Ferret Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology
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.
- Passes cranially on the dorsal aspect of the testes as the ductus deferens.
- 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.
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.