Ferret Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology

BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS

MALE

• Male is known as the Hob.

Penis

• J-shapes os penis lies within the caudal section of the penis dorsal to the penile urethra.
  • Supporting bone is the Baculum.
• Penis points cranially.
• Opening of the prepuce is on the ventral abdomen.

Testes

• Two testes carried externally in the scrotum.
• Sexual maturity is usually reached during the first spring after birth at about 4-8 months of age.
• 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).
• Epididymis is composed of a mass of convoluted spermatic duct.
  • Divided into head, body and tail on the dorsal aspect of the testis as it lies in the scrotal sac.
  • Head of the epididymis receives efferent ducts as they leave the testes at the cranial pole.
  • Body of the epididymis has the main mass of the convoluting spermatic duct, which passes to the tail of the epididymis at the caudal pole of the testes.
• Spermatic duct is a simple duct to the tail of the epididymis.
  • Passes cranially on the dorsal aspect of the testes as the ductus deferens.
    • Medial to the body of the epididymis.
• Ductus deferens is accompanied by the deferent artery.

Accessory Glands

• The only accessory sex gland is the prostate gland.
  • A fusiform enlargement around the proximal part of the urethra at the neck of the bladder.

Puberty and Sexual Maturity

• Males mate the year after they are born.

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FEMALE

• Known as the Jill.

Reproductive Tract

• Bicornuate uterus
  • Long uterine horns
  • No uterine body.
• Vulva lies on the perineum, ventral to the anus.
  • During the non-breeding season, it is small and slit-like.
  • During oestrus it becomes swollen and resembles a small doughnut.

Puberty and Sexual Maturity

• Sexually mature at 6-8 months of age.
• Females mate the year after they are born.

Oestrous Cyclicity

• Seasonally polyoestrus
  • Breeding season is from March for 2-3 months.
• Oestrus is shown by a swollen, pink vulva which regresses 2-3 weeks after mating.
• Induced ovulator
  • If mated, ovulation occurs within 30-40 hours of coitus.
  • If not mated, may remain in continual oestrus for up to ~4 months.
    • Unmated jills can die from postoestrus anaemia.

Copulation

• Initiated on the 14th day after the onset of vulval swelling.

Gestation and Offspring

• Gestation period is 42 days.
• Placenta is zonary
• Average litter 8-10 kits, but can be as large as 18.
  • Kits can hear from 32 days.
  • Eyes open at 4-5 weeks.
  • Weaned at 6-8 weeks.