Guinea Pig Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology

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.

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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.
• No nest

Mammary Gland

• Pair of long inguinal nipples.

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