Foramen magnum in dogs of small and toy breeds - morphometric study

Introduction: The foramen magnum is located in the occipital bone and communicates the cranial cavity with the spinal canal of the vertebral column. Variations in the shape and size of this foramen, such as the presence of a notch in its dorsal contour, characterize occipital dysplasia and may occur due to a defect in the supraoccipital bone ossification process during the gestational period. Occipital dysplasia has been reported primarily in small, toy, and brachycephalic breeds, and its clinical relevance remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the size of the foramen magnum in asymptomatic dogs of small and toy breeds. Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted at the Veterinary Hospital of the Center for Rural Health and Technology of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos Campus, located in Paraíba state, Brazil. Twelve (n = 12) asymptomatic, small and toy breed dogs, with variable sex and over 10 months of age, were referred to the Veterinary Hospital for elective surgical procedures and were used in this study. All dogs underwent complete neurological examination to confirm the asymptomatic status and were radiographed in rostrocaudal position, with their mouths closed and the hard palate at an angle of approximately 70º to 80º with the table of the X-ray apparatus. The foramen magnum of each specimen was evaluated in the radiographs using a precision caliper. The analyzed parameters included height (H), the height of the dorsal notch (N), total height (H+N), and width (W), and the obtained data were used to establish the degree of occipital dysplasia and determine the shape of the foramen magnum. Of the 12 animals studied, 75% (n = 9) exhibited a dorsal notch in the foramen magnum, which varied between 3.00 and 10.00 millimeters (mm) in height, characterizing occipital dysplasia. Among the affected animals, 77.77% (n = 7) were classified as grade 1 for the alteration, 11.11% (n = 1) as grade 2 and one animal (11.11%) as grade 3. The prevalent shape observed for the foramen magnum was oval (83.3%). Discussion: Although occipital dysplasia has been associated with the occurrence of nonspecific neurological clinical signs, such as tremors, ataxia, and epileptic seizures, the presence of this alteration in asymptomatic dogs indicates that the formation alone is just an anatomical variation, as demonstrated herein and in previous studies conducted over the past few years. This hypothesis has been increasingly supported by scientific evidence through publications that portray occipital dysplasia in dogs of various breeds and sizes without clinical manifestations. The clinical signs attributed to occipital dysplasia may originate in situations where there is a coexistence of other conditions. Occipital dysplasia has been reported several times in conjunction with other pathologies, such as occipital hypoplasia and syringomyelia, in symptomatic dogs. The dorsal notch-shaped occipital defect is covered by a fibrous tissue membrane in dogs affected by occipital dysplasia. The presence of this soft tissue membrane has been related to the late onset of syringomyelia due to the decompressive effect that it provides to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. When occipital dysplasia is identified in symptomatic dogs, it is suggested that the lesion be correctly located within the nervous system and that, according to its neurolocalization, a thorough investigation of other underlying causes for the occurrence of the neurological clinical manifestation be carried out. To date, there is no evidence characterizing occipital dysplasia as a single entity causing neurological deficits.

Descrição e morfometria do osso quadrado de Amazona aestiva e Diopsittaca nobilis / Description and morphometry of the quadrate bone of Amazona aestiva and Diopsittaca nobilis

This study aimed to describe the anatomical specificities and morphometric values of the quadrate bone of two species of psittacines. Were used the quadrate bones of twenty specimens of Amazona aestiva and three specimens of Diopsittaca nobilis donated for studies by the Paraíba Wild Animal Triage Center (CETAS-PB)/IBAMA. The bones presented similar characteristics, having the same crests and depressions. The results obtained provide data that may assist the veterinarian in better understanding the anatomy of this essential bone for craniocinesis.

Relato de Spirura sp em sagui-de-tufos-brancos / Report of Spirura sp in common marmoset

The knowledge of gastrointestinal parasites in primates is important for the management of the population of monkeys and for the maintenance of the health of the people, since they are common animals in captivity. The study reports a case of parasitism by Spirura sp. in an adult Common marmoset found in the Zona da Mata region of Paraíba state. Spirura sp. was identified in the final portion of the esophagus of a corpse marmoset that was donated for anatomical study by the Paraíba Wild Animal Triage Center (CETAS-PB).

Relato de Spirura sp em sagui-de-tufos-brancos / Report of Spirura sp in common marmoset

The knowledge of gastrointestinal parasites in primates is important for the management of the population of monkeys and for the maintenance of the health of the people, since they are common animals in captivity. The study reports a case of parasitism by Spirura sp. in an adult Common marmoset found in the Zona da Mata region of Paraíba state. Spirura sp. was identified in the final portion of the esophagus of a corpse marmoset that was donated for anatomical study by the Paraíba Wild Animal Triage Center (CETAS-PB).(AU)

Descrição e morfometria do osso quadrado de Amazona aestiva e Diopsittaca nobilis / Description and morphometry of the quadrate bone of Amazona aestiva and Diopsittaca nobilis

This study aimed to describe the anatomical specificities and morphometric values of the quadrate bone of two species of psittacines. Were used the quadrate bones of twenty specimens of Amazona aestiva and three specimens of Diopsittaca nobilis donated for studies by the Paraíba Wild Animal Triage Center (CETAS-PB)/IBAMA. The bones presented similar characteristics, having the same crests and depressions. The results obtained provide data that may assist the veterinarian in better understanding the anatomy of this essential bone for craniocinesis.(AU)

Descrição anatômica dos músculos do membro torácico da preguiça-comum (Bradypus variegatus) / Anatomical description of the forelimb muscles of the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

Background: Brown-throated sloths are mammals of the order Xenarthra, suborder Pilosa, family Bradypodidae. These folivorous and arboreal animals, which possess a peculiar type of arboreal quadrupedalism, move through the forest canopy by means of suspensory locomotion. On the ground, their extremely slow movements make them easy targets for road accidents, often leading to serious injury or even death. This paper describes the forelimb muscles of the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus), updating the literature on the subject to help veterinarians in clinical and surgical interventions on this species, and to provide data for comparative animal anatomy.Materials, Methods & Results: Five brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825), two adults and three babies were dissected. The animals were donated by the Arruda Câmara Zoo and Botanical Park in João Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil, where they were thawed and fixed in 10% formalin. The sloths’ forelimbs were dissected by lifting and folding over a skin flap to expose, identify and describe the underlying musculature. The dissection revealed the following muscles: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoideus, teres major, subscapularis, coracobrachialis, brachialis, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, anconeus epitrochlearis, dorsoepitrochlearis, brachioradialis, supinator, pronator teres, pronator quadratus, extensor carpi radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi obliquus, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum communis, extensor digitorum lateralis, palmaris longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, extensor indicis longus second finger, extensor indicis brevis second finger, extensor digitorum third finger, abductor digitorum second finger, abductor digitorum third finger, palmaris brevis, and interosseous muscles.[...]

Descrição anatômica dos músculos do membro torácico da preguiça-comum (Bradypus variegatus) / Anatomical description of the forelimb muscles of the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

Background: Brown-throated sloths are mammals of the order Xenarthra, suborder Pilosa, family Bradypodidae. These folivorous and arboreal animals, which possess a peculiar type of arboreal quadrupedalism, move through the forest canopy by means of suspensory locomotion. On the ground, their extremely slow movements make them easy targets for road accidents, often leading to serious injury or even death. This paper describes the forelimb muscles of the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus), updating the literature on the subject to help veterinarians in clinical and surgical interventions on this species, and to provide data for comparative animal anatomy.Materials, Methods & Results: Five brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825), two adults and three babies were dissected. The animals were donated by the Arruda Câmara Zoo and Botanical Park in João Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil, where they were thawed and fixed in 10% formalin. The sloths forelimbs were dissected by lifting and folding over a skin flap to expose, identify and describe the underlying musculature. The dissection revealed the following muscles: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoideus, teres major, subscapularis, coracobrachialis, brachialis, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, anconeus epitrochlearis, dorsoepitrochlearis, brachioradialis, supinator, pronator teres, pronator quadratus, extensor carpi radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi obliquus, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum communis, extensor digitorum lateralis, palmaris longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, extensor indicis longus second finger, extensor indicis brevis second finger, extensor digitorum third finger, abductor digitorum second finger, abductor digitorum third finger, palmaris brevis, and interosseous muscles.[...](AU)

Topografia do cone medular em sagui-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) / Medullary conus topography in white-tufted-ear-marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Background: The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) belongs to the family Cebidae and Subfamily Callitrichinae, a group formed by the smallest anthropoid primates. It is a very common species and adapts easily to captivity, an aspect that encourages the clandestine capture of these animals and makes them susceptible to wounds resulting from clandestine rearing and inadequate management, so that studies to understand the species are extremely important. With the objective of supplying anatomic bases for the practice of epidural anesthetic, data were studied regarding the topography of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Materials, Methods & Results: The study was carried out at the Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy at the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), PA, Brazil. Ten adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) were used, 5 males and 5 females, with different causes of death. A round workbench magnifying lamp was used to better visualize the dissecation field. Number 15 scalpel blades, surgical pincers and scissors were used to dissect. After fixing in 10% formaldehyde aqueous solution, dissecation was made along the mid dorsal line, from the cranial thoracic region to the tail base to expose the vertebral arches and measure the intervertebral spaces. The vertebral arches were removed, and consequently the spinal dura mater was exposed, that was sectioned longitudinally to expose the spinal chord and identify the lumbar intumescence, the conus medullaris and the cauda equina. The length of the conus medullaris was measured and its skeletopy was established. The body and tail length data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The mean value of the conus medullaris length was 1.4 cm, while the anatomic location of the conus medullaris varied slightly among the animals, but did not pass the limit between L3 for the base and L6 for the apex. […](AU)

Topografia do cone medular em sagui-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) / Medullary conus topography in white-tufted-ear-marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Background: The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) belongs to the family Cebidae and Subfamily Callitrichinae, a group formed by the smallest anthropoid primates. It is a very common species and adapts easily to captivity, an aspect that encourages the clandestine capture of these animals and makes them susceptible to wounds resulting from clandestine rearing and inadequate management, so that studies to understand the species are extremely important. With the objective of supplying anatomic bases for the practice of epidural anesthetic, data were studied regarding the topography of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Materials, Methods & Results: The study was carried out at the Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy at the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), PA, Brazil. Ten adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) were used, 5 males and 5 females, with different causes of death. A round workbench magnifying lamp was used to better visualize the dissecation field. Number 15 scalpel blades, surgical pincers and scissors were used to dissect. After fixing in 10% formaldehyde aqueous solution, dissecation was made along the mid dorsal line, from the cranial thoracic region to the tail base to expose the vertebral arches and measure the intervertebral spaces. The vertebral arches were removed, and consequently the spinal dura mater was exposed, that was sectioned longitudinally to expose the spinal chord and identify the lumbar intumescence, the conus medullaris and the cauda equina. The length of the conus medullaris was measured and its skeletopy was established. The body and tail length data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The mean value of the conus medullaris length was 1.4 cm, while the anatomic location of the conus medullaris varied slightly among the animals, but did not pass the limit between L3 for the base and L6 for the apex. […]

Anatomic bases for brachial plexus block of capuching (Sapajus libidinosus) / Bases anatômicas para o bloqueio anestésico do plexo braquial de macacos-prego (Sapajus libidinosus)

Background: In captivity, capuchin monkeys compete for space and rank. Fights can result in traumas, especially to the limbs, requiring interventions that are often outpatient. Local anesthesia as a tool in these procedures, as an aid to chemical restraint, is very relevant for small outpatient surgeries, or even for pain relief. Knowledge of peripheral nerve anatomy is essential to perform local anesthesia. Thus the objective of the present study was to determine, by anatomical studies of the brachial plexus region, the best access pathways for anesthetic blocking of the nerve. Materials, Methods & Results: Seven adult capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) were used, weighing 2-3 kg, fixed and preserved in formaldehyde aqueous solution at 10%. In five of these animals the supraclavicular, infraclavicular and axillar regions were dissected to visualize the muscles, clavicle and bracchial plexus nerves. An analogical pachymeter was used to measure the depth of the plexus in relation to the cranial and caudal clavicle face and axillary fossa, comparing the length of two hypodermic needles (13x4.5 mm and 15x5 mm). Simulation of the anesthetic block was tested in two animals: before dissecting an acrylic varnish solution was injected using a syringe and 13x4.5 mm needle in the supraclavicular, infraclavicular regions and axillary fossa. To assess the positioning points of the [...](AU)

Anatomic bases for brachial plexus block of capuching (Sapajus libidinosus) / Bases anatômicas para o bloqueio anestésico do plexo braquial de macacos-prego (Sapajus libidinosus)

Background: In captivity, capuchin monkeys compete for space and rank. Fights can result in traumas, especially to the limbs, requiring interventions that are often outpatient. Local anesthesia as a tool in these procedures, as an aid to chemical restraint, is very relevant for small outpatient surgeries, or even for pain relief. Knowledge of peripheral nerve anatomy is essential to perform local anesthesia. Thus the objective of the present study was to determine, by anatomical studies of the brachial plexus region, the best access pathways for anesthetic blocking of the nerve. Materials, Methods & Results: Seven adult capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) were used, weighing 2-3 kg, fixed and preserved in formaldehyde aqueous solution at 10%. In five of these animals the supraclavicular, infraclavicular and axillar regions were dissected to visualize the muscles, clavicle and bracchial plexus nerves. An analogical pachymeter was used to measure the depth of the plexus in relation to the cranial and caudal clavicle face and axillary fossa, comparing the length of two hypodermic needles (13x4.5 mm and 15x5 mm). Simulation of the anesthetic block was tested in two animals: before dissecting an acrylic varnish solution was injected using a syringe and 13x4.5 mm needle in the supraclavicular, infraclavicular regions and axillary fossa. To assess the positioning points of the [...]

Morfologia e segmentação pulmonar de raposas (Cerdocyon thous) / Pulmonary morphology and segmentation of fox (Cerdocyon thous)

Foram utilizadas oito raposas (Cerdocyon thous) adultas capturadas no município de Patos, Estadoda Paraíba, Brasil, com o intuito de descrever a anatomia dos pulmões e a configuração da árvore bronquial. Osórgãos foram retirados e fixados em solução aquosa de formol a 10%. Após a descrição da morfologia externa doórgão, dissecou-se a árvore bronquial. Observou-se que o pulmão direito apresentou quatro lobos, o cranial,médio, caudal e acessório e o pulmão esquerdo mostrou apenas dois, o lobo cranial, dividido em duas porções(cranial e caudal) e o lobo caudal. A traquéia bifurcou-se sempre em dois brônquios principais, direito eesquerdo. O brônquio principal direito emitiu quatro brônquios lobares, um para cada lobo, e do brônquioprincipal esquerdo emergiram apenas dois brônquios, um comum à porção cranial e caudal do lobo cranial eoutro para o lobo caudal. Em média, no pulmão direito, foram observados dez segmentos para o lobo cranial, dezpara o lobo médio, onze para o lobo caudal e quatro para o acessório. No pulmão esquerdo foram observadosapenas dois segmentos no lobo cranial, sendo, em média, onze brônquios intrasegmentares na parte cranial e dezna parte caudal do lobo, além de onze segmentos no lobo caudal, em média. Concluiu-se que o pulmão da raposa(Cerdocyon thous) apresentou características anatômicas semelhantes com o dos carnívoros e com segmentaçãobroncopulmonar bastante variada, sendo necessário cuidado maior quando do diagnóstico de lesões pulmonares,bem como, em procedimentos cirúrgicos.

Eight adult foxes (Cerdocyon thous) were captured in the municipality of Patos, Paraíba state,Brazil in order to describe the lung anatomy and the bronchial tree configuration. The organs were removed andfixed in 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution. After describing the external morphology of the organ, thebronchial tree was dissected. The right lung had four lobes, the cranial, median and caudal and accessory whilethe left lung presented only the cranial lobe divided into two portions (cranial and caudal) and the caudal lobe.The trachea always divided into two main bronchi, the right and left. The main right bronchus emitted four lobarbronchioles, one for each lobe, and the main left bronchus emitted only two bronchioles, one in common withthe cranial and caudal portion and the other to the caudal lobe. Ten segments were observed average, in the rightlung, for the cranial lobe, ten for the median lobe, eleven for the caudal lobe and four for the accessory lobe. Inthe left lung, only two segments were observed in the cranial lobe and on average, eleven intrasegmentalbronchioles in the cranial part and ten in the caudal part of the lobe, in addition to eleven segments in the caudallobe, on average. It was concluded that the fox (Cerdocyon thous) presented anatomical characteristics similarto those of carnivores and with very varied bronchopulmonary segmentation, and greater care is needed whendiagnosing lung lesions and during surgical procedures.

Morfologia e segmentação pulmonar de raposas (Cerdocyon thous) / Pulmonary morphology and segmentation of fox (Cerdocyon thous)

Foram utilizadas oito raposas (Cerdocyon thous) adultas capturadas no município de Patos, Estadoda Paraíba, Brasil, com o intuito de descrever a anatomia dos pulmões e a configuração da árvore bronquial. Osórgãos foram retirados e fixados em solução aquosa de formol a 10%. Após a descrição da morfologia externa doórgão, dissecou-se a árvore bronquial. Observou-se que o pulmão direito apresentou quatro lobos, o cranial,médio, caudal e acessório e o pulmão esquerdo mostrou apenas dois, o lobo cranial, dividido em duas porções(cranial e caudal) e o lobo caudal. A traquéia bifurcou-se sempre em dois brônquios principais, direito eesquerdo. O brônquio principal direito emitiu quatro brônquios lobares, um para cada lobo, e do brônquioprincipal esquerdo emergiram apenas dois brônquios, um comum à porção cranial e caudal do lobo cranial eoutro para o lobo caudal. Em média, no pulmão direito, foram observados dez segmentos para o lobo cranial, dezpara o lobo médio, onze para o lobo caudal e quatro para o acessório. No pulmão esquerdo foram observadosapenas dois segmentos no lobo cranial, sendo, em média, onze brônquios intrasegmentares na parte cranial e dezna parte caudal do lobo, além de onze segmentos no lobo caudal, em média. Concluiu-se que o pulmão da raposa(Cerdocyon thous) apresentou características anatômicas semelhantes com o dos carnívoros e com segmentaçãobroncopulmonar bastante variada, sendo necessário cuidado maior quando do diagnóstico de lesões pulmonares,bem como, em procedimentos cirúrgicos.(AU)

Eight adult foxes (Cerdocyon thous) were captured in the municipality of Patos, Paraíba state,Brazil in order to describe the lung anatomy and the bronchial tree configuration. The organs were removed andfixed in 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution. After describing the external morphology of the organ, thebronchial tree was dissected. The right lung had four lobes, the cranial, median and caudal and accessory whilethe left lung presented only the cranial lobe divided into two portions (cranial and caudal) and the caudal lobe.The trachea always divided into two main bronchi, the right and left. The main right bronchus emitted four lobarbronchioles, one for each lobe, and the main left bronchus emitted only two bronchioles, one in common withthe cranial and caudal portion and the other to the caudal lobe. Ten segments were observed average, in the rightlung, for the cranial lobe, ten for the median lobe, eleven for the caudal lobe and four for the accessory lobe. Inthe left lung, only two segments were observed in the cranial lobe and on average, eleven intrasegmentalbronchioles in the cranial part and ten in the caudal part of the lobe, in addition to eleven segments in the caudallobe, on average. It was concluded that the fox (Cerdocyon thous) presented anatomical characteristics similarto those of carnivores and with very varied bronchopulmonary segmentation, and greater care is needed whendiagnosing lung lesions and during surgical procedures.(AU)

Epidermólise bolhosa em animais

Esta tese inclui três artigos sobre epidermólise bolhosa (EB) em animais, uma doença hereditária, cuja principal característica é a formação de bolhas e erosões na pele e mucosas em resposta ao mínimo trauma. O primeiro capítulo é um artigo de revisão que abrange o diagnóstico, a classificação, a epidemiologia, o modo de herança, a clínica, a patologia e as alterações ultraestruturais e moleculares da EB em animais. Baseado no nível ultraestrutural de separação do tecido, a EB é dividida em três tipos: simples, juncional e distrófica. Em humanos estima-se que a EB afeta 1 em 17.000 nascidos vivos, mas em animais a frequência de EB não é estimada. Os achados clínicos e patológicos são semelhantes em todos os tipos de EB, variando apenas na intensidade. A EB é causada por mutações nos genes que expressam as proteínas do citoesqueleto dos queratinócitos ou da zona da membrana basal (ZMB). No segundo capítulo foram descritos em caprinos os achados clínicos, histopatológicos e ultraestruturais da EB distrófica transmitida por um gene autossômico recessivo. Os caprinos apresentaram exungulação, erosões, crostas e cicatrizes na pele e úlceras na cavidade oral. Histologicamente, a pele apresentava uma separação subepidérmica preenchida com fluido eosinofílico claro, restos celulares ou neutrófilos. Ultraestruturalmente, o local de separação foi abaixo da lâmina densa na ZMB. Na pele com formação de bolhas e na pele não envolvida clinicamente, a lâmina basal foi preservada, mas as fibrilas de ancoragem eram escassas e rudimentares. Sugere-se que a doença é similar a EB distrófica recessiva generalizada e severa observada em humanos. No terceiro capítulo é descrito um caso de EB em um bezerro. [...] Os hemidesmossomos apresentavam-se pequenos, pobremente definidos e sem demarcação clara. Os achados clínicos, histológicos e ultraestruturais encontrados no bezerro são característicos da EB juncional.

This thesis includes three papers on epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in animals, which is an hereditary disease, characterized by the formation of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous in response to minor mechanical trauma. The first paper reviews the diagnosis, classification, epidemiology, mode of inheritance, clinical, pathology, and ultrastructural and molecular changes of EB reported in animals. Based on the ultrastructural level of tissue separations EB is divided into three types: simplex, junctional, and dystrophic. In humans it is estimated that EB affect 1 in 17000 live births, but in animal the frequency of EB is not estimated. The clinical and pathological findings are similar in all types of EB, varying only in intensity. EB is due to mutations in genes that express the protein constituent the cytoskeleton of the basal keratinocytes or of the basement membrane zone (BMZ). In the second paper, clinical, histopathological, and ultrastructural findings of dystrophic EB in goats transmitted by an autosomal recessive gene are reported. The goats presented with exungulation, erosions, crusts and scars on the skin and ulcers in the oral cavity. Histologically, the skin showed subepidermal separation, with clefts filled with clear eosinophilic fluid, cellular debris or neutrophils. Ultrastructurally, the site of blister formation was the sub-lamina densa in the BMZ. In skin with blister formation and in clinically uninvolved skin, the basal lamina was preserved, but the anchoring fibrils were scarce and rudimentary. It is suggested that the disease is similar to human severe generalized recessive dystrophic EB. In the third paper, a case of EB in a calf is reported. It was presented exungulation of all hooves, widespread erosions and crusts on the skin, and ulcers in the oral cavity. [...] The hemidesmosomes were poorly defined and small. The clinical, histological and ultrastructural findings are characteristic of junctional EB.

Epidermólise bolhosa em animais

Esta tese inclui três artigos sobre epidermólise bolhosa (EB) em animais, uma doença hereditária, cuja principal característica é a formação de bolhas e erosões na pele e mucosas em resposta ao mínimo trauma. O primeiro capítulo é um artigo de revisão que abrange o diagnóstico, a classificação, a epidemiologia, o modo de herança, a clínica, a patologia e as alterações ultraestruturais e moleculares da EB em animais. Baseado no nível ultraestrutural de separação do tecido, a EB é dividida em três tipos: simples, juncional e distrófica. Em humanos estima-se que a EB afeta 1 em 17.000 nascidos vivos, mas em animais a frequência de EB não é estimada. Os achados clínicos e patológicos são semelhantes em todos os tipos de EB, variando apenas na intensidade. A EB é causada por mutações nos genes que expressam as proteínas do citoesqueleto dos queratinócitos ou da zona da membrana basal (ZMB). No segundo capítulo foram descritos em caprinos os achados clínicos, histopatológicos e ultraestruturais da EB distrófica transmitida por um gene autossômico recessivo. Os caprinos apresentaram exungulação, erosões, crostas e cicatrizes na pele e úlceras na cavidade oral. Histologicamente, a pele apresentava uma separação subepidérmica preenchida com fluido eosinofílico claro, restos celulares ou neutrófilos. Ultraestruturalmente, o local de separação foi abaixo da lâmina densa na ZMB. Na pele com formação de bolhas e na pele não envolvida clinicamente, a lâmina basal foi preservada, mas as fibrilas de ancoragem eram escassas e rudimentares. Sugere-se que a doença é similar a EB distrófica recessiva generalizada e severa observada em humanos. No terceiro capítulo é descrito um caso de EB em um bezerro. [...] Os hemidesmossomos apresentavam-se pequenos, pobremente definidos e sem demarcação clara. Os achados clínicos, histológicos e ultraestruturais encontrados no bezerro são característicos da EB juncional.(AU)

This thesis includes three papers on epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in animals, which is an hereditary disease, characterized by the formation of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous in response to minor mechanical trauma. The first paper reviews the diagnosis, classification, epidemiology, mode of inheritance, clinical, pathology, and ultrastructural and molecular changes of EB reported in animals. Based on the ultrastructural level of tissue separations EB is divided into three types: simplex, junctional, and dystrophic. In humans it is estimated that EB affect 1 in 17000 live births, but in animal the frequency of EB is not estimated. The clinical and pathological findings are similar in all types of EB, varying only in intensity. EB is due to mutations in genes that express the protein constituent the cytoskeleton of the basal keratinocytes or of the basement membrane zone (BMZ). In the second paper, clinical, histopathological, and ultrastructural findings of dystrophic EB in goats transmitted by an autosomal recessive gene are reported. The goats presented with exungulation, erosions, crusts and scars on the skin and ulcers in the oral cavity. Histologically, the skin showed subepidermal separation, with clefts filled with clear eosinophilic fluid, cellular debris or neutrophils. Ultrastructurally, the site of blister formation was the sub-lamina densa in the BMZ. In skin with blister formation and in clinically uninvolved skin, the basal lamina was preserved, but the anchoring fibrils were scarce and rudimentary. It is suggested that the disease is similar to human severe generalized recessive dystrophic EB. In the third paper, a case of EB in a calf is reported. It was presented exungulation of all hooves, widespread erosions and crusts on the skin, and ulcers in the oral cavity. [...] The hemidesmosomes were poorly defined and small. The clinical, histological and ultrastructural findings are characteristic of junctional EB.(AU)

Morfologia dos órgãos genitais externos do macho decutia (Dasyprocta aguti. Linnaeus, 1766) / Morphology of the external male genital organs ofagouti (Dasyprocta aguti. Linnaeus, 1766)

Foram utilizados vinte e três cutias (D. aguti), machos, adultos,adquiridos em criatórios científicos, legalmente licenciados peloIBAMA, da Universidade Federal do Piauí UFPI, Teresina, PIe da Escola Superior Agrícola de Mossoró ESAM, Mossoró,RN, com o objetivo de descrever morfologicamente os órgãosgenitais masculinos externos, abordando aspectos histológicos emacroscópicos destes órgãos. Foi realizada a dissecação dos órgãosgenitais externos dos espécimes. Fragmentos foram coletados esubmetidos ao processamento histológico de rotina para inclusãoem parafina, os quais foram cortados e corados pelos métodosde H/E e Tricômico de Masson e observados em microscópiode luz. Os resultados mostraram que o pênis destes animais possuicaracterísticas do tipo fibrocavernoso, com grande quantidadede estruturas queratinizadas no seu ápice. No terço médio dopênis da cutia foi evidenciado uma flexura peniana em forma de“U” deitado; a glande do pênis encontra-se revestida por umaepiderme queratinizada contendo espículas córneas; um ossopeniano substituindo o corpo cavernoso e um saco suburetralventral, com dois longos esporões córneos no seu interior, estãopresentes no pênis desses espécimes. Na região escrotal não seobserva limites externos nítidos do escroto. Dorsalmente, abaixoda lâmina interna do prepúcio, próximo ao óstio prepucial,verifica-se um par de glândulas prepuciais.(AU)

Thirty-thee males adult agoutis (Dasyprocta aguti) had been used,originated from the Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI) PiauíState, and from the Escola Superior de Agricultura de Mossoró(ESAM) Rio Grande do Norte State - Brazil. The purpose of the present investigation was describly the morfology of male genitalorgans and caracterized the histology aspects and their grosscaracteristics. It was carry out an dissections of the extenal organsgenital. The fragments were included in paraffin and stained withhematoxylin-eosin and Tricomy of the Masson and observed inlight microscopic .The result showed that the penis is fibrocavernouswith large amounts of the keratizaded structures in the their apex.In third part of the penis was evidencied an curved with form ofthe “U” lying. The glans was covering to keratinized epiderm withmany espicules, an bone penis has been replaced the carvernousbody. In the part ventral of the penis there was suburethal sac withtwo long projection corneus. In the Scroral region there wasntdistintict external limits with scrotum. Under of the internal layerof the prepuce, next to the preputial orifice, there was two preputialgland.(AU)