Difference between revisions of "Gerbil Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"
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| − | + | <big><center>[[Reproductive System|'''BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM''']]</center></big> | |
| − | + | <big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Small_Domestic_Mammals|'''BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS''']]</center></big> | |
| − | === Penis | + | |
| + | |||
| + | = Male = | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Penis == | ||
* Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis. | * Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis. | ||
| − | + | == Testes == | |
* Two testes in an external scrotum. | * Two testes in an external scrotum. | ||
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* In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour. | * In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour. | ||
| − | + | == Reproductive Behaviour == | |
* Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks. | * Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks. | ||
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| − | + | == Mammary Gland== | |
* Teats are absent. | * Teats are absent. | ||
| − | + | ---- | |
| + | |||
| + | = Female = | ||
| − | + | == Reproductive Tract == | |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]] |
| − | * Two channels of the [[ | + | * Two channels of the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]] separated almost to the single entrance into the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]]. |
| − | + | == Puberty and Sexual Maturity == | |
* Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks. | * Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks. | ||
| − | + | == Oestrous Cyclicity == | |
* Polyoestrous | * Polyoestrous | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oestrous cycle]] length: 4-6 days |
* Post-parturient oestrus | * Post-parturient oestrus | ||
| − | * Spontaneous [[ | + | * Spontaneous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]]. |
| − | |||
| − | * Monogamous (in contrast to [[Rat | + | == Breeding Characteristics == |
| + | |||
| + | * Monogamous (in contrast to [[Small_Mammals_-Rat-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|rats]] and [[Small_Mammals_-Mouse-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mice]]). | ||
* Mating usually occurs in the evening. | * Mating usually occurs in the evening. | ||
| − | * Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[ | + | * Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]], so cannot easily be detected. |
| − | |||
| − | + | == Gestation and Offspring== | |
| − | * Gestation period is 22-26 days. | + | * [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 22-26 days. |
| + | * Mean litter size is 4-5. | ||
* May produce a litter every 30-40 days and can produce a total of 10 litters. | * May produce a litter every 30-40 days and can produce a total of 10 litters. | ||
* Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year. | * Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year. | ||
* Pseudopregnancy may occur. | * Pseudopregnancy may occur. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
* Altricial offspring. | * Altricial offspring. | ||
** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless. | ** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless. | ||
** Ears open at 5 days. | ** Ears open at 5 days. | ||
** Eyes open at 16-17 days. | ** Eyes open at 16-17 days. | ||
| − | ** Cannibalisation/ | + | ** Cannibalisation/abandoment is rare. |
| + | |||
| − | + | == Mammary Gland == | |
* 4 pairs of teats. | * 4 pairs of teats. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
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Revision as of 08:44, 23 July 2008
Male
Penis
- Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis.
Testes
- Two testes in an external scrotum.
- Testes descend at 30-40 days.
- Active spermiogenesis and mating apparent from 10 weeks of age.
- In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour.
Reproductive Behaviour
- Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks.
- Rubbed along the ground to mark territorial boundaries.
- Form monogamous pairs/Harems
- Fighting among males is common
Mammary Gland
- Teats are absent.
Female
Reproductive Tract
- Bicornuate uterus
- Two channels of the cervix separated almost to the single entrance into the vagina.
Puberty and Sexual Maturity
- Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
Oestrous Cyclicity
- Polyoestrous
- Oestrous cycle length: 4-6 days
- Post-parturient oestrus
- Spontaneous ovulator.
Breeding Characteristics
- Monogamous (in contrast to rats and mice).
- Mating usually occurs in the evening.
- Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the vagina, so cannot easily be detected.
Gestation and Offspring
- Gestation period is 22-26 days.
- Mean litter size is 4-5.
- May produce a litter every 30-40 days and can produce a total of 10 litters.
- Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year.
- Pseudopregnancy may occur.
- Altricial offspring.
- Hairless, blind and virtually helpless.
- Ears open at 5 days.
- Eyes open at 16-17 days.
- Cannibalisation/abandoment is rare.
Mammary Gland
- 4 pairs of teats.