RESUMEN
Gossypol, a phenolic compound produced by the pigment glands of cotton, is known to affect male reproduction. In females, exposure to gossypol has been associated with interference with the estrous cycle and embryo development. In laying hens fed cottonseed, gossypol was found to reduce egg production and weight and to cause discoloration of the egg yolk and/or albumen. It is probable that gossypol directly affects ovarian follicles, but this has not been confirmed experimentally yet. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine if gossypol affected cultivated ovarian follicles of the chicken. Ovarian follicles of adult female chickens were cultivated with different concentrations of gossypol (0, 5, 10 and 20 g/mL) and classified according to the stage of development as primordial, transitional, primary, secondary or antral, and as viable or atretic. The percentages of viable and atretic follicles in the ovaries cultivated for 24 hours in the presence of gossypol were significantly different from those of the controls for all types of follicles except for secondary follicles, but in all types after cultivation for 7 days. The percentage of viable follicles was higher than that of atretic follicles in ovaries cultivated without gossypol. In contrast, ovaries cultivated with gossypol showed a predominance of atretic follicles. Gossypol increased the proportion of atretic follicles at all stages of development in cultivated chicken ovaries. Thus, gossypol may affect ovarian follicular viability and maturation, which might interfere with female fertility.
Asunto(s)
Femenino , Animales , Desarrollo Embrionario/fisiología , Folículo Ovárico , Pollos/fisiología , Gosipol/análisis , Ciclo Estral , Fertilidad , Reproducción/fisiología , Técnicas In Vitro/veterinariaRESUMEN
Gossypol, a phenolic compound produced by the pigment glands of cotton, is known to affect male reproduction. In females, exposure to gossypol has been associated with interference with the estrous cycle and embryo development. In laying hens fed cottonseed, gossypol was found to reduce egg production and weight and to cause discoloration of the egg yolk and/or albumen. It is probable that gossypol directly affects ovarian follicles, but this has not been confirmed experimentally yet. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine if gossypol affected cultivated ovarian follicles of the chicken. Ovarian follicles of adult female chickens were cultivated with different concentrations of gossypol (0, 5, 10 and 20 g/mL) and classified according to the stage of development as primordial, transitional, primary, secondary or antral, and as viable or atretic. The percentages of viable and atretic follicles in the ovaries cultivated for 24 hours in the presence of gossypol were significantly different from those of the controls for all types of follicles except for secondary follicles, but in all types after cultivation for 7 days. The percentage of viable follicles was higher than that of atretic follicles in ovaries cultivated without gossypol. In contrast, ovaries cultivated with gossypol showed a predominance of atretic follicles. Gossypol increased the proportion of atretic follicles at all stages of development in cultivated chicken ovaries. Thus, gossypol may affect ovarian follicular viability and maturation, which might interfere with female fertility.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Animales , Femenino , Gosipol/análisis , Pollos/fisiología , Desarrollo Embrionario/fisiología , Folículo Ovárico , Técnicas In Vitro/veterinaria , Reproducción/fisiología , Ciclo Estral , FertilidadRESUMEN
The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of the semen from six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) collected by electroejaculation. Six mature males were physically restrained and electroejaculated twice for the collection of semen. Semen collected was immediately evaluated for appearance, volume, pH, sperm motility, vigor, morphology, percentage of live sperm and functional membrane integrity by light microscopy. Semen was obtained from all (100%) twelve attempts conducted for electroejaculation. Armadillos' semen had a white-translucent appearance, and great viscosity. Mean values obtained in analysis of the semen were: 353+/-86 microl for volume, 9 for pH, 45+/-14 x 10(6)sperm/ml for concentration, 61+/-7% motile sperm with 2+/-0.2 for vigor, 55+/-7% live sperm, 86+/-2% morphologic normal sperm, and 46+/-6% functional membrane integrity. In conclusion, semen from six-banded armadillos can be efficiently obtained by electroejaculation. The characteristics of semen collected by electroejaculation in six-banded armadillos provide background information that may be useful for assisted breeding programs in the members of the Xenarthra family.