Topography and morphometry of the infraorbital and mandibular foramen of the common sloth (Bradypus variegatus) for use in the application of perineural anaesthesia.

A local anaesthetic block performed in cranial and mandibular foramina contributes towards analgesia and the reduction of systemic anaesthesia in procedures in the oral cavity. However, anatomical differences between in wild animals may require adaptations to the anaesthetic and surgical manoeuvres of the head used in domestic animals. With that in mind, we aimed to describe the topography and morphometry of the infraorbital and mandibular foramina in Bradypus variegatus, to support perineural anaesthetic approaches in the cranio-mandibular region of this species. We demonstrated that in B. variegatus there is no significant variability in the morphometric data, allowing access to the studied foramina to occur in a similar way in adult individuals. Finally, we understand that the techniques for the infraorbital and mandibular foramen needed to be adapted due to the anatomical singularities of the species, which culminated in new reference points for more assertive needle positioning.

Aortic branches and rete mirabile of the limbs of two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus).

Choloepus didactylus has reduced metabolism and difficulty in thermoregulation owing to its low body mass, and there are few studies related to the vascularization of abdominal and thoracic organs in this species. Therefore, we macroscopically described the arteries that comprise the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta. Six specimens were used, and their arterial systems filled with red latex before fixation in 10% formaldehyde, and fragments of the rete mirabile were processed for histological analysis using light and scanning electron microscopy. In these species, the aortic arch had two branches: the brachiocephalic trunk and left subclavian artery. The initial portion of the abdominal aorta presented four different ramifications, besides to the peculiarities of the adrenal, renal, and iliac arteries. Microscopy of the rete mirabile revealed a muscular artery surrounded by smaller muscular arteries, veins, nerves, and lymphatic tissue joined by connective tissue. Thus, the data obtained have clinical and surgical importance, with applicability in procedures involving vascularization of the thoracic and abdominal organs. We suggest that the rete mirabile is an efficient thermoregulatory structure because it allows the accumulation of blood and the countercurrent heat exchange, as there is no blood mixing.

Comparative morphology of the paw pad of the main arboreal Xenarthras from Amazon.

Paw pads are specializations of the integument and important shock absorbers of the locomotor system, as well as pressure, pain, temperature, storage and excretion sensors. Aiming to describe the paw pad morphology of the main arboreal xenarthras species in the Amazon, 16 animals were studied, Bradypus variegatus (6), Choloepus didactylus (5), Tamandua tetradactyla (3) and Cyclopes didactylus (2) that after death were donated to the Animal Morphological Research Laboratory (LaPMA / Ufra). The corpses were thawed and fixed with 10% aqueous formalin solution. The paw pads were measured, photographed and removed by skin incision dorsally to them. Fragments were used for routine histological processing, using two staining techniques: Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and Gomori's Trichrome, in sections of 6 to 8 µm. Choloepus didactylus, Tamandua tetradactyla and Cyclopes didactylus have digital paw pads, one in each digit, and one palm, as well as a plantar, whose shapes and colours are distinct from each other. Bradypus variegatus, however, has only one palmar and one plantar pad. Histologically, they have keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, supported by a large amount of collagen fibres and fibroblast cords in the dermis and hypodermis. Groups of eccrine sweat glands were observed in the reticular dermis of C. didactylus, B. variegatus, T. tetradactyla and only in the hypodermis of Cyclopes didactylus.

Ocular microscopy of Bradypus variegatus.

Bradypus variegatus, popularly known as common sloth or brown-throated sloth, is a species with wide geographical distribution in Brazil. Expand on the literature about the species, we aimed to describe the morphology of its eye and its main annexes. For this study, six frozen specimens donated to the Animal Morphological Research Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Amazonia were used. The specimens were fixed in a 10% aqueous solution of formaldehyde. The structures that constitute the ocular apparatus were identified and described after dissection and histological analysis using light microscopy. The bulbar conjunctiva presented a stratified cuboidal epithelium, with a considerable number of serous glands. The stroma layer and the posterior limiting lamina were found well defined in the species. The corneoscleral meshwork possessed a large opening for drainage of aqueous humour, followed by a wide retinal region, in which a layer of photoreceptors was visualized. Cones and rods could not be discriminated from each other. Microscopy of the medial angle of the eye revealed the cartilage and glands of the third eyelid, and a well-developed lacrimal gland structure. Bradypus variegatus distinguishing features and similarities in comparison with other domestic and wild mammal and bird species already described were investigated, which expounded the limited knowledge that is presently available on the morphology of wild fauna. The data extend the limited knowledge that are presently available on the ocular histology of B. variegatus.

Presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in captive yellow-spotted river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) in the Eastern Amazon / Presença de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em tracajás (Podocnemis unifilis) na Amazônia Oriental

ABSTRACT: We describe anti-Leptospira spp. agglutinin in yellow-spotted river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis)in the Amazon region. Ninety-eight serum samples from individuals housed at the Bosque Rodrigues Alves Zoobotanical Garden of Amazonia, Belém, PA, Brazil, were subject to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using 19 different Leptospira spp. antigen serogroups. Thirty-four of the 98 samples (35%) were reactive, with titers ranging from 100 to 3200, and eight 8 reactive samples (23.5%) co-agglutinated under two or more serovars.The most common serogroup was Hebdomadis (26.9%, 7/26), followed by Semaranga (23%, 6/26), Shermani (19.2%, 5/26), Djasiman (11.5%, 3/26), and Australis (7.7%, 2/26); Bataviae, Javanica, and Sejroewere represented by a single sample each (3.9%). The presence of turtles reactive to anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies implies exposure to the pathogen.

RESUMO: Este trabalho descreve a detecção de aglutininas anti-Leptospira spp. em tracajás (Podocnemis unifilis) na região Amazônica. Obtivemos 98 amostras de soro, as quais foram submetidas ao teste de aglutinação microscópica (MAT), utilizando 31 antígenos de diferentes sorogrupos de Leptospira spp. Das 98 amostras de soro coletadas, 35% (34/98) reagiram apresentando titulações de 100 a 3200; 23,53% dessas amostras (8/34) coaglutinaram na presença de dois ou mais sorovares. O sorogrupo mais comum foi Hebdomadis com 26,9% (7/26), seguido de Semaranga com 23% (6/26), Shermani com 19,2% (5/26), Djasiman com 11,5% (3/26), e Australis com 7,7% (2/26). Bataviae, Javanica, e Sejroe foram representados com apenas uma amostra (3,9%). A presença de tracajás reagentes a anticorpos contra Leptospira spp. implica na exposição ao patógeno.