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Ferret Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:53, 5 July 2012
, 13:53, 5 July 2012→Litter
== MALE ==
= MALE =
* Male is known as the Hob.
* Male is known as the Hob.
== Penis==
=== Penis===
* J-shaped os penis lies within the caudal section of the penis dorsal to the penile urethra.
* J-shaped os penis lies within the caudal section of the penis dorsal to the penile urethra.
* Opening of the prepuce is on the ventral abdomen.
* Opening of the prepuce is on the ventral abdomen.
== Testes ==
=== Testes ===
=== Introduction ===
==== Introduction ====
Two testes are carried externally in the scrotum. Once testes have descended, the inguinal canal closes and they are not able to be retracted. Spermatogenic activity increases within the semniferous tubules of the testes from December-July. Testes become noticeably enlarged in preparation for the breeding season (March-August).
Two testes are carried externally in the scrotum. Once testes have descended, the inguinal canal closes and they are not able to be retracted. Spermatogenic activity increases within the semniferous tubules of the testes from December-July. Testes become noticeably enlarged in preparation for the breeding season (March-August).
=== Structural Anatomy ===
==== Structural Anatomy ====
* Epididymis is composed of a mass of convoluted spermatic duct.
* Epididymis is composed of a mass of convoluted spermatic duct.
*** Medial to the body of the epididymis.
*** Medial to the body of the epididymis.
=== Blood Supply, Nerves and Lymphatics ===
==== Blood Supply, Nerves and Lymphatics ====
* Ductus deferens is accompanied by the deferent artery and vein.
* Ductus deferens is accompanied by the deferent artery and vein.
** With the nerves and lymphatic vessels, form the spermatic cord.
** With the [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology|nerves]] and [[Lymphatic_Vessels_- Anatomy & Physiology|lymphatic vessels]], form the spermatic cord.
* Spermatic cord passes cranially to the inguinal canal into the abdomen.
* Spermatic cord passes cranially to the inguinal canal into the abdomen.
* Testicular artery then splits off from the spermatic cord.
* Testicular artery then splits off from the spermatic cord.
* Spermatic cord continues, looping over the urethra through the prostate gland.
* Spermatic cord continues, looping over the urethra through the prostate gland.
=== Histology ===
==== Histology ====
* Testes, blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics and ductus deferens are wrapped in a pouch of peritoneum called the Vaginal Sac.
* Testes, blood vessels, [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology|nerves]], [[Lymphatic_Vessels_- Anatomy & Physiology|lymphatics]] and ductus deferens are wrapped in a pouch of peritoneum called the Vaginal Sac.
** Extends through the inguinal canal in development prior to testicular descent.
** Extends through the inguinal canal in development prior to testicular descent.
== Accessory Glands ==
==== Accessory Glands ====
* The only accessory sex gland is the '''prostate gland'''.
* The only accessory sex gland is the '''prostate gland'''.
* At the level of the prostate, the ductus deferens from each side opens into the urethra.
* At the level of the prostate, the ductus deferens from each side opens into the urethra.
== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
==== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ====
* Males mate the year after they are born.
* Males mate the year after they are born.
== FEMALE ==
= FEMALE =
* Known as the Jill.
* Known as the Jill.
== Reproductive Tract ==
=== Reproductive Tract ===
=== Ovary ===
==== Ovary ====
* Left [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovary]] lies caudal to the middle of the 14th rib and caudal to the left [[Kidney_-_Comparative_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|kidney]].
* Left [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] lies caudal to the middle of the 14th [[Musculoskeletal_System Overview_- Anatomy & Physiology#Ribs_and_Sternum|rib]] and caudal to the left [[Renal Anatomy - Anatomy & Physiology#Common Anatomy|kidney]].
* Right [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovary]] is caudal to the middle of the last rib (15th) and caudal to the right [[Kidney_-_Comparative_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|kidney]].
* Right [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] is caudal to the middle of the last [[Musculoskeletal_System Overview_- Anatomy & Physiology#Ribs_and_Sternum|rib]] (15th) and caudal to the right [[Renal Anatomy - Anatomy & Physiology#Common Anatomy|kidney]].
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Ovaries]] are suspended by ligaments from the abdominal wall.
* [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|Ovaries]] are suspended by ligaments from the abdominal wall.
=== Uterus ===
==== Uterus ====
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]]
* [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]]
** Long uterine horns
** Long uterine horns
** Small Uterine Body
** Small Uterine Body
* Sympathetic innervation from the aortic and renal plexuses.
* Sympathetic innervation from the aortic and renal plexuses.
=== Vulva ===
==== Vulva ====
* Vulva lies on the perineum, ventral to the [[Anus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|anus]].
* Vulva lies on the perineum, ventral to the [[Anus_- Anatomy & Physiology|anus]].
** During the non-breeding season, it is small and slit-like.
** During the non-breeding season, it is small and slit-like.
** During oestrus it becomes swollen and resembles a small doughnut.
** During oestrus it becomes swollen and resembles a small doughnut.
== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
=== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ===
* Sexually mature at 6-8 months of age.
* Sexually mature at 6-8 months of age.
* Females mate the year after they are born.
* Females mate the year after they are born.
== Oestrous Cyclicity ==
=== Oestrous Cyclicity ===
* Seasonally polyoestrus
* Seasonally polyoestrus
* Oestrus is shown by a swollen, pink vulva which regresses 2-3 weeks after mating.
* Oestrus is shown by a swollen, pink vulva which regresses 2-3 weeks after mating.
* Induced ovulator
* Induced ovulator
** If mated, [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulation]] occurs within 30-40 hours of coitus.
** If mated, [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]] occurs within 30-40 hours of coitus.
** If not mated, may remain in continual oestrus for up to ~4 months.
** If not mated, may remain in continual oestrus for up to ~4 months.
*** Unmated jills can die from postoestrus non-regenerative anaemia.
*** Unmated jills can die from postoestrus non-regenerative anaemia.
*** Continual stimulation of oestrogen to the ovaries, leading to hyperoestrogenism.
*** Continual stimulation of oestrogen to the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovaries]], leading to hyperoestrogenism.
*** Excess oestrogen supresses [[Haemotopoietic_System_-_Bone_Marrow|bone marrow]] activity
*** Excess oestrogen supresses [[Bone_Marrow_- Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]] activity.
*** Symptoms include swollen vulva, allopecia and anaemia.
*** Symptoms include swollen vulva, allopecia and anaemia.
== Copulation ==
=== Copulation ===
* Initiated on the 14th day after the onset of vulval swelling.
* Initiated on the 14th day after the onset of vulval swelling.
== Gestation and Offspring ==
=== Gestation and Offspring ===
=== Gestation ===
=== Gestation ===
* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 42 days.
* Gestation period is 42 days.
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Placenta_Classification_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Placenta]] is zonary.
* Placenta is zonary.
=== Litter ===
==== Litter ====
* Average litter 8-10 kits, but can be as large as 18.
* Average litter 8-10 kits, but can be as large as 18.
[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]]
[[Category:Bullet Points]]