations of live yeast, condensed tannin, and amylolytic enzyme in high-concentrate diets for ewe lambs increase DM intake and improve DM and starch digestibility without compromising water balance or the evaluated energy, enzymatic, and protein metabolic parameters. 2026-02-06T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/48348 Title: O embrião de galinha antes de experimentar dor poderia ser um modelo experimental adequado para infecção de Sporothrix brasiliensis e S. schenckii ? Abstract: Sporotrichosis is a chronic or subacute fungal infection transmitted by fungi of the genus Sporothrix, infecting humans and animals, especially domestic cats. The Gallus gallus domesticus embryo is suitable for scientific research because it offers an environment with more variables than in vitro models and more suitability to the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement ) than animal models with higher complexities, like the mammals. The objective of this work is to evaluate whether the chicken embryo can act as an alternative model to investigate infection by S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii. The first chapter presents a literature review on rising sporotrichosis in cats and humans, and the characteristics of the chicken embryo for a better understanding of its use as an experimental model. The second chapter is the scientific article. Our results demonstrate that, although Sporothrix spp. is not a natural avian pathogen, it is capable of causing lesions and an inflammatory response in chicken embryos. While no clear virulence differences were observed between strains based on macro- and microscopic lesions, the induction of IL-8 suggests that this chemokine may be a relevant inflammation marker 72 hours after inoculation and reinforces the suitability of this model in researches about the sporotrichosis pathogenesis and immune response. 2025-12-19T00:00:00Z