Comparative analysis of the morphology and histochemistry of the duodenum of the coypu (Myocastor coypus bonariensis) during its prenatal and postnatal development.

The objective of this study focused on the comparative morphological and histochemical analysis of the duodenum of fetuses, juveniles and adult coypu (Myocastor coypus bonariensis), the major socioeconomic wildlife resource of Argentina. Histological and histochemical procedures for in situ characterization of glycoconjugates (GCs) were used. This study evidenced that fetal mucins differ histochemically in many respects from their adult counterparts. Only in fetuses from 90 days-post coitus (dpc) glycogen-rich sites were observed throughout the duodenal epithelium. The goblet cells appeared from 105 dpc and their secretory content varied considerably after birth. Duodenal glands presented scanty neutral and sulphated GCs in the 30-day juveniles; in adults the proportion of these GCs increased, and carboxylated and sialylated GCs were also observed. The results obtained in this work may be used in future studies to evaluate the effects of diet and intestinal pathologies in the glycosylation pattern of GCs. Also, knowledge of the normal glycoprofile of the duodenum of M. coypus bonariensis during its ontogenetic development may constitute a basis for the study of this organ in other Hystricognathi rodents.

External Morphological Characterization of 60-Days Gestation Myocastor coypus (Coypu) Fetuses / Caracterización de la Morfología Externa de Fetos de 60 Días de Gestación de Myocastor coypus (Coipo)

The main objective of this work was to carry out the external morphology characterization of 60-days gestation Myocastor coypus (coypu) fetuses since this stage could be considered a crucial point in the prenatal development in this species. Fourteen fetuses out of three litter were analised. Gestational sacs weighing 3.81 ± 0.27 g showed an elliptical shape with the larger axis along the direction of the uterus. The average weight of fetuses was 1.13 ± 0.19 g, the head-to-tail lenght was 1.99 ± 0.87 cm, the cephalic lenght was 1.01 ± 0.37 cm, and the biparietal diameter was 0.63 ± 0.06 cm. Specimens showed differentiation in corporeal, limbs and tail regions; also showed interdigital membranes, well defined optical vesicles and lateral ear lobe sprouts. Comparative analysis of coypu fetuses and equivalent stages of other mammal species will allow to establish similitudes and differences that would permit to mark particularities in the ontogeny of Myocastor coypus.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue efectuar la caracterización de la morfología externa de fetos de 60 días de gestación en Myocastor coypus (coipo), ya que éstos pueden ser considerados como un punto de inflexión en el desarrollo prenatal de la especie. Se analizaron 14 fetos provenientes de tres camadas. Los sacos gestacionales, cuyo peso fue de 3.81 ± 0.27 g, mostraron forma elíptica, con su diámetro mayor orientado en paralelo con la dirección de los hemiúteros. El peso medio de los fetos fue de 1.13 ± 0.19 grs, con una longitud céfalo-caudal de 1.99 ± 0.87 cm, longitud cefálica de 1.01 ± 0.37 cm y un diámetro biparietal de 0.63 ± 0.06 cm. Los especímenes mostraron diferenciación de regiones corporales, extremidades y cola, membranas interdigitales en los miembros posteriores, vesículas ópticas bien definidas y esbozos de pabellones auriculares en posición lateral. El análisis comparativo de los fetos de coipo con estadios equivalentes de otros mamíferos, permitió determinar similitudes y también diferencias que indicarían particularidades de la especie.