An experiment was conducted to evaluate the conservation of blackberry, cv. Tupy, stored under refrigeration and coated with different edible coatings. Four treatments were carried out: control T1 (uncoated), T2 (chitosan 1.5 %), T3 (cassava starch 2.5 %) and T4 (kefir grains in water 20 %), stored at temperatures of 0 and 10 °C; 1.0 % (m/v) sorbitol/glycerol was added as plasticizers. Chemical and physical-chemical evaluations (weight loss, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, SS/TA ratio and anthocyanins) were made, besides rot incidence. The results showed that cooling to 0 °C combined with T2 showed an effect in reducing the physiological loss of weight (4.41 %), in retaining fruit firmness (19.1 N) and presenting lower incidence of rot (6.19 %). Likewise, in physical and chemical parameters: SS did not alter significantly during the whole period of 18 days of storage.

The antral follicle count (AFC) represents the number of follicles visualized by ultrasonography in the ovaries. Antral follicle count tends to be variable among cows but with high repeatability within the same individual. In the last decade, AFC has been considered a biological marker of fertility with many positive aspects of reproductive efficiency for those animals with high AFC. For instance, a larger number and better-quality embryos, better pregnancy rates, increased concentrations of circulating progesterone, in addition to other characteristics linked to fertility, are all responses observed in individuals with high compared with those with low AFC in Bos taurus cattle. However, the positive association between AFC and fertility did not follow the same pattern for Bos indicus. Recent articles showed no connection between fertility and number of antral follicles or better reproductive efficiency for high AFC group in Zebu cows. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the various data concerning AFC between indicus and taurus cattle. Additionally, we consider AFC to be a possible tool to improve cattle performance in reproductive biotechnology.

-Blackberry is a notable fruit due to bioactive compounds. However it has a fragile structure, which reduces the consumption in natura. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality of the cv. Tupy blackberry fruits, produced in an organic system, and coated with emulsions based on cassava starch and water kefir grains stored under refrigeration. The fruits were divided into three groups: a control (T1) and two treatments with coatings. The coatings used were: cassava starch solution 2.5% (T2); water kefir grains at 20% (T3). The fruits of the three treatments were stored at 10 ± 2 °C and RH 85 ± 3%, and were evaluated every three days for 12 days period. It was determined: weight loss, firmness, pH, titratable acid, soluble solids, ratio, anthocyanins and decay incidence. The results for the chemical features showed statistical differences (p>0.05) except for the pH value at the end of the storage. There were differences between crop for all parameters. During the storage period, the anthocyanin content increased on the 2008 crop and reduced on the fruits of 2009. To reduce the decay incidence it is recommended to use the coating with kefir grains. These fruits can be consumed until the third day of storage at 10 °C.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether the number of antral follicles (AF) in the ovaries of Nelore cows is influenced with the developmental competence of oocytes to reach the blastocyst stage and to quantify the mRNA abundance of genes associated with folliculogenesis and oogenesis in granulosa and cumulus cells. A total of 168 cows were distributed into two experimental groups according to the number of AF, low (≤31) and high AF (≥92), which were determined based on the mean number of AF (61.14) ± SD (30.43). Granulosa and cumulus cells were used to assess the mRNA expression of 16 genes. Cumulus cells from cows with low AF had higher mRNA expression of genes involved in meiosis resumption (NPR-2, NPR-3) and cumulus cell expansion (FGF10), as well as a transcription factor involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation and cell proliferation (STAT3). Conversely, granulosa cells from females with high AF had higher expression of PGR and AMHR2a, which are involved in meiosis resumption and cumulus cell expansion. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 356 cows with low and high AF populations to evaluate embryo development. Cleavage and blastocyst rates did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, our findings revealed that genes involved in folliculogenesis and oogenesis are differently expressed in cumulus and granulosa cells of cows having low and high numbers of AF. These molecular differences suggest that the regulation of oocyte maturation, meiotic resumption and cumulus expansion may be influenced by the number of AFs. However, the variations in gene expression were not associated with in vitro oocyte developmental competence to reach the blastocyst stage, which confirms that oocytes from Nelore cows with low and high numbers of AF are similarly able to mature, regulate the fertilization process and support pre-implantation embryo development.

Resumo: O objetivo foi determinar as características físicas e químicas da farinha de resíduo de laranja. As laranjas foram colhidas na região de Paranavaí-PR. Após a extração do suco, os resíduos passaram por processo de secagem em estufa e, posteriormente, moídos. As análises realizadas foram: Sólidos solúveis (SS), pH, acidez titulável (AT), vitamina C, clorofila total, carotenóides totais, açúcares redutores, umidade, extrato etéreo, proteína, fibras, índice de absorção de água (IAA), índice de solubilidade em água (ISA) e volume de intumescimento (VI). Os resultados ob-Recebido em 10/09/2012-Aceito em 07/02/2013. RECEN 14(2) p. 257-269 jul/dez 2012