Morphology and Ultrastructure of the Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) Spermatozoa |
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| Authors: | Rodrigo S. Amaral Vera M. F. Da Silva Fabíola X. Valdez Domingos Anthony R. Martin |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the Amazonas (IFAM/CMZL), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil;2. Laboratory of Aquatic Mammals (LMA), National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil;3. Biodiversity Department (CBio), National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil;4. Centre for Remote Environments, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
The spermatozoa from seven adult Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis, CETACEA: INIIDAE) were analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The spermatozoa showed an elongated ellipsoid shaped head and a long tail with a well distinguishable midpiece. The head spermatozoa have a smooth surface like other odontocetes examined, with the exception of the Delphinidae family. The mean dimensions of the spermatozoa were within the range already reported for other cetaceans. The spermatozoa midpiece, as in other cetaceans, showed a random pattern of mitochondria, different from that described for other mammals. Further studies of sperm morphology of a wider spectrum of cetacean families could help to better understand the reproductive biology of these animals and the intergeneric and intrageneric relationships among them, as well as, among other mammals. Anat Rec, 300:1519–1523, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
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| Keywords: | Amazon river dolphin cetacean Inia geoffrensis reproduction sperm |
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