Spontaneous Pathology of Endangered Geriatric Julia Creek Dunnarts (Sminthopsis Douglasi, Archer 1979) with Emphasis on Reproductive Pathology
January 2024
TLDR Older Julia Creek dunnarts often have reproductive and hormonal health issues.
This study investigates the spontaneous pathology in 36 captive-born, mostly geriatric Julia Creek dunnarts, focusing on reproductive issues. The dunnarts, aged 9-42 months for females and 12-42 months for males, were examined postmortem. Common findings in females included cystic endometrial hyperplasia (n=7) and cystic ovaries (n=2), linked to hormonal dysregulation. Males exhibited testicular degeneration, necrosis, and aspermatogenesis (n=3), with some showing cutaneous round cell infiltrates suggestive of lymphomas (n=3). The study highlights the prevalence of reproductive hormonal dysregulation and potential viral etiologies in aged dunnarts, providing crucial insights for conservation efforts.