Age and sex effects on histological features and in vitro culturing of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus, Linnaeus 1758) dermis

• Published in: Anatomia, histologia, embryologia histologia, embryologia, 2024-07, Vol.53 (4), p.e13081-n/a
• Main Authors: Moura, Yasmin B. F., Aquino, Leonardo V. C., Nascimento, Matheus B., Oliveira, Radan E. M., Attademo, Fernanda L. N., Luna, Fábia O., Pereira, Alexsandra F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age Factors; Animals; Biobanks; Biodiversity; Biopsy; Cell culture; Cell Proliferation; Collagen; Conservation; conservation strategies; Dermis; Dermis - anatomy & histology; Dermis - cytology; Female; Females; Fibers; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - cytology; histomorphometry; in vitro culture; Male; Males; Marine fauna; Mitochondria; Morphology; Sex; Sex Factors; Skin; Trichechus manatus - anatomy & histology
• ISSN: 0340-2096; 1439-0264; 1439-0264
• DOI: 10.1111/ahe.13081

The biobanks from dermal biopsies represent an interesting strategy for biodiversity conservation. Nevertheless, the morphological and cellular patterns of the dermis can be influenced by the age and sex of the individual. Therefore, evaluating these factors is interesting for forming biobanks of Antillean manatees. These animals, representatives of marine fauna, have had their population reduced, and biobanks are essential for their conservation. Then, we evaluated the effects of age (3.5 years vs. 3.6–16 years vs. 23.6 years) and sex (males vs. females) on morphological and cellular parameters using histological and in vitro culture techniques. Regardless of age, no differences were observed for dermal thickness, collagen fibres, tissue proliferative activity and viable cell recovery. Nonetheless, fibroblast reduction was observed in groups aged 23.6 years compared to other animals (p