Urethral obstruction due to seminal vesiculitis in a sheep: case report / Obstrução uretral por vesiculite seminal em ovino: relato de caso

We report a case of urethral obstruction due to seminal vesiculitis in a Dorper sheep, with symptoms of anuria, rectal prolapse, orchitis/epididymitis, and uroperitoneum and biochemical tests indicating severe azotemia. The animal died due to advanced azotemia, and necropsy revealed kidneys with cortical and medullary necrosis, pyelonephritis of renal calyces, hydronephrosis, ruptured and necrotic bladder, and vesicular, bulbourethral, and ampoule accessory sex glands. There was prostate hyperplasia that revealed a large amount of pus in the cross section, which was also observed bilaterally in the epididymis and right testis. Morphotintorial and biochemical analyses of bacteria obtained from microbiological culture revealed Corynebacterium sp. and Escherichia coli. Infection, hyperplasia, and abscessation of accessory sex glands caused urethral compression, resulting in an obstructive condition, similar to urolithiasis, in addition to bacteremia. Hyperplastic seminal vesiculitis, although rare, must be included among the differential diagnoses of obstructive processes in the urinary tract of sheep.

Relata-se um caso de obstrução uretral decorrente de vesiculite seminal em carneiro da raça Dorper, com quadro de anúria, prolapso retal, orquite/epididimite e uroperitôneo, com exames bioquímicos indicativos de severa azotemia. Devido ao quadro avançado de azotemia, o animal faleceu e, na necropsia, foi observado:: rins com necrose de cortical e medular, pielonefrite dos cálices renais e hidronefrose, bexiga rompida e necrosada, assim como glândulas sexuais acessórias vesiculares, bulbouretrais e ampola. Havia hiperplasia de próstata que, ao corte transversal, revelou grande quantidade de pus, que também foi observado bilateralmente no epidídimo e no testículo direito. As análises morfotintoriais e bioquímicas das bactérias obtidas a partir do cultivo microbiológico foram compatíveis com Corynebacterium sp. e Escherichia coli. A infecção, a hiperplasia e a abscedação das glândulas sexuais acessória, causaram compressão uretral, levando a um quadro obstrutivo, semelhante à urolitíase, somado à bacteremia. A vesiculite seminal hiperplásica, apesar de rara, deve ser incluída entre os diagnósticos diferenciais dos processos obstrutivos do trato urinário de carneiros.

Avaliação andrológica no garanhão: ênfase no exame interno do sistema genital / Breeding soundness examination in stallions: emphasis on internal assessment of the genital system

A avaliação do sistema genital interno no garanhão é uma importante etapa do exame andrológico, mas ainda é negligenciada na clínica reprodutiva dessa espécie. A maioria das enfermidades que acometem as glândulas sexuais acessórias e a uretra são descritas na literatura como pouco frequentes e até mesmo raras, no entanto a falta de diagnóstico, em muitos casos, contribui para essa estatística. Dentre as enfermidades mais recorrentes se destacam a vesiculite seminal, obstrução de ampola e fistula uretral que podem levar a prejuízos na qualidade seminal e baixa fertilidade. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta revisão é abordar as principais ferramentas de avaliação dos órgãos genitais internos nos machos equinos, visando contribuir para o correto diagnóstico e tratamento das principais afecções que os acometem.(AU)

The evaluation of the internal genital system in stallions is an important step in the breeding soundness exam that is still neglected in the reproductive clinic of this species. Most diseases that affect the accessory sex glands and the urethra are described in the literature as infrequent and even rare, however the lack of diagnosis, in many cases, contributes to this statistic. Among the most recurrent diseases are seminal vesiculitis, plugged ampullae and urethral rent that can lead to decreased seminal quality and low fertility. Thus, the objective of this review is to highlight the main tools for evaluating the internal genitalia in stallions, aiming to contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of the main conditions that affect them.(AU)

Effects of Dietary Fiber on Growth Performance, Fat Deposition, Fat Metabolism, and Expression of Lipoprotein Lipase Mrna in Two Breeds of Geese

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fiber on growth performance, fat deposition, serum lipids, fat metabolism, and mRNA (messenger RNA) expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in Jilin white and Carlos geese. Sixty Jilin white and sixty Carlos geese aged six-weeks and of similar health and weight (average weight 313.11g) were selected. Geese of each breed were randomly divided into two groups (n=30), and with each group containing three replicate subgroups of 10 geese. The diet was supplemented with 8% or 11% fiber (corn straw powder). The Jilin white geese are divided into A1 (8%) and A2 (11%) groups, and Carlos geese are divided into B1 (8%) and B2 (11%) groups. The experiment lasted 35 days. The results showed that high dietary fiber can significantly (p 0.05) increase average daily feed intake (ADFI), significantly (p 0.05) reduce final weight (FW) and average daily gain (ADG) of both varieties, and increase LPL mRNA expression levels in abdominal fat, liver, sebum, and urethral glands. High dietary fiber accelerates intestinal peristalsis, affects the absorption of other nutrients, reduces the available energy value of the absorbed feed, and increases fat loss. Compared with the to Carlos geese, high dietary fiber content had a more significant effect on the live, slaughter, and sebum weights and sebum percentage of the Jilin white geese, indicating that the Carlos geese have higher requirements for dietary fiber content. High fiber content will reduce the growth performance, slaughter performance, and fat deposition of geese.

Clitoridectomy and urethrostomy in a pseudohermaphrodite dog

Background: Hermaphroditism is a rare congenital disease that causes ambiguous sexual features. True hermaphroditeshave testicular and ovarian tissue, whereas pseudohermaphrodites have only one type of gonadal tissue and genitalia, butsecondary characteristics of the opposite sex. Pseudohermaphrodites are classified as male or female according to theirgonads. Treatment of pseudohermaphroditism consists of surgical removal of the gonads including reconstruction of abnormal genitalia, especially if the urethra is involved. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe a case of a malepseudohermaphrodite in a dog treated with clitoridectomy with urethrostomy.Case: A 7-month-old, mixed-breed dog was referred due to the presence of a flaccid structure similar to a small penis,containing an os clitoris, bulbourethral glands, and urethra protruding from the vulva. Physical examination, completeblood count and serum biochemistry were within normal ranges. Hormonal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone were 56.39 pg/mL, 127.9 ng/mL, and 0.892 ng/mL, respectively. The abdominal ultrasound and posteriorly theexploratory celiotomy found a normal size prostate and two round organs resembling testicles connected to a uterus-liketubular structure. The patient underwent surgical abdominal exploration that confirmed the ultrasonographic findings andled to gonadohysterectomy. Also, clitoridectomy and urethrostomy were performed to excise the protruded structure andmaintain normal urethral patency. The histopathological examination of the clitoris and penis confirmed it was a malegenital organ, however, the abdominal structures were compatible with the testicles, epididymis, uterus, and even a broadligament. These organs are normally found in cases of male pseudohermaphroditism. The...

Clitoridectomy and urethrostomy in a pseudohermaphrodite dog

Background: Hermaphroditism is a rare congenital disease that causes ambiguous sexual features. True hermaphroditeshave testicular and ovarian tissue, whereas pseudohermaphrodites have only one type of gonadal tissue and genitalia, butsecondary characteristics of the opposite sex. Pseudohermaphrodites are classified as male or female according to theirgonads. Treatment of pseudohermaphroditism consists of surgical removal of the gonads including reconstruction of abnormal genitalia, especially if the urethra is involved. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe a case of a malepseudohermaphrodite in a dog treated with clitoridectomy with urethrostomy.Case: A 7-month-old, mixed-breed dog was referred due to the presence of a flaccid structure similar to a small penis,containing an os clitoris, bulbourethral glands, and urethra protruding from the vulva. Physical examination, completeblood count and serum biochemistry were within normal ranges. Hormonal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone were 56.39 pg/mL, 127.9 ng/mL, and 0.892 ng/mL, respectively. The abdominal ultrasound and posteriorly theexploratory celiotomy found a normal size prostate and two round organs resembling testicles connected to a uterus-liketubular structure. The patient underwent surgical abdominal exploration that confirmed the ultrasonographic findings andled to gonadohysterectomy. Also, clitoridectomy and urethrostomy were performed to excise the protruded structure andmaintain normal urethral patency. The histopathological examination of the clitoris and penis confirmed it was a malegenital organ, however, the abdominal structures were compatible with the testicles, epididymis, uterus, and even a broadligament. These organs are normally found in cases of male pseudohermaphroditism. The...(AU)

Male pseudohermaphroditism in equine / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em um equino

Background: Intersexuality is considered an alteration in the animal development that opposes the characteristics determined by the genetic sex, resulting in an individual with characteristic features of both sexes. The objective of this work is to report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism of a Criollo breed horse referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias (HCV) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brazil. We gather information on the intersexuality diagnostics highlighting cytogenetics as an additional tool to diagnosis. Case: A Criollo breed horse was attended at the HCV with the main complaint of morphological anomaly of the external genitalia. The animal presented female external features, characterized by mammal glands and female genitalia. The horse also showed a rudimentary penis-like structure, caudally oriented shrouded by a cutaneous crease similar to a vulva and presented male behavior. The external genitalia was examined but the vaginoscope could not be inserted since the crease ended in a sac, with no openings. Rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasound could not reveal the presence of female gonads. Urethral ultrasound revealed the pelvic urethra and the openings of the male accessory glands. The equine was subjected to hormonal challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). First sample presented a testosterone concentration of 20 ng/dL; [...](AU)

Male pseudohermaphroditism in equine / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em um equino

Background: Intersexuality is considered an alteration in the animal development that opposes the characteristics determined by the genetic sex, resulting in an individual with characteristic features of both sexes. The objective of this work is to report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism of a Criollo breed horse referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias (HCV) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brazil. We gather information on the intersexuality diagnostics highlighting cytogenetics as an additional tool to diagnosis. Case: A Criollo breed horse was attended at the HCV with the main complaint of morphological anomaly of the external genitalia. The animal presented female external features, characterized by mammal glands and female genitalia. The horse also showed a rudimentary penis-like structure, caudally oriented shrouded by a cutaneous crease similar to a vulva and presented male behavior. The external genitalia was examined but the vaginoscope could not be inserted since the crease ended in a sac, with no openings. Rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasound could not reveal the presence of female gonads. Urethral ultrasound revealed the pelvic urethra and the openings of the male accessory glands. The equine was subjected to hormonal challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). First sample presented a testosterone concentration of 20 ng/dL; [...]

Morfologia e histoquímica das glândulas sexuais acessórias de Metachirus nudicaudatus, Didelphidae-Marsupialia / Morphology and histochemistry of accessory sex glands of Metachirus nudicaudatus, Didelphidae-Marsupialia

São descritas a morfologia e a distribuição de glicogênio e mucossubstâncias na próstata e nas glândulas bulbouretrais de Metachirus nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803), única espécie do gênero. A próstata é envolvida pelas túnicas adventícia e muscular, e o estroma é formado pelo conjuntivo da mucosa uretral. O parênquima é constituído pelos túbulos secretores, disseminados na mucosa uretral, e que diferem histológica e histoquimicamente nos segmentos cranial, médio e caudal. Essas diferenças morfo-histoquímicas também são observadas nas partes externa, média e interna de cada túbulo. De um modo geral, os três segmentos prostáticos secretam mucossubstâncias neutras, porém o segmento caudal produz também glicogênio. Os três pares de glândulas bulbouretrais (laterais, intermédias e mediais) do Metachirus são envolvidas por uma cápsula conjuntiva e músculo estriado esquelético. O maior par é a bulbouretral lateral que é constituída por longos túbulos secretores de mucossubstâncias neutras. As bulbouretrais intermédias são formadas por túbulos ramificados, que produzem mucossubstâncias neutras, ácidas carboxiladas e ácidas sulfatadas. Os túbulo-ácinos ramificados das bulbouretrais mediais secretam mucossubstâncias neutras. O Metachirus não possui glândulas ampulares, vesículas seminais nem glândulas de coagulação.(AU)

This paper describes the morphology and distribution of glycogen and mucous substances in the prostate and the bulbourethral glands of Metachirus nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803), the only species of the genus. The prostate is surrounded by the tunica adventitia, and muscle and stroma is formed by connective urethral mucosa. The glandular parenchyma consists of secretory tubules, scattered throughout the connective tissue of the urethral mucosa which differs histologically and histochemically in cranial, middle, and caudal segments of the prostate. These morpho-histochemical differences are also observed in the outer, middle and inner parts of the tubular epithelium of each prostatic segment. In general, prostatic segments secrete neutral mucous substances, and the caudal segment also produces glycogen. The three pairs of bulbourethral glands (lateral, intermediate and medial) are surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue and skeletal striated muscle. The glandular parenchyma is formed by tubules or branched tubuloacinar, covered by simple epithelium which is characteristic for each pair of glands. The lateral bulbourethral glands and the medial bulbourethral glands produce neutral mucous substances and the secretion of the intermediate bulbourethral glands consists of neutral mucous substances, carboxylated acids, and sulfated acids. The M. nudicaudatus does not have ampullary glands, seminal vesicles or coagulating glands.(AU)

Morfologia e histoquímica das glândulas sexuais acessórias de Metachirus nudicaudatus, Didelphidae-Marsupialia / Morphology and histochemistry of accessory sex glands of Metachirus nudicaudatus, Didelphidae-Marsupialia

This paper describes the morphology and distribution of glycogen and mucous substances in the prostate and the bulbourethral glands of Metachirus nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803), the only species of the genus. The prostate is surrounded by the tunica adventitia, and muscle and stroma is formed by connective urethral mucosa. The glandular parenchyma consists of secretory tubules, scattered throughout the connective tissue of the urethral mucosa which differs histologically and histochemically in cranial, middle, and caudal segments of the prostate. These morpho-histochemical differences are also observed in the outer, middle and inner parts of the tubular epithelium of each prostatic segment. In general, prostatic segments secrete neutral mucous substances, and the caudal segment also produces glycogen. The three pairs of bulbourethral glands (lateral, intermediate and medial) are surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue and skeletal striated muscle. The glandular parenchyma is formed by tubules or branched tubuloacinar, covered by simple epithelium which is characteristic for each pair of glands. The lateral bulbourethral glands and the medial bulbourethral glands produce neutral mucous substances and the secretion of the intermediate bulbourethral glands consists of neutral mucous substances, carboxylated acids, and sulfated acids. The M. nudicaudatus does not have ampullary glands, seminal vesicles or coagulating glands.(AU)

São descritas a morfologia e a distribuição de glicogênio e mucossubstâncias na próstata e nas glândulas bulbouretrais de Metachirus nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803), única espécie do gênero. A próstata é envolvida pelas túnicas adventícia e muscular, e o estroma é formado pelo conjuntivo da mucosa uretral. O parênquima é constituído pelos túbulos secretores, disseminados na mucosa uretral, e que diferem histológica e histoquimicamente nos segmentos cranial, médio e caudal. Essas diferenças morfo-histoquímicas também são observadas nas partes externa, média e interna de cada túbulo. De um modo geral, os três segmentos prostáticos secretam mucossubstâncias neutras, porém o segmento caudal produz também glicogênio. Os três pares de glândulas bulbouretrais (laterais, intermédias e mediais) do Metachirus são envolvidas por uma cápsula conjuntiva e músculo estriado esquelético. O maior par é a bulbouretral lateral que é constituída por longos túbulos secretores de mucossubstâncias neutras. As bulbouretrais intermédias são formadas por túbulos ramificados, que produzem mucossubstâncias neutras, ácidas carboxiladas e ácidas sulfatadas. Os túbulo-ácinos ramificados das bulbouretrais mediais secretam mucossubstâncias neutras. O Metachirus não possui glândulas ampulares, vesículas seminais nem glândulas de coagulação.(AU)

Distribution of immune response cells in the pelvic urethra and the prepuce of rams / Distribuição de células da resposta imune na uretra pélvica e em prepúcio de carneiros

The pathogens of the reproductive system in the male can penetrate and establish by ascending route, from to the prepuce to the urethra, accessory glands, epididymis and testicles. The aim of this paper is determine the distribution and number of cells involved in the immune response in prepuce and pelvic urethra of rams, without apparent clinical alterations in testicle, epididymis and prepuce. [...] Significant differences were found in the total number of CD4, CD45RO, and WC1 lymphocytes, in CD14 macrophages, and CD1b dendritic cells, with mean values being greater in the fornix than in the urethra (p<0.05) in all cases. Only dendritic cells were found in the prepuce. No differences were found in the number of CD8 lymphocytes between both organs. The ratio between each cell type in the connective and the intraepithelial tissues and between organs was 10/1 for CD4 in the fornix (p<0.05), against 7/1 in the urethra (p<0.05), while CD8 had a 1/1 distribution in both mucosae. The WC1 ratio was 5/1 in both mucosae (p<0.05). CD45RO labeling was 19/1 in the prepuce (p<0.05) and 1/1 in the urethra. IgA-containing cells did not show differences in the total number of cells in both tissues. In the urethra, no IgG-containing cells were observed and IgM-containing cells were scarce; in contrast, both cell types were present in the prepuce, in amounts greater than in the urethra (p<0.05). IgA-, IgG-, and IgM-containing cells were located in both organs in the mucosal connective tissue. The presence of antigen-presenting cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, as well as of lymphocytes CD4, CD8 TCR γδ (WC1), IgA-, IgG and IgM positive cells, and CD45RO cells suggests that both mucosae may behave as inductive and effector sites for the mucosal immune response.(AU)

Os patógenos do aparelho reprodutor do macho podem penetrar e se estabelecer por via ascendente, a partir do prepúcio à uretra, glándulas anexas, epidídimo e testículos. Neste trabalho foi quantificada a distribuição de algumas das células envolvidas na resposta imune, em nível de prepúcio e uretra pélvica, em quatro carneiros de um ano de idade, sem lesões aparentes no testículo, no epidídimo e no prepúcio.[...] Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas no número de linfocitos CD8 entre ambos os orgãos. A relação entre cada tipo celular no tecido conectivo e intra-epitelial e entre os diferentes órgãos, resultou para CD4 10/1 no prepúcio (p<0.05), contra 7/1 na uretra (p<0.05), entretanto os CD8 se distribuíram 1/1 em ambas as mucosas, não sendo significativa as diferenças. Os WC1 foram observados na relação 5/1 em ambas as mucosas (p<0.05). A célula CD45RO, no prepucio, foi observada de 19/1(p<0.05) e na uretra de 1/1, não sendo um resultado significativo. As CC-IgA não mostraram diferença significativa no total de células em ambos os tecidos. Na uretra não foram observadas as CC-IgG, e as CC-IgM foram escassas; em contrapartida, ambos os tipos celulares foram observadas no prepucio, em quantidades menores que na uretra (p<0.05). As CC-IgA, IgG e IgM foram observadas em ambos os tecidos conectivos da mucosa. A presença de células apresentadoras de antígenos, macrófagoss e células dendríticas, assim como de linfócitos CD4, CD8. TCR γδ (WC1), CC-IgA, IgG e IgM e células CD45RO, determinam que ambas as mucosas podem se comportar como locais de indução e promoção da resposta imune das mucosas.(AU)

Female paraurethral prostate gland in bitches

Even though the presence of the female prostate has been reported in many species, including humans, bats and several rodents, it has many anatomical and histological variations. There is still plentiful discussion on the biological function of this organ. Many authors state that paraurethral ducts and glands are functional and homologous to the male prostate. The use of experimental models and a better knowledge of the female prostate gland in other species, can be useful to veterinary medicine as well as human medicine. Therefore the aim of this study is to check for the presence of this gland in female dogs of various breeds and age. For that purpose 25 urethras, from the bladder to the vulva, were collected, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, routinely processed and sectioned into 4 slides of 4 m, each with 40 m gap between each set of 4 slides, using an automatic microtome and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosine (HE). The HE sections wereevaluated for the presence of prostatic gland in the sample. Unstained tissue sections cut from paraffin blocks were marked with a polyclonal anti-PSA primary antibody. The prevalence of the gland was 32% (8/25). The structure of the paraurethral PSA-positive gland was acinar, organized in buds, with secretory epithelium varying from cubic to columnar; eccentric nuclei, with lose chromatin and a layer of basal cells, very similar...

Female paraurethral prostate gland in bitches

Even though the presence of the female prostate has been reported in many species, including humans, bats and several rodents, it has many anatomical and histological variations. There is still plentiful discussion on the biological function of this organ. Many authors state that paraurethral ducts and glands are functional and homologous to the male prostate. The use of experimental models and a better knowledge of the female prostate gland in other species, can be useful to veterinary medicine as well as human medicine. Therefore the aim of this study is to check for the presence of this gland in female dogs of various breeds and age. For that purpose 25 urethras, from the bladder to the vulva, were collected, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, routinely processed and sectioned into 4 slides of 4 m, each with 40 m gap between each set of 4 slides, using an automatic microtome and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosine (HE). The HE sections wereevaluated for the presence of prostatic gland in the sample. Unstained tissue sections cut from paraffin blocks were marked with a polyclonal anti-PSA primary antibody. The prevalence of the gland was 32% (8/25). The structure of the paraurethral PSA-positive gland was acinar, organized in buds, with secretory epithelium varying from cubic to columnar; eccentric nuclei, with lose chromatin and a layer of basal cells, very similar...(AU)

EFEITO DA COLHEITA FRACIONADA SOBRE A CINÉTICA E VIABILIDADE ESPERMÁTICAS DO SÊMEN REFRIGERADO E CONGELADO DE GARANHÕES

O pênis é o órgão copulador e no garanhão é classificado como sendo músculo cavernoso, em que os espaços cavernosos são preenchidos de sangue durante a ereção. Nos testículos que ocorre a produção espermática, que são transportados pela rete testis até o epidídimo, onde sofrerão maturação, capacidade fertilizante e armazenados até a ejaculação. As glândulas sexuais acessórias são responsáveis pelos fluidos expelidos durante a ejaculação, denominado de plasma seminal, que se misturam às células espermáticas e formam o ejaculado. Cada uma dessas glândulas são responsáveis por uma determinada secreção que vai direcionar o ejaculado equino a ser dividido em três distintas frações: fração pré-espermática, produzida pelas glândulas bulbouretrais e próstata; fração rica em espermatozoides, produzida pelas secreções do epidídimo e por líquidos das ampolas dos ductos deferentes; fração pós-espermática ou fração pobre, formada por espermatozoides remanescentes no canal uretral e líquidos produzidos pelas vesículas seminais, o gel. Durante o processo fisiológico de cópula, ocorrem vários eventos denominados de ereção, em que o garanhão se excita por estímulos, emissão que caracteriza-se pela liberação de espermatozoides dentro da uretra pélvica, seguido da ejaculação com a expulsão do sêmen, o relaxamento e recolhimento do pênis. Normalmente, as colheitas de sêmen equino são realizadas de forma convencional, com vagina artificial fechada, em que todas as frações se misturam. Cada garanhão possui características individuais com relação à manutenção das células espermáticas durante a criopreservação, essas características podem estar relacionadas à produção do plasma seminal, assim como os vários componentes que os compõem. Sabe-se que existe um efeito deletério desempenhado pelos componentes do plasma seminal produzido principalmente pelas vesículas seminais, aos espermatozoides durante o processo de criopreservação, porém, esses fatores ainda são desconhecidos. Várias hipóteses são sugeridas, tais como, a redução na produção de lipídeos e os tipos de proteínas e íons presentes em cada uma das frações do ejaculado. Sabendo disso, a colheita fracionada pode trazer benefícios aos espermatozoides, de forma que as primeiras frações não tenham contato com o plasma seminal produzido pelas vesículas seminais. O presente trabalho objetiva revisar a colheita fracionada de sêmen em garanhões, assim como, seus benefícios para as células espermáticas que serão submetidas à criopreservação.

The penis is the copulatory organ and in the stallion it is classified as cavernous muscle and the cavernous spaces are filled with blood during erection. In the testicles occurs sperm production, that are transported through the rete testis to the epididymis, where they will suffer maturation, fertilizer capacity and will be stored until ejaculation. The accessory sex glands are responsible for the expelled fluids during ejaculation, named seminal plasma that are mixed with sperm cells and form the ejaculate. Each of these glands are responsible for a certain secretion that will divide equine semen into three distinct fractions: pre-sperm fraction, produced by the prostate and bulbourethral glands; rich fraction in sperm, produced by epididymal secretions and liquids from ampoules of the vas deferens; post-sperm fraction or poor fraction, consisting of sperm remaining in the urethral canal and liquids produced by the seminal vesicles, the gel. During the physiological process of mating, several events occur named erection, in which the stud is excited by stimuli emission which is characterized by the release of sperm into the pelvic urethra followed by ejaculation with the expulsion of semen, relaxation and gathering the penis. Typically, horse semen collections are performed in the conventional way, with a closed artificial vagina, where all the fractions are mixed. Each stud has individual characteristics related to the maintenance of sperm cells during the cryopreservation, these characteristics may be related to production of seminal plasma and to the components that form it as well. What is known is that there is a negative effect played by the seminal plasma components mainly produced by the seminal vesicles, to the sperm during cryopreservation process, however, these factors are still unknown. Several hypotheses are suggested such as the productions reduction of lipids and proteins and the types of ions present in each fraction of the ejaculate. Knowing this, the fractional collection may be beneficial to sperm, considering that the first fractions do not have contact with seminal plasma produced by the seminal vesicles. This work aims to review the semen fraction harvest in stallions, as well as its benefits for the sperm cells to be submitted to cryopreservation.

Análise histológica das glândulas uretrais da capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) / Histological analysis of urethral glands of the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Para realização do estudo microscópico das glândulas anexas à uretra masculina, foram utilizadas duas capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrocaeris), adultas, das quais foram coletados fragmentos das glândulas genitais acessórias, imersos em solução fixadora de Bouin e lavados cuidadosamente em álcool de 70 por cento ao absoluto. A seguir foram submetidos aos processos histológicos de rotina e corados pelos métodos de Hematoxilina/Eosina e Tricrômico de Masson. Os resultados morfológicos encontrados foram: o ducto deferente possui um espessamento da parede, onde a luz permanece inalterada e sem presença de epitélio granular. A glândula vesicular possui um epitélio secretor do tipo pseudoestratificado colunar. A glândula prostática possui mucosa com pregueamentos altos e ramificados, revestido por epitélio pseudoestratificado cilíndrico. Machos de capivaras possuem glândulas vesiculares e próstata como glândulas uretrais. No material examinado não foi identificado epitélio secretor correspondente a glândula bulbouretral e morfologicamente assemelha-se aos outros histricomorfos.(AU)

To perform a microscopic study of the glands attached to the male urethra, we used two adult capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrocaeris) from which fragments of the urethral glands were collected, immersed in Bouin's fixative solution, washed thoroughly with 70 percent to absolute alcohol, submitted to routine histological techniques and stained with hematoxylin/eosin and Masson's trichromic method. The morphological findings were: Vas deferens has a thickening of the wall without granular epithelium and with unchanged lumen; the vesicular gland has a secretory epithelium of pseudostratified columnar type; the prostate gland has a high and ramified mucous membrane covered with pseudostratified cylindrical epithelium. Male capybaras have vesicular, prostate as urethral glands. In the material examined, no secretory epithelium corresponding to bulbourethral glands was identified; morphologically it resembles to the other histricomorphs.(AU)

Morfologia do sistema reprodutor masculino da preguiça-de-coleira (Bradypus torquatus, Illiger, 1811) / Morphology of the male reproduction system the three-toed sloth (Bradypus torquatus - Illiger, 1811)

Os Bichos-Preguiça são mamíferos (Classe Mammalia) da ordem Xenarthra (ou Edentata) Utilizamos nesta pesquisa preguiças-de-coleira (Bradypus torquatus) sendo seis machos e uma fêmea de diferentes faixas etárias. Estes animais foram cedidos para o Laboratório de Anatomia do Departamento de Cirurgia da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo (FMVZ -USP) pela Reserva Zoobotânica - Matinha Ilhéus/Bahia (Registro Ibama nº 02006.001.348/98-31), nos quais utilizamos as técnica de injeção vascular de látex (Neopreme® 650) e a injeção intra muscular de solução aquosa de formaldeido à 10%, posteriormente analisados por microscopia de luz. Os resultados mostraram que a presença da coleira nos animais adultos permite diferenciar machos de fêmeas. O períneo é encontrado extra cavitário com formato oval, delimitado pelo osso interpubiano, púbico e sacrococcigeo; divide-se em três regiões: aponeurotica, gordurosa e muscular. Os músculos perineais são representados através dos músculos: levantador do ânus, esfíncter uretral, retrator do pênis e o músculo esfíncter anal. Os órgãos reprodutores masculinos da preguiça de coleira (Bradypus torquatus) estão representados: por um par de testículos; pelos epidídimos, compostos de cabeça, corpo e cauda, por dois pares de glândulas genitais acessórias; sendo um par de vesiculares e um par composto pela próstata; pela uretra masculina e o pênis

Sloths are mammals (Class: Mammalia) from Order Xenarthra (or Edentata). We used in this research three-toed sloth (Bradypus torquatus) being six males and one female at different ages. These animals had been yielded to the Anatomy Laboratory of Surgery Department at College of Veterinary Medicine and Zootecny of São Paulo University (FMVZ/USP) from the Matinha Zoo botanic Reserve, Ilhéus/Bahia (IBAMA Register nº 02006.001.348/98-31). We used the technique of vascular latex injection (Neopreme® 650) and the muscular injection of watery formaldehyde solution to 10%, later analyzed by light microscopy. The results shown the presence of the necklace in adult animals allows to differentiate males from females. The perineal region is found extra cavity with oval shape, delimited by the interpubic, pubic bone and socrococcigeo; it is divided in three regions: aponeurotic, fatty and muscular. The perineal muscles are represented through the muscles: elevator of the anus, sphincter urethral, penis retractor and the muscle sphincter anal. The male reproductive organs of three-toed sloth sloth (Bradypus torquatus) are represented: for a pair of testis; epididimus, composed of head, body and tail, two pairs of accessory genital glands; one composed by a pair of vesicular glands and another pair, the prostate; for male urethra and penis