Structural analyses of acessory genital glands of maned sloths (Bradypus torquatus, Illiger, 1811)

• Main Authors: Márcia Rita Fernandes Machado, Maria Angélica Miglino, Vera Lúcia de Oliveira, Rose Eli Azarias, Daniele dos Santos Martins, Jussara Rocha Ferreira, Carlos Eduardo Ambrósio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2007-06-01
• Series: Biotemas
• Subjects: Xenarthra; Edentata; Bradypus; acessory glands; male reproductive system
• Online Access: http://www.biotemas.ufsc.br/volumes/pdf/volume202/p89a97.pdf

Sloths belong to the Mammalian class and Xenarthar Order, presenting very peculiar corporal designs and habits of life. One particular species, Bradypus torquatus, belongs to the Red List of Threatened Species. Thus, this research aims to contribute to knowledge of the male genital organ morphology of the maned sloth on account of the fact that it has so far only been inadequately elucidated by existing science. In this research, six Bradypus torquatus males were used, provided by the Anatomy Laboratory of the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia/USP, originally donated by the Reserva Zoobotânica Matinha, Ilhéus/BA. The commom carotid arteries of the animals were canulated and the arterial systems were washed with 40°C water for posterior injection of 10% water formaldehyde solution. The animals were dissected for gross evaluation and sections of tissue from the seminal vesicles and prostates were collected and submitted to light microscopy. The maned sloth presented two genital accessory glands, a prostate and a vesicular gland. It was established through histology that the vesicular gland followed the norm for mammals, but that the prostate showed a peculiar aspect, dividing into muscular and urethral forms.