Assessment of Orchidometry and Scrotal Circumference in Coatis (Nasua nasua)

Abstract

This study describes the morphometry of the testicles of captive coatis (Nasua nasua) and verifies the existence of correlations between the testicles and the semen producing characteristics. Twelve ejaculates were obtained from five adult specimens that were restraint by anaesthesia. Visual and morphometric evaluation of the external genitalia was performed by using a caliper. The animals presented a scrotal circumference of 9.4 ± 0.7 cm. The right testicle presented a width of 1.7 ± 0.2 cm, length of 2.6 ± 0.2 cm and volume of 3.9 ± 1.1 cm(3) . The left testicle presented a width of 1.7 ± 0.1 cm, length of 2.5 ± 0.3 cm and volume of 3.6 ± 0.7 cm(3) . No significant correlations were obtained between the scrotal circumference or total testicular volume and the semen producing characteristics (volume and sperm concentration). For the first time in this field, this study presents an important contribution to the knowledge of the reproductive morphophysiology of coatis.

Morphometry, Morphology and Ultrastructure of Ring‐tailed Coati Sperm (Nasua nasua Linnaeus, 1766)

“…Its parameters may also contribute to future research on other procyonids threatened with extinction or lacking sufficient data on their species, such as the mountain coati (Nasuella olivacea) and the pygmy raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus) (IUCN, 2014). Some of the sperm parameters found in the present study may differ from those already described for coatis Lima et al 2009;Queiroz et al 2010;Paz et al 2012a,b), such as sperm concentration, total motility and vigour, showing that different individuals of the same species present heterogeneity in these parameters. The percentage of viable spermatozoa with intact membranes was higher than 70%, as described in other studies Lima et al 2009;Queiroz et al 2010;Paz et al 2012a).…”

“…Some of the sperm parameters found in the present study may differ from those already described for coatis Lima et al 2009;Queiroz et al 2010;Paz et al 2012a,b), such as sperm concentration, total motility and vigour, showing that different individuals of the same species present heterogeneity in these parameters. The percentage of viable spermatozoa with intact membranes was higher than 70%, as described in other studies Lima et al 2009;Queiroz et al 2010;Paz et al 2012a). The differences found in some of these evaluated parameters may be related to the collection technique, anaesthetic procedure used (Silva et al 2004) and the interference of factors related to genetics, environment and nutrition (Morato et al 2001).…”

“…; Queiroz et al. ; Paz et al. ,b), such as sperm concentration, total motility and vigour, showing that different individuals of the same species present heterogeneity in these parameters.…”

“…; Queiroz et al. ). Most of morphological alterations observed in coati sperm were secondary defects, as already noted by Paz et al.…”

Ectopic testis in coati (Nasua nasua Linnaeus, 1766)

“…The length/width of the normal descended testis of the coati reported in the present study were lower compared to the findings described by Queiroz et al (2010) who evaluated the reproductive anatomy of five normal pubertal coatis. The study revealed that the length and width of the right testis was 1.7±0.2 and 2.6±0.2; and left testis was 1.7±0.1 and 2.5±0.3 respectively, but had similar sizes when compared to the results reported by Franciolli et al (2007) who evaluated the anatomy of two coatis.…”