![]() Gross anatomical features were examined in each segment, and specimens were collected and preserved in formalin and embedded in paraffin for histologic examination. The entire gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the anus was removed, and the length of the different segments was measured. Gross in situ morphological observations were then made and photographed. Animals were then euthanized by intracardiac injection of pentobarbital sodium (release 300 mg/mL). ![]() leporina can be fed a balanced omnivorous dry diet with a high protein content of plant or animal origin that is well suited to the architecture of the GI tract in captivity.Īnimals were sedated with a solution of xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride at 5 mg/kg body weight and 35 mg/kg body weight, respectively. leporina showed that it is well adapted to an omnivorous diet. The long cecum and well-developed colon clearly indicated that the GI tract was well adapted to frugivorous and herbivorous diets. The remarkable development of the jejunum with a greater villus length (mean thickness of 182.50 ± 27.38 μm) indicated a greater absorptive capacity in frugivorous and carnivorous diets. The small intestine constituted approximately 80% of the length of the GI tract. The simple stomach with well-developed gastric glands in the fundus region (mean thickness of 605.39 ± 28.68 μm) was indicative of an adaptation to a carnivorous diet. These findings suggest that the esophagus was well adapted to a coarse diet. Mucosa-associated lymphocytic infiltration was robust throughout the GI tract. The results showed that the esophagus was thick (mean thickness of 1023.78 ± 28.97 μm) and lined by keratinized epithelium with scant esophageal glands. The digestive tracts of six adult males were used for this study. The objective of this study was to describe and quantitatively analyze the gross and microanatomy of the digestive tract of the orange/red-rumped agouti ( Dasyprocta leporina) and relate it to the feeding habits of this animal. ![]() The morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) is a strong indicator of a species’ dietary habits. Based on the analysis of the gastrointestinal tract, these animals can be fed a dry omnivorous diet, with protein sources from either vegetation or animal matter. The long cecum and well-developed colon indicated that this animal had the ability to digest fibrous material in the diet. The stomach was simple, with well-developed gastric glands, and the small intestines accounted for the majority of the animal’s digestive tract in length. This study showed that the agouti had an esophagus which was lined with keratinized epithelium and esophageal glands. Thus, the objective of this paper was to give a quantitative analysis of the gastrointestinal tract of the agouti and relate it to the feeding habits of the animals. However, an in-depth morphometric and histometric analysis of the gastrointestinal tract of this animal was never conducted. These animals are considered to be omnivores from studies conducted in the wild and in captivity. The agouti ( Dasyprocta leporina) is a neo-tropical rodent that has the potential to be domesticated.
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