title: Assessment of orchidometry and scrotal circumference in coatis (Nasua nasua).
abstract: This study describes the morphometry of the testicles of captive coatis (Nasua nasua) and verifies the existence of correlations between the testicles and the semen producing characteristics. Twelve ejaculates were obtained from five adult specimens that were restraint by anaesthesia. Visual and morphometric evaluation of the external genitalia was performed by using a caliper. The animals presented a scrotal circumference of 9.4 ± 0.7 cm. The right testicle presented a width of 1.7 ± 0.2 cm, length of 2.6 ± 0.2 cm and volume of 3.9 ± 1.1 cm(3) . The left testicle presented a width of 1.7 ± 0.1 cm, length of 2.5 ± 0.3 cm and volume of 3.6 ± 0.7 cm(3) . No significant correlations were obtained between the scrotal circumference or total testicular volume and the semen producing characteristics (volume and sperm concentration). For the first time in this field, this study presents an important contribution to the knowledge of the reproductive morphophysiology of coatis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: J P A F
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.forename: F F P C
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Castelo
authors.forename: C I A
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D045988:Procyonidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012611:Scrotum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*