Female Reproduction - Donkey

Female reproductive anatomy peculiarities

Seasonality

Oestrous cycle

Pregnancy

Parturition

Dystocia

Post-partum

Uterine involution is still poorly studied in asinine species. One study on Catalonian jennies reported that gross uterine involution is completed by 22.5 ± 1.7 days post-partum (range of 18 to 27 days) (Dadarwal et al, 2004). Vaginal discharge (clear odourless lochia) was present for up to seven days and intrauterine fluid was detected by ultrasound for up to 18 days in some females.

Foal heat occurs 8.6 days after foaling, but periods of 2 to 69 days have been reported. Dardawal et al (2004) found that, on the day of parturition, several 10 to 15 mm follicles are present and by 5 to 12 days post-partum at least one follicle has reached 25 mm in diameter. Behavioural oestrus seems to be less pronounced with the first post-partum ovulation.

Most jennies will ovulate between 13 to 17 days post-partum. Extended periods of follicular activity without ovulation may be observed in some females. The interaction between post-partum cyclicity, body condition and lactation has not been investigated. In a study from 1957 in India, the mean interval from parturition to fertilization was found to be 162.5 ± 6.7 days (Kohli et al, 1957).

There are very few studies on nutritional requirements for optimal fertility, pregnancy needs and lactation. In one study, jennies lost abut 1% of their body weight at foaling and a further 0.5 to 1% during lactation (Eley and French, 1994).

Donkey neonate survival is often described as a major problem in developing countries. This high mortality may be due to poor rearing conditions (post-partum care) as well as poor colostral protection. The effect of nutrition and management on foal growth and survival has not been fully studied.

In a free-ranging population, jennies may continue to nurse their foals until ten months of age (French, 1998). Feed supplementation along with anthelmintic treatment during late pregnancy and lactation has been associated with better survival of foals in Ethiopia (Mengistu et al, 2005). This may be due to increased mammary function and prevention of failure of passive transfer.

References

• Tibary, A., Sghiri, A. & Bakkoury, M. (2008) Reproduction In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 17

• Blanchard, T.L., Taylor, T.S. (2005). ‘Oestrous Cycle Characteristics of Donkeys with Emphasis on Standard and Mammoth Donkeys’. in: Veterinary Care of Donkeys. N.S. Matthews and T.S. Taylor (eds).
• Blanchard, T.L., Taylor, T.S., and Love, C.L. (1999). ‘Estrous cycle characteristics and response to estrus synchronization in mammoth asses (Equus asinus americanus)’. Theriogenology 52. pp 827-834.
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• Kohli, M.L., Suri, K.R. (1957). ‘Studies on reproductive efficiency in donkey mares’. Indian J Vet. Sci. 27. pp 133-138.
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• Lun, S., He, C., Zhang, Y., Chen, Z., Hu, W., Lu, S., Jia, W., and Zhang, Q. (1998). ‘Preliminary study on development of follicles and formation of corpus luteum of the jenny and mare by ultrasonography’. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica 29. pp 419-425.
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• Tibary, A., Bakkoury, M.(eds). (1994). ‘Particularités de la reproduction chez les autres espèces équines’. Reproduction équine, Tome I: La jument. Actes Editions 1994. pp 385-400.
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FEMALE REPRODUCTION - DONKEY

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REPRODUCTION - DONKEY

THIS PAGE WAS SPONSORED AND CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE DONKEY SANCTUARY