Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) using egg yolk-based or soy lecithin-based extenders.

There are more than 200 species and subspecies of Neotropical Primates of which more than 40% are listed as threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Both in situ and ex situ conservation programs can benefit from the use of assisted reproductive technologies. The objective of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, cryopreservation techniques for Alouatta caraya semen. Semen samples were collected from five adult males, analyzed, and frozen in either Test-egg yolk or Test-soy lecithin-based extenders containing either 3 or 4% glycerol. Frozen-thawed samples were analyzed at 10, 40, and 80 min post-thaw. Egg yolk-based extenders were overall better than soy lecithin-based extenders. There was no significant difference between 3 and 4% glycerol in any of the parameters analyzed, however, 4% glycerol in egg yolk-based extender produced more favorable results for total motility, intact plasma membrane, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation index. This study brought novel information on semen characteristics and cryopreservation aspects for A. caraya, which can help shape future experiments to improve the outcome of frozen-thawed sperm for this and other species of Neotropical primates.

Systemic oxalosis in a free-ranging green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

A female juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas), found alive in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was weak, dehydrated and cachectic, with a healed fracture in the caudal portion of the carapace. Despite supportive treatment, the animal died after 9 days. At necropsy the main lesions were pallor of visceral organs, arthritis and deposits of whitish granular material in the wall of large arteries and the trachea. Histopathological analysis revealed mild to severe deposition of crystals, consistent with calcium oxalate, in both kidneys and the spleen, heart, small intestine, pancreas, thymus and salt gland, as well as bacterial meningitis, septic arthritis, spirorchidiasis and a fibropapilloma on the nictitating membrane. The main pathological findings were suggestive of septic shock, mainly due to the bacterial meningitis and septic arthritis, with systemic oxalosis and spirorchidiasis as contributing lesions. Although renal oxalosis has been described in green turtles as an incidental finding, presumably due to ingestion of oxalate-containing plants, this turtle had an unusual systemic deposition of oxalate crystals.

Collagen quantification in the ventricular walls of the heart of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The excellent adaptability of Callithrix jacchus to life in captivity presents advantages in comparison to other nonhuman primates that are used in experimental models for biomedical research, which explains the increasing scientific interest in investigating the anatomical characteristics of this species. Owing to the relative scarcity of publications on the descriptive morphology of the heart of C. jacchus, the aim of this study was to quantify the presence of collagen in the left and right ventricular myocardium using modified picrosirius red and acid fuchsine colorimetric assays. The myocardium of the right ventricle presented a higher percentage of collagen than that of the left ventricle. No sex-related differences were observed between the groups. Interestingly, the absolute values of collagen were different depending on the method used for quantification (modified picrosirius red vs. acid fuchsine). The level of collagen quantification observed in the ventricular myocardium of C. jacchus was similar to that seen in other nonhuman primates traditionally used in experimental models of cardiac diseases.

Highly divergent herpesviruses in threatened river dolphins from Brazil.

River dolphins are a highly threatened polyphyletic group comprised of four odontocete families: Iniidae, Pontoporiidae, Lipotidae, and Platanistidae, the first two endemic to South America. To address the knowledge gap regarding infectious agents in this cetacean group, we surveyed the presence of herpesviruses by PCR in skin and/or blood samples of live-captured Amazon (Inia geoffrensis, n = 25) and Bolivian (Inia boliviensis, n = 22) river dolphins of the Amazon basin and in selected tissue samples of franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei, n = 27) stranded or bycaught in southeastern Brazil. Additionally, available franciscana tissue samples were examined by histopathology. Herpesvirus DNA was amplified in 13 Bolivian river dolphins (59.1%, 95% CI 38.5-79.6%) and 14 franciscanas (51.9%, 95% CI 33.0-70.7%). All Amazon river dolphins were herpesvirus-negative. Two different herpesviruses were found in Bolivian river dolphins: a previously known gammaherpesvirus detected in blood and/or skin samples of all positive individuals and a novel alphaherpesvirus in the skin of one animal. A new gammaherpesvirus was found in several franciscana samples-the first herpesvirus recorded in Pontoporiidae. Intranuclear inclusion bodies consistent with herpesvirus were observed in the lymph node of one franciscana. The high divergence among the obtained herpesviruses and those previously described can be explained by viral-host coevolution, and by the fact that these populations are fairly isolated.

Testicular volume and semen characteristics in the endangered southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides).

BACKGROUND: The southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) is an endangered Neotropical primate. Semen collection and description of its traits, as well as testicular morphometry, have never been reported for this species. METHODS: Testicles from five healthy adult captive southern muriqui were measured, and semen was collected by rectal probe electrostimulation (RPE). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A solid coagulum was identified in all ejaculates, and none of them liquefied, spontaneously or non-spontaneously. It was possible to collect semen using RPE, and although solids coagula did not liquefy, we managed to describe ejaculates characteristics and also confirmed that southern muriqui have relatively large testes size. Further investigations are needed to improve coagulum handling, to achieve a better spermatozoa recovery aiming its application in assisted reproductive technologies.