Contribuição ao estudo da anatomia macroscópica dos rins e das estruturas vasculares sanguíneas no hilo renal do bicho-preguiça (Bradypus variegatus) Schinz, 1825

Abstract

The sloths are at risk of extinction, as the man in search of development has been expanding its territory occupation inordinately. In the present scenario, little is known about both anatomical aspects and physiological these animals. With exclusively herbivorous feeding habits, feeding on leaves, flowers, buds, green stems and fruits, and usually have low water intake, being restricted to water the leaves, fruits and vegetables that feed. Because of this habit, there was a study of gross anatomy of the kidneys and blood structures (arteries and veins) on the brown-throated sloth, to verify that these animals have some anatomical or the physiological level difference that can justify or offset the low water consumption. Thus, aspects of biology of organisms can be associated with the anatomy of the kidney, since it can contribute to subsidies for the understanding of the water needs of the body and assist in surgery, and to facilitate understanding of their life habit. 8 pairs of kidneys from adult sloths belonging to the collection of the Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology of the Rural Federal University of Pernambuco (DMFA-UFRPE) were used. The kidneys were removed, dissected, identified and evaluated macroscopically. The results of this research showed that the kidneys are wrapped in a layer of fibrous tissue and have two distinct layers, the cortical region and spinal region. The kidney B. variegatus appears elliptical in shape, similar to a bean. It features a concave and smooth edge, while the other is convex, where is present the renal hilum, with the presence of vascular structures. There were no divisions into wolves, and can then be classified as smooth unilobado body. From the renal hilum analysis found the presence of renal artery and renal vein, which are associated with the arrival and departure of blood kidney, respectively. Descriptions have shown that despite the low water intake in B.variegatus, kidneys showed no significant differences in relation to other mammals. Thus, it is confirmed that these animals can satisfy their water needs only to their herbivorous diet. However, it is necessary that further studies be carried out to show microscopic features that may be related to the biological behavior of the species.