No abstract

Llamas require a copulation stimulus to elicit an LH surge that subsequently leads to induced ovulation. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone has been used to induce ovulation in llamas; however, results have been variable because of the different analogues and doses in previous studies (Bravo PW et al. 1992 Biol. Reprod. 47, 884-888; Ratto M et al. 2006 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 91, 299-306). Additionally, the effect of different doses and types of GnRH analogues on CL formation and function has not been described in detail. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a dose response trial to examine the effect of a synthetic analogue of GnRH, gonadorelin acetate (Ovalyse®, Pfizer, Santiago, Chile) on ovulation and CL formation in llamas. Nonpregnant and nonlactating adult llamas (range 4-8 years) weighing 90 to 130 kg were examined once daily by transrectal ultrasonography using a B mode scanner with a 7.5-MHz linear-array transducer (Aloka® SSD 500, International Clinics, Santiago, Chile). Llamas with a follicle ≥8 mm in diameter that had grown for 3 consecutive days were assigned randomly to be given an i.m. administration of gonadorelin at a dose of 1) 50 μg (n = 5); 2) 25 μg (n = 8); 3) 12.5 μg (n = 9); 4) 6.25 μg (n = 8), or 5) i.m. administration of 0.5 mL of PBS as a negative control group (n = 5). Llamas were examined by ultrasonography every 12 h from treatment (Day 0) to ovulation and thereafter on Day 8 to determine CL formation. Ovulation was defined as the sudden disappearance of a large follicle ≥8 mm that was detected during the previous examination and was confirmed by subsequent CL formation on Day 8. Ovulation rate was analyzed by chi-square analysis. Follicle diameter (at the time of treatment), interval from treatment to ovulation, and CL diameter on Day 8 were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Mean ± SD diameter of preovulatory follicle did not differ (P = 0.4) among groups (11 ± 1.6, 10.6 ± 1.5, 11.5 ± 1.9, 11.7 ± 1.9, and 9.8 ± 2.9 mm for 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 μg of gonadorelin and 0.5 mL PBS, respectively). The proportions of ovulated llamas did not differ (P = 0.1) among GnRH-treated groups (100, 62.5, 77.7, and 62.5% for 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 μg of gonadorelin, respectively) but they did differ (P < 0.01) from the control group (0%). Also, the interval from treatment to ovulation in those ovulated females ranged from 36 to 48 h and it did not differ (P = 0.6) among groups. Corpus luteum diameter on Day 8 (12.2 ± 1.8, 10.2 ± 1.1, 11.7 ± 2.2, and 11.3 ± 1.8 for 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 μg of gonadorelin, respectively) did not differ (P = 0.3) among groups. In conclusion, the minimal dose of gonadorelin used in this study (1/8 dose) was as equally effective as the highest dose to induce ovulation in llamas without compromising CL formation. The study was supported by Proyecto FONDECYT 11080141, Convenio de Desempeño en Investigacion (2007 DGI-CDA-04), Universidad Catolica de Temuco, and College of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile.

A inclusão de pessoas com deficiência no mercado de trabalho é vista por muitas empresas como apenas uma obrigação legal, após a publicação da Lei nº 8.213/91, também conhecida como Lei das Cotas, que determina que pessoas com deficiência ocupem de 2% a 5% da força de trabalho das companhias com 100 colaboradores ou mais. Assim, esse artigo se propõe a relatar as dificuldades para a inclusão dos PCD nas empresas, identificar necessidades de adequações para bem receber estas pessoas e, também, identificar o turnover dos PCDs. Como metodologia, utilizou-se a pesquisa qualitativa e o método utilizado nas análises dos resultados foi uma pesquisa bibliográfica e exploratória, para identificar respostas para tais objetivos. Conclui-se que, com a inclusão de pessoas com deficiência, as empresas têm sim um investimento financeiro e cultural, mas também podem ter retorno positivo, principalmente para a sociedade e para o próprio PCD, que sai de dependente de um benefício, para provedor de seu próprio sustento. No final das contas, se bem acolhidos, as PCD têm reais possibilidades de produtividade, tal qual outro colaborador sem deficiência.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that stimulates proliferation, differentiation and function in different cells types. We have previously demonstrated (Bücher DD et al. 2008 Reprod. Dom. Anim. 43 (Suppl. 3), 146 abst.) that both subunits of GM-CSF receptor are expressed in granulosa cells from antral follicles in bovine ovaries. Also, we determined that the cytokine enhances glucose uptake through facilitative hexose transporters in granulosa cells in primary culture. The goals of the present study were to characterize the expression of GM-CSF receptor in cumulus cells and oocytes from bovine antral follicles and to determine its effects on in vitro-matured bovine COCs in a chemically defined medium. To determine the presence of a and |5 subunits of GM-CSF receptor, COCs were aspirated from follicles <8 mm in diameter, fixed, and submitted to immunocytochemistry. To study the effect of GM-CSF on in vitro maturation of oocytes, COCs (n =481) were cultured using serum-free medium (SOF) containing 0, 1, 10, and 100 ng mL-1 of human recombinant GM-CSF (R&D Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) for 22 h at 39°C, 5% CO2 in humidified air. Nuclear stage, cumulus expansion, cumulus cell number, and viability were analyzed after in vitro maturation. Cumulus expansion was assessed using the cumulus expansion index (CEI) (Fagbohun C and Down S 1990 Biol. Reprod. 42, 413-423). Nuclear stage was evaluated using aceto-orcein stain. To determine cumulus cell viability and number, COCs (n = 10-12 per group) were transferred into an Eppendorf tube and cumulus cells were removed by vortexing for 3 min, stained with trypan blue and counted with a hemocytometer. The study was conducted in 6 replicates. Data from cumulus expansion and cell number were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Data for nuclear stage and cell viability were analyzed by chi-square analysis and one way ANOVA, respectively. Both receptor subunits were present in cumulus cells and oocytes from COCs. COCs cultured in 10 and 100 ng mL-1 GM-CSF had CEI scores (0.8 and 1.22, respectively) greater (P < 0.01) than controls (0.2), but the proportion of COCs displaying second metaphase did not differ (P = 0.5) among treatment groups. GM-CSF at a concentration of 100 ng mL-1 increased (P < 0.01) cumulus cell viability by more than 20% compared to the control group. Similarly, GM-CSF at concentrations of 10 and 100 ng mL-1 increased (P < 0.05) cumulus cell number by more than 20% and 45%, respectively, from the control group. The use of a specific inhibitor of PI3 kinase (Ly294002; 10 and 100 μM) blocked the stimulatory effect of GM-CSF on cumulus expansion, cell viability, and cell number. In conclusion, the results of the study suggest a plausible modulator role of GM-CSF in the metabolism and function of cumulus cells and oocytes during in vitro maturation. Funding from Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, MECESUP AUS-0005, AUS-0601, and DID D-2006-24 and from Universidad Católica de Temuco, research grant 2007 DGI-CDA-04.