Vascular anatomy of renal and gonadal arteries of Podocnemis unifilis Schweigger, 1812 (Testudines-Pelomedusidae) - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i2.680

Abstract

This work was developed with the aim of enriching knowledge on the vascular morphology of renal and gonadal arteries of Podocnemis unifilis, thus increasing the understanding of the clinical and surgical physiology of these animals. Five Podocnemis unifilis males were used, collected according to license no. 066/2004-Ibama/RAM. The left carotid artery and right femoral vein were cannulated, and a serum solution was introduced to remove obstructions from the vascular system. A solution of Neoprene Latex “450” dye was injected. The material was fixed in a solution of 10% formaldehyde for a period of 96 hours. Next, a square-shaped central opening was made in the caudal end of the plastron and bridge, exposing the branches of the aorta that irrigate the kidneys and gonads. It was observed that the renal arteries were originated from the ventral face of the dorsal aorta artery, in a number of two pairs per kidney and, in a single case, they originated one right and two left renal arteries. The gonadal artery was originated from the renal artery, and only one pair penetrated the dorsal face of each gonad.