RESUMO

The epididymis is known to be exposed to a constant risk of inflammatory conditions resulting from bacterial infections, or from idiopathic and noninfectious causes. A common result of these conditions is epididymitis, a pathology that may lead to the destruction of the epididymal duct and transient or permanent sterility. The negative impact of epididymitis on semen quality and fertility justifies the need for a better understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms by which innate immunity is modulated in the epididymis and the pathophysiology of this clinical condition. Our laboratory has been interested in the last years in the cellular and biochemical events involved in the epididymal defense response against a bacterial challenge, as well as in how these responses are integrated by glucocorticoids and the glucocorticoid receptor. We have been also interested in naturally occurring antimicrobial proteins secreted by the epididymis. Antimicrobial proteins are known to be part of the innate immune system, with potential biological role during a defense response against invasion by pathogens in the epididymis. Here we review the expression and regulation of antimicrobial proteins, particularly beta-defensins in the epididymis, highlighting isoforms of the beta-defensin-like SPAG11B gene. Aspects of their broad range of biological roles and potential use as targets to help to prevent or treat diseases, such as epididym itis, are also discussed.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

The epididymis is known to be exposed to a constant risk of inflammatory conditions resulting from bacterial infections, or from idiopathic and noninfectious causes. A common result of these conditions is epididymitis, a pathology that may lead to the destruction of the epididymal duct and transient or permanent sterility. The negative impact of epididymitis on semen quality and fertility justifies the need for a better understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms by which innate immunity is modulated in the epididymis and the pathophysiology of this clinical condition. Our laboratory has been interested in the last years in the cellular and biochemical events involved in the epididymal defense response against a bacterial challenge, as well as in how these responses are integrated by glucocorticoids and the glucocorticoid receptor. We have been also interested in naturally occurring antimicrobial proteins secreted by the epididymis. Antimicrobial proteins are known to be part of the innate immune system, with potential biological role during a defense response against invasion by pathogens in the epididymis. Here we review the expression and regulation of antimicrobial proteins, particularly beta-defensins in the epididymis, highlighting isoforms of the beta-defensin-like SPAG11B gene. Aspects of their broad range of biological roles and potential use as targets to help to prevent or treat diseases, such as epididym itis, are also discussed.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Glyphosate is a herbicide widely used to kill weeds both in agricultural and non-agricultural landscapes. Its reproductive toxicity is related to the inhibition of a StAR protein and an aromatase enzyme, which causes an in vitro reduction in testosterone and estradiol synthesis. Studies in vivo about this herbicide effects in prepubertal Wistar rats reproductive development were not performed at this moment. Evaluations included the progression of puberty, body development, the hormonal production of testosterone, estradiol and corticosterone, and the morphology of the testis. Results showed that the herbicide (1) significantly changed the progression of puberty in a dose-dependent manner; (2) reduced the testosterone production, in semineferous tubules' morphology, decreased significantly the epithelium height (P < 0.001; control = 85.8 +/- 2.8 microm; 5 mg/kg = 71.9 +/- 5.3 microm; 50 mg/kg = 69.1 +/- 1.7 microm; 250 mg/kg = 65.2 +/- 1.3 microm) and increased the luminal diameter (P < 0.01; control = 94.0 +/- 5.7 microm; 5 mg/kg = 116.6 +/- 6.6 microm; 50 mg/kg = 114.3 +/- 3.1 microm; 250 mg/kg = 130.3 +/- 4.8 microm); (4) no difference in tubular diameter was observed; and (5) relative to the controls, no differences in serum corticosterone or estradiol levels were detected, but the concentrations of testosterone serum were lower in all treated groups (P < 0.001; control = 154.5 +/- 12.9 ng/dL; 5 mg/kg = 108.6 +/- 19.6 ng/dL; 50 mg/dL = 84.5 +/- 12.2 ng/dL; 250 mg/kg = 76.9 +/- 14.2 ng/dL). These results suggest that commercial formulation of glyphosate is a potent endocrine disruptor in vivo, causing disturbances in the reproductive development of rats when the exposure was performed during the puberty period.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The objective of this study was to characterize follicular dynamics in pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods, as well as the effect of high-energy intake on follicular development and age at puberty in heifers. Thirty-one Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers, 6 months old, were randomly assigned to receive two different diets: one of low (GI) and other of high dietary energy intake (GII). Animals were evaluated in relation to body weight gain by being weighed every 21 days. Heifers were evaluated every other day by real-time linear ultrasonography to characterize ovarian structures development from weaning to post-pubertal period. Blood samples were collected to determine plasmatic concentrations of progesterone by RIA method. The ovulation was determined when progesterone concentrations were >1 ng/mL in three consecutive samples, and by ultrasound images of corpus luteum; and oestrous behaviour in some animals. Age at puberty differed among heifers of GII (17.00 +/- 0.46 months) compared with heifers of GI (19.87 +/- 0.47 months; p < or = 0.05). Maximum size of the dominant follicles at pre-pubertal period was greater in GII heifers than in GI (10.52 +/- 0.33 and 9.76 +/- 0.15 mm, respectively; p < or = 0.05). As heifers approached first ovulation time, size of dominant follicle increased (11.75 +/- 0.37 mm for GI and 12.52 +/- 0.91 mm for GII; p < or = 0.05). Body weight at puberty was not different in both groups (302.33 +/- 27.31 kg for GI and 326.19 +/- 27.78 kg for GII heifers; p > 0.05). We conclude that animals receiving high dietary energy intake attained the puberty earlier and the development of follicles were different than in low dietary energy intake.

Assuntos

RESUMO

On the evidence of the electron diffraction pattern of the vapor, of the IR spectrum of the matrix-isolated molecule, and of quantum chemical calculations, the diacetyl sulfide molecule, CH3C(O)SC(O)CH3, adopts a planar heavy-atom skeleton with the [sp,ap] conformation. Other conformations contribute little (<1%) to the population of the gaseous molecules at normal temperatures. Salient structural parameters (r(a) structure, distances (in A), angles (in deg), and 3sigma uncertainties in parentheses) were as follows: r(C=O) 1.198(2)/1.196(2), r(C-S) 1.787(3)/1.808(3), r(C-C) 1.483(4)/1.472(4), angleC-S-C 108.8(9), angleS-C=O 125.7(6)/115.1(6), and angleS-C-C 121.1(7)/111.2(7). The structure of a single crystal at 150 K [monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 4.2230(7) A, b = 11.2105(17) A, c = 12.332(2) A, beta = 94.544(16) degrees] also reveals planar molecules with the same conformation and dimensions close to those of the gaseous molecule. Changes in the vibrational spectra of the compound accompanying the transition from the vapor to the condensed phases are attributed not to the presence of more than one conformer but to differences in the local environment of the two carbonyl groups. The properties deduced are compared with those of other compounds of the type CH3C(O)XC(O)CH3 (X = CH2, NH, or O).

RESUMO

The compound CF(3)OCF(2)OCF(2)C(O)F was prepared by oxidation of hexafluoropropene with molecular oxygen in the gas-phase using CF(3)OF as initiator. (13)C NMR, FTIR, Raman, UV-vis, and mass spectra were obtained and interpreted. The theoretical structure studies were performed by the calculation of the potential energy surfaces, using the results obtained for a smaller related molecule, CF(3)OCF(2)C(O)F, as a starting point. A high degree of conformational flexibility of this compound is evidenced by the values of several conformations, varying within the range of 1 kcal/mol. Theoretical calculations predict chain conformations as the most stable molecular forms, as expected from the presence of the anomeric effect. The experimental fundamental vibrational modes are compared with those obtained theoretically, using ab initio and density functional theory methods, HF/6-31+G and B3LYP/6-31+G, respectively. The density of the compound at ambient temperature (delta = 1.7(1) g/mL), its melting point (mp = -140(5) degrees C), its boiling point (bp = 14.5 (1) degrees C), and the relation between its vapor pressure and the absolute temperature (ln P = 13.699 - 2023.4/T) were also determined.

RESUMO

The vapor of (chlorocarbonyl)sulfenyl bromide, ClC(O)SBr, was isolated in solid Ar, Kr, N(2), and Ar doped with 5% CO at 15 K, and the matrix was subsequently irradiated with broad-band UV--visible light (200 < or = lambda < or = 800 nm), the changes being followed by reference to the IR spectrum of the matrix. The initial spectrum showed the vapor of ClC(O)SBr to consist of more than 99% of the syn form (with the C==O bond syn with respect to the S--Br bond) in equilibrium with less than 1% of the anti conformer. Irradiation caused various changes to occur. First, conformational randomization took place, leading to a roughly equimolar mixture of the two rotamers, and so affording the first spectroscopic characterization of an anti-ClC(O)S-containing compound. Simultaneously, the novel constitutional isomer syn-BrC(O)SCl was also formed. Continued photolysis resulted in the decay of all these species while revealing a third reaction channel, leading to the elimination of CO and the formation of the new triatomic sulfur halide BrSCl. The assignment of the IR bands to the different products was made on the basis of the usual criteria, taking account (i) of the effects of the naturally occurring isotopic pairs (35)Cl/(37)Cl and (79)Br/(81)Br, (ii) of the vibrational properties of related molecules, and (iii) of the properties predicted for the relevant molecules by quantum chemical calculations.