Focusing on its application in reproductive biotechnology, we evaluated the effects of the essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum (EOSA) on bovine epididymal sperm quality variables, including morphology, membrane functional integrity, membrane structural integrity, mitochondrial activity, metabolic activity, motility and oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Bovine spermatozoa from eight males were incubated into the following groups: EOSA0 (without EOSA), EOSA10 (10 μg/ml of EOSA), EOSA15 (15 μg/ml of EOSA) and EOSA20 (20 μg/ml of EOSA); the incubation time with and without the EOSA was 1 or 6 hr. None of the sperm quality variables presented difference among the EOSA concentrations. However, the incubation time had a significant effect on the membrane functional integrity, membrane structural integrity, mitochondrial activity, progressive motility and some kinetic parameters. The effect of interaction among EOSA and incubation time was significant only on ROS levels. Spermatozoa incubated in the presence of 15 μg/ml of the EOSA for 1 hr had significantly reduced ROS levels compared with all other groups in the same time. In conclusion, the EOSA at a concentration of 15 µg/ml has antioxidant effects and protects bovine epididymal spermatozoa; hence, the EOSA may potentially be used in the field of reproductive biotechnology.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the development of transgenic (T) goat embryos and fetuses for human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (hG-CSF) by ultrasonography. Four pregnancies in non-transgenic (NT) goats were obtained after fertilization (either fixed-time artificial insemination or natural mating) using the T male for hG-CSF. Ultrasound examinations were carried out at 30, 40 (transrectal via), 50, 60, 90 and 120 days of pregnancy (transabdominal via). Some parameters were observed such as morphology, organogenesis and formation of skeletal fetuses, viability with cardiac activity and fetuses' movements. Measurements were taken of the crown-rump length, diameter of embryonic vesicle, thorax, abdomen, umbilical cord and placentomes. After parturition, DNA testing was conducted in all offspring and 4 T and 2 NT kids were identified. The conceptus started their differentiation at 40 days. The heart was detected in all examinations and the heart chambers were assessed at 50 days. Gastric compartments, liver and kidneys were observed at 60 days, the same period that all bony structures were visualized. Average values of all evaluated parameters had a gradual increase with the progression of pregnancy. T and NT goat embryos and fetuses had a similar growth and all remained viable throughout the experimental period.

A ausência da categoria asinina nas normas técnicas de avaliação seminal promove a necessidade de informações reprodutivas desta espécie. Objetivou-se descrever o perfil proteômico do plasma seminal de jumentos da raça Pêga (Equus asinus). Utilizaram-se seis animais púberes, com peso 239±32,6 Kg e circunferência escrotal de 36,8±6,9 cm, criados em mesma propriedade no estado do Tocantins, Brasil. Foi realizada eletroforese unidimensional, utilizando 12,5% de acrilamida e 30μg de proteína. As bandas foram descoradas e digeridas com tripsina para análise em espectrômetro de massa ESI-Q-TOF. Através de bioinformática, pelo banco de dados UniProtKB, as proteínas foram identificadas. Os termos da ontologia genética foram obtidos a partir do software STRAP®. A média da concentração proteica do plasma seminal foi 23,6±12,6 μg/μL. Foram detectadas pelo menos 26 bandas por animal (QuantityOne®). Um total de 19 bandas e 52 proteínas, com pesos entre 9,51 e 155,9 kDa, foram identificadas pela espectrometria. Os processos biológicos mais relevantes ligados às proteínas identificadas foram a regulação (24%) e processo celular (22%). As funções moleculares das proteínas foram descritas como ligação (42%) e atividade catalítica (31%). Em conclusão, a existência da descrição do padrão eletroforético destas proteínas plasmáticas seminais contribuirão com a construção de parâmetros para fertilidade.Palavras-chave: Proteômica, eletroforese, sêmen.