Anatomical research on the funiculus umbilicalis in zebu cattle / Pesquisa anatômica sobre o funículo umbilical em bovinos azebuados

ABSTRACT

Morphologic aspects related to disposition and constitution of arteries and veins of the umbilicus funiculus were investigated in 30 (13 males and 17 females) fetuses of crossbred zebu cattle. The age of the fetuses varied in a range of 2 to 7 months, and the umbilical vessels were injected with a 650 Neoprene latex solution, properly stained and then dissected. Additionally to this procedure, the umbilicus funiculus were cut at the juxta-fetal, juxta-placental and at the intermediate portions and werestudied histologically by means of different staining techniques. The length of the umbilical cord varied from 3 to 43 cm in fetuses 2 to 7 months old. The umbilicus funiculus of the animals studied was constituted by 4 umbilical vessels, i.e., 2 arteries and 2 veins, and by one alantoid duct, and among these formations a large amount of Wharton gelatinous substances and small essels (vasa vasorum) were observed. All these strctures were involved by the amniotic epithelium. Inter-aterialumbilical anastomoses were found in 28/30 (93,33%) of the examined animals.

RESUMO

Mediante esta pesquisa, obtivemos dados sobre os aspectos morfológicos da disposição e da constituição das artérias e das veias do funículo umbilical em bovinos azebuados. Utilizamos para isto 30 fetos (13 machos e 17 fêmeas), com idades variando de 2 a 7 meses, cujos vasos umbilicais foram injetados com solução de látex-Neoprene 650 corada e posteriormente dissecados. O comprimento do funículo umbilical variou de 3 a 43 cm em fetos de 2 a 7 meses de idade. Quatro vasos umbilicais (duas artérias e duas veias) e um dueto alantóide constituíam o funículo umbilical desses ruminantes, sendo que existia entre eles uma grande quantidade de gelatina de Wharton e pequenos vasos (vasa vasorum). Todas as estruturas estavam envolvidas pelo epitélio amniótico. Em 28 (93,33% ± 4,5) dos 30 fetos examinados, observamos uma anastomose interarterial umbilical.