Guinea Pig Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology
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BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS
Male
- Known as the Boar.
Penis
- Os penis
- Caudoventral to the urethral opening is a pouch containing two horny styles (projections).
- Evert externally during erection of the penis.
Testes
- Two testes
- Inguinal canal remains open throughout life.
- In mature, breeding boars the large testes lie in the scrotum either side of the genital opening.
Accessory Glands
- Several accessory glands
- Vesicular glands: long and coiled
- Prostate gland
- Coagulating glands
- Bulbourethral glands
Mammary Gland
- Pair of long inguinal nipples.
Female
- Known as the Sow
Reproductive Tract
- Bicornate uterus
- Two uterine horns
- Single cervix
- Single vagina
- Membrane covers vaginal opening except at oestrus and during parturition.
Oestrous Cyclicity
- Polyoestrous
- Spontaneous ovulator
- Oestrous cycle length:15-16 days
Gestation and Offspring
- Long gestation period: 59-72 days (depending on litter size)
- Litter size: 1-6
- Precocious offspring
- Fully furred at birth
- Eyes open
- Able to eat solid food as well as suckle from the mother.
- Weaned at 3 weeks.
- Precocious offspring
- No nest
Mammary Gland
- Pair of long inguinal nipples.