Morfofisiologia da reprodução das aves: Desenvolvimento embrionário, anatomia e histologia do sistema reprodutor

Abstract

The domestic and wild birds share similar anatomical and histological features of the reproductive system, although there are several behavioral and morphological adaptations that the birds develop to facility their reproduction in distinct habitat. In general, the birds reproductive organs are adapted to their reproduction pattern (the ovoviviparity), a peculiar characteristic that is important to the survival and reproduction of these animals, especially for wild birds. The females stand out because they had only one functional left ovary due to a gonadal regression process that occurs during the embryonic development. The most males have only two intra-abdominal asymmetric testes, a pair of epididymis and a pair of deferent ducts, and are devoid of accessory glands and do not usually have copulatory organ. Morphological changes of the reproductive system can occur according to the phase of the reproductive cycle, a complex event regulated by a series of interactions between the neuroendocrine system and environmental factors such as photoperiod This review will focus on the morphology of the reproductive system of male and female birds, dealing with embryonic differentiation, anatomy and histological organization.