Morfologia espermática em diferentes porções do trato reprodutivo de gatos domésticos (Felis silvestris catus, Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the morphology of sperm cells from domestic cats obtained from the testes, epididymis and vas deferens, in order to know the sperm maturation in the species. The testis/epididymis/vas deferens of 10 animals were obtained through elective orchiectomy in the surgical sterilization project of the HV/UFU. The organs were dissected and separated into four portions – testes, head and body of the epididymis, tail of the epididymis and vas deferens. The testicles were cut longitudinally and washed and the remaining portions were sliced and also washed to obtain sperm. The morphological evaluation used slides stained with Congo Red and Bengal Rose dyes, checking the percentage of individual cell abnormalities. The average percentage of sperm alterations found in the testis, head/body of the epididymis, tail of the epididymis and vas deferens were 69.1%, 64.3%, 58.0% and 67.4%, respectively. Sperm from cats showed a high rate of morphological abnormalities, with different alterations for each defect along the reproductive tract, especially after passing through the epididymis, showing sperm maturation.