Semen characteristics of captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): a comparison of a German with a Brazilian colony.

BACKGROUND: The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is of interest for reproductive studies because of their high and variable fertility in captivity. However, to understand this variability, much basic information still needs to be gathered. This study is the first to characterize marmoset semen comparing a German and a Brazilian colony. METHODS: All animals were weighted, and semen samples were collected by penile vibratory stimulation and analyzed according to standard criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The German animals had a higher mean and maximum weight than the Brazilian. Further, sperm concentration tended to be higher with heavier animals in the German population, but not in the Brazilian. Additionally, major defects tended to be more frequent with higher weight but also only in German sample. In spite of these differences, the total range and variability in sperm concentration were similar in both populations, suggesting that this is characteristic for the species.

Pelvimetria em macacos-da-noite (Aotus azaraiinfulatus – KUHL, 1820 / Pelvimetry on owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus – KUHL, 1820)

Analisou-se os diâmetros pelvicos de 72 Aotus azarai infulatus, adultos, 42 machos e 30 fêmeas não prenhes, correlacionando-os com o dimorfismo sexual, a biometria corpórea e a origem dos animais por meio de radiografias em projeção ventro-dorsal, digitalizadas. As médias verificadas foram: para o comprimento do corpo 30,94 cm; comprimento da cauda 35,63 cm; perímetro do tórax 18,97 cm; perímetro da pelve 17,11 cm e o peso 0,96 Kg, em média. As médias dos diâmetros pélvicos foram de 2,64 cm para o diâmetro diagonal direito; 2,66 cm para o diâmetro diagonal esquerdo; 1,97 cm para o diâmetro biilíaco médio; 1,41 cm para o diâmetro biilíaco superior;1,58 cm para o diâmetro biilíaco inferior; 2,48 cm para o diâmetro sacro-púbico e 3,85 cm(elevado a 2) para a área de entrada da pelve. Concluiu-se que, tanto nos machos quanto nas fêmeas, a pelve de Aotus azarai infulatus pode ser classificada como dolicopélvica, tendo-se verificado dimorfismo sexual pélvico nos adultos.

Related data to the diameters of the pelvis from 72 Aotus azarai infulatus, owl monkeys, 42 adult males and 30 adult non-pregnant females, were obtained in vivo by ventrodorsal projection radiographic exams, correlated with sex, the measures of the body and their origin.The mean values of the body length (30.94 cm), tail length (35.63cm), thoracic perimeter (18.97 cm), hip perimeter (17.11 cm) and the weight (0.96 Kg) were verified. The radiographic images were digitalized and measured, and the mean values were 1.41 cm for the superior biiliac diameter; 1.58 cm for the inferior biiliac diameter; 1.97cm for the medium biiliac diameter; 2.64 cm for the right diagonal diameter; 2.66 cm for the left diagonal diameter; 2.48 cm for thesacrum-pubic diameter; 3.85 cm2 for the inlet pelvic area. In conclusion, the pelvis from males and females Aotus azarai infulatus can be classified as dolicopelvic and there is pelvic sexual dimorphism in adult owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus).