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Rat Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 12:11, 3 September 2008
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{{toplink
|backcolour =EED2EE
|linkpage =Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology
|linktext =Reproductive System
|maplink = Reproductive System (Content Map) - Anatomy & Physiology
|pagetype =Anatomy
|sublink1=Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Small Domestic Mammals
|subtext1=SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS
}}
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==Male ==
===Penis ===
= Male =
== Penis ==
* Penis is easily extruded from the prepuce.
* Penis is easily extruded from the prepuce.
* Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis.
* Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis.
== Testes ==
=== Testes ===
* Two testes in an external scrotum.
* Two testes in an external scrotum.
* Head and tail of the epididymis are the sites of extremely large fat pads.
* Head and tail of the epididymis are the sites of extremely large fat pads.
== Accessory Sex Glands ==
=== Accessory Sex Glands ===
Rats have highly developed accessory sex glands. These produce a gelatinous copulatory plug, which is visible in the vagina post-mating and is thought to prevent semen leaking out.
Rats have highly developed accessory sex glands. These produce a gelatinous copulatory plug, which is visible in the vagina post-mating and is thought to prevent semen leaking out.
=== Seminal Vesicles ===
==== Seminal Vesicles ====
* Lie dorsolateral to the urinary bladder in contact with the rectum dorsally.
* Lie dorsolateral to the urinary bladder in contact with the rectum dorsally.
* Each is enclosed in a capsule together with the coagulating gland.
* Each is enclosed in a capsule together with the coagulating gland.
=== Prostate Gland ===
==== Prostate Gland ====
* Bilateral and has three lobes: the dorsal, lateral and ventral.
* Bilateral and has three lobes: the dorsal, lateral and ventral.
* Lies close to the seminal vesicle.
* Lies close to the seminal vesicle.
=== Ampullary Glands ===
==== Ampullary Glands ====
* The glands of the ductus deferens.
* The glands of the ductus deferens.
* Lie near the bladder.
* Lie near the bladder.
=== Bulbourethral Glands ===
==== Bulbourethral Glands ====
* Found near the urethra as it exits the pelvis.
* Found near the urethra as it exits the pelvis.
=== Preputial Glands ===
==== Preputial Glands ====
* Lie in the subcutaneous fat near the penis and open into the prepuce.
* Lie in the subcutaneous fat near the penis and open into the prepuce.
* Regress with age and fill with stagnant [[Skin_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Glands|sebum]].
* Regress with age and fill with stagnant [[Skin_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Glands|sebum]].
== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
=== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ===
* Sexually mature at 6-8 weeks
* Sexually mature at 6-8 weeks
== Mammary Gland ==
=== Mammary Gland ===
* Teats are absent.
* Teats are absent.
== Female ==
= Female =
=== Reproductive tract ===
== Reproductive tract ==
==== Ovary ====
=== Ovary ===
* Right [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovary]] is located at the level of L4-5 just caudal to the right [[Kidney_-_Comparative_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|kidney]].
* Right [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovary]] is located at the level of L4-5 just caudal to the right [[Kidney_-_Comparative_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|kidney]].
* Both [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovaries]] are embedded in fat.
* Both [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovaries]] are embedded in fat.
=== Oviduct ===
==== Oviduct ====
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oviduct]] is convoluted and winds around the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovary]] in 10-12 loops.
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oviduct]] is convoluted and winds around the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovary]] in 10-12 loops.
=== Uterus ===
==== Uterus ====
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Duplex Uterus]]
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Duplex Uterus]]
** Uterine horns remain separate until uniting in a single [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]].
** Uterine horns remain separate until uniting in a single [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]].
=== Vagina ===
==== Vagina ====
* Vaginal opening lies caudal to clitoral glands and is closed by a membrane until puberty.
* Vaginal opening lies caudal to clitoral glands and is closed by a membrane until puberty.
*** Sebacious glands that secrete a [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Attractivity_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Pheromones|pheromone]] used for scent marking.
*** Sebacious glands that secrete a [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Attractivity_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Pheromones|pheromone]] used for scent marking.
=== Attachments and Blood Supply ===
==== Attachments and Blood Supply ====
* Anastamoses between the ovarian and uterine artery occur in the uterine mesentery.
* Anastamoses between the ovarian and uterine artery occur in the uterine mesentery.
* Mesovarium and mesometrium contain large volumes of fat, which surround the [[Kidney_-_Comparative_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|kidneys]], abdominal wall and [[Alimentary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|intestinal loops]].
* Mesovarium and mesometrium contain large volumes of fat, which surround the [[Kidney_-_Comparative_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|kidneys]], abdominal wall and [[Alimentary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|intestinal loops]].
== Oestrous Cyclicity ==
===Oestrous Cyclicity ===
* Non-seasonal polyoestrus
* Non-seasonal polyoestrus
* Duration of oestrus is ~14 hours.
* Duration of oestrus is ~14 hours.
== Gestation and Offspring ==
=== Gestation and Offspring ===
=== Gestation ===
==== Gestation ====
* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] length is 20-22 days.
* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] length is 20-22 days.
* [[Gestation_-Placenta_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Placenta]] is haemochorial.
* [[Gestation_-Placenta_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Placenta]] is haemochorial.
=== Litter ===
==== Litter ====
* Litter size 6-16
* Litter size 6-16
* Care not to stress mother or she may cannibalise the young.
* Care not to stress mother or she may cannibalise the young.
== Mammary Gland and Lactation ==
=== Mammary Gland and Lactation ===
* The rat has 6 pairs of mammary glands.
* The rat has 6 pairs of mammary glands.
* At the base of each teat the transition zone between hairless and hair has large sebacious glands.
* At the base of each teat the transition zone between hairless and hair has large sebacious glands.
=== Cervical gland ===
==== Cervical gland ====
* Rudimentary
* Rudimentary
=== Thoracic gland ===
==== Thoracic gland ====
* Diffuse.
* Diffuse.
* Surrounds the base of the forelimb.
* Surrounds the base of the forelimb.
=== Abdominal gland ===
==== Abdominal gland ====
* Only marginally developed.
* Only marginally developed.
=== Inguinal gland ===
==== Inguinal gland ====
* Surrounds the base of the hindlimb.
* Surrounds the base of the hindlimb.
* Contains 3 nipples.
* Contains 3 nipples.