Co3O4, Al2O3 and Co3O4/Al2O3 mesoporous powders were prepared by a sol-gel method with starting matierals ofaluminum isopropoxide and cobalt (II) nitrate. A P123 template is employed as an active organic additive for improving thespecific surface area of the mixed oxide by forming surfactant micelles. A transition metal cobalt oxide supported on aluminawith and without P123 was tested to find the most active and selective conditions as a heterogeneous catalyst in the reactionof styrene epoxidation. A bBlock copolymer-P123 template was added to the staring materials to control physical and chemicalproperties. The properties of Co3O4/Al2O3 powder with and without P123 were characterized using an X-ray diffractometer(XRD), a Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), a Bruner-Emmertt-Teller (BET) surface analyzer, and 27AlMAS NMR spectroscopy. Powders with and without P123 were compared in catalytic tests. The catalytic activity and selectivitywere monitored by GC/MS, 1H, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The performance for the reaction of epoxidation of styrene wasobserved to be in the following order: [Co3O4/Al2O3 with P123-1173 K>Co3O4/Al2O3 with P123-973 K>Co3O4-973K>Co3O4/Al2O3-973 K>Co3O4/Al2O3 with P123-1473 K>Al2O3-973 K]. The existence of γ-alumina and the nature of thesurface morphology are related to catalytic activity.

Glycerol is the cryoprotectant most frequently used to freeze semen in several of species. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of three different glycerol concentrations (4, 6 or 8%, v/v) on frozen-thawed dog sperm survival rate. Ejaculates from 9 dogs collected by digital manipulation were pooled and assessed by macroscopic and microscopic criteria. Semen was divided into 3 aliquots, which were centrifuged and the sperm pellets rediluted with first Tris-glucose-citric acid extender. After 1 h cooling at , second extender containing 4, 6 or 8% glycerol was added, respectively. The semen was loaded into 0.25 ml straws and frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed. Sperm vigor, live:dead spermatozoa ratio using HOS test, and sperm morphology using stain were evaluated. After thawing, there were no significant differences among groups in vigor, viability and morphology. In conclusion, the three glycerol concentrations (4, 6 or 8%) can be used successfully in cryopreservation of canine semen. Therefore the use of 4% glycerol in the extender has less toxic effect and reduces of freezing injuries.