Year 2014 - Volume 34, Number 9


Title
Histological and histochemical study of the skin of the muçuã Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides (Testudines: Kinosternidae), 34(9):911-916
Authors

Abstract
ABSTRACT.- Abreu-Silva A.L., Silva J.A., Souza K.R.S., Santos D.M.S., Pereira J.G., Carvalho R.C., Ambrosio C.E. & Miglino M.A. 2014. [Histological and histochemical study of the skin of the muçuã Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides (Testudines: Kinosternidae).] Estudo histológico e histoquímico da pele de jurará Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides (Testudines: Kinosternidae). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(9):911-916. Departamento de Patologia, Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Cidade Universitária Paulo VI, Cx. Postal 9, Tirirical, São Luís, MA 65055-150, Brazil. E-mail: anabreu@uema.br

The aim of this paper was to study the histology and histochemistry of the skin of six specimens of muçuã (three males and three females). The animals were euthanized through a lethal dose of sodium thiopental at 2.5%. Fragments of the soft skin were fixed in Bouin’s solution and processed for inclusion in paraffin. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Giemsa, Sirius red, Gomori’s reticulin and Weigert’s fuchsin-resorcin. The results revealed that the skin is thin and constituted by epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is made up by one layer of cylindrical cells of stratum germinativum, two or three layers of poliedric cells of stratum spinosum, but without stratum granular. The stratum corneum consists of a thin layer of soft keratin. In the dermis, the fibroblasts were the most frequent cells and collagen fibers formed a thick bound displayed in several directions. The Sirius red under polarized light showed that type I collagen was predominant when compared with the occurrence of type III collagen. Mast cells were also found, and elastic fibers were seen in the subepidermic layer. We concluded that the skin of Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides has histological features similar to other vertebrates (amphibia, aves, mammalia), however without dermal papillae and glands.
Download / View
  
 
Colégio Brasileiro de Patologia Animal CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior ISI Web of Knowledge SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online Banco de Dados Bibliográficos da USP UnB - Universidade de Brasília UFRRJ - Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro CFMV - Conselho Federal de Medicina Veterinária