Morphological study of the testes of the dove Columba livia (Gmelin) (Columbidae, Columbiformes)

Morphological study of the testes of the dove Columba livia (Gmelin) (Columbidae, Columbiformes)

Sandra Maria das Graças Maruch; Maria Eloiza de Oliveira Teles; Maria das Graças Ribeiro

Laboratório de Histologia Animal, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 2486, 31270-190 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

ABSTRACT

Known as "domestic dove", the Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789) is a columbidae species widely distributed in Brazil, whose reproductive biology has been studied by many researchers. The testes of 12 Columba livia males were collected and prepared for histologic examination under an optical microscope, the results of which were analysed and photographed. The tunica albuginea that covers the testes consists of a thick, not very cellular layer of dense connective tissue. Groups of interstitial cells with typical morphological appearance and surrounded by loose, well vascularized connective tissue are observable within the organ, between the seminiferous tubules. The seminiferous tubules are thick, intensely wound and, when seen in cross section, show Sertoli cells and spermatogenic lineage cells in different stages of development. These include spermatogonia (type A, clear; type A, dark; and type B), spermatocytes I and II, spermatids, and a large number of spermatozoons. Similarities are found between the histological findings described and those reported for the testes of Columbina talpacoti (Temminck, 1811).

Key words: Columbidae, birds, genital apparatus, testis

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The authors thank for the financial sponsoring from Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais and from Fundacao de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and also for the valuable collaboration of the translator Maria da Glória A. Ferreira, of the photographic laboratory technician Ivone do Carmo de Oliveira. of the librarian Maria Cecilia de Souza Lima and of the biologist Sandra Resende Lima, in charge of the preparation of the material used in this study.

Recebido em 19.VII.1994; aceito em 08.III.1995.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  21 July 2009
• Date of issue
  1995

History

• Accepted
  08 Mar 1995
• Received
  19 July 1994