Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Wildlife Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (FAVET), Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Anat Histol Embryol. 2024 May;53(3):e13049. doi: 10.1111/ahe.13049.
Snakes represent a wide and diverse group of species and have anatomical particularities, such as the renal sexual segment (RSS), a structure located in the kidneys and formed from the hypertrophy of the urinary ducts and nephrons. This study aims at describing the histological aspects of the RSS of Boa constrictor, Epicrates cenchria and Corallus hortulanus, all of which are Brazilian snake species from the Boidae family. The reproductive system and kidneys of five male specimens of E. cenchria, three male specimens of C. hortulanus and two male specimens of B. constrictor were obtained. Tissue samples were processed histologically and different stains used (Toluidine Blue, Alcian Blue and Periodic Acid Schiff). The histological evaluation of the RSS of E. cenchria, C. hortulanus and B. constrictor shows that the RSS in these species varies when comparing individuals in the reproductive period with those which are not. It also allows for the observation of the segment's secretory activity in animals in the reproductive stage (mature sperm in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules) as well as in those which are not. Finally, the histological evaluation also reveals the variation of the secretion product in individuals in the reproductive period, in those which are not, and also among individuals within the same reproductive stage.
蛇类是一个广泛而多样化的物种群体，具有解剖学上的特殊性，例如肾性生殖节（renal sexual segment，RSS），这是一种位于肾脏中的结构，由尿导管和肾单位的肥大形成。本研究旨在描述巨蟒、红尾蚺和绿树蟒这三种巴西蛇类的 RSS 的组织学特征，它们均属于蚺科。我们获得了五只雄性 E. cenchria、三只雄性 C. hortulanus 和两只雄性 B. constrictor 的生殖系统和肾脏组织样本。对这些组织样本进行了组织学处理，并使用了不同的染色方法（甲苯胺蓝、阿尔辛蓝和过碘酸希夫染色）。对 E. cenchria、C. hortulanus 和 B. constrictor 的 RSS 的组织学评估表明，在生殖期个体与非生殖期个体之间，这些物种的 RSS 存在差异。此外，这也使得我们能够观察到生殖期动物（生精小管管腔中的成熟精子）和非生殖期动物 RSS 的分泌活动。最后，组织学评估还揭示了生殖期个体、非生殖期个体以及同一生殖期个体之间分泌产物的变化。
