Comparison of semen samples collected from wild and captive jaguars (Panthera onca) by urethral catheterization after pharmacological induction.

This study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of medetomidine anesthesia for semen collection through urethral catheter in wild and captive jaguars. Six captive and five wild jaguars were chemically restrained with a combination of medetomidine (0.08-0.1 mg/kg) and ketamine (5 mg/kg). After medetomidine administration the urethra was catheterized using a urinary tomcat catheter (1 mm diameter × 130 mm length) to collect semen from all animals. By using this technique, we could collect an average of 347.2 µl of semen containing 2,635.2 sperm/ml. Forward progressive motility, sperm progressive motility, and sperm morphology analysis demonstrated that the methodology did not affect sperm quality. Thus, urethral catheterization after medetomidine administration is a practical and efficient method to collect high-quality semen from wild and captive jaguars; this will enable the development of reproductive assisted technologies for jaguars.

The spermatogenic process of the common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus under a histomorphometric view.

Among all bat species, Desmodus rotundus stands out as one of the most intriguing due to its exclusively haematophagous feeding habits. However, little is known about their spermatogenic cycle. This study aimed at describing the spermatogenic process of common vampire bats through testicular histomorphometric characterization of adult specimens, spermatogenic production indexes, description of stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle and estimative of the spermatogenic process duration. Morphometrical and immunohistochemical analyzes for bromodeoxiuridine were conducted under light microscopy and ultrastructural analyzes were performed under transmission electron microscopy. Vampire bats showed higher investment in gonadal tissue (gonadosomatic index of 0.54%) and in seminiferous tubules (tubulesomatic index of 0.49%) when compared to larger mammals. They also showed a high tubular length per gram of testis (34.70 m). Approximately half of the intertubular compartment was found to be comprised by Leydig cells (51.20%), and an average of 23.77x106 of these cells was found per gram of testis. The germline cells showed 16.93% of mitotic index and 2.51% of meiotic index. The overall yield of spermatogenesis was 60% and the testicular spermatic reserve was 71.44x107 spermatozoa per gram of testis. With a total spermatogenesis duration estimated at 37.02 days, vampire bats showed a daily sperm production of 86.80x106 gametes per gram of testis. These findings demonstrate a high sperm production, which is commonly observed in species with promiscuous mating system.

Hematology and blood biochemistry in wild hybrid marmosets from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil / Hematologia e bioquímica sanguínea de saguis selvagens híbridos da Mata Atlântica, Brasil

This paper aims to describe the hematological and biochemical values of wild hybrid marmoset (Callithrix penicillata and C. geoffroyi) found in a forest zone of Southeastern Brazil. The marmosets were anaesthetized using ketamine and xylazine hydrochloride. Blood samples (0.5-1mL) were collected through the venipuncture of the femoral vein. Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed using automated counters and biochemical kits. The comparison for sex (adult males vs. adult females) and age class (juvenile vs. adult) physiological data and weight were analyzed through Student's t-test for independent samples. Significant differences between sex were observed in erythrocytes (P<0.01) and hemoglobin (P<0.05). The present study provides essential baseline information on the normal blood values of wild hybrid marmosets, the data of which are not readily accessible from the existing body of scientific literature on nonhuman primates.

Este artigo objetiva descrever os valores hematológicos e bioquímicos de saguis híbridos selvagens (Callithrix penicillata e C. geoffroyi) encontrados em uma zona florestal do Sudeste do Brasil. Os saguis foram anestesiados usando cetamina e hidrocloridrato de xilazina. As amostras de sangue (0,5-1mL) foram coletadas por punção da veia femoral. As análises hematológicas e bioquímicas foram realizadas por meio de contadores automáticos e kits bioquímicos. A comparação dos dados fisiológicos e pesos para o gênero (machos vs. fêmeas) e a classe de idade (juvenil vs. adulto) foram analisados através do teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Observaram-se diferenças significativas de gênero para eritrócitos (P<0,01) e hemoglobina (P<0,05). O presente estudo fornece informação básica essencial sobre os valores hematológicos normais de saguis híbridos selvagens, dados que não são prontamente disponíveis na literatura científica atual sobre primatas não humanos.

Testicular morphology of adult wistar rats treated with Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. leaf infusion

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of Rudgea viburnoides infusion on the body biometry and testicular morphometry and stereology of adult Wistar rats. Two groups received the infusion daily at the concentration of 3 or 6 mg/mL for 40 days. The control group received only water. Neither the biometrical parameters nor the tubular diameter and the height of the seminiferous epithelium showed any significant alterations in the treated animals. Leydig cells stereology did not show any significant alterations in the treated animals. These results indicated that R. viburnoides did not cause alterations in body biometry and testicular morphometry.

Effects of catuaba cristal® on the testis of wistar rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of Catuaba Cristal® (CC), an alcoholic drink made from wine and Erythroxylum catuaba Ar. Cam on testis. Wistar rats either received CC solution (n=8) or water (n=9). Results showed significant body weight reduction within the CC group, although, no weight changes were observed for liver, kidney, testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate. The volumetric proportion and volume of interstitial tissue and lymphatic space were reduced in the treated group. In the CC group, although the nuclear volume of Leydig cells (LC) decreased, the number of LC per testis increased. These results suggested that CC had no beneficial effect on spermatogenesis of Wistar rats.

Monitoramento por radiotelemetria da área de uso de onça parda reintroduzida no entorno do Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro - MG, Brasil / Radiotelemetry monitoring of the home range of cougar reintroduced at the surroundings of the State Park of Serra do Brigadeiro - MG, Brazil

Um exemplar macho, subadulto de onça parda reintroduzido foi monitorado por técnica de radiotelemetria. O monitoramento foi de 110 dias, realizado de forma aleatória, com intervalos descontínuos. Os dados do acompanhamento sugerem que a área utilizada por este espécime seja de, aproximadamente, 26km². Esta configura o menor índice já descrito para a espécie, porém, deve-se ressaltar a importância deste monitoramento básico, visto a incipiência do comportamento de um felino de grande porte reintroduzido em habitat natural após período em cativeiro.

One subadult male specimen of a reintroduced mountain lion was monitored using the radio telemetry technique. The monitoring lasted 110 days, being randomly distributed. Data of the monitoring through radiotelemetry suggested that the home range of this specimen was of approximately 26km². This sets as the smallest home range described for this species. However, the importance of this basic monitoring should be emphasized, since information of the behavior of a large feline reintroduced in its natural habitat after a period in captivity is incipient.

Interbular space characterization in adult capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) testis

This study aimed at the qualitative and quantitative characterization of the different intertubular tissue components in adult male capybara. Testes of 15 adult capybaras from a commercial slaughterhouse of wild animals were used. The average percentage of Leydig cells was 32.95 ± 10.03 percent, whereas in the other components of the intertubular space it was 14.95 ± 4.79 percent, thus the whole intertubular space totalized 47.91 ± 11.48 percent. The average weight of the testes were 32.83 ± 4.78g, while the animals' body weight were around 52.37 kg and the gonadosomatic and leydigosomatic indexes were 0.125 ± 0.02 percent and 0.0411 ± 0.0148 percent respectively. It was concluded that the leydigosomatic index of the capybaras was lower than the one observed in rats, as well as the arrangement of the components in intertubular tissue was similar to pattern I of Fawcett's classification as was found in guinea-pigs and chinchillas.

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa caracterizar qualitativamente e quantitativamente os diferentes componentes do tecido intertubular de capivaras machos adultas. Utilizou-se testículos de 15 capivaras adultas, provenientes de um abatedouro comercial de animais silvestres. Encontrou-se um percentual médio de células de Leydig de 32,95+10,03 por cento, dos demais componentes do espaço intertubular de 14,95+4,79 por cento e um total de espaço intertubular de 47,91+11,48 por cento. O peso médio dos testículos foi de 32,83+4,78g, o peso corporal dos animais foi em torno de 52,37kg e os índices gonadossomático e leydigossomático foram, respectivamente, 0,125+0,02 por cento e 0,0411+0,0148 por cento. Concluiu-se que o índice leydigossomático das capivaras é menor que o observado em ratos e que o arranjo dos componentes do tecido intertubular é semelhante ao descrito como padrão tipo I da classificação de Fawcett, similar ao encontrado em cobaios e chinchilas.

Coleta e avaliação do sêmen de catetos (Tayassu tajacu)

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa testar dois protocolos de eletroejaculação e estudar a motilidade espermática progressiva, vigor, concentração e alterações morfológicas dos espermatozóides de catetos adultos criados em cativeiro. Utilizaram-se seis machos com idade entre 10 e 18 anos. Os animais foram anestesiados com cloridrato de zolazepan e cloridrato de tiletamina e em seguida coletou-se o sêmen com auxílio de um eletroejaculador. O volume médio do ejaculado foi 3,11 + 0,9mL, a motilidade espermática progressiva foi 48,7 ± 31,5 por cento, o vigor, 2,1 + 1,4 e a concentração espermática média, 87,0 + 53,1 x 10(6) sptz/mL. Concluiu-se com esta pesquisa que a utilização de três sessões de 15 estímulos de 12 volts foi suficiente para coleta de sêmen de catetos anestesiados e que os resultados da morfologia espermática da maioria dos catetos trabalhados foram compatíveis com o quadro de degeneração testicular.

Reprodução de capivaras / Reproduction of capybaras / Reproducción de capibaras

A capivara começou a ser explorada no Brasil nos últimos anos, visto sua facilidade de reprodução em cativeiro e alta prolificidade. Tais animais vivem em grupos com um macho dominante, várias fêmeas, indivíduos jovens e sub-adultos. Os machos possuem os testículos localizados subcutaneamente na região inguinal, um dos menores índices gonadossomáticos já registrados em um roedor e uma grande proporção volumétrica de células de Leydig, em comparação a outros animais. As fêmeas chegam à puberdade entre o 10o e 12o mês de idade, a duração do ciclo estral é de 7,5 + 1,2 dias e da gestação, 145 a 150 dias. Apesar de seu grande potencial zootécnico poucas pesquisas têm sido feitas com este animal e muitas perguntas sobre a fisiologia de sua reprodução ainda não foram respondidas.