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de Moura FBC, Lacerda ZA, Catão-Dias JL, Navas-Suárez PE, Werther K, Simões SRJS, Santos RDL, Murillo DFB, Watanabe TTN, Fonseca-Alves CE, Rocha NS. Background and common lesions in the female reproductive organs of giant anteaters ( Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1287872. [PMID: 38328261 PMCID: PMC10847298 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1287872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a vulnerable species in South America and is considered endangered or near extinction in Central America. Therefore, studies describing the reproductive characteristics of this species are pivotal for its conservation. Thus, this study aimed to provide a morphological description of the female reproductive tissues of this species. We collected tissue samples from six female giant anteaters and performed gross, morphological, and histochemical analyses. Five adult subjects and one juvenile were included in the study. In the ovary, classifications were made according to the follicle and oocyte sizes: primordial, primary, secondary, early antral, or antral. Typical follicles with a single oocyte surrounded by a simple or stratified layer of cubic epithelium, atretic follicles, corpora lutea, corpora albicans, and ovarian cysts were also observed. No ovarian lesions were observed. By contrast, endometritis, metritis, mucometra, and endometrial cysts were identified in the uterus. Uterine alterations in these subjects were frequent and could affect reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zara Alves Lacerda
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Catão-Dias
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Enrique Navas-Suárez
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Veterinary Medicine Program, University Center FAM, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karin Werther
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Renato de Lima Santos
- Veterinary School, “Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais” (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Noeme Sousa Rocha
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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