Ferdinando Vinicius Fernandes Bezerra

Characterization of the estrous cycle in Galea spixii(Wagler, 1831)

The Galea spixii inhabits semiarid vegetation of Caatinga in the Brazilian Northeast. They are bred in captivity for the development of researches on the biology of reproduction. Therefore, the aim of this study is characterize the estrous cycle of G. spixii, in order to provide information to a better knowledge of captive breeding of the species. The estrous cycle was monitored by vaginal exfoliative cytology in 12 adult females. After the detection of two complete cycles in each animal, the same were euthanized. Then, histological study of the vaginal epithelium, with three females in each phase of the estrous cycle was performed; five were paired with males for performing the control group for estrous cycle phases, and three other were used to monitor the formation and rupture of vaginal closure membrane. By vaginal exfoliative cytology, predominance of superficial cells in estrus, large intermediate cells in proestrus, intermediate and parabasal cells, with neutrophils, in diestrus and metestrus respectively was found. Estrus was detected by the presence of spermatozoa in the control group. By histology, greater proliferation of the vaginal epithelium in proestrus was observed. We conclude that the estrous cycle of G. spixii lasts 15.8 ± 1.4 days and that the vaginal closure membrane develops until complete occlusion of the vaginal ostium, breaking after few days. Future studies may reveal the importance of this fact for the reproductive success of this animal.

Ramos colaterais do Arco aórtico do preá (Galea spixii Wagler, 1831)

Galea spixii is a typical rodent of the caatinga belonging to the Caviidae family. Considering the lack of data on the aortic arch of the galea, this study aimed to describe the collateral branches of the aortic arch in this specie and to contributes to knowledge of its biology. Twenty males from previous studies were used which had been stored in a freezer at Multiplication Center of Wild Animals (CEMAS/UFERSA). The animals were thawed, the thoracic cavity was opened and the aorta cannulated vasculature was washed with saline and then injected with Neoprene latex colored with red pigment, yellow or white. Subsequently, the animals were fixed in formalin and after 72 hours dissected and analyzed, to obtain schematic drawings and the most representative samples were photographed. The cavy aortic arch issued as collateral branches, the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic trunk afforded in most of the specimens the left common carotid artery and the brachiocarotid trunk, where the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries arise. The right and left subclavian arteries in all animals studied issued the vertebral artery, internal thoracic artery, superficial cervical artery costocervical trunk and axillary artery. The pattern of formation of the aortic arch of galea was similar to that observed in other rodents, such as the kerodon, the guinea pig and chinchilla.

Collateral branches of the aortic arch in the greater Rhea (Rhea americana americana Linnaeus, 1758)

The greater rhea ( Rhea americana americana ) is a bird of the Rheidae family, and is known as a ratite for being a flightless bird. This animal has great reproductive and productive potential, according to the products and by-products that it can provide such as meat, leather, feathers and fat which are very popular in the world market. Given its economic importance and lack of information in the literature on its morphology, especially in regard to its cardiovascular apparatus, this study aimed to describe the collateral arteries of the aortic arch, in order to establish the origin and distribution of arteries and thus contribute information to the biology of the species. The bodies of 20 young and adult rheas of both sexes which had died from natural causes and were being stored in a freezer at CEMAS / UFERSA were used. The study was approved by CEUA /UFERSA (Opinion No. 09/2015, process No. 23091.004968 / 2015-23). The animals were thawed and had the cannulated thoracic aorta artery and the vascular system perfused with Neoprene 450 latex colored with yellow pigment. Subsequently, the animals were fixed in 3.7% aqueous solution of formaldehyde, and after 72 hours dissections were carried out, images were obtained and schematic drawings were prepared. The right and left brachiocephalic trunks emerged from the aortic arch in 100% of the specimens from the right brachiocephalic trunk origined a common trunk the thyroid arteries, syringotracheal trunk, vertebral artery, superficial lateral cervical artery, basecervical artery, and ascending esophageal artery. The left brachiocephalic trunk collaterally stemmed in the left common carotid artery, which in turn led to the left internal carotid and a common trunk which stemmed the thyroid arteries, the syringotracheal trunk, vertebral artery, superficial lateral cervical artery, basecervical artery and descending esophageal artery. At the end of its trajectory, the right and left brachiocephalic trunks give rise to the right and left subclavian arteries, which in turn, stem the sternoclavicular, axillary, and intercostal arteries, pectoral trunk, cranial pectoral arteries, pectoral caudal artery and collateral branches of the pectoral trunk. Based on the results, it was concluded that the aortic arch in rheas issued right and left brachycephalic trunks.

Morfologia das glândulas salivares maiores em cutias (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1766)

Studies on wild animal morphology serve as theoretical basis for the management and conservation of different species, because they provide necessary information for measures to keep these animals in captivity, in their natural habitat or even to reintroduce them into their original habitat. Studies about the morphology of the red-rumped agouti, Dasyprocta leporina, approach the various organic systems, but not a single study refers to topography and structure arrangement of their salivary glands. Thus, this paper aimed to gross and microscopic description of the larger salivary glands of red-rumped agouti. Ten adult D. leporina were used to study the macroscopic aspect of the glands, as well as the microscopic aspects with light microscopy, scanning and transmission electronic microscopy. Four larger salivary glands were identified: parotid glands, mandibular glands, zygomatic glands and sublingual glands. The tubuloacinar glands contained in their parenchyma ducts of extremely varied sizes. With exception of the strictly serous parotid glands, the others were mixed, and only the mandibular glands had granulous ducts. The red-rumped agouti with four pairs of larger salivary glands may be a model for studies concerning the anatomical changes in rodents for adaptation to various habitats.

The morphology of the pineal gland of the yellow-toothed cavy (Galea Spixii Wagler, 1831) and red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina linnaeus, 1758).

The pineal gland is an endocrine gland found in all mammals. This article describes the morphology of this important gland in two species of Caviideae, namely the yellow‐toothed cavy and the red‐rumped agouti. Ten adult animals of the two species used in current analysis were retrieved from the Center for the Multiplication of Wild Animals (CEMAS/UFERSA) and euthanized. The glands were removed and photographed in situ and ex situ. They were fixed in a paraformaldehyde solution 4% or glutaraldehyde 2.5% solution and submitted to routine histological techniques respectively for light and scanning electron microscopy. Macroscopically, the pineal gland with its elongated structure may be found between the cerebral hemispheres facing the rostral colliculi. Microscopically, pinealocytes and some glia cells were predominant. Contrastingly, to the cavys pineal gland, a capsule covered the organ in the agouti, with the emission of incomplete septa to the interior, which divided it into two lobules. Light and scanning electron microscopes failed to show calcareous concretions in the pineal gland. Based on the topography of the cavys and agoutis pineal gland, it may be classified as supra‐callosum and ABC type. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:660–666, 2015.