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Gerbil Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:50, 5 July 2012
, 13:50, 5 July 2012no edit summary
== Male ==
Anogenital distance in the adult is ~10mm (twice that of the female).
=== Penis ===
* Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis.
== Male ==
=== Testes ===
* Two testes in an external scrotum.
* Testes descend at 30-40 days.
* Active spermiogenesis and mating apparent from 10 weeks of age.
* Active spermiogenesis and mating apparent from 10 weeks of age.
* In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour.
* In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour.
=== Reproductive Behaviour ===
* Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks.
* Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks.
** Rubbed along the ground to mark territorial boundaries.
* Form monogamous pairs/Harems
** Fighting among males is common
=== Mammary Gland===
* Teats are absent.
== Female ==
== Female ==
=== Reproductive Tract ===
* [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]]
* Two channels of the [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]] separated almost to the single entrance into the [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vagina]].
=== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ===
* Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
* Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
* Monogamous (in contrast to [[Small_Mammals_-Rat-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|rats]] and [[Small_Mammals_-Mouse-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mice]]).
=== Oestrous Cyclicity ===
* Polyoestrous
* [[Oestrous Cycle - Anatomy & Physiology|Oestrous cycle]] length: 4-6 days
* Post-parturient oestrus
* Spontaneous [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulator]].
=== Breeding Characteristics ===
* Monogamous (in contrast to [[Rat Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology|rats]] and [[Mouse Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology|mice]]).
* Mating usually occurs in the evening.
* Mating usually occurs in the evening.
* Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the vagina, so cannot easily be detected.
* Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vagina]], so cannot easily be detected.
=== Gestation and Offspring===
==== Gestation ====
* Gestation period is 22-26 days.
* Gestation period is 22-26 days.
* May produce a litter every 30-40 days and can produce a total of 10 litters.
* May produce a litter every 30-40 days and can produce a total of 10 litters.
* Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year.
* Maximum breeding age is 20 months, but usually the time between the first and last litter is ~1 year.
* Pseudopregnancy may occur.
* Pseudopregnancy may occur.
==== Litter ====
* Mean litter size is 4-5.
* Altricial offspring.
* Altricial offspring.
** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless.
** Hairless, blind and virtually helpless.
** Ears open at 5 days.
** Eyes open at 16-17 days.
** Cannibalisation/abandonment is rare.
=== Mammary Gland ===
* 4 pairs of teats.
[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]]
[[Category:Bullet Points]]