Clear Emma, Grant Robyn A, Carroll Michael, Brassey Charlotte A
Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester St, Manchester, M1 5GD, U.K.
Williamson Park Zoo, Quernmore Road, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1UX, U.K.
Integr Comp Biol. 2022 May 10;62(3):542-58. doi: 10.1093/icb/icac027.
Recent advances in non-invasive imaging methods have revitalised the field of comparative anatomy, and reproductive anatomy has been no exception. The reproductive systems of female amniotes present specific challenges, namely their often internal "hidden" anatomy. Quantifying female reproductive systems is crucial to recognising reproductive pathologies, monitoring menstrual cycles, and understanding copulatory mechanics. Here we conduct a review of the application of non-invasive imaging techniques to female amniote reproductive anatomy. We introduce the commonly used imaging modalities of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), highlighting their advantages and limitations when applied to female reproductive tissues, and make suggestions for future advances. We also include a case study of micro CT and MRI, along with their associated staining protocols, applied to cadavers of female adult stoats (Mustela erminea). In doing so, we will progress the discussion surrounding the imaging of female reproductive anatomy, whilst also impacting the fields of sexual selection research and comparative anatomy more broadly.
非侵入性成像方法的最新进展使比较解剖学领域重新焕发生机,生殖解剖学也不例外。雌性羊膜动物的生殖系统存在特殊挑战,即其解剖结构往往位于体内 “隐藏” 起来。量化雌性生殖系统对于识别生殖病理、监测月经周期以及理解交配机制至关重要。在此,我们对非侵入性成像技术在雌性羊膜动物生殖解剖学中的应用进行综述。我们介绍了计算机断层扫描(CT)和磁共振成像(MRI)等常用成像方式,强调了它们应用于雌性生殖组织时的优势和局限性,并对未来的进展提出建议。我们还纳入了一个关于微型CT和MRI及其相关染色方案应用于成年雌性白鼬(白鼬属)尸体的案例研究。通过这样做,我们将推进围绕雌性生殖解剖学成像的讨论,同时也更广泛地影响性选择研究和比较解剖学领域。