Search

Los lipomas son neoplasias benignas conformadas por adipocitos bien diferenciados, delimitados por un delicado estroma fibroso reticular. Éstos constituyen el tumor cutáneo más frecuente en aves, siendo masas blandas que generalmente aparecen en el tejido subcutáneo. Se describe el caso de un loro amazónico (Amazona aestiva) en cautiverio, que fue llevado a consulta debido a una masa ulcerada en la región de la cadera. El diagnóstico citológico refirió que se trataba de un lipoma, y ante la ineficacia del tratamiento local, se procedió con la extirpación quirúrgica de la masa. El tratamiento posquirúrgico consistió en limpiezas con clorhexidina al 0,5 % por 15 días (d), e ibuprofeno por vía oral, por 3 d. La masa fue remitida para su estudio histopatológico, refiriendo como diagnóstico morfológico un fibrolipoma. Los puntos de sutura fueron retirados a los 18 d, observándose una cicatrización completa. Lipomas are benign neoplasms made up of well-differentiated adipocytes delimited by a delicate reticular fibrous stroma. These constitute the most frequent skin tumor in birds, being soft masses that generally appear in the subcutaneous tissue. A case of a captive Amazon Parrot (Amazona aestiva) brought to the clinic for an ulcerated mass in the hip is described. The cytological diagnosis stated that it was a lipoma, and given the ineffectiveness of the local treatment, the surgical removal of the mass was carried out. Post-surgical treatment consisted of cleansing with 0.5% Chlorhexidine for 15 days (d), and oral Ibuprofen for 3 d. The mass was sent for histopathological study, referring as a morphological diagnosis a fibrolipoma. The stitches were removed after 18 d, showing complete healing. jvetter@vet.una.py

The effects of bilateral topical application of repeated doses of rocuronium in parrots are unknown, motivating this research. These effects were evaluated in 24 healthy adult Amazon parrots (12 Amazona aestiva and 12 Amazona amazonica). Three different doses of rocuronium bromide (10 mg/mL) were applied with a micropipette onto the cornea: a single instillation of 20 µL/eye; two instillations of 20 µL/eye, spaced 15 minutes apart; and three instillations of 20 µL/eye, spaced 15 minutes apart. Pupillary diameter (PD) was measured with a digital caliper before treatments (T0), every 15 minutes during the first hour postadministration (T15, T30, T45, T60), hourly for 6 hours (T120, T180, T240, T300, T360), and after 24 hours (T24h). Significant differences were observed between T0 and T15-T120 with a single instillation and between T0 and T15-T360 with double and triple instillations. The maximum median PDs were 3.47 mm (T45—one instillation), 3.88 mm (T45—two instillations), and 4.09 mm (T30—three instillations). PD returned to baseline at T180 with one instillation and at T24h with double and triple instillations. All protocols showed similar PD values at T0 and T24h. Transient lower eyelid paresis was the only adverse effect observed. Bilateral topical administrations of two and three repeated rocuronium bromide doses produced adequate mydriasis in Amazon parrots and may be indicated for longer ophthalmic procedures.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:41:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-06-01 The occurrence of neoplasms in birds is still unknown, with the literature based mainly on scarce reports, in this context, data about epidemiology in specific species are almost nonexistent. Sarcomas are malignant mesenchymal origin neoplasms, which can develop from different tissues, such as adipose, cartilage, bone, among others. The occurrence of sarcomas in birds has been previously described, with different therapeutic approaches. The present report describes the clinical approach in a blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva) diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma in the dorsal cervical region, with surgical excision associated with a metronomic chemotherapy protocol as an adjuvant. The therapeutic combination proved to be effective in controlling the disease, guaranteeing important survival, with clinical absence of side effects. Médica Veterinária Autônoma Programa de Ciências Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista Programa de Ciências Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista

Ascaridiasis by Ascaridia hermaphrodita is a common parasitic disease in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) and the contamination occurs by ingestion of eggs. Illegal trade of wild birds can increase the frequency of visceral erratic migration by this parasite. Hence, this report describes the erratic migration of A. hermaphrodita and associated lesions in a blue-fronted Amazon parrot. This is a retrospective study, which originated from several apprehension of illegal birds in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Necropsy revealed intense intestinal ascarid infestation. Hepatic lesions were also observed associated with the parasite migration. Stereoscopy allowed the identification of the morphology of the parasites. Summarizing, this condition in wild birds is not fully understood and may be associated with illegal trade. RESUMO Ascaridíase por Ascaridia hermaphrodita é uma doença parasitária comum em papagaios-verdadeiros. Sua contaminação ocorre pela ingestão de ovos. O tráfico de aves silvestres pode facilitar a migração errática visceral desse parasita. Este relato descreve a migração errática de A. hermaphrodita e lesões associadas em papagaio-verdadeiro. Trata-se de um relato retrospectivo, analisado a partir de uma série de apreensões de aves no estado da Paraíba, Brasil. A necropsia revelou intensa infestação ascarídea intestinal. Também foram observadas lesões hepáticas em uma ave, associadas à migração do parasita. A estereoscopia permitiu distinguir a morfologia dos parasitas. Resumidamente, essa condição em aves silvestres é pouco conhecida e pode ser considerada, inclusive, associada à comercialização ilegal.

Urbanization is a worldwide problem affecting wildlife negatively. Cities cause habitat suppression, fragmentation, among other disease spreading, suitable conditions for exotic species, and direct animal kills—consequently, local native species might be extinct. Still, urban areas can also provide biodiversity maintenance because some species can be adapted to the urban environment. Here, we assess how the urban environment influences the displacement of native turquoise-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva). We created a map of environmental suitability to modeling A. aestiva displacement routes among three protected areas in Brasilia, Brazil. We tested (1) if the modeled corridors tend to be near to the areas where A. aestiva occurs and (2) how landscape spatial heterogeneity influences those modeled routes. We expected to observe oriented routes in homogeneous areas (few pixels with high-frequency selection), and the opposite in heterogeneous areas. To test our hypotheses, we recorded A. aestiva and correlated its presence/absence with the modeled corridors and correlated the landscape spatial heterogeneity with different metrics of the modeled corridors. Our results indicate that at least one of the modeled routes was near to the points with parrots. In general, potential dispersal routes with little spatial variation occurred in homogeneous areas. In the urban matrix, potential routes were less oriented with more spatial variation. Our results suggest the adoption of different strategies to manage the natural environment in an urban matrix. By managing the spatial heterogeneity, it is possible to direct how the species use the space, promoting the displacement to desired areas, avoiding the more urbanized ones.

The blue-fronted Amazon parrot is an extremely popular pet bird in Brazil. These birds are commonly raised in captivity and are often seen in veterinary practice. Modern imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT), which had not been widely used in wild and exotic bird medicine until recently, are now becoming more popular due to wider availability and higher diagnostic accuracy. However, proper interpretation of tomographic findings requires species-specific anatomical references. Studies investigating normal tomographic anatomy of parrots are scarce. This study set out to describe the normal anatomy of the head of the blue-fronted amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) using conventional CT. Anatomical descriptions may contribute to future comparative morphology studies and assist in clinical practice. The head of the blue-fronted Amazon parrot is structurally similar to other bird species. Major differences detected were are as follows: size and position of nasal conchae (long middle concha and small caudal concha located at the end of the nasal cavity), infraorbital sinus aperture located on the lateral aspect of the nasal cavity, presence of a nasopharyngeal duct connecting the nasal and oral cavities, longer infraorbital sinus with a larger number of caudal compartments and paraglossum with morphological features unique to psittacines. High-quality CT images were vital for identification and detailed description of most head structures. Multiplanar reconstruction was a useful tool for complete visualization of the head. However, conventional CT images were not good enough for visualization of the inner ear and related structures, as well the paratympanic sinus.

Birds can solve many cognitive tasks that were previously only solved by primates, implying that their cognitive ability is far greater than expected. Here, we investigated the ability of blue-fronted amazon parrots in solving the pebble-and-seed and the multi-access-box paradigms, two ecologically relevant cognitive tasks varying in complexity and required skills to solve. We also investigated whether laterality, sex and housing conditions influenced problem-solving capacity. We tested 14 adults kept in captivity and 27 reintroduced adults. Here, we present evidence of laterality for the species, showing right-footed, left-footed and ambidextrous individuals. Left-footed animals were more successful than the right-footed animals in the pebble-and-seed test. There was no sex difference in the problem-solving capacity of the blue-fronted amazon parrots for both pebble-and-seed and multi-access-box paradigms. Eleven captive animals were successful in at least one of the four multiple-access-box possible solutions. Four reintroduced individuals were successful in at least one of the multiple-access-box possible solutions. Only two captive animals and one reintroduced animal succeeded to solve more than one of the four multiple-access-box solutions. The average success rate of the pebble-and-seed test was 88.16% ex situ and 86.58% in situ, with individual variation in test-solving ability. Our study shows that unlike laterality, sex was not determinant in blue-fronted amazon parrots' problem-solving ability. The blue-fronted amazon parrots have the visual discrimination skills needed for the pebble-and-seed task solution, and the motor skills for beak-foot coordination and potentially understanding of complex spatial relationships required for the string-pulling task, the multi-access-box solution achieved by most of the animals. Our results increased the knowledge of the cognitive ability of parrots, a group which lacked extensive cognition data.

The sexing birds is considered an important tool for behavioral studies and programs for the reintroduction of animals into the wild. Several techniques are used for this purpose, such as laparoscopy, magnetic resonance and molecular sexing. The first are considered more invasive and stressful for the animal, and the last is considered the most accurate. According to it, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of using three sets of primers in the molecular sexing process of true parrots (Amazona aestiva). Blood samples from 10 animals were collected at a Wildlife Screening Center (CETAS) in Bahia, Brazil. The DNA was extracted and the molecular markers amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using primer pairs P2/P8, 1237L/1272H and 2250F/2718R. The amplified material was visualized with electrophoresis performed at 2% agarose and 12.5% polyacrylamide gels. Among the primer sets used, the 2250F/2718R pair showed the best results for the sexing process, including visualization of the amplified products on an agarose gel. Agarose gel electrophoresis is considered to be faster and cheaper. The results revealed a sample composition of 5 males (0.5) and 5 females (0.5). El sexaje de aves es considerado una herramienta importante para estudios de comportamiento y programas de reintroducción de animales en el medio natural. Diversas técnicas son utilizadas para este fin, como la laparoscopia, la resonancia magnética y el sexaje molecular. Las primeras son consideradas más invasivas y estresantes para el animal y la última es considerada la más precisa. Ante el expuesto, el presente trabajo tuvo el objetivo de comparar la eficiencia del uso de tres conjuntos de primers en el proceso de sexaje molecular de loros verdaderos (Amazona aestiva). Así, se recogieron muestras sanguíneas de diez animales, en el Centro de Triage de Animales Silvestres (CETAS) del estado de Bahía, Brasil. El ADN fue extraído y los marcadores moleculares amplificados por Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR), utilizando los pares de cebadores: P2/ P8, 1237/1272H y 2250F/2718R. Para la visualización del material amplificado se realizó electroforesis en geles de agarosa 2% y de poliacrilamida 12,5%. Entre los conjuntos de cebadores utilizados, el par 2250F/2718R presentó los mejores resultados para el sexaje, incluyendo la visualización de los productos amplificados en gel de agarosa. La electroforesis en gel de agarosa es considerada más rápida y menos costosa. Los resultados revelaron una composición muestral de 5 machos (0,5) y 5 hembras (0,5). A sexagem das aves é considerada uma importante ferramenta para estudos comportamentais e programas de reintrodução de animais na natureza. Diversas técnicas são utilizadas para esse fim, como laparoscopia, ressonância magnética e sexagem molecular. Os primeiros são considerados mais invasivos e estressantes para o animal, e o último é considerado o mais preciso. Tendo isto em vista, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a eficácia do uso de três conjuntos de primers no processo de sexagem molecular de papagaios verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva). Amostras de sangue de 10 animais foram coletadas em um Centro de Triagem de Animais Selvagens (CETAS) na Bahia, Brasil. O DNA foi extraído e os marcadores moleculares amplificados por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) utilizando os iniciadores P2/P8, 1237L/1272H e 2250F/2718R. O material amplificado foi visualizado com eletroforese, realizada em géis de agarose 2% e poliacrilamida 12,5%. Dentre os conjuntos de primers utilizados, o par 2250F/2718R apresentou os melhores resultados para o processo de sexagem, incluindo a visualização dos produtos amplificados em gel de agarose. A eletroforese em gel de agarose é considerada mais rápida e barata. Os resultados revelaram uma composição amostral de 5 machos (0,5) e 5 fêmeas (0,5).

CASE DESCRIPTION A 28-year-old blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) with a 1 -week history of regurgitation-like movement of the neck and a 34-year-old mealy Amazon parrot (Amazona farinosa) with a 1- to 2-day history of regurgitation and crop distention were evaluated. CLINICAL FINDINGS Full-body radiography of the blue-fronted Amazon parrot revealed a soft tissue structure in the right side of the neck, cranial to the crop. Results of cytologic examination of a fine-needle aspirate specimen of the mass were diagnostic for an epithelial sarcoma involving the esophagus. For the mealy Amazon parrot, CT revealed diffuse esophageal thickening that was most consistent with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma on the basis of its location and appearance. Both parrots had secondary bacterial ingluvitis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Given the location and extent of the neoplasm in each bird, surgical excision was not undertaken. Options of chemotherapy and radiation therapy were explored but declined by the owners owing to concerns regarding the parrots' quality of life. Both parrots were euthanized, and necropsy findings confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in both cases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Both parrots of the present report had a palpable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma detected during physical examination. Although rare, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma should be included as a differential diagnosis for psittacines with upper gastrointestinal tract signs. Treatment to extend duration or quality of life of affected parrots hinges on antemortem diagnosis, which appears feasible in clinical practice.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:56:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-04-01 This study aimed to evaluate topical medications, lavage solutions and laser therapy for treating open clean wounds induced in captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots. Twenty-four blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) were divided into 6 groups according to the wound treatment: Group DEX—dexpanthenol 5% ointment; Group RIC—ointment of Ricinus communis oil; Group CHL—chlorhexidine digluconate solution 1%; Group SSS—0.9% sterile saline solution; Group LLL—low-level laser therapy and Group CON—no treatment, control. Four full-thickness wounds were induced in the front part of the chest area with the aid of an 8-mm punch. In each parrot, the 4 wounds received the same treatment, every 48 hours until healing, according to the group. In all groups, on postoperative days 5, 14 and 21, biopsies were taken for histological examination. One of the 4 wounds was not submitted to biopsy but rather was used for wound size measurements. Group CON presented the longest healing time and differed statistically from the other groups. Excluding Group CON, groups CHL and SSS showed no significant difference. Microscopically, groups DEX and CHL showed higher fibroplasia and epithelialization compared to the other groups on day 21. In conclusion, the best results were achieved macroscopically through lavage solutions, chlorhexidine digluconate solution or sterile saline solution; however, chlorhexidine digluconate was superior microscopically. The laser therapy and dexpanthenol ointment showed intermediate results, whereas the Ricinus communis oil showed the worst results. Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology São Paulo State University (UNESP) Bioscience Institute (UNESP) Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology São Paulo State University (UNESP) Bioscience Institute (UNESP)

CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior O comércio ilegal de animais movimenta bilhões de dólares por ano, retirando no Brasil cerca de 38 milhões de espécies anualmente. A perda de biodiversidade causada pelo tráfico causa sérios danos aos ecossistemas. A caça, para subsistência e o comércio, é a segunda maior ameaça para a fauna silvestre, perdendo apenas para a degradação e a fragmentação de habitats. No Brasil, as aves são o grupo que sofrem maior a pressão do tráfico, chegando a 82% dos animais comercializados ilegalmente. As ordens mais traficadas de aves são a dos Passariformes e Psittaciformes. A demanda por psitacídeos vem do desejo de tê-lo como animal doméstico, devido a sua beleza e capacidade de imitar a fala humana. Devido a sua raridade e grande porte, o preço desses animais pode ser elevado, o que gera uma forte demanda do tráfico. A lei de crimes ambientais do Brasil (lei 9.605/98) caracterizou como crime o uso da fauna silvestre, assim como seu âmbito penal. No ato da apreensão nem sempre é possível a identificação por meio da morfologia do animal, principalmente dos psitacídeos, que muito frequentemente são coletados quando filhotes ou embriões (ovos). Por isso, o desenvolvimento de marcadores moleculares é essencial para auxiliar na identificação desses indivíduos. Neste trabalho foram desenhados e testados oito pares de primer para a identificação especifica do Papagaio-verdadeiro (Amazona aestiva). Esse é o psitacídeo mais traficado do Brasil e com crescente preocupação de conservação (classificação a lista vermelha: Quase Ameaçado). Sete pares de primer apresentaram especificidade dentro da família Psittacidae (gênero Pionus e Amazona), enquanto três pares de primer amplificaram apenas na espécie alvo. Análises in sílico demonstraram uma possível amplificação de vários pares de primer em espécies do complexo Amazona aestiva/Amazona ochrocephala, cuja a única espécie ocorrente no Brasil é a Amazona ochrocephala. A tecnologia apresentada no trabalho tem potencial para uso na área forense, auxiliando na consolidação da prova pericial e na correta penalização do autor do dano ambiental. The illegal wildlife trade moves billions of dollars per year, removing from Brazilian natural habitats about 38 million species annually. The loss of biodiversity caused by trafficking causes serious damage to ecosystems. The main threat to wildlife is habitat degradation and fragmentation, followed by hunting for subsistence and trade. In Brazil, birds are the group that suffer the greatest pressure from trafficking, reaching 82% of animals illegally traded. The most trafficked orders of birds are Passariformes and Psittaciformes. The demand for parrots comes from the desire to have it as a domestic animal, due to its beauty and ability to imitate human speech. Due to their rarity and large size, the price of these animals can be high, which generates a strong demand from the traffic. The Brazilian environmental crimes law (law 9,605/98) characterized the use of wild fauna as a crime. In the act of apprehension, it is not always possible to identify the species using animal's morphology, especially parrots, which are often collected when they are nestlings or (eggs). Therefore, the development of molecular markers is essential to help identify these individuals. In this work, eight sets of primers were designed and tested for the specific identification of the Blue-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva). This is the most trafficked parrot in Brazil and with growing conservation concern (red list classification: Almost Threatened). Seven sets showed specificity within the Psittacidae family (genus Pionus and Amazona), while three sets amplified only in the target species. In silico analyzes demonstrated a possible amplification of several pair of primers in species of the Amazona aestiva/Amazona ochrocephala complex, whose only species occurring in Brazil is Amazona ochrocephala. The technology presented in the work has potential for use in the forensic area, helping to consolidate the expert evidence and correctly penalize the author of the environmental damage.

The Turquoise-fronted Amazon Amazona aestiva is one of the most extensively poached species as a result of illegal trade in Brazil. Reintroduction programs have been increasingly used in the management of these animals in captivity. Several preparatory procedures should be carried out during the pre-release period to characterize the group of animals and subsequently increase the success of reintroduction programs. The most important procedures are temperament assessment and environmental enrichment training, which is expected to influence the behavior of the released birds. This study aimed to assess the temperament of the amazons in captivity and its influence on a reintroduction program. The temperaments of 50 parrots were classified from shy to bold and monitored during five phases of activity throughout the study: environmental enrichment training in captivity, a period of acclimatization in an aviary placed in the release area, the offer of fruit from the release region, dependence on the aviary after it was opened, and post-release food supplementation. Once the animals were released, they were monitored for 18 months. Temperament assessment supported the reintroduction project, because through this information it was possible to predict the individual behaviors of reintroduced animals when dealing with environmental challenges. The purpose of the pre-release environmental enrichment training was to encourage individual amazons to increase exploratory behaviors, and was effective in enhancing the natural behavior of the species and reducing stereotypies. Animals classified as shy required a longer intervention period to achieve the same results since they exhibited greater dependence on the aviary and, consequently, took longer to explore the release area. In the medium term, no significant difference was observed between shy and bold parrots in their departure after opening the aviary, use of supplementary feeding, or survival. Therefore, the activities performed prior to release adequately promoted similar habituation conditions for both profiles.

Reintroducing apprehended wild animal in a natural environment is a complex process that involves many steps, including rehabilitating individuals and ensuring viable populations for reproduction; as such, the proportion between males and females to be reintroduced need to be considered carefully. The need of specialized techniques to identify sex on species that do not present discernible sexual dimorphisms can be a hardship to a successful reintroduction. Amazona aestiva, one of the most apprehended species on Brazil, is an example of such case, as sexing techniques employed for it often involves molecular or surgical procedures. Some authors, however, describe potential sexual dimorphisms that could be discernible to the human eye, one of those being an iris color dichromatism between males and females that could present a more conventional way to discern sex on this species. We analyzed the viability of sex identification by direct observation of iris sexual dichromatism, comparing suggestions by professionals familiarized with the species to molecular sexing by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and measuring color similarity between individuals using digital colorimetry. We found no significant correspondence between sex indication based on direct observation and molecular sexing results, and no relationship between iris color and sex by colorimetric analysis.

Obtaining craniometric data is key to establishing parameters that can help in the anatomic identification and understanding of species. The aim of the present study was to establish the craniometric data and describe the main skull bones and structures of Amazona aestiva, which has become common in veterinary clinics, originated from the legalized purchase or trafficking of animals. A total of 20 adult specimens were used, donated for studies by the Paraíba Wild Animal Screening Center (Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres da Paraíba (CETAS-PB)/IBAMA-PB, Brazil. The skulls were dissected and macerated with water. First were identified the frontal, maxilla, mandible, nasal, jugal and quadrate bones that served as a base to identify other bone structures that were then compared with the skull of other bird species already described in the literature, especially psitacids. Values were obtained by measuring with a digital pachymeter, and the maximum skull length was 63.0 mm, the maximum width 33.0 mm and the rhamphotheca was 33.8 mm long. No significant differences were observed between males and females and well developed cranial kinesis was a remarkable characteristic of the species. The data obtained serve as a base to identify and characterize the species. These data can also aid in the clinic, imaging and veterinary surgery. A obtenção de dados craniométricos é fundamental para o estabelecimento de parâmetros que auxiliem na identificação anatômica e na compreensão das espécies. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estabelecer os dados craniométricos e descrever os principais ossos e estruturas do crânio do Amazona aestiva, que se tornou comum em clínicas veterinárias, oriundos de aquisição legal ou tráfico de animais. Foram utilizados 20 indivíduos adultos, doados para estudos do Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres da Paraíba (CETAS-PB) / IBAMA-PB, Brasil. Os crânios foram dissecados e macerados com água. Identificaram-se os ossos frontal, maxilar, mandibular, nasal, jugal e quadrado, que serviram de base para identificar outras estruturas ósseas que foram então, comparadas com o crânio de outras espécies de aves já descritas na literatura, principalmente psitacideos. Valores numéricos foram adquiridos através de mensuração com paquímetro digital, sendo o comprimento máximo do crânio de 63,0 mm, largura máxima de 33,0 mm e ranfoteca de 33,8 mm de comprimento. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre machos e fêmeas e, uma craniocinese bem desenvolvida foi característica marcante da espécie. Os dados obtidos servem de base para identificar e caracterizar as espécies. Estes dados também podem auxiliar na clínica, imagem e cirurgia veterinária.

Parrots are among the most threatened avian groups of the world, with illegal pet trade being a major threat to some Amazon (Amazona genus) and macaw (Ara and Anodorhynchus genera) species. Population genetic studies and effective control of commercial breeders are important actions for the conservation of these parrot species; however, few microsatellite loci are available for most Amazona species to date. In this study, 25 polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in silico and characterized for the Blue-fronted Amazon [Amazona aestiva (Aa)]. Loci were tested in 24 Blue-fronted Amazons from wild population from central Brazil with cross-species amplified in two individuals of Amazona vinacea (Av) and Amazona pretrei (Ap) from northeastern Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, in southeastern and south of Brazil, respectively. The number of alleles per locus for Aa ranged from 5 to 24 with an average of 13.1. Twenty-four and 25 loci were successfully amplified for Av and Ap, respectively. The observed and expected heterozygosities for Aa ranged from 0.27 to 1.00 and from 0.35 to 0.94, with averages of 0.75 and 0.85, respectively. Nine loci significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (likely due to null alleles) and no significant linkage disequilibrium between loci pairs was detected. The combined paternity exclusion probability was very high, and the probability of identity was extremely low. This new set of microsatellite loci will be useful for analyzing population genetic structure and making conservation and management decisions, as well as for parentage analysis and the control of commercial breeding of Aa and potentially other Amazona species.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:53:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-03-01 This study aimed to assess radiographic and tomographic cardiac parameters, including width and length of the heart, and the ratio of heart width to coelom width of blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) with varying body condition scores. Thirty-five captive birds were included in the study and were allocated into one of three groups according to their respective body condition score: lean, ideal and obese. No differences were observed among the groups with regard to radiographic and tomographic measurements. Computed tomography enabled better identification of the structures of the cardiovascular system without interference from the overlying structures of the celomatic cavity observed in radiographic images. However, radiographic examinations should still be considered the standard screening method to identify cardiac alterations, such as increased or reduced organ dimensions. Standardizing the techniques and measurements performed in this study may serve as a basis for further research in the field. Graduate Program in Wild Animals School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Clinic School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Graduate Program in Wild Animals School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Clinic School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:48:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-05-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Despite Psitaciformes (parrots) being the third largest nonpasserine order (398 species), it currently ranks second in number of threatened species (28%) according to the Internatinal Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. Since most of the literature concerning reproductive endocrinology in avian species derives from domestic and song birds, it is puzzling that advances in reproductive science for the Psitaciformes order lags far behind, in spite of the growing threats against them. In order to expand our knowledge of Neotropical parrots (Psittacidae), we examined annual changes in urofecal sex steroid metabolites of Blue-fronted amazon pairs (Amazona aestiva) exhibiting successful (nestlings) and unsuccessful breeding (infertile or no eggs). Urofecal samples were collected over a year from eight breeding pairs housed under the same environmental and management conditions. Fecal androgen and progestagen concentrations were determined in males and females, respectively, by enzyme immunoassays previously validated for this species. All eggs were registered between late winter and mid-spring, and egg laying intervals varied between females (range: 1-8 days; average 3.60 +/- 0.51 days). Similar profiles of urofecal progestagens were observed in reproductively successful females and females producing infertile eggs, with progestagen peaks preceding egg laying events (1.77 +/- 0.50 days). In contrast, non-laying females had no rises in progestagens during the year. Successful and unsuccessful males did not displayed distinct annual patterns of androgen production, and apart from the peaks during the breeding season, more than half of the individuals intriguingly presented significant increases from late summer to early autumn, a period without reproductive activity. Finally, we noticed that samples with progestagen levels exceeding 40 ng/g had very high probability (>97.5%) to be from females in pre-laying or laying phases, suggesting a feasible application of this characteristic to noninvasively discriminate the reproductive status in amazon females with an accuracy and sensitivity of 94.55% and 58.13%, respectively. Our findings confirmed that urofecal progestagens and androgens are good indicators of the gonadal condition in Blue-fronted amazons, but there is still much to be done for their extensive use in artificial insemination or selection of the most suitable breeding birds for the season. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Reprod Anim, GEMA, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Programa Posgrad Med Vet, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Dept Zootecnia, Nucleo Pesquisa & Conservacao Cervideos NUPECCE, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Programa Posgrad Med Vet, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Dept Zootecnia, Nucleo Pesquisa & Conservacao Cervideos NUPECCE, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 10/06500-7