Morphology of the thoracic limb bones in the giant anteater. The giant anteater has a grayish-brown pelage with white and black tones, its skull is elongated, cylindrical, and there are no teeth. Its tail is long, with thick and long bristles, resembling a flag. This is an endangered species, due to the constant degradation of its habitat, in addition to deaths caused by fires and roadkills. Thus, this paper aimed to describe the morphology of the thoracic limb bones in Myrmecophaga tridactyla, focusing on its main bone accidents. We used two specimens of giant anteater collected on highways in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after death due to being run over. The scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, and the hand bones showed particular characteristics adapted to the species' lifestyle and habits. In general, the scapula resembles that in human beings and the humerus is similar to that in armadillo, the radius and ulna exhibit articular surfaces which enable a wide range of rotational movements in the forearm, the carpal bones are also similar in number and shape to those in human beings, and the fingers are well developed in the giant anteater, having long, strong and sharp claws, especially in the third finger. Thus, the anatomical description of the thoracic limb bones in the giant anteater showed to be important, providing a deeper understanding both of the functional aspects of the thoracic limb and the comparative anatomy of wild animals.

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Anatomical specimens used in human or veterinary anatomy laboratories are usually prepared with formaldehyde (a cancerous and teratogenic substance), glycerin (an expensive and viscous fluid), or ethanol (which is flammable). This research aimed to verify the viability of an aqueous 30% sodium chloride solution for preservation of anatomical specimens previously fixed with formaldehyde. Anatomical specimens of ruminant, carnivorous, equine, swine and birds were used. All were previously fixed with an aqueous 20% formaldehyde solution and held for 7 days in a 10% aqueous solution of the same active ingredient. During the first phase of the experiment, small specimens of animal tissue previously fixed in formaldehyde were distributed in vials with different concentrations of formaldehyde, with or without 30% sodium chloride solution, a group containing only 30% sodium chloride, and a control group containing only water. During this phase, no contamination was observed in any specimen containing 30% sodium chloride solution, whether alone or in combination with different concentrations of formaldehyde. In the second phase of the experiment, the 30% sodium chloride solution, found to be optimal in the first phase of the experiment, was tested for its long-term preservation properties. For a period of 5 years, the preserved specimens were evaluated three times a week for visual contamination, odors, and changes in color and texture. There was no visual contamination or decay found in any specimen. Furthermore, no strange odors, or changes in color or softness were noted. The 30% sodium chloride solution was determined to be effective in the preservation of anatomic specimens previously fixed in formaldehyde.

Most of the reports about an altered baroreflex attribute this condition to the diabetic efferent neuropathy of the aortic depressor nerve (ADN) (afferent arm of the baroreflex less explored). We evaluated the ADN ultrastructural alterations caused by long term experimental diabetes and the effects of insulin treatment. Wistar rats (N=14) received a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) 12 weeks before the experiment. Control animals (N=9) received vehicle (citrate buffer). Insulin treated animals (N=8) received a single subcutaneous injection of insulin daily. Under pentobarbital anesthesia the ADNs were isolated and had their spontaneous activity recorded. Afterwards, proximal and distal segments of the nerves were prepared for transmission electron microscopy study. Morphometry of the unmyelinated fibers was carried out with the aid of computer software. ADN of the diabetic animals showed axonal atrophy for myelinated fibers, with more pronounced alterations of the myelin sheath, such as myelin infolding and out folding, presence of myelin balls and very thin myelin sheath in relation to the axonal size, particularly for the small myelinated fibers becoming evident. No differences were observed in myelinated fiber number and their density, as well as on the fascicular area. Unmyelinated fiber number was significantly larger in the diabetic group while fiber diameter was significantly smaller compared to control. This result suggests axonal atrophy or, if associated to the larger number of fibers present in this group, could indicate fiber sprouting. These alterations were more evident in the distal segments of the nerves and were moderated by insulin treatment.

As cutias são animais que vivem nas Américas Central e do Sul, com potencial zootécnico e que despertam crescente interesse científico. O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer um padrão para colheita de sêmen por eletroejaculação em cutia-parda (Dasyprocta azarae). Foram utilizados machos adultos (n=4) anestesiados e submetidos a quatro séries de 20 estímulos eletroejaculatórios, com 3 segundos de duração cada, com uma intensidade de 2, 4, 6 e 8 volts, com dois minutos de intervalo entre cada série. A colheita de sêmen foi obtida em todos os animais, com ereção parcial com 2 volts, ereção evidente com 4 volts, ejaculação com 6 volts e exacerbação da glande e exteriorização das espículas penianas com 8 volts, observando-se espermatozoides em 100% das amostras. A técnica descrita para colheita de sêmen em cutia-parda foi eficaz.

Two newborn males, two adult males 9 and 72 months old, one newborn female and two adult females of 30 and 54 months old pacas were used. Animals were radiographed on lateral recumbency, teeth were extracted and the vestibulolingual and mesiodistal lengths were achieved at the occlusal surface, besides the longitudinal length. The lower incisors presented greater length in relation to the other ones and sinuous shape; the upper incisors, relatively smaller, are practically straight. There is no canine tooth, and after a great diastema there is one premolar and three molars in each hemiarcade. In adult pacas, the enamel of incisors presents yellowish colour, mainly in the labial surface; in the premolars and molars, the enamel is present as internal sheets disposed nearly in a parallel way and in vestibulolingual direction, through practically all the dental length, which provides several joined teeth aspect.

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RESUMO Os ramos do arco aórtico (Arcus aortae) em bubalinos foram investigados neste trabalho. Assim, foram dissecadas as artérias oriundas desse arco previamente injetadas com solução corada de látex Neoprene 650® (Du Pont do Brasil S.A.) em