Exploring the epidermal architecture of Dasyprocta prymnolopha: A potential dermatology research model

The agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) is a medium-sized, wild rodent that is highly rustic and docile. Its size and ease of management make it a viable candidate for an alternative animal model to traditional murine subjects. However, data on the epidermal strata of agoutis are lacking, with significant uncertainties persisting regarding their skin's characterization. This study aimed to describe and quantify the epidermal strata of skin biopsies from male and female agoutis raised in captivity, to further validate the species as a model for dermatological research. Ultrastructural evaluations through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and stereological analyses were conducted, revealing significant differences between the layers of the skin; notably, the dermis exhibited a greater total volume than the epidermis. The findings suggest that the epidermal strata are well-defined, with the volume likely correlating to the size and cellular density of the keratinocytes. Corneodesmosomes and tonofilaments were identified across all epidermal layers, indicating the probable maintenance of anchoring protein activity, even post-cornification of these cells. These results suggest that the agouti may serve as a promising model for dermatological studies, owing to the homogeneity of its cutaneous tissue across different body regions and the distinct volume and morphology of its epithelial stratification, which could enhance the applicability of systematic investigative methods in the future.