Reproductive tracts or tissues from five male black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis), two male white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum), two male one-horned Asian rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis), seven female black rhinoceroses, and six female white rhinoceroses from multiple institutions were examined to characterize their anatomy and histology. Some observations and measurements were obtained from in situ tracts of intact animals before or during necropsy. Formalin-fixed tissues were dissected and examined histologically. Retrospective reproductive data from each rhinoceros was obtained from the institutions of origin. Reproductive histology of these species was similar to that of other mammals. Male accessory gland structure varied among species, and the Asian rhinoceros epididymis was more loosely attached and had larger duct diameters than did the epididymides of the African species. Although histology was typically mammalian, rhinoceros reproductive morphology combined chacteristics of several different mammals. Defining this unique morphology of rhinoceroses may help in understanding their reproductive physiology and will effect the development of appropriate reproductive techniques.
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1 March 2001
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF RHINOCEROS REPRODUCTIVE TRACT ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY
Nan E. Schaffer,
George L. Foley,
Sophia Gill,
C. Earl Pope
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Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Vol. 32 • No. 1
March 2001
Vol. 32 • No. 1
March 2001
Anatomy
Ceratotherium simum
Diceros bicornis
Histology
reproduction
Rhinoceros unicornis