Difference between revisions of "Gerbil Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"

Revision as of 12:18, 18 July 2008

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

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.

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 == Male ==
-* Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis.
-* Two testes in an external scrotum.
-* 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.
-** Rubbed along the ground to mark territorial boundaries.
-* Form monogamous pairs/Harems
-** Fighting among males is common
-* Teats are absent.
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