Internal Macroscopic Anatomy and Electrical Evaluation of the Bradypus variegatus Heart

Background: The Bradypus variegatus species presents peculiar anatomophysiological properties and many aspects of its organic systems still need to be clarified, especially regarding the cardiovascular system, given its participation in vital activities. Disorderly anthropic action has had drastic consequences in sloth populations and the need to treat sick and injured animals is increasingly common. To this end, the importance of knowing its characteristics is emphasized. Therefore, this study proposed to describe the internal macroscopic structures of the sloth's heart, as well as to measure the ventricular walls and indicate the electrical activity of the organ.Materials, Methods and Results: For the dissections, 15 Bradypus variegatus cadavers were used (1 young female, 9 adults females and 5 adult males) belonging to the Área de Anatomia of the Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recide, PE, Brazil. After they were fixed and preserved, the specimens received a midsagittal incision in the chest, followed by soft tissue folding and removal of ribs to access the heart. The organ was derived from the cavity and sectioned sagittal medially to identify its internal anatomy. Ventricular walls and interventricular septum were measured with a steel caliper (150 mm / 0.02 mm). An electrocardiogram was performed to determine the electrical profile on 5 healthy B. variegatus sloths, living under semi-livestock conditions at the Recife Zoo, PE, Brazil. The electrodes were taken from the regions, scapular and glutes of the animals that were called hugging a keeper during the procedure, carried out in the Zoo itself, using a portable device. Based on the data obtained, sloths have cardiac chambers separated by septa, however between atria and ventricles, in both antimeres, there are atrioventricular ostia, where valves are found, consisting of 3 valves on the right and 2 on the left. The atria are practically smooth inside and have their cavity enlarged by the atria, the right being larger than the left, these having a greater amount of pectineal muscles in relation to the atria. The ventricles have trabeculae and papillary muscles, 3 on the right and 2 on the left. These muscles hold the tendinous chords that connect the valves. The existence of trabeculae marginal septum was not evidenced. The thickness of the wall of the left ventricle, as well as that of the interventricular septum, proved to be greater than the thickness of the wall of the right ventricle, regardless of the age or sex of the animals. Based on the electrocardiographic recordings, the sloths presented sinus rhythm, with a heart rate between 67 and 100 bpm. The electrical axis ranged from -60º to -90º. The P wave is smoother than the QRS complex. While the S-T segment was classified as isoelectric. The T wave was shown to be + and predominantly > or = at 25% of the S wave, which characterized an rS type QRS deflection in both females and males.Discussion: The general characteristics of the cardiac chambers in sloths are similar to those observed in other domestic and wild mammals. However, the presence of pectineal muscles associated with the atria and auricles differs from that observed in mammals such as the paca and raccoon and in birds such as the ostrich, which have trabecular structures in these cavities. The number of valves in sloths is equal to the anteater. However, it has a marginal trabeculae septum, not seen in Bradypus variegatus. According to the electrocardiographic findings, the rhythm was sinus, but much lower than that observed in the capuchin monkey, which also maintains arboreal habits. Keywords: Xenarthra, common sloth, internal anatomy, heart, electrocardiogram.Descritores: Xenarthra, preguiça-comum, anatomia interna, coração, eletrocardiograma

Morphological analysis of teeth in Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 (Mammalia, Bradypodidae)

Among the sloth species, we may highlight the Bradypus variegatus, found especially in northeastern Brazil. Given the importance and scarcity of information about the digestive tract of wild animals, this article aims to describe dental morphology in this sloth species. To do this, four adult specimens, belonging to the anatomy collection of the Academic Center in Vitória de Santo Antão of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), were used. The sloth teeth were analyzed, removed from the arch, and they underwent two techniques for hard tissue histological preparation, wear, and decalcification. The blades obtained were analyzed using optical microscopes. Sloths have 18 molariform teeth, with cusps and interdental spaces. According to histological analysis, it was noticed that teeth have no enamel, they consist of 1 thick layer of cementum and 2 layers of dentin, one outside and another inside. The pulp looks like that of human beings. The presence of a thick and vascularized periodontal ligament was also noticed between the tooth and the alveolar bone, the latter with easily identified osteons

Macroscopic Description of Small and Large Intestine of the Sloth Bradypus variegatus

Background: Sloths of the species Bradypus variegatus are mammals with peculiar habits, which feed mostly young leaves of ‘embaúba’ and occur broadly in Central and South America. This specie has the greatest occurrence in Brazilian Northeast, making it a biological model for several researches in the fields as anatomy, physiology, genetics, pathology, histology and ecology, which provide data to literature in order to benefit maintenance and preservation of these animals. This study aimed to describe unpublished data about small and large intestine anatomy of the sloth Bradypus variegatus, in order to collaborate for knowledge of its digestive processes.Materials, Methods & Results: In order to perform this present research, 10 corpses of specie Bradypus variegatus belonged to the acquis of Anatomy Division, Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology (DMFA); Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), with 5 males and 5 females, the study was authorized by Animal Use and Experimentation Ethic Committee license (CEUA-UFRPE), nº 034/2015. All 10 animals used had natural death, were obtained through a donation of CETAS Tangará (Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres - Wildlife Screening Center), and located in the city of Recife. Animals were dissected at abdominal and pelvic portion, from a median sagittal incision, followed by lateral folding of skin, muscle and withdrawal of pubis portion for exposition and description of intestines, with analysis of syntopy and measurement of these organs. A relation was observed among external holes of urinary, reproductive and digestive systems. A relation was still observed among intestines and stomach, liver, kidneys, bladder and abdominal cavity wall. Some animals had absence of sigmoid colon, ventral and dorsal descendent colon. Regarding measurement, small intestine ranged from 147.09 to 163.59 cm for males and 117.44 to 151.28 cm for females, while large intestine varied between 39.68 and 43.35 cm for males, and 33.19 and 44.47 cm for females. Urinary and reproductive systems had a same external hole at perineal portion for both gender. Whereas digestive system ended at anus as occur commonly among mammals.Discussion: Among specimens described, most had the same anatomic profile regarding the intestinal portions and syntopy performed over other abdominal cavity organs. A difference was observed on liver size, increment of 20% for females and males sampled, excluding animals that had absence of structure that were minority, once 40% of females had no ventral descending colon, 20% of males and females had no sigmoid colon, and 20% of males had no dorsal descending colon. However, some animals that had absence demonstrated increase of other adjacent structures, for example, male that had no dorsal descending colon developed the largest sigmoid colon observed among animals measured for portions of duodenum, ventral descending colon, ascending colon and dorsal descending colon. Regarding the measurement of small and large intestine, Bradypus variegatus had differences compared to other herbivores, what suggests that this fact is associated to a restricted diet, in which that animal is submitted. Because of literature shortage about digestive system of specie Bradypus variegatus and other species of wild animals in general, it still difficult to infer or plot more accurate affirmations about this subject

Topographic and morphological aspects of the spleen of brown-throated sloth Bradypus variegatus (SCHINZ, 1825)

Sloths are wild animals with arboreal habits, with slow metabolism, found in tropical forests from South America to Central America. However, the lack of knowledge of their anatomy does not favor the conservation of the species in veterinary care centers, due to its peculiar anatomy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the topography and morphology of the spleen of the species Bradypusvariegatus, in order to collect more information to support and assist in the clinical-surgical processes of the species. Eight corpses of B. variegatus, previously fixed with 20% formaldehyde and preserved in 30% saline solution, were dissected for the macroscopic study of the spleen. A healthy animal, living in semi-captivity, was assigned to perform a tomography of the abdominal region, for observation of the spleen, while two specimens were destined for the microscopic study of the organ immediately after death. Based on the data obtained, the spleen presented a topography and tissue composition similar to other mammals, but its morphology, absence of visceral lienal hilum and anatomical arrangement in the abdominal cavity differed from most domestic and wild animals.  Sloths are wild animals with arboreal habits, with slow metabolism, found in tropical forests from South America to Central America. However, the lack of knowledge of their anatomy does not favor the conservation of the species in veterinary care centers, due to its peculiar anatomy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the topography and morphology of the spleen of the species Bradypus variegatus, in order to collect more information to assist in the clinical-surgical processes of the species. Eight corpses of B. variegatus, previously fixed with 20% formaldehyde and preserved in 30% saline solution, were dissected for the macroscopic study of the spleen. A healthy animal, living in semi-captivity, was underwent to a tomography of the abdominal region, for observation of the spleen, while two specimens were destined for the microscopic study of the organ immediately after death. Based on the data obtained, the spleen presented a topography and tissue composition similar to other mammals, but its morphology, absence of lienal hilum and anatomical arrangement in the abdominal cavity differed from most domestic and wild animals.

Avaliação morfológica e elétrica do coração de Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 (Mammalia: Pilosa)

Os bichos-preguiça do gênero Bradypus vêm sofrendo consideravelmente com as pressões antrópicas, o que ressalta a importância de conhecer as peculiaridades desses animais. Sendo assim, realizou-se uma análise detalhada do coração da espécie Bradypus variegatus. Para identificar as características macroscópicas, topográficas, biométricas e vasculares do órgão, efetuaram-se dissecações e mensurações de 15 cadáveres e radiografias digitais do tórax de quatro animais saudáveis. A fim de se observar claramente o perfil coronariano de B. variegatus, três espécimes receberam a injeção arterial de látex com pigmento vermelho, e em um deles, também se fez a injeção venosa, em azul. Para a descrição microscópica, utilizou-se os corações de quatro espécimes. Os órgãos foram fixados em formaldeído tamponado a 10% com tampão fosfato de sódio (PBS) 0,01M e pH de 7,3 e submetidos ao processamento de inclusão em parafina, seguindo-se com os cortes sagitais de 4μm de espessura, corados em hematoxilina-eosina. Foram ainda obtidos, perfis eletrocardiográficos de cinco bichos-preguiça com boa saúde. Diante dos resultados coletados, o coração da espécie em questão é cônico, situado obliquamente no mediastino médio, deslocado para a esquerda, apresentando esqueletopias variadas. O órgão é revestido pelo pericárdio e os átrios são internamente, predominantemente lisos, enquanto que nas aurículas são observados músculos pectíneos. Os ventrículos possuem trabéculas cárneas e músculos papilares, dos quais partem cordas tendíneas, que se prendem as válvulas. Foram descritas duas artérias coronárias, uma direita e uma esquerda. De acordo com os achados histopatológicos, nos corações foram visualizadas necroses de diferentes tipos celulares. Endocardiose e processos, inflamatório e degenerativo também foram descritos, com menor prevalência. Com base nos registros eletrocardiográficos, os bichos-preguiça demonstraram ritmo sinusal, com a frequência cardíaca entre 67 e 100bpm. De modo geral, o coração de B. variegatus não apresenta grandes discrepâncias em relação aos demais quadrúpedes.Sloths of the genus Bradypus have been suffering considerably from anthropic pressure, which highlights the importance of knowing the peculiarities of these animals. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the heart of the species Bradypus variegatus was performed. To identify the macroscopic, topographic, biometric and vascular characteristics of the organ, dissections and measurements of 15 cadavers and digital chest radiographs of four healthy animals were performed. In order to clearly observe the coronary profile of B. variegatus, three specimens received an arterial injection of latex with red pigment, and in one of them, an intravenous injection, in blue, was also performed. For the microscopic description, the hearts of four specimens were used. Organs were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde with 0.01M sodium phosphate buffer (PBS) at pH 7.3 and subjected to paraffin embedding processing, followed by 4μm thick sagittal sections stained in hematoxylin-eosin. Electrocardiographic profiles of five sloth animals in good health were also obtained. In view of the collected results, the heart of the species in question is conical, located obliquely in the middle mediastinum, displaced to the left, presenting varied skeletonpies. The organ is covered by the pericardium and the atria are internally, predominantly smooth, while pectineal muscles are seen in the atria. The ventricles have fleshy trabeculae and papillary muscles, from which tendinous chords depart, which attach to the valves. Two coronary arteries, one right and one left, were described. According to the histopathological findings, necrosis of different cell types was seen in the hearts. Endocardiosis and inflammatory and degenerative, processes have also been described, with a lower prevalence. Based on electrocardiographic recordings, sloth animals demonstrated sinus rhythm, with heart rate between 67 and 100bpm. In general, the heart of B. variegatus does not show large discrepancies in relation to other quadrupeds

Morphological analysis of teeth in Bradypus variegates Schinz, 1825 (Mammalia, Bradypodidae)

Among the sloth species, we may highlight the Bradypus variegatus, found especially in northeastern Brazil. Given the importance and scarcity of information about the digestive tract of wild animals, this article aims to describe dental morphology in this sloth species. To do this, four adult specimens, belonging to the anatomy collection of the Academic Center in Vitória de Santo Antão of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), were used. The sloth teeth were analyzed, removed from the arch, and they underwent two techniques for hard tissue histological preparation, wear, and decalcification. The blades obtained were analyzed using optical microscopes. Sloths have 18 molariform teeth, with cusps and interdental spaces. According to histological analysis, it was noticed that teeth have no enamel, they consist of 1 thick layer of cementum and 2 layers of dentin, one outside and another inside. The pulp looks like that of human beings. The presence of a thick and vascularized periodontal ligament was also noticed between the tooth and the alveolar bone, the latter with easily identified osteons

Internal Macroscopic Anatomy and Electrical Evaluation of the Bradypus variegatus Heart

Background: The Bradypus variegatus species presents peculiar anatomophysiological properties and many aspects of its organic systems still need to be clarified, especially regarding the cardiovascular system, given its participation in vital activities. Disorderly anthropic action has had drastic consequences in sloth populations and the need to treat sick and injured animals is increasingly common. To this end, the importance of knowing its characteristics is emphasized. Therefore, this study proposed to describe the internal macroscopic structures of the sloth's heart, as well as to measure the ventricular walls and indicate the electrical activity of the organ.Materials, Methods and Results: For the dissections, 15 Bradypus variegatus cadavers were used (1 young female, 9 adults females and 5 adult males) belonging to the Área de Anatomia of the Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recide, PE, Brazil. After they were fixed and preserved, the specimens received a midsagittal incision in the chest, followed by soft tissue folding and removal of ribs to access the heart. The organ was derived from the cavity and sectioned sagittal medially to identify its internal anatomy. Ventricular walls and interventricular septum were measured with a steel caliper (150 mm / 0.02 mm). An electrocardiogram was performed to determine the electrical profile on 5 healthy B. variegatus sloths, living under semi-livestock conditions at the Recife Zoo, PE, Brazil. The electrodes were taken from the regions, scapular and glutes of the animals that were called hugging a keeper during the procedure, carried out in the Zoo itself, using a portable device. Based on the data obtained, sloths have cardiac chambers separated by septa, however between atria and ventricles, in both antimeres, there are atrioventricular ostia, where valves are found, consisting of 3 valves on the right and 2 on the left. The atria are practically smooth inside and have their cavity enlarged by the atria, the right being larger than the left, these having a greater amount of pectineal muscles in relation to the atria. The ventricles have trabeculae and papillary muscles, 3 on the right and 2 on the left. These muscles hold the tendinous chords that connect the valves. The existence of trabeculae marginal septum was not evidenced. The thickness of the wall of the left ventricle, as well as that of the interventricular septum, proved to be greater than the thickness of the wall of the right ventricle, regardless of the age or sex of the animals. Based on the electrocardiographic recordings, the sloths presented sinus rhythm, with a heart rate between 67 and 100 bpm. The electrical axis ranged from -60º to -90º. The P wave is smoother than the QRS complex. While the S-T segment was classified as isoelectric. The T wave was shown to be + and predominantly > or = at 25% of the S wave, which characterized an rS type QRS deflection in both females and males.Discussion: The general characteristics of the cardiac chambers in sloths are similar to those observed in other domestic and wild mammals. However, the presence of pectineal muscles associated with the atria and auricles differs from that observed in mammals such as the paca and raccoon and in birds such as the ostrich, which have trabecular structures in these cavities. The number of valves in sloths is equal to the anteater. However, it has a marginal trabeculae septum, not seen in Bradypus variegatus. According to the electrocardiographic findings, the rhythm was sinus, but much lower than that observed in the capuchin monkey, which also maintains arboreal habits. Keywords: Xenarthra, common sloth, internal anatomy, heart, electrocardiogram.Descritores: Xenarthra, preguiça-comum, anatomia interna, coração, eletrocardiograma

Topographic and morphological aspects of the spleen of Bradypus variegatus (SCHINZ, 1825)

Sloths are wild animals with arboreal habits, with slow metabolism, found in tropical forests from South America to Central America. However, the lack of knowledge of their anatomy does not favor the conservation of the species in veterinary care centers, due to its peculiar anatomy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the topography and morphology of the spleen of the species Bradypusvariegatus, in order to collect more information to support and assist in the clinical-surgical processes of the species. Eight corpses of B. variegatus, previously fixed with 20% formaldehyde and preserved in 30% saline solution, were dissected for the macroscopic study of the spleen. A healthy animal, living in semi-captivity, was assigned to perform a tomography of the abdominal region, for observation of the spleen, while two specimens were destined for the microscopic study of the organ immediately after death. Based on the data obtained, the spleen presented a topography and tissue composition similar to other mammals, but its morphology, absence of visceral lienal hilum and anatomical arrangement in the abdominal cavity differed from most domestic and wild animals.