Gerbil Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology

BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS

Male

• Testes descend at 30-40 days.
• Active spermiogenesis and mating apparent from 10 weeks of age.
• Anogenital distance in the adult is ~10mm (twice that of the female).
• In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour.
• Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks.

• Form monogamous pairs/harems
  • Fighting among males is common

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Female

• Bicornuate uterus
• Two channels of the cervix separated almost to the single entrance into the vagina.

• Polyoestrous
• Post-parturient oestrus

• Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
• Monogamous (in contrast to rats and mice).
• Mating usually occurs in the evening.
• Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the vagina, so cannot easily be detected.

• Gestation period is 22-26 days.
• Mean litter size is 4-5.
• 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.
• Pseudopregnancy may occur.
• Altricial offspring.
  • Hairless, blind and virtually helpless.
  • Ears open at 5 days.
  • Eyes open at 16-17 days.
  • Cannibalisation/abandoment is rare.

• 4 pairs of teats.