ABSTRACT. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of seasonal variations on energy metabolism in different tissues of the freshwater crayfish Parastacus brasiliensis (von Martens, 1869). Crayfish were collected monthly from... more
ABSTRACT. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of seasonal variations on energy metabolism in different tissues of the freshwater crayfish Parastacus brasiliensis (von Martens, 1869). Crayfish were collected monthly from January 2001 to January 2003 in São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in a stream and in a culture tank. Haemolymph samples were collected from each crayfish in the field with a syringe, by puncturing the membrane at the base of the chelipeds. Hepatopancreas, gills, and abdominal muscle were removed for determination of free glucose, glycogen, total lipids, and triglycerides. The haemolymph samples were used for determination of glucose, total proteins, total lipids, and triglycerides. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in biochemical composition in crayfish collected in the stream compared to the experimental tank during the year, principally in glucose and triglycerides in haemolymph, glycogen and total lipids in all t...
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Specialized literature has demonstrated, in Decapods, that anterior gills are morphologically and physiologically adapted for gas exchange and breathing, while the posterior gills are specialized for osmorregulation. The goal of this work... more
Specialized literature has demonstrated, in Decapods, that anterior gills are morphologically and physiologically adapted for gas exchange and breathing, while the posterior gills are specialized for osmorregulation. The goal of this work was to analyze the seasonal variations of the intermediate metabolism of the gills of Parastacus varicosus , relating variation of these metabolites with ecological and behavioral factors of the animal and abiotics factors. Crayfishes were collected from June/2004 until May/2005 in Gravatai, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Gills were removed and separated in anterior and posterior parts for determination of the levels of glycogen, proteins and lipids. The results were analyzed with ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test. For the comparision between males and females and anterior and posterior gills was used the two-way ANOVA test. Both tests were made with a significant level of 0.05 in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-11.5) softwa...
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Oxidative stress plays an important role in the evolution of aging and life history. High investments in life-history traits and environmental conditions can be associated with increased oxidative stress and aging process. However, to... more
Oxidative stress plays an important role in the evolution of aging and life history. High investments in life-history traits and environmental conditions can be associated with increased oxidative stress and aging process. However, to date, most studies that investigated variations in oxidative status were performed with long-lived vertebrates. Studies with short-lived vertebrates in wild are nonexistent. Annual killifishes have the shortest lifespans among vertebrates and inhabit temporary ponds subject to large variations in environmental conditions. In this sense, we investigated whether the high investment in growth and reproduction in a short-lived vertebrate and the large variations in environment has any cost in susceptibility to oxidative stress. We assessed the seasonal variation and the environmental correlates of four different oxidative status markers (lipid peroxidation and activity of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione S-Transferase) along the life cycle of wild individuals of the Neotropical annual fish Austrolebias minuano. Males showed reduction in all biomarkers (except proteins) along their life cycle, while females showed increased oxidative stress only in the growth period. In addition, we showed that water physicochemical parameters, habitat structure and presence of co-occurring killifish species influenced the seasonal variation of the biomarkers. A. minuano showed an efficient antioxidant system for most part of their life cycle (mainly in males), suggesting a well-developed oxidative stress regulation system. We also show that annual fish mortality (mainly in males) apparently is not related to oxidative stress. Thus, environmental factors should drive annual fish aging and mortality.
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This study analyzed the effect of different concentrations of herbicides (Facet®, Primoleo®, and Roundup®) on metabolism and oxidative balance (superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, lipid peroxidation) in the gills, liver, kidneys,... more
This study analyzed the effect of different concentrations of herbicides (Facet®, Primoleo®, and Roundup®) on metabolism and oxidative balance (superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, lipid peroxidation) in the gills, liver, kidneys, and tail muscle of adult catfish. All herbicides caused protein depletion in gills, increased glycogen and triacylglycerol consumption in the liver, and changes in muscle glycogen. Roundup® and Primoleo® stimulated lipid deposition in the liver, while Roundup® and Facet® stimulated lipid consumption in gills. In kidneys, protein content increased after Roundup® and Primoleo® exposure, glycogen increased after Facet®, and lipids increased after Roundup®. Primoleo® had the strongest effect on muscle, with changes in all metabolites. Regarding oxidative stress, the liver and kidneys were the organs most affected by exposure to herbicides, and catalase was the main enzyme involved in the detoxification of these herbicides. A hierarchy of toxicity was es...
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We assessed the effect of seasonal variations on the biochemical composition and lipoperoxidation of an amphipod crustacean, Hyalella curvispina, which inhabits the coastal plain of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and correlated this with... more
We assessed the effect of seasonal variations on the biochemical composition and lipoperoxidation of an amphipod crustacean, Hyalella curvispina, which inhabits the coastal plain of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and correlated this with information on the biology of the species. The animals were collected monthly from September 2003 to August 2005, in Gentil Lagoon, Tramandaí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Glycogen levels, total proteins, total lipids, triglycerides, and lipoperoxidation were measured for each sex separately. The results suggest that these animals have seasonal storage and degradation of the energy substrates investigated. During summer, glycogen, total lipids, and triglycerides were stored, and were utilized especially during autumn and winter. Proteins were utilized differently in males and females. Females stored proteins especially in spring and used them in summer; whereas males stored proteins especially in spring and used them in winter. The levels of lipopero...
Research Interests: Physiology, Reproduction, Energy Metabolism, Amphipoda, Glucose, and 15 moreFemale, Animals, Male, Proteins, Lipid metabolism, Feeding Behavior, Seasonal variation, Triglycerides, Lipid peroxidation, Ecosystem, Seasons, Glycogen, Blood Proteins, Biochemistry and cell biology, and Sex Characteristics
A poluição do ar é um problema que tem preocupado dos governantes em todo o mundo, uma vez que sua elevação tem causado danos às populações de diversos países. Indicadores biológicos são definidos como variáveis bióticas, que podem ser... more
A poluição do ar é um problema que tem preocupado dos governantes em todo o mundo, uma vez que sua elevação tem causado danos às populações de diversos países. Indicadores biológicos são definidos como variáveis bióticas, que podem ser medidas, informando a presença de uma resposta a algum agente estressante, o qual pode ser desde o derramamento de poluentes até a alteração das concentrações dos gases respiratórios. Os moluscos possuem a capacidade de concentrar certas substâncias em níveis muito mais altos dos que os encontrados no meio. Os ensaios utilizando biomarcadores em diferentes localidades simultaneamente, oferecem informações sobre o efeito da poluição sobre os organismos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da poluição atmosférica, gerada por veículos automotores, sobre o estresse oxidativo na glândula digestiva e no tecido pulmonar do molusco Helix aspersa expostos durante o verão em dois locais na cidade de Porto Alegre. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos:...
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Tryngites subruficollis é um visitante neártico que chega ao sul do Rio Grande do Sul no final de agosto, permanecendo até março quando retorna ao sítio reprodutivo. Estudos relacionando a variação dos níveis de corticosterona e de outros... more
Tryngites subruficollis é um visitante neártico que chega ao sul do Rio Grande do Sul no final de agosto, permanecendo até março quando retorna ao sítio reprodutivo. Estudos relacionando a variação dos níveis de corticosterona e de outros parâmetros metabólicos com a permanência de T. subruficollis em sítio de invernada são de extrema relevância para o entendimento de mecanismos relacionados à migração, atualmente desconhecidos para a espécie. As capturas ocorreram na Lagoa do Peixe, (31°26’52,86”S/51°10’16,08”W), à noite foram coletadas amostras de sangue, sem o sacrifício dos animais, de setembro de 2007 a março de 2008 totalizando 45 animais anilhados. Amostradas de sangue foram coletadas da veia ulnar em dois tempos: em até 4 minutos e entre 4 e 8 minutos de captura. Foram imediatamente acondicionadas em banho de gelo, centrifugadas, coletado o plasma e transportado até o laboratório e estocadas a -80ºC até as análises bioquímicas e hormonal. O peso corporal foi determinado com ...
Os ensaios utilizando biomarcadores em diferentes localidades simultaneamente oferecem informações sobre o efeito da poluição sobre os organismos. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da poluição atmosférica gerada por veículos automotores... more
Os ensaios utilizando biomarcadores em diferentes localidades simultaneamente oferecem informações sobre o efeito da poluição sobre os organismos. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da poluição atmosférica gerada por veículos automotores sobre o estresse oxidativo no molusco Helix aspersa em dois locais na cidade de Porto Alegre. Os animais foram divididos em 5 grupos: 1- (C) controle: tempo zero de exposição (n=5); 2- (PO7) exposição no Parque Osório - PO (esquina das avenidas Bento Gonçalves e Salvador França) durante 7 dias (n=5); 3- (PO30) PO durante 30 dias (n=5); 4- (FF7) exposição na Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre (FFFCMPA - Av. Sarmento Leite) durante 7 dias (n=5); 5-(FF30) FFFCMPA durante 30 dias (n=5). Após este período, os animais foram crioanestesiados e retirados a hemolinfa para o ensaio cometa e as glândulas digestivas para medida da lipoperoxidação pela técnica de TBARS (nmoles/mg proteína) e da atividade da catalase (pmoles/mg proteína)....
Em várias regiões do mundo é possível observar que os ecossistemas vêm sofrendo alterações que podem estar associadas à atividade humana decorrente do processo de desenvolvimento industrial, urbano e agrícola. No que se refere aos... more
Em várias regiões do mundo é possível observar que os ecossistemas vêm sofrendo alterações que podem estar associadas à atividade humana decorrente do processo de desenvolvimento industrial, urbano e agrícola. No que se refere aos ecossistemas aquáticos, às atividades antrópicas geram impactos, promovendo lentas e muitas vezes irreversíveis modificações nestes ambientes. Hyalella castroi é encontrada entre as raízes das macrófitas no sedimento, o que associado ao padrão metabólico encontrado para estes animais em campo sugere que a dieta natural destes animais possui altos níveis de proteínas e baixos níveis de carboidratos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar os efeitos potenciais do Carbofuran sobre o metabolismo intermediário, os níveis de lipoperoxidação e os parâmetros reprodutivos (número de pares reprodutivos, fêmeas ovígeras e ovos) em H. castroi. Anfípodos foram coletados na Primavera (Setembro, Outubro e Novembro) de 2007, na Região dos Campos de Cima da Serra (Municíp...
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... J. Shellfish Res. 12: 93–94. Web of Science® Times Cited: 22. Noro CK 2007. ... Sagi A, Khalaila I, Barki A, Hulata G, & Karplus I 1996a. Intersex red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens): functional males with... more
... J. Shellfish Res. 12: 93–94. Web of Science® Times Cited: 22. Noro CK 2007. ... Sagi A, Khalaila I, Barki A, Hulata G, & Karplus I 1996a. Intersex red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens): functional males with previtellogenic ovaries. Biol. Bull. 190: 16–23. ...
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O desenvolvimento das gônadas de uma espécie pode ser avaliado pela determinação do índice gonadossomático e hepatossomático. O hepatopâncreas é o maior centro de reservas em decápodos e essas reservas podem ser transferidas para as... more
O desenvolvimento das gônadas de uma espécie pode ser avaliado pela determinação do índice gonadossomático e hepatossomático. O hepatopâncreas é o maior centro de reservas em decápodos e essas reservas podem ser transferidas para as gônadas durante o seu desenvolvimento. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar, no lagostim Parastacus varicosus Faxon, 1898, o desenvolvimento das gônadas, por meio de observações macro e microscópicas, além de determinar a variação dos índices gonadossomático e hepatossomático. Os lagostins foram amostrados na bacia hidrográfica do rio Gravataí, localidade Cova do Touro, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. As gônadas das fêmeas foram pesadas para a determinação do índice gonadossomático e para análise histológica. O peso do hepatopâncreas também foi obtido para a determinação do índice hepatossomático. Os resultados mostraram uma diminuição do índice hepatossomático e um aumento do índice gonadossomático das fêmeas, no período de passagem da primavera para o ve...
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Research Interests: Microbiology, Algorithms, Mass Spectrometry, Biology, Medicine, and 15 moreExperimental parasitology, Animals, Glutathione, Immune regulation, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Central Nervous System, Enzyme, Host Parasite Interaction, Rats, Glutathione Transferase, Amino Acid Sequence, Enzymatic Activity, De novo sequencing, and Angiostrongylus cantonensis
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The present study assessed the effect of different fasting times on the in vitro gluconeogenic capacity of Chasmagnathus granulata crabs previously adapted to a high-protein (HP) or carbohydrate-rich (HC) diet using the incorporation of... more
The present study assessed the effect of different fasting times on the in vitro gluconeogenic capacity of Chasmagnathus granulata crabs previously adapted to a high-protein (HP) or carbohydrate-rich (HC) diet using the incorporation of [U-14C] l-lactate or [U-14C] l-...
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The fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus is a major pest of native and exotic fruit trees in South America. Changes in weight, water content and metabolism were observed during its ontogenetic development in standard conditions (25 degrees C,... more
The fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus is a major pest of native and exotic fruit trees in South America. Changes in weight, water content and metabolism were observed during its ontogenetic development in standard conditions (25 degrees C, RH=60% and 14 h:10 h photoperiod). The metabolic variables glycogen, total proteins, triglycerides and total lipids were measured by means of spectrophotometric methods. The results were correlated with pupae metamorphosis, temporal pattern, and beginning of adult life. Pupae were observed daily, and a sub-sample of 10 individuals was collected and maintained at -20 degrees C. The same procedure was performed with adults at 4 days after adult eclosion. Levels of total lipids and triglycerides were constant during pupal development, peaking in 312-h-old pupae. In 0-h-old pupae, glycogen levels were high, and decreased progressively until the insects were 312 h old. The peak in total proteins coincides with the post-histolysis period of the larval tissue (96-120 h). These results indicated that glycogen and proteins may be the principal sources of energy for metamorphosis. Total lipid and triglyceride contents remained steady during metamorphosis, and these were consumed in the first 4 days of adult life.
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Increased use of pesticides worldwide has led to damage not only to natural ecosystems but also to nontarget species. This study assessed the effects of different concentrations of the herbicides atrazine, glyphosate, and quinclorac on... more
Increased use of pesticides worldwide has led to damage not only to natural ecosystems but also to nontarget species. This study assessed the effects of different concentrations of the herbicides atrazine, glyphosate, and quinclorac on biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation, and survival in tadpoles of Lithobates catesbeianus (bullfrog). Two hundred eighty-eight tadpoles were acquired from a frog farm in the south of Brazil. All animals were kept in aquariums under controlled laboratory conditions for 7 days and exposed to commercial formulations of atrazine (5, 10, and 20 μg/L), glyphosate (36, 72, and 144 μg/L), and quinclorac (0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 μg/L) for 7 days thereafter. The concentrations used in this study are similar to the levels of these herbicides found in natural water bodies. After exposure, gill, liver, and muscle samples were removed from each animal for quantitation of glycogen, total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, total proteins, and lipid peroxidation. Atrazine, glyphosate, and quinclorac exposure induced a significant decrease in levels of glycogen and total lipids in gill, liver, and muscle. Triglycerides levels in the gill increased after exposure to glyphosate, and decreased after exposure to atrazine and quinclorac; their levels in liver and muscle decreased on exposure to all herbicides. Cholesterol and total protein levels decreased in liver and muscle for all three herbicides. All tissues exhibited increased lipid peroxidation after exposure to all herbicides. In conclusion, exposure to the herbicides tested in this study induced significant changes in biochemical parameters and increased lipid peroxidation levels in tadpoles of L. catesbeianus.
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We compared the effect of different diets in the biochemical composition, levels of lipoperoxidation and survival rates of males and females of Hyalella bonariensis. These crustaceans live in limnetic environments and different kinds of... more
We compared the effect of different diets in the biochemical composition, levels of lipoperoxidation and survival rates of males and females of Hyalella bonariensis. These crustaceans live in limnetic environments and different kinds of food habits are present in the genus Hyalella. Adult animals were collected in the spring (September) in a stream near to Salto city, Buenos Aires. In the laboratory, the animals were kept submerged in aquariums, separated by sex, under controlled conditions and survive rates were observed. They were fed ad libitum for 45 days with four different diets, and after this period the animals were used for biochemical determinations. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the responses to glycogen, proteins, lipids, triglycerides and lipoperoxidation levels in both sexes of these amphipods taken from the natural environment. Animals that received macrophytes associated a ration with high content of proteins (43%) during 45 days presented ...
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We compared the effect of different diets biochemical composition, levels of lipid peroxidation, survival rate, and reproductive aspects of Hyalella pleoacuta and H. curvispina. These crustaceans live in limnetic environments of the... more
We compared the effect of different diets biochemical composition, levels of lipid peroxidation, survival rate, and reproductive aspects of Hyalella pleoacuta and H. curvispina. These crustaceans live in limnetic environments of the plateau and coastal plain, respectively, in southern Brazil. In the laboratory, the animals were kept in aquariums under controlled conditions and fed ad libitum, for 30 days with different diets. Macrophyte only (MO) mimicked a caloric restriction in both species and sexes, because they showed depletion of glycogen and proteins, this fact was reinforced by the decrease in the levels of lipoperoxidation. These responses were probably a result of the low caloric input. In the animals that received macrophyte plus commercial food (MCF) these responses were reversed when the energy reserves were maintained and the levels of lipoperoxidation were higher than those of animal that received MO. Animals fed on MCF showed more activity, higher numbers of couples,...
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The aim of this study was to compare seasonal variations in the metabolism of two crayfish species with different habitats, Parastacus defossus that lives in subterranean galleries with low oxygen concentrations and Parastacus... more
The aim of this study was to compare seasonal variations in the metabolism of two crayfish species with different habitats, Parastacus defossus that lives in subterranean galleries with low oxygen concentrations and Parastacus brasiliensis that lives in oxygenated environments. The metabolism of the species was compared, mainly evaluating the mobilization of the reserves for the reproductive period, and the metabolic response during the seasonal cycle. Seasonal sampling was conducted from spring 2006 to winter 2007. P. brasiliensis was collected at Mariana Pimentel, and P. defossus at Lami, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Hemolymph, hepatopancreas, muscle, gills, and gonads were removed for determination of glucose, free glucose, glycogen, lactate, total protein, total lipids, total cholesterol, and arginine phosphate. The hepatopancreatic and gonadosomatic indexes were determined. The results showed different seasonal responses between the species for all metabolic parameters, wit...
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ABSTRACT: (Effects of trans-resveratrol and dimethyl sulfoxide on intermediate metabolism and lipoperoxidation in Drosophila melanogaster). Many plants contain the phytoalexin trans-resveratrol. Red grapes and peanuts are rich in this... more
ABSTRACT: (Effects of trans-resveratrol and dimethyl sulfoxide on intermediate metabolism and lipoperoxidation in Drosophila melanogaster). Many plants contain the phytoalexin trans-resveratrol. Red grapes and peanuts are rich in this antioxidant which is thought to ...
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The stimulatory effect of the spiperone and naloxone on the ovarian growth was evaluated in females of Aegla uruguayana Schmitt, 1942, being that these neuroregulators were incorporated to food and administrated at a dose of 10 -8... more
The stimulatory effect of the spiperone and naloxone on the ovarian growth was evaluated in females of Aegla uruguayana Schmitt, 1942, being that these neuroregulators were incorporated to food and administrated at a dose of 10 -8 mol/animal to each session food. Adult ...
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C. granulata is a semiterrestrial crab that lives in the mesolittoral and the supralittoral zones of estuaries and faces hypoxia and anoxia when exposed to atmospheric air. The carbohydrate or protein content of the diets administered to... more
C. granulata is a semiterrestrial crab that lives in the mesolittoral and the supralittoral zones of estuaries and faces hypoxia and anoxia when exposed to atmospheric air. The carbohydrate or protein content of the diets administered to the crabs induced different metabolic adjustments during anoxia and post-anoxia recovery period. During the first hour in anoxia a marked increase in L-lactate concentration in hemolymph was induced, followed by a reduction in its levels accompanied by two peaks in hepatopancreas gluconeogenic capacity. Anoxia exposure did not induce a reduction in the hepatopancreas phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in either dietary group. Our results suggest that in anaerobiosis this crab uses the conversion of lactate to glucose in hepatopancreas to maintain the acid-base balance and the glucose supply. In post-anoxia recovery, the fate of L-lactate is the hepatopancreas gluconeogenesis in high protein maintained crabs. On the other hand, in the crabs m...
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Continuous or pulse exposure to pesticides may have negative effects on non-target organisms, resulting in a number of pathological and disturbed biochemical processes, including changes in energy budgets. The objective of this... more
Continuous or pulse exposure to pesticides may have negative effects on non-target organisms, resulting in a number of pathological and disturbed biochemical processes, including changes in energy budgets. The objective of this investigation was to examine the potential effects of carbofuran on the biochemical composition (glycogen, proteins, total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol), levels of lipoperoxidation, Na+/K+ATPase activity, and reproductive behaviors (number of reproductive pairs, ovigerous females, and number of eggs) in the amphipod Hyalella castroi. The amphipods were collected in spring 2007, in the southern Brazilian highlands. In the laboratory, the animals were kept in aquariums under controlled conditions for 7 days, and after this period were exposed to 1 or 10 microg/L of carbofuran for 7 days. After the period of exposure, the animals were immediately frozen for determination of glycogen, proteins, lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, levels of lipoperoxidation, and Na+/K+ATPase activity. During each day of culture, reproductive behaviors were observed. Carbofuran induced significant decreases in biochemical reserves (glycogen, proteins, lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol), a significant increase in lipoperoxidation levels, and a decrease in Na+/K+ATPase activity in both males and females. Studies of all the biochemical parameters seem to be quite promising, in order to assess and predict the effects of toxicants on non-target organisms. The results showed that reproductive behaviors may provide sensitive criteria for assessing ecotoxicological effects. H. castroi lives among rooted aquatic macrophytes, and we suggest that it is a sensitive species that could be used in monitoring studies.
Research Interests: Toxicology, Reproduction, Energy Metabolism, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and 15 moreAmphipoda, Female, Animals, Aquatic Macrophytes, Male, Proteins, Lipid metabolism, Energy Budget, Reproductive behavior, Environmental Pollutants, Glycogen, Total Cholesterol, Carbofuran, biochemical composition, and Medical and Health Sciences
Conseil national de recherches Canada. www.cnrc-nrc.gc.ca. ...
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The present study investigated the effects of carbofuran on the energy metabolism (levels of glycogen, total proteins, total lipids, triglycerides, and lipoperoxidation), Na + /K + ATPase activity, and reproductive parameters (formation... more
The present study investigated the effects of carbofuran on the energy metabolism (levels of glycogen, total proteins, total lipids, triglycerides, and lipoperoxidation), Na + /K + ATPase activity, and reproductive parameters (formation of couples, ovigerous females, and mean ...
Research Interests: Reproduction, Energy Metabolism, Biological Sciences, Insecticides, Environmental Sciences, and 15 moreLongevity, Amphipoda, Comparative Biochemistry, Female, Animals, Proteins, Lipid metabolism, Enzyme, Lipid peroxidation, Coastal Plain, Biological Assay, Glycogen, Carbofuran, biochemical composition, and Medical and Health Sciences
• We assessed fecal glucocorticoid metabo-lites (fGCM) to determine physiological stress. • Sex/reproductive state, fruit consumption , and temperature were the main fGCM drivers. • Group composition, moving effort, and forest cover did... more
• We assessed fecal glucocorticoid metabo-lites (fGCM) to determine physiological stress. • Sex/reproductive state, fruit consumption , and temperature were the main fGCM drivers. • Group composition, moving effort, and forest cover did not influence fGCM. • Physiological stress was higher in nursing than in non-nursing females or males. • Howlers in small fragments showed similar fGCM concentrations than those in large ones. Editor: Paulo Pereira Wildlife physiological responses to environmental and human-related stressors provide useful clues on animal welfare. Non-invasive biomarkers, such as fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), allow researchers to assess whether variations in habitat quality, behavior, and climate influence the animals' physiological stress. We examined the role of fragment size, ambient temperature, ripe fruit availability and consumption, percentage of records moving, sex, female reproductive state, and group composition as predictors of the level of fGCM in adult brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) inhabiting three small (b10 ha) and three large (N90 ha) Atlantic Forest fragments in southern Brazil. We collected bimonthly behavioral data and fecal samples from adult individuals over three years, and used a multimodel inference framework to identify the main predictors of fGCM. We found that the mean (±SD) fGCM in the study groups ranged from 57 ± 49 ng/g to 93 ± 58 ng/g, which were within the known range for howler monkeys. We found 10 best models including five of the 17 tested variables. Sex and reproductive state were the only variables included in all these models. We found that fGCM was higher in nursing females (mean ± SD = 104 ± 73 ng/g) than in non-nursing females (64 ± 55 ng/g) and males (53 ± 40 ng/g, P b 0.05) and that it decreased with increasing ripe fruit consumption and minimum temperature. However, fragment size did not predict fGCM concentration (groups in small fragments = 71 ± 58 ng/g vs. groups in large fragments = 63 ± 54 ng/g, P N 0.05). We conclude that factors related to the energetic balance of individuals play major roles in j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s e v i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / s c i t o t e n v modulating the physiological stress of brown howler monkeys. Future studies should investigate the consequences of higher levels of stress hormones on howler monkey health and demography.