Ultrasound evaluation of fetal bone development in the collared (Pecari tajacu) and white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari).

The study of fetal development allows for evaluating the different strategies adopted by mammal species to maximize neonatal survival. Autonomous locomotion is fundamental for newborns to perform foraging activities and increases newborn survival from predation. In this study, we assess the gestational bone development of 53 collared (CP, Pecari tajacu) and 61 white-lipped (WLP, Tayassu pecari) peccaries, collected through the collaboration of subsistence hunters in the Amazon.

Fetal bone development in the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca, Rodentia, Cuniculidae) determined using ultrasonography.

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.

Functional morphology of the female genital organs in the peruvian red uakari monkey (Cacajao calvus ucayalii).

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.

Ovarian functionality in Poeppig's woolly monkey (Lagothrix poeppigii).

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.

Anatomicohistological characteristics of the tubular genital organs of the female woolly monkey (Lagothrix poeppigii).

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.

Anatomicohistological characteristics of the tubular genital organs of the female red brocket deer (Mazama americana) in the Peruvian Amazon.

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.

Reproductive biology of the wild red brocket deer (Mazama americana) female in the Peruvian Amazon.

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.

Anatomicohistological characteristics of the genital tubular organs of the female brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus, Gray 1842) from Gabon.

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.

A structural study of the bovine vaginal fluid at estrus.

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.

A scanning electron microscope study of the structural component of the bovine vaginal fluid at oestrus.

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.

Persistent truncus arteriosus in a diprosopic newborn calf.

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.

Histochemical and morphometric study of the cricoarytenoideus lateralis muscle in the horse.

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.

Morphometric study of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in young 'normal' horses.

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 (P < 0.

Muscular pathology in equine laryngeal neuropathy.

Three adductor muscles of the larynx, the cricoarytenoideus lateralis (CAL), the arytenoideus transversus (AT) and the ventricularis (Ve), from 36 horses were examined histologically. The neurogenic changes seen in each muscle were evaluated qualitatively. In addition, in 6 horses with clinical and subclinical signs of neurogenic atrophy, measurements of muscle fibre area were performed.

Morphology of a dicephalic cat.

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.