Avaliações das características histológicas, citológicas, clínicas e seminais de felinos domésticos (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) e selvagens (Leopardus tigrinus, Schreber, 1775), Leopardus geoffroyi, D Orbign & Gervais, 1843 e Puma yagouaroundi, E. Geoffroyi, 1803). Felidae Carnívora

Abstract

The general objective of this work was to evaluate the fertility of male domestic and wild felids through andrological examination and testicular cytology using nonaspiration fine needle cytology. Twenty-five domestic cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus,1758), of various ages, presented for clinical evaluation at the University Veterinary Clinic were examined. Seven adult small wild felids were also examined: five oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus, Schreber, 1775), one Geoffroy s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi, d Orbign & Gervais, 1843), and one jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi, E. Geoffroyi, 1803), all belonging to the Fundação RIOZOO (RJ). All animals were submitted to a complete andrological examination and testicular cytology. The animals were kept under anesthesia throughout the whole procedure with the use of ketamine (5 mg/kg), xylazine (0.5 mg/kg) and atropine (0.04 mg/kg) as well as epidural anesthesia with 2% lidocaine without vasoconstrictor (6 mg/kg). Semen samples were collected using the electroejaculation method and examined regarding its macroscopic characteristics (volume, color and odor) as well as microscopic characteristics (motility, vigor and morphology). Following the examination, a testicular cytology using nonaspiration fine needle cytology was performed on both testicles. Testicular cytology revealed cells from the spermatic lineage as well as Sertoli cells. The color of the ejaculate varied from transparent to milky white, while odor showed no alterations and seminal pH varied between 6.0 and 7.0. Mean sperm motility was 60% in domestic cats and 80% in wild felids. Vigor varied between 0 and 5. The average and standard deviation primary defects observed were 22,57 ± 13,44% for domestic cats and 14,75 ± 4,13% for wild felids. The domestic cats secondary defects were 16,20 ± 6,82% and the wild 17,00 ± 6,27%.Mean total sperm defects observed were 38.78 ± 17,11% for domestic cats and 31.75 ± 8,50% for wild felids. Regarding the macroscopic evaluation of the testicles of domestic cats, 70% of the animals had oval-shaped testicles and in the microscopic evaluation, focal hemorrhaging was observed in 88% of cats and 10% of the seminiferous tubules were found to be underdeveloped. The Mann-Whitney test demonstrated that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the studied groups. It was concluded that 60% of domestic cats were fertile; within the wild felids, the jaguarondi was the only cat to present compromised reproductive capability; the anesthetic protocol used in this study was found to be efficient for andrological evaluation; there is no correlation between mensurated scrotal perimeter and seminal characteristics; the electroejaculation technique in felids allows for the collection of a good quality semen sample for evaluation; the clinical examination and seminal analysis were essential for fertility evaluation of the male individuals. Testicular cytology using nonaspiration fine needle cytology proved to be a fast, simple and efficient technique; testicular cytology is an important complementary method for the diagnosis of subfertility and infertility