Seasonal evaluation of spermatogenesis of the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus in the Caatinga biome.

This study was aimed to characterize the spermatogenic process and its seasonal variation in Desmodus rotundus, in the Caatinga biome, a water-limited ecosystem, with marked water restriction during most of the year. Collections of adult animals were performed during the dry and rainy seasons, and after euthanasia, their testes were processed histologically to perform morphological, morphometric, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyzes. The percentage of seminiferous epithelium, number of Leydig cells per gram of testis, and population of Sertoli cells and A-type spermatogonia presented by D. rotundus were significantly higher in the rainy season, while the percentage of lumen, mitotic index, support capacity performed by Sertoli cells, and overall yield of spermatogenesis were higher in the dry season. The ultrastructure of spermatogenesis was similar to that described in other mammals, and the immunohistochemical analysis revealed activity of the aromatase enzyme in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, spermatocytes and spermatids, as well as the presence of androgen receptors in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. FGF2 activity was detected in primary spermatocytes in zygotene and pachytene, as well as secondary spermatocytes and rounded and elongated spermatids, while the BCL-2 protein was expressed in primary spermatocytes in zygotene and pachytene, secondary spermatocytes, and rounded spermatids. The activity of these molecules was similar in both seasons, and associated with the morphometric findings, indicates maintenance in the integrity of the seminiferous epithelium throughout the year. The seasonal study of D. rotundus spermatogenesis indicates a continuous spermatogenesis pattern and suggests a greater production of spermatozoa in the rainy season in the Caatinga biome.

Testicular characterization and spermatogenesis of the hematophagous bat Diphylla ecaudata.

Diphylla ecaudata is a hematophagous bat endemic of South America, with food preference for bird blood. Given the lack of information about the reproductive activity of this species, this study aimed to describe the testicular morphology and histomorphometry of D. ecaudata in order to understand its reproductive biology, specially spermatogenesis. The animals were collected in Lajes city, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Following euthanasia, the testes were histologically processed for morphological, morphometric, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses. Their average body weight was 24.64g, with a gonadosomatic index of 0.49%, tubulesomatic index of 0.47%, and a total of 32.20m of seminiferous tubules per gram of testis. The pre-meiotic, meiotic, and post-meiotic phases accounted for 56.20%, 9.30%, and 34.50% of the seminiferous epithelium cycle, respectively. The ultrastructure of spermiogenesis was similar to that described in other mammals and the perforatorium was not observed in the sperm. Androgen receptors were detected in Sertoli cell nuclei and Leydig cell cytoplasm, while aromatase enzyme was detected only in Sertoli cell nuclei. FGF2 and BCL-2 activities were detected in the cytoplasm of zygotene and pachytene primary spermatocytes, as well as round and elongated spermatids. D. ecaudata showed testicular pattern similar to other mammals and characteristics common to other bat species. This species stood out for its high efficiency of Sertoli cells, which presented high capacity to support germ cells, besides the highest sperm production rates among those already recorded. This study is the first step towards the knowledge of D. ecaudata reproduction and the first description of its spermatogenesis.

The bats of Rio Grande do Norte state, northeastern Brazil / Morcegos do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Rio Grande do Norte is one of the smallest states in Brazil but has a rich diversity of ecosystems, including Caatinga vegetation, remnants of Atlantic Forest, coastal habitats, mangroves and large karstic areas with caves. However, its chiropteran fauna is little known, and the state contains conspicuous gaps of information on the occurrence and distribution of bats in Brazil. In order to reduce this information gap, based on a review of scientific literature and regional mammal collections, we list 42 species of bats, including new occurrences for 13 species and discussion on their conservation status. Results show that more than half (54%) of the recorded species are phyllostomid bats, and about one third of the bats in the state roosts in underground cavities. The Caatinga harbored the highest bat richness in the state, including the occurrence of four vulnerable species (Furipterus horrens, Lonchorhina aurita, Natalus macrourus and Xeronycteris vieirai). The Atlantic Forest needs to be more sampled, including mangroves, coastal habitats and areas of Caatinga in the central region of the state (Borborema highlands), which are virtually unsurveyed. Although the recent increase of studies on bats in the state, future studies should complement conventional mistnetting with active roost search and bioacoustical records in order to obtain better data for unraveling the bat fauna of Rio Grande do Norte.

Resumo O Rio Grande do Norte é um dos menores estados do Brasil, mas possui grande diversidade de ecossistemas, incluindo vegetação de Caatinga, Mata Atlântica, habitats costeiros, manguezais e grandes áreas cársticas com cavernas. No entanto, a fauna de quirópteros é pouco conhecida, e o estado contém lacunas importantes sobre a ocorrência e distribuição de morcegos no Brasil. Para reduzir essa lacuna de informação, com base em uma revisão da literatura científica e coleções regionais de mamíferos, listamos 42 espécies de morcegos, incluindo novas ocorrências para 13 espécies e discusões sobre seu estado de conservação. Os resultados mostram que mais de metade (54%) das espécies registradas são morcegos filostomídeos e cerca de um terço dos morcegos no estado se abrigam em cavidades subterrâneas. A Caatinga abrigou a maior riqueza de morcegos no estado, incluindo a ocorrência de quatro espécies vulneráveis (Furipterus horrens, Lonchorhina aurita, Natalus macrourus e Xeronycteris vieirai). A Mata Atlântica precisa ser mais amostradas, incluindo manguezais, habitats costeiros e áreas de Caatinga principalmente na região central do estado (planalto da Borborema), que são virtualmente inexplorados. Embora o recente aumento das investigações no estado em relação aos morcegos, estudos futuros devem complementar os métodos convencionais de captura com procura ativa de abrigos e monitoramento bioacústico para obter melhores dados na tarefa de desvendar a diversidade de morcegos do Rio Grande do Norte.

Ectopia "cordis": relato de 2 casos operados: discussäo do manuseio cirúrgico e revisäo da literatura / Cordis ectopy: report of 2 cases: discussion about surgical handling and review of the literature

A ectopia "cordis" verdadeira , uma doença congênita, rara e caracterizada pela presença do corarao fora do tórax, havendo, como principal característica, a ausência das camadas que o recobrem. Na grande maioria dos pacientes portadores de ectopia "cordis" verdadeira existe associaçao de defeitos intra-cardíacos complexos. No presente trabalho, os autores relatam sua experiência com 2 casos operados, na Unidade de Tratamento Cardiotorácico - UNITORAX - do Real Hospital Português do recife, bem como discutem o manuseio cirúrgico e fazem uma revisao da literatura.