Search

Studying the timing of the main events of embryonic and fetal development may clarify the strategies adopted by species to maximize neonatal survival and the consequences of these events for their life history. This study describes bone development during the fetal phase of the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), comparing it with other precocial or altricial species, and its relationship with the species' adaptive strategies. A total of 102 embryos/fetuses obtained over the course of 17 years through collaboration with local subsistence hunters in the Amazon were analyzed. Measurements of mineralization of the axial and appendicular skeletons were performed by ultrasonography using a 10-18-MHz linear transducer. The chronological order of occurrence of mineralization in relation to the total dorsal length (TDL) was: skull (TDL = 4.1 cm); vertebral bodies (TDL = 4.6 cm); scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, ilium, ischium, femur, tibia, and fibula (TDL = 6.7 cm); ribs (TDL = 7.8 cm); clavicle (TDL = 8.5 cm); metacarpi/metatarsi (TDL = 11 cm); phalanges (TDL = 15 cm); tarsus (TDL = 18 cm); patella (TDL = 23 cm); and carpus (TDL = 27.2 cm). Secondary ossification centers first appeared in the femoral distal epiphysis (TDL = 16.6 cm) and tibial proximal epiphysis (TDL = 18.4 cm). Advanced fetuses (TDL > 30 cm, 97% gestational period) presented mineralization in all primary and most secondary centers. Compared to other species, paca neonates have a well-developed skeletal system at birth, which is important for their independent postnatal locomotion. Our results may contribute to the monitoring of bone development in other wild species, helping us to understand their life history, and serving as parameters for comparisons between precocial and altricial mammals.

This study examines the functional morphology of genital organs of 45 wild female ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua (L., 1766)) in the Peruvian Amazon. The coati shows a seasonal reproductive pattern, with a concentration of births between January and March. The pregnancy rate during the reproductive season was 64.7%. Mean litter size was 4.2 fetuses and mean ovulation rate was 4.5 follicles per pregnant female, resulting in a low rate of embryo or oocyte mortality of 9.8%. The observed vaginal pattern in our study suggests that vaginal cytology could be a useful indicator for the phase of estrus. The present evaluation provides reproductive information that may be a key component in the development of management strategies for both captive and wild coati populations.

Functional morphology may provide important information that could improve methodologies for the diagnosis of the reproductive phase of females, and develop assisted breeding techniques for wildlife. This study examined features of genital organs in 19 Peruvian red uakari monkey (Cacajao calvus ucayalii) females in different reproductive stages, collected from wild animals hunted for food by rural communities in the North-eastern Peruvian Amazon, in order to provide knowledge on the reproductive physiology of this species. The observed mean ovulation rate was 1.4 follicles, and the observed maximal follicle diameter was 0.8 cm. After ovulation, the matured follicle luteinizes resulting in functional CL. In case of oocyte fertilization, the pregnancy CL grows to a maximum of 1.2 cm in diameter, and luteal volume per female decreases related to the advance of pregnancy. Pregnant females also present follicular activity until late pregnancy, but non-ovulated follicles do not undergo atretic processes and apparently transform to accessory CL, resulting in a contribution of 30% of the total luteal volume. All pregnant females delivered a single fetus at term, resulting in a rate of reproductive wastage of 20% of oocytes or embryos. The endometrium and the endometrial glands in non-pregnant females in the follicular phase show a significant increase related to the follicular growth, reaching a high proliferation in non-pregnant females in the luteal phase. The red uakari monkey showed different vaginal epithelium features in accordance with the reproductive state of the female, suggesting that vaginal cytology could be a successful methodology with which to characterize the estrous cycle of this species. The present reproductive evaluation of the Peruvian red uakari monkey provides important information that could improve the development of assisted reproductive techniques in non-human primates. Am. J. Primatol. 75:545-554, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study examined ovarian features of 60 Poeppig's woolly monkey females in different reproductive stages, collected from wild animals hunted by rural communities in the North-eastern Peruvian Amazon, to provide knowledge on the reproductive physiology of this species. The observed mean ovulation rate was 1.73 follicles, reaching a maximum diameter of 1.0cm. After ovulation, the matured follicle luteinizes resulting in functional corpora lutea (CL). In case of oocyte fertilization, the "pregnancy" CL grow to a maximum of 2cm in diameter, and luteal volume decreases related to the advance of pregnancy. Pregnant females have waves of follicular activity until late pregnancy, but dominant follicles do not attain the maximum diameter of pre-ovulatory follicles. Some non-ovulated follicles of 1mm maximum diameter do not undergo atretic processes and transform to accessory CL by luteinization of the membrane granulosa, resulting in a contribution of up to 7% of the total luteal volume. All pregnant females delivered at term only 1.00 foetus, resulting in a rate of reproductive wastage of 33.3% of embryos.

Functional morphology of the reproductive organs is a key component for the better understanding of reproductive patterns as well to maximize reproductive efficiency and to develop assisted breeding techniques adapted to wildlife. This study examined anatomical and histological characteristics of genital organs of 60 Poeppig's woolly monkey females in the wild in different reproductive stages, collected by rural hunters in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon. The endometrium, the endometrial glands, and the myometrium showed a significant increase in size related to the follicular growth. In nonpregnant females in the follicular phase, the endometrium, the endometrial glands, and the myometrium showed a significant increase related to the follicular growth. Nonpregnant females in the luteal phase had a thicker endometrium, a greater proliferation of endometrial glands, and a thicker myometrium, compared to females in the follicular phase. Nonpregnant females with small antral follicles presented high amounts of collagen beneath the endometrial epithelium, a sign of endometrial regeneration after menstruation that could be useful for the diagnosis of the reproductive phase in this species. A larger proportion of secreting cervical glands was observed in pregnant females compared to other females. The cervical mucous secretion occupied the lumen of the endocervical canal, assuring that no material could enter the uterus during gestation. The Poeppig's woolly monkey showed different vaginal epithelium features in accordance with the reproductive state of the female, suggesting that vaginal cytology could be a successful methodology with which to characterize the estrous cycle of wild primates. The present reproductive evaluation of Poeppig's woolly monkey provides important information that could improve the methodologies for the diagnosis of the reproductive phase of females, the assisted reproductive techniques in non-human primates, and could also give us opportunity for comparative studies and an insight into the evolution of animal reproductive biology, including humans. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1006-1016, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The present study describes the structural components of the bovine vaginal fluid at estrus by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) following critical point- and freeze-drying preparation procedures. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM) was also used to evaluate the structural integrity of samples, and a control sample was assessed by adding sperm to the vaginal fluid. Samples were collected from 10 cows at the time of artificial insemination, prepared for SEM by using critical point- and freeze-drying procedures, gold coated, and observed by SEM. Mesh size and filament thickness were measured with an image analyzer. Of the 10 samples processed, 4 were considered altered following critical point drying. Compaction and lack of filaments were observed in these samples. A small area of one sample showed a honey comb-like structure when freeze drying was used. Nonoriented filaments with different thicknesses and with a network-like structure were observed throughout the remainder of the samples. Filaments throughout all samples were also observed by CSLM. After critical point drying, the mesh area ranged from 0.8 to 101.4 microns 2; the minor axis from 0.7 to 10.8 microns; and filament thickness from 40 to 442 nm. Using freeze drying, the mesh area ranged from 0.9 to 493.8 microns 2; the minor axis from 0.7 to 27.5 microns; and filament thickness from 40 to 800 nm. When samples were freeze dried, mesh values were similar to the interstrand channels observed by CSLM. In sperm-vaginal fluid samples, following critical point- or freeze-drying procedures, spermatozoa were oriented randomly in the vaginal fluid and did not seem to alter filamentous structure. Our data suggest that the freeze-drying procedure better preserves the true structural dimensions of the vaginal fluid. Furthermore, the filamentous structure of the vaginal fluid does not appear to impede sperm transport.

The present study examines the anatomic and histological characteristics of the female genital tract of the wild brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus). A description of the macroscopic and microscopic features of the tubular genital organs based on observations made in 18 wild adult females is presented. The histological stains used were haematoxylin and eosin, 1% toluidine blue, PAS-haematoxylin and Masson's trichrome. Observations indicate that the fimbriated infundibulum of the oviduct completely surrounds and is attached to the entire ovarian surface. The uterus is bicornuate, being composed of two uterine horns separated by a velum uteri, a small uterine body and a cervix. In both pregnant and non-pregnant females, the uterine horns and body of the uterus present a pseudostratified, columnar ciliated epithelium containing sparse simple tubular glands. In pregnant females, the endocervical canal is filled by a viscous cervical secretion. The different patterns observed in the endometrium and myometrium of the uterine horns and in the vaginal epithelium suggest a relationship with the reproductive state of the brush-tailed porcupine female.

This study examined the anatomical and histological characteristics of tubular genital organs of 51 adult female red brocket deer in the wild in different reproductive stages, collected by rural hunters in the north-eastern Peruvian Amazon. The infundibulum was characterized by a large diameter and the presence of a highly folded and ciliated epithelium, and the isthmus has a growing secretor epithelium and a thicker muscular layer. Whereas ciliated cells are more frequent in the infundibulum, epithelial secretory cells showing abundant apical secretory blebs are more frequent in the isthmus. In non-pregnant females in luteal phase, the endometrium transforms from a proliferative to a secretory type, showing a significant proliferation of endometrial uterine glands. The red brocket deer has four large circular folds in the cervix. The epithelium of the cervix is composed primarily of secretory cells. In pregnant females, the lumen of the endocervical canal is occupied by abundant mucous secretion. All pregnant females had one embryo or fetus, with a fetal sex ratio of 54.0% females to 46.0% males. This species has a cotyledonary, syndesmochorial and partially deciduate placenta, with 6-7 dome-shaped caruncles per female. The red brocket deer does not present a true cornification of the vaginal epithelial cells, and no vaginal epithelial pattern was determined according the reproductive state of the female.

Knowledge of the reproductive biology is critical for the development of management strategies of the species both in captivity and in the wild, and to address conservation concerns regarding the sustainable use of a species. The present report characterizes some aspects of the reproductive biology of the wild red brocket deer inhabiting the North-eastern Peruvian Amazon region, based on the anatomical and histological examination of the female reproductive organs of 89 wild adult females in different reproductive states. The red brocket deer female presented ovarian follicular waves involving the synchronous growth of a cohort of an average 25 follicles but only one follicle generally survived and continued development, reaching maturity at 4mm. Mean ovulation rate was 1.14 and litter size was 1 fetus. Females presented a low rate of reproductive wastage of 14.3% of embryos. Among the 89 adult females studied, 41 (46.1%) were pregnant and 48 (53.9%) were non-pregnant females. In the Northeastern Peruvian Amazon, conceptions occurred year-round in the red brocket deer but there were peaks in the rate of conception. Estimated yearly reproductive production was 0.76-0.82 young per adult female. Most pregnant females in advanced stage of pregnancy had at least one active CL, suggesting the persistence of CL throughout gestation.

A detailed anatomical study of a dicephalic iniodymic monosomic cat in conjunction with the morphogenetical implications of the observed anomalies is presented. The animal exhibited two heads joined at the level of an anomalous medial exoccipital bone. Two brains and two foramina magna were present. The vertebral column was single but the cranial cervical vertebrae (C2 to C5) had doubled bodies. Cervical rachischisis with myeloschisis were associated defects. Two nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal cavities converged caudally into a single laryngopharynx. The esophagus, larynx and trachea were single. Duplication of the tongue and hyoid apparatus was present. Palatoschisis affected both oral cavities. Hypoplasia of the anatomical structures in the medial aspects of both heads was observed. Microphthalmia was also observed in both medial eyes. Comparative aspects of the morphology, causative agents, and mechanisms and anomalous morphogenesis of anterior duplications are reviewed and discussed.

Histochemical and morphometric parameters of the cricoarytenoideus lateralis muscle of the horse are presented. Using myosin ATPase staining after acid preincubation, 3 fibre types (I, IIA and IIC) were identified. Using NADH-TR staining, type I fibres showed high oxidative capacity, whereas type II fibres had high or low oxidative capacity. The type I to type II ratio was of 35:65. This ratio remained constant in the age range examined. Statistically significant (p0.01) differences were found in values for fibre size between groups of horses weighing more than 500 kg and less than 400 kg. Mean area of type II fibres was greater (p0.001) than that of type I fibres. There were no significant differences in mean area between left and right muscles in the group of animals with less weight. In contrast, significant differences (p0.05) in mean area between left and right muscles were found for type I fibres in the group of animals exhibiting a higher weight. The histographical distribution of fibre type areas was unimodal. Most adult horses showed muscle fibre type grouping in the left muscle.

Quantitative measurements were made on cross-sectional preparations of the distal part of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) from nine young mixed-breed horses to establish reference values for the total number of myelinated fibres, mean fibre diameter and percentage of thickest fibres (over 9.5 microns) and to delineate diameter distribution curves. The total number of myelinated fibres, mean fibre diameter and percentage of thickest fibres for the left RLN were significantly lower than those of the right RLN (P0.005). The distribution of fibres was unimodal. The fibre diameter ranged from 1 micron to 17 microns. Approximately, 95 per cent of fibres had a diameter larger than 5 microns.

Summary A newborn diprosopic female calf had a partially duplicated head with two faces each exhibiting a mouth, a snout, an anomalous incomplete mandible, two eyes and a lateral ear. A single ear with two small auditory canals was present on the midline between the two medial eyes. A type 1 persistent truncus arteriosus and hypoplasia of the thoracic portion of thymus were the most outstanding extracranial defects. In the heart, a persistent foramen secundum and a large patent foramen ovale allowed communication between the right and left atria. In the right ventricle, the small conus arteriosus was separated in part from the inflow tract by an anomalous 'septomarginal muscular septum'. An interventricular septal defect was also present. A large undivided truncus arteriosus, exhibiting a tricuspid truncal valve at its origin, arose for the most part from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle. The truncus gave rise to the brachiocephalic trunk, the aortic arch, a small pulmonary trunk, from which the left and right pulmonary arteries emerged, and two coronary arteries. The etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in the appearance of persistent truncus arteriosus are reviewed. It is suggested that a deficit or insufficiency in the cranial neural crest may play a role in the pathogenetic mechanisms leading to the production of persistent truncus arteriosus and related defects in cephalic duplications.

Summary The ultrastructure of the vaginal fluid of cows at oestrus was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Samples of vaginal fluid were collected from 7 normally cycling and healthy cows, 3 to 4 years of age, in oestrus. Evaluation of the patterns of crystallization was used as a previous assessment of the quality of the samples. SEM images revealed a structure made up of non-oriented filaments constituting a network with a three-dimensional arrangement. These filaments were of different diameters and ranged between 50 and 400 nm. Mesh size, defined as the minimum distance measurement between strands, ranged between 2 to 8 μm.