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Guinea Pig Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:53, 5 July 2012
, 13:53, 5 July 2012→Mammary Gland and Lactation
== Male ==
= Male =
The male guinea pig is known as the Boar. The genital organs consist of the testes, accessory sex glands and the perianal & caudal glands. The perineal sacs are present in both sexes, but are more extensive in the male. They lie on either side of the anus and contain extensive caseous secretions, hair and skin debris.
The male guinea pig is known as the Boar. The genital organs consist of the testes, accessory sex glands and the perianal & caudal glands. The perineal sacs are present in both sexes, but are more extensive in the male. They lie on either side of the anus and contain extensive caseous secretions, hair and skin debris.
[[Image:Reproductive Tract Male Guinea Pig.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<p>Anatomy of the Male Guinea Pig</p><sup> © L.Wilkie 2008</sup>]]
== Penis ==
=== Penis ===
* Os penis
* Os penis
== Testes ==
=== Testes ===
* Two testes
* Two testes
* In mature, breeding boars the large testes lie in the scrotum either side of the genital opening.
* In mature, breeding boars the large testes lie in the scrotum either side of the genital opening.
== Accessory Glands ==
=== Accessory Glands ===
The guinea pig has several accessory glands.
The guinea pig has several accessory glands.
=== Vesicular glands ===
==== Vesicular glands ====
* Large, yellow-white vermiform sacs lying in the caudal peritoneal cavity dorsal to the bladder and extending cranially into the abdomen.
* Large, yellow-white vermiform sacs lying in the caudal peritoneal cavity dorsal to the bladder and extending cranially into the abdomen.
=== Prostate gland ===
==== Prostate gland ====
* Lies close to the base of the vesicular glands.
* Lies close to the base of the vesicular glands.
=== Coagulating glands ===
==== Coagulating glands ====
* Lie close to the base of the vesicular glands.
* Lie close to the base of the vesicular glands.
=== Bulbourethral glands ===
==== Bulbourethral glands ====
* Oval, paired glands which lie close to the urethra at the ischial arch.
* Oval, paired glands which lie close to the urethra at the ischial arch.
== Mammary Gland ==
=== Mammary Gland ===
* Pair of long inguinal nipples.
* Pair of long inguinal nipples.
== Sexual Maturity ==
=== Sexual Maturity ===
* Puberty occurs at 3 months.
* Puberty occurs at 3 months.
* Will show mounting behaviour from 1 month.
* Will show mounting behaviour from 1 month.
== Female ==
The female guinea pig is known as the Sow.
= Female =
=== Reproductive Tract ===
[[Image:Reproductive Tract Female Guinea Pig.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<p>Anatomy of the Female Guinea Pig</p><sup> © L.Wilkie 2008</sup>]]
==== Ovary ====
* [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|Ovaries]] are located caudolateral to the [[Renal Anatomy - Anatomy & Physiology#Common Anatomy|kidneys]] supported by a short mesovarium.
** Main blood supply to the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] is via the uterine artery.
==== Oviduct ====
* [[Oviduct - Anatomy & Physiology|Oviduct]] lies in close contact with the ovarian bursa.
==== Uterus ====
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornate uterus]]
* [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornate uterus]]
** Two uterine horns
** Two uterine horns
** Single [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]]
** Single [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]]
** Single [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]]
** Single [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vagina]]
*** Membrane covers [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vaginal]] opening except at oestrus and during [[Reproductive_System#Parturition|parturition]].
*** Membrane covers [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vaginal]] opening except at oestrus and during [[Normal Parturition - Anatomy & Physiology|parturition]].
==== Attachments and Blood Supply ====
* Broad ligament (mesovarium, mesosalpinx and mesometrium) contains a lot of fat.
* Broad ligament (mesovarium, mesosalpinx and mesometrium) contains a lot of fat.
* Anastamoses between the uterine and ovarian arteries occurs in the mesentery.
* Anastamoses between the uterine and ovarian arteries occurs in the mesentery.
== Sexual Maturity ==
=== Sexual Maturity ===
* Puberty occurs at 3 months.
* Puberty occurs at 3 months.
* However, pregnancy has been known to occur at as early as 4-5 weeks.
* However, pregnancy has been known to occur at as early as 4-5 weeks.
== Oestrous Cyclicity ==
=== Oestrous Cyclicity ===
* Polyoestrous
* Polyoestrous
* Spontaneous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]]
* Spontaneous [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulator]]
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oestrous cycle]] length:15-16 days
* [[Oestrous Cycle - Anatomy & Physiology|Oestrous cycle]] length:15-16 days
=== Gestation and Offspring ===
== Gestation and Offspring ==
==== Gestation ====
* Long [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|gestation]] period: 59-72 days (depending on litter size)
* Long gestation period: 59-72 days (depending on litter size)
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Placenta_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Placenta]] is haemochorial
* [[Placenta - Anatomy & Physiology|Placenta]] is haemochorial
* Receive all maternal antibodies through the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Placenta_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|placenta]], not the [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Colostrum|Colostrum]]
* Receive all maternal antibodies through the [[Placenta - Anatomy & Physiology|placenta]], not the [[Milk Composition and Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Colostrum|Colostrum]]
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Placenta_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Placenta]] eaten by the dam and other guinea pigs after [[Reproductive_System#Parturition|parturition]].
* [[Placenta - Anatomy & Physiology|Placenta]] eaten by the dam and other guinea pigs after [[Normal Parturition - Anatomy & Physiology|parturition]].
==== Litter ====
* Litter size: 1-6
* Litter size: 1-6
* No nest
* No nest
== Mammary Gland and Lactation ==
=== Mammary Gland and Lactation ===
* Pair of long inguinal nipples.
* Pair of long inguinal nipples.
* Divided into fine lobules, which open via a number of small ducts into one large duct to the exterior.
* Divided into fine lobules, which open via a number of small ducts into one large duct to the exterior.
* Two teats
* Two teats
* Composition: 4% Fat, 8% Protein, 3% Lactose
* Composition: 4% Fat, 8% Protein, 3% [[Milk Composition and Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]]
[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]]
[[Category:Bullet Points]]