Qualitative parameters of piapara semen (Leporinus elongatus) were evaluated before and after hormonal induction with carp pituitary extract at 2.5 mg.kg -1 of live weight. The progressive motility, the spermatic vigor and the lifetime of the spermatozoa were higher before the hormonal induction (P > 0.05). The percentage of normal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with secondary pathologies did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments: before induction (44.0 and 44.4%, respectively) and after-induction (44.3 and 46.7%, respectively). However, the percentage of primary pathologies was higher (P < 0.05) for the semen collected before induction than for the semen collected after induction; the estimates were 12.2 and 8.0%, respectively. The most frequent pathologies were the taillessness with the frequencies of 27.4 and 36.3% followed by the headlessness for which the estimates were 10.1 and 3.9%, before and after induction respectively. The semen collected before the hormonal induction presented better qualitative parameters.Keywords: spermatic cells, spermatic morphology, fish. Parâmetros qualitativos do sêmen de piapara (Leporinus elongatus Valenciennes, 1850) ResumoOs parâmetros qualitativos do sêmen de piaparas (Leporinus elongatus) foram avaliados antes e após a indução hormonal com o extrato de hipófise de carpa na dosagem 2,5 mg.kg -1 de peso vivo. A motilidade progressiva, o vigor espermático e o tempo de vida dos espermatozóides apresentaram valores superiores (P < 0,05) no sêmen coletado antes da indução hormonal. Já a estimativa da porcentagem de espermatozóides normais ou com patologias leves, na pré-indução (44,0 e 44,4%, respectivamente) e na pós-indução hormonal (44,3 e 46,7%, respectivamente) não diferiram (P > 0,05) entre os tratamentos. Porém a estimativa de patologias graves foi maior (P < 0,05) no sêmen de pré-indução do que no pós-induzido com 12,2 e 8%, respectivamente. A patologia mais freqüente foi cabeça solta com 27,4 e 36,3% seguida por cauda solta com 10,1 e 3,9%, antes e após a indução hormonal respectivamente. De acordo com os resultados, o sêmen de piapara coletado na pré-indução hormonal apresentou os melhores parâmetros qualitativos.Palavras-chave: células espermáticas, morfologia espermática, peixes.

This study aimed at assessing the sperm quality of the Amazon catfish, Leiarius marmoratus¸ after refrigeration without extenders. After capturing the animals and stripping of semen, the following parameters were analyzed: progressive motility, motility quality score, duration of motility and sperm morphology. An aliquot of fresh semen from each male was kept at room temperature (28 ± 2°C) as a control, for further comparison with cooled semen. The semen from each animal was stored in extenders-free individual syringes. The syringes were kept in ice within polystyrene boxes at 13 ± 2°C. For both fresh and cooled semen, seminal parameters were evaluated every one-hour interval, reaching seven hours of analysis. Fresh semen showed a significant decrease in motility, motility quality score and duration of motility remaining viable only for three hours. Progressive motility of the cooled semen displayed a negative linear pattern (P<0.05). The duration of motility increased (P<0.05), reaching its peak after three hours of storage. The motility quality score showed a quadratic pattern. No statistical differences were observed when sperm morphology was assessed (P>0.05), even though the mean values of total abnormalities have increased over the storage time. Further studies focusing on the application of this technique should be performed, including the addition of extenders and cryoprotectants for preservation of the sperm over longer periods.Keywords: progressive motility, duration of motility, cooling, motility quality score. Qualidade espermática do Jundiá Amazônico Leiarius marmoratus (Gill, 1870) após o resfriamentoResumo O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar a qualidade espermática do Jundiá da Amazônia, Leiarius marmoratus, após resfriamento sem diluidores. Após a captura dos animais e coleta do sêmen, os seguintes parâmetros foram analizados: motilidade progressiva, vigor espermático, duração da motilidade e morfologia espermática. Uma alíquota de sêmen fresco de cada animal foi utilizada como controle, permanecendo em temperatura ambiente (28 ± 2°C) até o momento das análises. O sêmen de cada animal foi armazenado em seringas individuais, sem a presença de diluidores. As seringas foram mantidas em gelo dentro de caixas de poliestireno a uma temperatura media de 13 ± 2°C. Os parâmetros seminais foram avaliados a cada hora, totalizando sete horas de análises. O sêmen fresco (controle) apresentou uma queda significativa na motilidade progressiva, vigor espermático e duração da motilidade, permanecendo viável apenas por três horas. As taxas de motilidade progressiva do sêmen resfriado apresentaram um comportamento linear negativo (P<0.05). Assim como a duração da motilidade aumentou (P<0.05), alcançando seu pico após três horas de resfriamento. O vigor espermático do sêmen resfriado apresentou um comportamento quadrático. Não foi observada diferença estatística na morfologia espermática do sêmen resfriado (P<0.05), embora o número total de anormalidades tende a aumentar com o decorrer do tempo. Estudos...

Figure 1.1 demonstrates the female karyotype and the inset shows the sex chromosomes of the male A paca.

The Center of Study and Research in Wild Animals Prof MA Giannoni, established at FCAVJ, is conducting research projects in mammals and birds. Partial results of cytogenetic analysis of some of these projects are presented below.The metaphases were obtained as described by Moorhead et al (1960), and chromosome G-, C-and NOR (nucleolar organizer region)-banding patterns were prepared according to Seabright (1971), Sumner (1972) and Howell and Black (1980), respectively. Cytogenetic analysis of Agouti pacaThis is a subproject of the 'Biology, behavior and adaptation to captivity of the Agouti paca species'. The species has great potential to be explored in animal production, but studies with a conservational viewpoint on repopulation and genetic improvement are needed. The purpose of this investigation was to contribute to