Morphology of male and female reproductive tract of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

Abstract

The Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is the largest species of this genus, despite having broad distribution in the Americas; it is included in the main list of endangered species. Their conservation is widely studied, but there is a lack of studies about their morphology. In order to contribute to the knowledge of its reproductive system, five male and female ocelots were examined macro-and microscopically by histological techniques. Macroscopic analysis of the male reproductive system revealed presence of prostate and bulbourethral gland located caudally to the urinary bladder and a penis with small spicules. Microscopically, the testes were encased by the tunica albuginea and divided it into lobules with 5-10 tubules per lobe. In females, macroscopic analysis demonstrated two ovaries position dorsally in the sublumbar region and caudal to the kidneys. The bicornuate uterus is composed by uterine horns (12 to 14 cm in length), which travels from the ovaries in a caudal direction to form a small uterine body (4 cm in length). The ovary analysis revealed, in longitudinal section, medullary region composed of loose connective tissue, a stroma rich in blood vessels, and an external parenchymal region surrounded by a tunica albuginea. The results of the study confirmed the similarity between ocelot's reproductive system as domestic cat's ones and showing for the first time the complete morphological tool to highlight these organs and tissue in this male and female endangered wild felid specie. The present study open venue for other researchers to consider morphological and preservationist features and aimed to help at long-term conservation of wild felines.

Morphology of the male reproductive tract of Eira barbara

“…In domestic animals, the gonads appear in an upright position in ruminants, are inclined (or oblique) in pigs and felines and are horizontal in canines and horses. The shape of the testicles is ovoid in wild carnivore species such as the southern sea wolf (Machado et al, 2012), the coati (Franciolli et al, 2007), the ocelot (Carneiro et al, 2010; Machado et al, 2020), the tiger (Meireles et al, 2012) and irara in the present study.…”

“…reported that the testicles are ellipsoid in shape and that their volume has no fixed relationship with body size.Their orientation within the scrotum and the direction of the longitudinal axis vary according to the species. In domestic animals, the gonads appear in an upright position in ruminants, are inclined (or oblique) in pigs and felines and are horizontal in canines and horses.The shape of the testicles is ovoid in wild carnivore species such as the southern sea wolf(Machado et al, 2012), the coati(Franciolli et al, 2007), the ocelot(Carneiro et al, 2010;Machado et al, 2020), the tiger(Meireles et al, 2012) and irara in the present study.The length and shape of the spermatic funicle may vary according to the testis position and orientation. The funicle includes the testicular artery and veins, lymphatic vessels, nerves, bundles of F I G U R E 3 Photomacrography of the penile bone with a rounded distal end with a small "C" shaped border.…”

Cryopreservation of jaguar (Panthera onca) sperm cells using different cryoprotectants and different thawing temperatures

“…This study's males have penile spines comparable to those reported by Silva et al (2019a) in jaguars. In addition, they had traits with the penile spines of other species from the same genus, including the Javan leopard P. pardus melas (Mulia et al, 2021), the Arabian leopard P. pardus nimr (Baqir et al, 2015), and the African lion P. leo (Schepper, 2016), but they were less numerous than other neotropical cat species of the genus Leopardus (Araujo et al, 2013;Machado et al, 2020;Morais et al, 2002). Araujo et al (2018) established in jaguars the pharmacological semen collection by combining medetomidine and ketamine.…”

comparative morphological study of the accessory sex glands of immature and mature local breed donkey (Equus asinus)

“…the current study suggest that the full numbers of accessory sex glands presents in no seasonally breeding species which their females have monthly reproductive cyclic usually and meeting, such animal required furthermore gland to produce adequate amount of seminal plasma. Incomplete number of accessory sex glands is recorded in other mammalian species such the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) which contained only the prostate and bulbourethral glands (Machado et al, 2020). However (Mahmud et al, 2016) in ram, red sokoto buck and one-humped recorded that the accessory glands composed of three glands that the ampulla, prostate and bulbourethral glands (Khalaf, 2009) recorded in ram (Ovis aris) and buck (Caprus hircus) only the ampulla of ductus, seminal vesicle and bulbourethral glands.…”