Structural and Ultrastructural Morphological Evaluation of Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) Prostate Gland

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a vulnerable species from Central and South America, considered possibly extinct in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Uruguay. Due to the species’ conservation reproductive importance, this research aimed characterize morphology, histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural feature of prostate gland. For this, we collected 11 glands performed macroscopic, morphological, analysis. Nine an adult subject two young subjects were studied. Grossly, gland divided distinct zones; central zones (composed mainly ducts) peripheral (of acini formed by secretory cells). cells showed positive periodic acid–Schiff staining. Furthermore, immunohistochemical characterization revealed similar human pattern, with p63 staining basal cells, uroplakin III (UPIII) superficial prostatic urethra, androgen receptor (AR) expressing nucleus stromal specific antigen (PSA) epithelial cells. Overall, our provided in-depth morphological description anteater’s gland, providing valuable information for futures studies focused on conservation.