Maned sloths (Bradypus torquatus) are arboreal mammals of the family Bradypodidae. They can be only found in the Atlantic coast forest of Brazil and its most genetically diverse populations occur in forests of southern Bahia. The observation of these animals in the wild is very difficult as they spend most of their lifetime hidden in the dense forest canopy. Data on their reproductive aspects are scarce, and there is none information about their estrous cycle. This research aimed at identifying the vaginal epithelial cells of maned sloths (Bradypus torquatus) as a possible way to study the phases of the estrous cycle of this animal. The samples for vaginal cytology were obtained from four free ranging maned sloths living in a protected area of coastal forest in the South of Bahia. The sterile gynecological brush was inserted up to the necessary distance to reach the pelvic channel. For each sample two smears were made by rotating the tip of the brush onto each glass slide, producing in general three linear impressions. Staining was performed using rapid Panotic Kit (Laborclin®). Maned sloths BT033, BT065, and BT042 presented, respectively, 30%, 33%, and 7% of parabasal epithelial cells (PB); 56%, 22%, and 10% of small intermediate cells (IP); 6%, 18%, and 6% of large intermediate cells (IG); 2%, 13%, and 24% of superficial epithelial cell with a nucleus (SN); 6%, 14%, and 53% of anucleated superficial epithelial cell (AS). Two cell samples were collected for maned sloth BT464 with a 13 months interval. Cytological differences were observed between the two samples (1st and 2nd): 6% and 17,5% of PB cells, 5% and 25% of IP cells, 11% and 15,5% of IG cells, 8% and 19,5% of SN cells and 70% and 22,5% of AS cells, respectively. It's interesting to remark that the percentage of vaginal epithelial cells varied among sloths and also for the same animal. This result suggests that vaginal cytology of maned sloth can be used as a tool to evaluate of estrous cycle.
Vaginal epithelial cells; reproduction; maned sloth; Bradypus torquatus; Bradypodidae
