The Gross and Microscopic Anatomy of the Uterus Masculinus of Tree Shrews

Alcala, Jose; Conaway, C. H.

doi:10.1159/000155181

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The prostatic utricle observed in four species in this study appear to be more appropriately termed vagina masculina instead of a uterus masculinus which is present in the tree shrew as described by Alcala and Conaway [30]. The minute sac, lined with pseudostratified epithelia, situated between the ejaculatory ducts in the substance of the colliculus seminalis, fits perfectly with their description in the Tupaia species which lacked uterine masculinus, but showed vagina masculina only.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Alcala and Conaway state estrogens cause the loss of secretory activity and regression of epithelial of accessory glands derived from the Wolffian ducts and urogenital system. They stimulate glandular proliferation of epithelium derived embryologically from the Mullerian ducts [30]. The probability of dual embryological development of the utricle in the nonhuman primate is present but in these species examined the development into a significant accessory sex organ as found in some species of tree shrews is not present.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The prostate of the nonhuman primate: Normal anatomy and pathology

et al. 1981

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The caudal and cranial prostate of different species of nonhuman primates were examined for histologic characteristics and pathological abnormalities. One hundred specimens from 12 species were represented. Among the pathologies found were: 1) cystic hyperplasia; 2) fibromuscular hyperplasia; 3) squamous metaplasia; 4) chronic and acute bacterial prostatitis; 5) prostate adenocarcinoma; and 6) other miscellaneous pathologic changes. A historical review of histological characteristics and pathological abnormalities of the nonhuman primate prostate is given. Based upon findings in this study, anatomical similarity of the caudal lobe of the prostate to the peripheral zone of the prostate in humans as described by McNeal is found. In the patas monkey the relationship of the cranial and caudal lobe suggests strongly the relationship seen between the central and peripheral zones in man. The case of prostatic adenocarcinoma described has only been reported in one other nonhuman primate.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prostate of the nonhuman primate: Normal anatomy and pathology

et al. 1981

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“…Only very few species are known where Müllerian duct structures persist in all male individuals: some treeshrew species (Tupaia spp. ; Alcalá & Conaway, 1968 ) and beavers (Castor spp. ; Conaway, 1958 ; Doboszynska & Zurowski, 1981 ) are mentioned in literature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In literature, a confusing multitude of terms has been applied to remnants of the Müllerian ducts, ranging from utriculus masculinus ( Swoboda, 1929 ; Drake, Vogl & Mitchell, 2008 ) to uterus masculinus ( Kaudern, 1914 ; Conaway, 1958 ) or vagina masculina ( Alcalá & Conaway, 1968 ). None of the aforementioned terms correctly describe the structure observed in the present study in male giant anteaters, which presents characteristics of uterus and vagina as well as uterine tubes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology of the genital organs of male and female giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

Fromme

Yogui

Alves

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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Background The giant anteater belongs to the supraorder Xenarthra which occupies a systematically isolated position among placental mammals. The species is categorized as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and understanding its reproductive characteristics is critical for future conservation efforts. Methods Gross and microscopic anatomy of the genital organs of 23 male and 21 female adult and young roadkill giant anteaters in Brazil were studied. Results Male giant anteaters presented a short conical penis, intraabdominal testes, and prostate, vesicular and bulbourethral glands. A tubular remnant of the partially fused Müllerian ducts extended from the seminal colliculus through the prostate gland, continued cranially in the genital fold, bifurcated, and attached with one elongation each to the left and right epididymal corpus. The structure presented a total length of up to 10 cm and contained a yellowish liquid in its lumen. Histologically, the caudal section of this structure resembled the female vagina, the middle portion corresponded to the uterus, and the extensions showed characteristics of uterine tubes. In adult female giant anteaters, ovoid ovaries with occasional seminiferous cord-like structures were observed. The animals possessed a simple uterus, which was directly continuous with the vaginal canal. The caudal portion of the vagina had two lumina, separated by a longitudinal septum and opening into two apertures into the vaginal vestibule, cranial to the urethral opening. In the urethral and the lateral vestibular wall, glandular structures with characteristics of male prostate and bulbourethral glands, respectively, were found. The vestibule opened through a vertical vulvar cleft to the exterior. A pair of well-differentiated Wolffian ducts with a central lumen originated ventrally at the vaginal opening into the vestibule and passed in a cranial direction through the ventral vaginal and uterine wall. Each duct extended highly coiled along the ipsilateral uterine tube until the lateral pole of the ovaries where it merged with the rete ovarii. Discussion The reproductive morphology of giant anteaters reveals characteristics shared with other Xenarthrans: intraabdominal testes, a simple uterus, and a double caudal vagina. The persistence of well-differentiated genital ducts of the opposite sex in both males and females, however, singles them out among other species. These structures are the results of an aberration during fetal sexual differentiation and possess secretory functions. The possibility of a pathological degeneration of these organs should be considered in reproductive medicine of the species. Conclusion Knowledge of the unique reproductive characteristics of the giant anteater is essential for future reproductive management of the species. Additionally, further research on the peculiarities of the persisting genital duct structures might help to understand sexual differentiation in placental mammals in general.

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The Use of Reproductive and Developmental Features in Assessing Tupaiid Affinities

Luckett

1980

Comparative Biology and Evolutionary Relationships of Tree Shrews

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The Gross and Microscopic Anatomy of the Uterus Masculinus of Tree Shrews

Cited by 5 publications

References 15 publications

The prostate of the nonhuman primate: Normal anatomy and pathology

The prostate of the nonhuman primate: Normal anatomy and pathology

Morphology of the genital organs of male and female giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

The Use of Reproductive and Developmental Features in Assessing Tupaiid Affinities

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