Reproductive morphology of female Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis)

Author(s)

Becegato, Estella Z. ^{[1, 2]} ; Andrade, Janaina P. ^{[1, 3]} ; Guimaraes, Juliana P. ^{[1, 4]} ; Vergara-Parente, Jociery E. ^[4] ; Miglino, Maria Angelica ^[1] ; De Oliveira E Silva, Fernanda M. ^{[1, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Cirurgia, Posgrad Anat Anim Domest & Silvestres, BR-05508270 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Bandeirante Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet, BR-09636000 Sao Bernardo Do Campo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Grande ABC, Fac Med Vet, BR-90080511 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[4] Fundacao Mamiferos Aquat, Nucleo Estudo Efeitos Antropogen Nos Recursos Mar, BR-49095000 Aracaju, SE - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 87, n. 3, p. 1727-1736, SEP 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

The reproductive morphology of cetaceans is poorly studied and, despite the large number of strandings, reports on this subject are scarce due to access to carcasses mostly in an advanced state of decomposition. The present study aimed to describe histological characteristics of the female genital tract ofSotalia guianensis, in order to assist in future studies on the reproductive biology of these animals. Females of different ages, from stranding events on beaches in northeastern Brazil, were used. Fragments of all organs were collected and processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Histological analyses showed that these structures were similar to those found in terrestrial mammals, with some peculiarities, such as the presence of differentiated cells in the vulvar subepidermal layer, not described in the literature on cetaceans. Reproductive studies with a morphological description of the female genital organs are extremely important, since they would enable a better understanding of the species reproductive physiology and assist in the development of new strategies for the species conservation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/20437-1 - Morphology of the female reproductive system of estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis, VAN BÉNÉDEN 1864)
• Grantee: Estella Zago Becegato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation