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The biobanks from dermal biopsies represent an interesting strategy for biodiversity conservation. Nevertheless, the morphological and cellular patterns of the dermis can be influenced by the age and sex of the individual. Therefore, evaluating these factors is interesting for forming biobanks of Antillean manatees. These animals, representatives of marine fauna, have had their population reduced, and biobanks are essential for their conservation. Then, we evaluated the effects of age (3.5 years vs. 3.6–16 years vs. 23.6 years) and sex (males vs. females) on morphological and cellular parameters using histological and in vitro culture techniques. Regardless of age, no differences were observed for dermal thickness, collagen fibres, tissue proliferative activity and viable cell recovery. Nonetheless, fibroblast reduction was observed in groups aged 23.6 years compared to other animals (p < 0.05). Additionally, cells from animals aged 3.6–16 years showed more significant mitochondrial damage than the other groups (p < 0.05). Regardless of sex, no differences were observed for dermal thickness, collagen fibres, tissue proliferative activity and viable cell recovery; however, females had fewer fibroblasts than males (p < 0.05). Cells from females showed lower mitochondrial damage when compared to cells from males. In summary, although age and sex do not influence dermal thickness and cell recovery, variations in the number of fibroblasts and mitochondrial characteristics were observed among the groups. These differences may be significant for understanding the dermis aspects to be correlated to biobank systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is routinely used for in vitro embryo production in mice and rats, its use in wild rodents remains unexplored. Evidence suggests that hormone and growth factor supplementation influence oocyte meiotic resumption. This study evaluated the synergistic effects of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the IVM and parthenogenetic development of red‐rumped agouti oocytes. Initially, we evaluated the IVM rates, mature oocyte quality, oocyte morphometry, and early embryonic development during IVM in the presence of 10, 50, and 75 mIU/mL FSH. No differences among the FSH concentrations were observed for IVM rates, oocyte morphometry, cumulus cell expansion, and viability. Although oocytes matured with 50 mIU/mL FSH showed a higher rate of cumulus expansion index (CEI), only oocytes matured with 10 mIU/mL FSH resulted in morulae after chemical activation (7.9% ± 4.2%). Thus, 10 mIU/mL FSH was used for further experiments. We subsequently evaluated the synergistic effects of 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL EGF and 10 mIU/mL FSH on the same parameters. No differences among the groups were observed in IVM rates, oocyte morphometry, and cumulus viability. Nevertheless, FSH with 10 ng/mL EGF showed a CEI superior to that of the other groups. Furthermore, oocytes matured with FSH alone or with both FSH and 10 or 50 ng/mL EGF developed morulae after activation (5.8%–8.3%). In conclusion, oocytes matured with 10 mIU/mL FSH and 10 ng/mL EGF are recommended for use in red‐rumped agouti oocyte IVM, as they positively influence embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological resource banks represent valuable tools for the conservation of species vulnerable to extinction, such as the jaguar. Cryobanks of skins have the potential to safeguard rare genotypes, allowing the potential exploitation of biological samples in animal multiplication technologies and the study of genetic variability. Determination of the most suitable skin regions for tissue conservation can help increase the efficiency of cryobanks and the storage of biological samples. To this end, we evaluated the effects of vitrification of skin tissues from the ear, caudal, and femoral regions of a post‐mortem jaguar belonging to a zoo in Brazil. Non‐vitrified and vitrified samples were evaluated and compared using quantitative methods, focusing on skin thickness, cell quantification, number of perinuclear halos, collagen and elastic density, and proliferative activity. No differences were observed in skin thickness, number of perinuclear halos, elastic density, and proliferative activity between non‐vitrified and vitrified tissues in skin from any region. However, vitrified tissues derived from femoral skin showed a reduction in the number of fibroblasts, epidermal cells and collagen density compared to non‐vitrified tissues. In summary, the ear and caudal regions provided the best conservation of somatic tissues derived from jaguars, and skin samples from these regions are therefore the most suitable for the formation of cryobanks. Highlights: Ear and caudal regions were the most suitable for the conservation of somatic tissues derived from jaguars.A greater number of fibroblasts was found in ear skin compared to other skin regions.These results are important to contribute to jaguar's conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., is a legume of economic and food importance in tropical and subtropical countries. Thus, the objective of this study was to define the phenological growth stages of common beans according to the Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale, as well as the degree days, to optimise common bean management practices in accordance with the plant phenology. All phenological stages, including germination, foliar development, side shoots formation, stem elongation, inflorescence emergence, flowering, pod development and plant senescence, were evaluated using the BBCH scale. The descriptions of the phenological stages, combined with illustrations, and the sum of degree days during the crop cycle improve our understanding of these phenological stages. The identification of the vegetative and reproductive stages of the common bean facilitates improved management of the crop under different environmental conditions, taking thermal accumulation into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]