Structural and functional analysis of the penis and prostate of neotropical bats

Author(s)

Manuela Tosi Comelis Martins

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São José do Rio Preto. 2019-04-10.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas. São José do Rio Preto
• Defense date: 2019-03-28
• Advisor: Eliana Morielle Versute; Rejane Maíra Góes

Abstract

Bats have the largest geographical distribution among mammals, which directly influence their reproductive strategies. For this reason, the morphology of the reproductive organs, the physiology and the reproductive behavior of Chiroptera are highly complex and diverse. Despite this great variety, very little is known about the reproductive aspects of the different taxa. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate structurally and functionally the penis and prostate of neotropical bats species. Imunohistochemical and morphological analyses were performed for the prostate of Molossus molossus and Eptesicus furinalis, and the penis of Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus planirostris Platyrrhinus lineatus, Sturnira lilium, Carollia perspicillata, Glossophaga soricina e Phyllostomus discolor of Phyllostomidae. Analyzes of prostates revealed a different pattern when compared the two species, both in morphology and in seasonal activity. Eptesicus furinalis has bilobed dorsal prostate and a single, compact ventral prostate, whereas the M. molossus prostate has a single, compact ventral prostate and a tetralobular dorsal prostate. Annual analyzes showed a different pattern in both species, with the prostate of E. furinalis being influenced by the testicular regression process. The M. molossus prostate showed synchrony with the reproductive peaks previously described for the species, presenting periods of regression, but without an influence of the testicular regression, since the species does not present this behavior. The analysis of the penis shows the absence of a baculum in species of phyllostomid bats. The histological constitution of the penis is essentially vascular, presenting all the traditional erectile tissues as well as the accessory cavernous tissue. The erectile tissues varied in number and quantity, being always present in the glans region. The prepuce presented adipose tissue and a great amount of pigment, as well as striated musculature in the species C. perspicillata and G. soricina. This last one is not yet mentioned for the species of bats already analyzed and here observed. Another unique characteristic was observed in the glans of Artibeus species, which has accessory cavernous tissue covered by tunic in the ventral region of the prepuce. The results show the variation in prostate morphology due to seasonal variations in the species E. furinalis and M. molossus, as well as the description of penile and penile glans in Phyllostomidae species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06923-9 - Structural and functional analysis of the penis and the prostate in neotropical bats
• Grantee: Manuela Tosi Comelis Martins
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate