Duration of Spermatogenesis and Spermatogenic Efficiency in 2 Large Neotropical Rodent Species: The Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) and Paca (Agouti paca)

The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) and paca (Agouti paca) are among the largest extant rodent species. Although these species have considerable economic potential, there are few reports in the literature concerning male reproductive biology in sexually mature agoutis and pacas. The objectives of the present study were to perform detailed stereologic and histologic analyses of the testis and estimate spermatogenic cycle length in these 2 Neotropical rodent species as well as to compare the data with those from other well-studied rodent members of the Hystricomorpha and Myomorpha suborders. Eight adult agoutis and 6 adult pacas were used. The spermatogenic cycle in agoutis and pacas lasted 9.5 +/- 0.03 and 11.5 +/- 0.16 days, respectively, whereas the total duration of spermatogenesis for these 2 species was 42.8 +/- 0.16 and 51.6 +/- 0.7 days, respectively. Most of the parameters investigated were similar to those obtained for the other members of the Hystricomorpha suborder. As a result of the combination of high values of seminiferous tubule volume density, number of Sertoli cells per gram of testis, Sertoli cell efficiency, and a relatively short duration of spermatogenesis, the spermatogenic efficiency found in agoutis (52 +/- 2 x 10(6)) and pacas (39 +/- 2 x 10(6)) was particularly high when compared with that of previously investigated mammalian species. The data presented in this investigation would be useful for studies related to animal production as well as improvement and conservation programs involving these 2 large Neotropical rodent species.