Gametogenesis in Rhinella bergi (Anura: Bufonidae): morphological and morphometric analysis

CHEIJ ESTEBAN; OLEA GABRIELA BEATRIZ; RODRIGUEZ FLORENCIA EVELYN; CESPEDES JORGE; FLORES QUINTANA CAROLINA

ACTA ZOOLOGICA

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2023

0001-7272

The anurans present a great diversity in their modes, reproductive strategies and development. The different species exhibit particular reproductive characteristics in response to their environment, which is reflected in gametogenesis. This study aims to characterize the gonads, folliculogenesis, and spermatogenesis processes of male and female Rhinella bergi through anatomical, histological and morphometric analysis. This analysis seeks to contribute to the knowledge of the processes involved during folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis of the mentioned species. For this, we worked with specimens previously collected in the spring and summer seasons (2014-2015), in which the gonads were studied based on morphological, histological and morphometric analysis. The anatomy of the reproductive system was analyzed using a stereoscopic microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Histological preparations were made following the conventional protocol of dehydration, inclusion in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Mallory trichrome and PAS histochemical reactions. The anatomical and morphometric characteristics and the gametogenesis in Rhinella bergi agree with what was proposed for other analyzed species of the Bufonidae family. Females with ovaries with oocytes in different stages of maturity and postovulatory females were found. The males presented continuous spermatogenesis. The results of this work serve as a basis for the characterization of the reproductive cycle in R.bergi and, at the same time, provide background information on the analysis of gametogenic activity. Future investigations will be focused on evaluating the reproductive cycle in this species, both in ovaries and testes as well as Bidder´s organ, to compare and correlate with the results obtained in this study.