Morphology, morphometry, and membrane integrity of epididymal spermatozoa of spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca, Linnaeus 1766)Morfologia, morfometria e integridade da membrana de espermatozoides epididimários de paca (Cuniculus paca, Linnaeus 1766) Highlights: Majority (73%) of the epididymal spermatozoa of Cuniculus paca were normal. Proximal cytoplasmic droplet was the second most frequent defect found. Both ACP-123 ® and Botusemen Special ® were efficient extenders. Intra-acrosomal vesicles were observed in the sperm head. AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the morphology, morphometry, and membrane integrity of epididymal spermatozoa of spotted pacas using spermatic cells collected from the epididymal tails of five animals. The flotation method using the ACP-123 ® and Botusemen Special ® extenders was performed, and samples were stained in Diff-Quick and eosin-nigrosine. Descriptive statistics of data were obtained and Student's t-test was performed. The morphology of 200 Diff-Quick-stained spermatozoa showed that they had an oval head with three vesicles in the acrosomal region, a midpiece, an elongated tail; moreover, 27% of the spermatozoa exhibited cellular defects. The morphometry of 100 sperm cells (analyzed with an optical microscope and the EZ Leica LAS software for Windows) presented the following measurements (mean ± SD): total length 43.87 ± 4.91 μm, head 7.54 ± 0.82 μm, midpiece 5.35 ± 0.83 μm, tail 30.72 ± 2.55 μm, and head width 5.30 ± 0.68 μm. Of the 2,000 cells stained with eosin-nigrosine for membrane integrity evaluation, 83.8% diluted in ACP-123 ® and 72.9% diluted in Botusemen ® had intact membranes. The results of this study suggest that epididymal spermatozoa of pacas can be used in assisted reproduction programs; moreover, our study adds knowledge to the reproductive biology of wild animals, and encourages further research on the role of the three acrosomal vesicles present in this species. ResumoCom o objetivo de avaliar a morfologia, a morfometria e a integridade de membrana dos espermatozoides epididimários de paca, células espermáticas oriundas da cauda do epidídimo foram obtidas de cinco animais pelo método de flutuação, utilizando os diluidores ACP-123 ® e Botusemen Special ® , coradas em Panótico rápido e Eosina-Nigrosina. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e teste t de Student. A morfologia de 200 espermatozoides corados em Panótico rápido evidenciou que os mesmos possuíam: cabeça ovalada com três vesículas na região acrossomal, peça intermediária, cauda alongada, sendo os defeitos celulares de 27%. A morfometria de 100 células espermáticas (efetuada com microscópio óptico e softwares EZ Leica LAS de aquisição de imagens para sistemas operacionais Windows) apresentou as seguintes medidas (média ± d.p): comprimento total 43,87 ± 4,91 µm, cabeça 7,54 ± 0,82 µm, peça intermediária 5,35 ± 0,83 µm, cauda 30,72 ± 2,55 µm e largura da cabeça 5,30 ± 0,68 µm. Das 2.000 células coradas em Eosina-Nigrosina para avaliação da integridade da membrana, 83,8 % das ...

The objective of this study was to conduct coproparasitological examinations and hemoparasite investigations associated with a hemogram to evaluate the state of the parasitized animals before and after deworming, contribute to sanitary measures, and provide knowledge of Cuniculus paca hematological patterns. We performed these examinations in 20 animals aged between 2 and 10 years on different dates (day 0 and day 30) before and after deworming with a vermifuge based on albendazole + cobalt. The changes caused by endoparasites and hemoparasites were observed and whether there was a satisfactory effect on deworming was evaluated. Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp., and nonsporulated Eimeria spp. oocytes were detected during the examinations. Trichuris spp. had the highest incidence. We found no hemoparasites in any blood smears. In the first sampling, the eosinophilia and leukocytosis in the hemogram indicated parasitism in the animals. In the second sampling, the number of eosinophils decreased and the number of eggs and oocysts nearly disappeared in the coproparasitological examinations. The vermifuge showed an acceptable effect on sanitary management, and the hemogram was consistent with animal hygiene. ResumoO presente experimento foi realizado com o intuito de efetuar exames coproparasitológicos e pesquisas de hemoparasitas associados a hemograma, como forma de avaliação do estado dos animais parasitados, antes e após a desverminação de maneira que, se possa contribuir com as medidas sanitárias além de, proporcionar conhecimentos de padrões hematológicos das pacas (Cuniculus paca). Os exames foram realizados em 20 animais, com idades variadas (2 a 10 anos) em datas distintas (Dia 0 e dia 30), antes e após desverminação, com vermífugo a base de albendazol + cobalto, com a ideia de observar possíveis alterações ocasionadas por endoparasitas e hemoparasitas e se houve efeito satisfatório na desverminação dos animais. Foi então observado a presença de Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp., oocistos de Eimeria spp. não esporulados, nos exames, sendo Trichuris spp. o de maior incidência. Não foi encontrado em nenhum esfregaço sanguíneo hemoparasitas. Eosinofilia e leucocitose presente