Anatomy, histology, and ultrasonography of the normal adrenal gland in brown lemur: Eulemur fulvus.

BACKGROUND: The medical care currently to brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) is limited by a lack of knowledge of their anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy and histology and obtain ultrasonographic measurements of normal adrenal glands in these animals. METHODS: The adrenal glands of four lemurs cadavers were used for the anatomical and histological studies, and those of 15 anesthetized lemurs were examined by ultrasonography. RESULTS: Anatomically, the adrenal glands of brown lemurs are comparable to those of other species. The histological findings showed that the cortex is organized into three distinct layers, whereas most domestic mammals have an additional zone. The surface area of the adrenal glands increased with body weight, and the area of the right adrenal was slightly larger than the left. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest using ultrasonography to aid the etiological diagnosis of behavioral abnormalities that might be due to dysfunctions of the adrenal gland.

Normal nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in brown lemurs Eulemur fulvus: computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy.

BACKGROUND: Far less is known about the normal anatomy of the nasal cavity of Eulemur fulvus; no computed tomography (CT) scan has ever been published. METHODS: Relevant CT scans were taken in the transverse, dorsal and longitudinal planes. These scans were compared with anatomical sections of heads. RESULTS: Computed tomography scans revealed almost all nasal structures, but cannot differentiate between the various layers of the nasal mucosa. Results show a double-scroll arrangement of the ventral nasal concha. The dorsal nasal concha protrudes into the maxillary sinus, but no protrusion into the frontal sinus was observed. The ethmoturbinate I is completely closed back on itself and rostrally voluminous. CONCLUSIONS: This work shows that at a clinical level, the integrity of the different turbinates can easily be appreciated from a simple CT scan. It will assist clinicians to evaluate pathological conditions that affect the nasal region.

Anatomy and ultrasonography of the normal kidney in brown lemurs: Eulemur fulvus.

The purpose of this study is to describe the anatomy and obtain echographic measurements of normal kidneys in brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus). The anatomical findings show that brown lemur kidneys are comparable to those of rats except for an elongated papilla. The kidneys of 16 (7 females and 9 males) lemurs were examined with two-dimensional and power Doppler ultrasonography under general anesthesia. Morphometrically, the left and right kidney surface areas are comparable (3.29 and 3.51 cm(2)). Kidney area has a significant linear correlation with body weight. Echo-Doppler findings show that the mean renal arterial blood flow speeds for the left and right kidneys are comparable (0.70 and 0.73 m/s). However, flow speed is higher in the male (0.79 m/s) than in the female (0.60 m/s). The renal arterial diameters are between 1.0 and 1.8 mm. The fact that anesthesia can have hemodynamic effects on renal vasculature should be taken into consideration when assessing these echographic results.