The Galea spixii inhabits semiarid vegetation of Caatinga in the Brazilian Northeast. They are bred in captivity for the development of researches on the biology of reproduction. Therefore, the aim of this study is characterize the estrous cycle of G. spixii, in order to provide information to a better knowledge of captive breeding of the species. The estrous cycle was monitored by vaginal exfoliative cytology in 12 adult females. After the detection of two complete cycles in each animal, the same were euthanized. Then, histological study of the vaginal epithelium, with three females in each phase of the estrous cycle was performed; five were paired with males for performing the control group for estrous cycle phases, and three other were used to monitor the formation and rupture of vaginal closure membrane. By vaginal exfoliative cytology, predominance of superficial cells in estrus, large intermediate cells in proestrus, intermediate and parabasal cells, with neutrophils, in diestrus and metestrus respectively was found. Estrus was detected by the presence of spermatozoa in the control group. By histology, greater proliferation of the vaginal epithelium in proestrus was observed. We conclude that the estrous cycle of G. spixii lasts 15.8 ± 1.4 days and that the vaginal closure membrane develops until complete occlusion of the vaginal ostium, breaking after few days. Future studies may reveal the importance of this fact for the reproductive success of this animal.

The study of stem cells has evolved rapidly in recent decades. The importance is given to the concept that these cells are potentially able to become any cell type and have the power of self-renewal throughout the life of the organism. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from various organs of the body such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, synovium, muscle and dermis, deciduous teeth, umbilical cord, placenta, liver, spleen and thymus. After their isolation in vitro, mesenchymal stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into various mesenchymal lineages and various tissues after the use of appropriate cultures. Studies have reported that mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue have the potential to differentiate themselves, like the cells commonly studied bone marrow. Adipose tissue is attractive due to its easy access, rapid expansion in vitro and only one collects the large amount of tissue. This review intends to show the protocols for isolation, cell culture and means of commercial cellular differentiation most widely used with emphasis on adipose tissue

Muitas espécies de gambás têm sido criadas e utilizadas em laboratórios, abrindo um amplo campo para o estudo e o conhecimento dos hábitos, doenças, dieta e reprodução desses animais. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo descrever a morfologia macroscópica e microscópica da traqueia e laringe de gambás (Didelphis sp.). A traqueia e laringe dos gambás foram extraídas e mensuradas com o uso de paquímetro de precisão e as cartilagens da laringe foram separadas e processadas pelas técnicas rotineiras de histologia e coradas utilizando-se Hematoxilina eosina, Picrossírius e Tricrômio de Masson. A laringe pode ser divida em: cricóide com forma em “V”, tireoide em forma de escudo, aritenóide em forma de concha e epiglote em forma de folhas, as três primeiras são formadas de cartilagem hialina e a última, de cartilagem elástica flexível. A traqueia teve formato cilíndrico sendo constituída por 25 anéis traqueais cartilaginosos incompletos com forma de “C” semelhante aos anfíbios, serpentes, lagartos e suínos e diferente dos animais domésticos, possui também glândulas mucosas e tecido muscular liso ligando os anéis entre si. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: anéis traqueais; aritenóide; cricóide; epiglote; tireoide.