Abdominal aortic branches of red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758)

Understanding the cardiovascular system is fundamental in diagnosing pathologies and interpreting exams, such as contrast radiographs. In this context, the present study describes the collateral abdominal aorta artery branches of red-rumped agouti. Ten red-rumped agoutis, six males and four females, were assessed. The vascular system was perfused with Neoprene 450 latex coloured with a yellow pigment, dissected and analysed. Three euthanized animals were perfused with a barium sulfate solution (1 g mL-1 ) associated with latex Neoprene 450 at a 1:3 ratio to obtain contrast-enhanced radiographs. The abdominal aorta emitted the celiac artery, which in turn originated the left gastric, hepatic and splenic arteries. The second collateral branch comprised the cranial mesenteric artery, followed by the renal arteries, which emitted the adrenal arteries, with the caudal emergence of the gonadal arteries. The caudal mesenteric artery appeared in a caudal direction. The abdominal aorta divided after reaching the pelvic cavity entrance, originating the right and left common iliac arteries. Before its bifurcation, the abdominal aorta dorsocaudally emitted its last collateral branch, the median sacral artery. The collateral branches of the aorta, therefore, resemble previously described rodent patterns, with few variations.

Extraembryonic membrane morphology in greater rheas (Rhea americana americana Linnaeus, 1758)

The greater rhea, Rhea americana, is a wild ratite of high scientific importance and significant and zootechnical value, especially considering the current development state of Brazilian poultry production, where research aimed at increasing the productivity of these animals has become extremely relevant. Studies concerning fetal attachments and embryonic development are paramount, as they can provide essential information concerning reproductive and nutritional animal management. However, a lack of information on greater rhea fetal morphology is noted. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to establish a standard model for fetal attachments in this species. Greater rhea eggs were incubated from 0 to 36 days, and macroscopic and microscopic embryonic attachment characterizations were performed. Histologically, all embryonic annexes exhibit germ layers, namely the ectoderm (outer layer), mesoderm (middle layer) and endoderm (inner layer). The findings indicate that greater rhea development patterns are similar to other birds.

Collateral aortic branches in the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758)

The determination of arterial vascular distribution patterns can contribute to more detailed knowledge on arterial systems. In this context, the aim of the present study was to describe the collateral aortic branches in the collared peccary, aiming to define a standard model for this species, providing information through comparative anatomy for analysis of some evolutionary aspects of the order Artiodactyla. Ten young male animals were employed. The vascular system was washed with a saline solution and then perfused with Neoprene 450 latex coloured with red or yellow pigment, followed by collateral aorta branch dissections and analyses. The contrasted digital radiography technique was applied to two animals, which were initially perfused with a barium sulphate solution (1 g/ml) and Neoprene 450 latex at a 1:3 ratio, and subsequently, the digital radiographic examination was performed. The aortic arch of the collared peccary emitted the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery, while eight symmetric pairs of dorsal intercostal arteries originated from the thoracic aorta. The abdominal aorta, in turn, exhibited the celiac, cranial mesenteric, renal, caudal mesenteric, testicular, external iliac, internal iliac and sacral arteries as the collateral branches in all studied animals. Therefore, no relevant variations were observed regarding the arrangement of the arterial distribution of the aorta, thus suggesting a static standard model in the collared peccary.

Electrolytic and hemogasometric parameters for female agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha Wagler, 1831) raised in captivity

Agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha, WAGLER 1831) have been studied in captivity as a potential source of meat for rural populations in Brazil, as a way of providing low-cost protein and easing hunting pressures in local communities. However, little is known about their physiological blood markers, which are crucial for animal husbandry and effective welfare management. This study provides hemogasometric and ionic venous parameters for female agoutis raised in captivity in the drylands of Brazil. Venous blood samples were collected from six females and analyzed for dissolved gases and ions in the blood. Hemogasometric parameters, especially base excess and anion gap were generally heterogenous, while ions varied little among individuals. Moreover, we observed high chlorine values and negative base excess values, which suggest that some animals might be implementing compensatory mechanisms for ion imbalances. We provide a preliminary note on agouti venous gases and ions, while reiterating the importance of the clinical context and in-house parameter definition to maximize accuracy.

Heart anatomy and topography of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus Linnaeus, 1758)

INTRODUCTION

The morphological study of wild animals serves as a base for more advanced studies in clinical medicine, surgery, and pathology. Due to an urgent need and demand for professionals specialized in this area, studies of this nature have become indispensable and so the objective of the present study was to describe the heart morphology of Callithrix jacchus.

METHODS

Ten anatomic pieces of common marmoset were used. The hearts were removed and dissected for better visualization and thus to makes a detailed description of the structures of the organ of the C jacchus species.

RESULTS

The C jacchus heart is similar to that of other mammals, with small anatomical modifications such as division of the apex by the interventricular grooves, shallow fossa ovalis, and less salient intervenous tubercle.

CONCLUSIONS

This study may serve as taxonomic base for research and also as a basis for clinical and surgical procedures with the C jacchus.

Anatomical Description of the Forelimb Muscles of the Brown-Throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

Background: Brown-throated sloths are mammals of the order Xenarthra, suborder Pilosa, family Bradypodidae. These folivorous and arboreal animals, which possess a peculiar type of arboreal quadrupedalism, move through the forest canopy by means of suspensory locomotion. On the ground, their extremely slow movements make them easy targets for road accidents, often leading to serious injury or even death. This paper describes the forelimb muscles of the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus), updating the literature on the subject to help veterinarians in clinical and surgical interventions on this species, and to provide data for comparative animal anatomy.Materials, Methods & Results: Five brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825), two adults and three babies were dissected. The animals were donated by the Arruda Câmara Zoo and Botanical Park in João Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil, where they were thawed and fixed in 10% formalin. The sloths’ forelimbs were dissected by lifting and folding over a skin flap to expose, identify and describe the underlying musculature. The dissection revealed the following muscles: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoideus, teres major, subscapularis, coracobrachialis, brachialis, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, anconeus epitrochlearis, dorsoepitrochlearis, brachioradialis, supinator, pronator teres, pronator quadratus, extensor carpi radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi obliquus, flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum communis, extensor digitorum lateralis, palmaris longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, extensor indicis longus second finger, extensor indicis brevis second finger, extensor digitorum third finger, abductor digitorum second finger, abductor digitorum third finger, palmaris brevis, and interosseous muscles. Characteristics found in this species revealed differences in the muscular development of the upper forelimb, whose muscles are less developed than those of the lower forelimb, which are visibly more developed with greater muscle density. An interesting feature of this musculature is the presence of three flexor tendons, short and thick, originating from the flexor muscles, which give the hand of the brown-throated sloth a hook-like aspect.Discussion: Our observations indicate that some of the muscles are very similar to those of other animals of this order and also of domestic mammals. However, the most relevant characteristics resemble those of arboreal animals and humans, since the forearm and hand pronation and supination muscles are essential for their arboreal habits. Therefore, all the pronator and supinator muscles of the brown-throated sloth are well developed. Due to the functional adaptations of the species of the family Bradypodidae, the shoulder muscles, especially the deltoideus, are more developed, providing greater support to the shoulder joint, and their origin and insertion assist in faster and easier movements, albeit exerting less force. The group of flexor muscles in this species gives the forearm stronger and more concentrated action than the extensor muscles. This study enabled us not only to produce a more precise description of the muscles of the forelimb of this species but also to update the literature, since there are few relevant studies on the subject and the terms in the literature are outdated and no longer in use. Keywords: sloth, Bradypodidae, morph

Morphometry and Cardiac Anatomicalsurgical Segmentation in Goats

Background: Although surgeries that remove of part of the heart wall are not yet part of veterinary and human surgical routine, experimental studies can indicate this practice in cases where alterations are identified in the heart morphology, with the determination of the heart segments that are part of the organ with independent vascularization and irrigation.  In this context, the objective of the present study was to describe the anatomic surgical segmentation of the goat heart and supply biometric data on the heart to enrich data on the heart morphology of this species.Materials, Methods &Results: Twenty-six hearts were used from crossbred goats, ten to assess the topographical relations of the heart and morphological description of the organ; ten hearts were weighed on  0.01 g precision semi-analytical scales, measured with a pachymeter and later Agar-Agar was injected in the cavities which were sectioned crosswise to establish the volumetric proportion of the heart components, applying a point counting grid to the base surfaces; in three hearts natural latex was injected in the coronary arteries, that were later dissected, and red-stained vinyl acetate was injected in three,  corroded in acid to make vascular molds and these two groups were used to define the irrigation territories of the coronary arteries, identifying the anatomic surgical units among the animals studied.  The goat heart presented average weight of 126.6 g, 8.36  ± 0.62 cm length and 5.89 ± 0.57 cm width at the base.  The study of the volumetric proportion showed that the proportion of muscle was 75.87% and the cavity proportion was 24.12%; the arterial volume (13.94% ±3.01) was greater than the ventricular volume (6.32% ± 1.43). An average of 13 ventricular segments were identified from the vascular study, coming from the right and left coronary arteries that were characterized as SAIP -  Interventricular Paraconal Arterial Segment; SAVE1-  Left Ventricular Ventral Arterial Segment; SAVE2- Left Ventricular Ventral  Arterial Segment; SAME- Left Ventricular Margin Arterial Segment; SAVD1- Right Ventricular Ventral Arterial Segment, SAVD2 - Right Ventricular Ventral Arterial Segment, SAIS- Subsinuosus Interventricular Arterial Segment, SAA- Adipose Artery Arterial Segment, SADE1- Left Ventricular Dorsal Arterial Segment, SADE2- Left Ventricular Dorsal Arterial Segment 2- SAMD: Right Ventricular Margin Arterial Segment, SADD1- Right Ventricular Dorsal Arterial Segment, SADD2- Right Ventricular Dorsal Arterial Segment.Discussion: The goat hearts presented anatomy and topography according to that described in the literature for the species.  Regarding the heart morphology and segmentation, the goat is similar to the dog, and the goat can be used as an experimental model in cardiology research. As the segments identified presented few variations among the animals, observing that some of them were not found in 100% of the sample, but understanding that the goat arterial segments are well defined in the heart wall, the data was considered  reliable for future research of partial ventriculectomies.