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

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
<big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Small_Domestic_Mammals|'''BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS''']]</center></big>
 
<big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Small_Domestic_Mammals|'''BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS''']]</center></big>
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
* [[Gerbil-Male- Anatomy & Physiology|Male]]
 
−
* [[Gerbil -Female- Anatomy & Physiology|Female]]
 
  
  
Line 37: Line 32:
  
 
* Teats are absent.
 
* Teats are absent.
 +
 +
----
 +
 +
= Female =
 +
 +
== Reproductive Tract ==
 +
 +
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]]
 +
* Two channels of the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]] separated almost to the single entrance into the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]].
 +
 +
 +
== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
 +
 +
* Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
 +
 +
 +
== Oestrous Cyclicity ==
 +
 +
* Polyoestrous
 +
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oestrous cycle]] length: 4-6 days
 +
* Post-parturient oestrus
 +
* Spontaneous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]].
 +
 +
 +
== Breeding Characteristics ==
 +
 +
* Monogamous (in contrast to [[Small_Mammals_-Rat-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|rats]] and [[Small_Mammals_-Mouse-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mice]]).
 +
* Mating usually occurs in the evening.
 +
* Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]], so cannot easily be detected.
 +
 +
 +
== Gestation and Offspring==
 +
 +
* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|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.
 +
 +
 +
== Mammary Gland ==
 +
 +
* 4 pairs of teats.

Revision as of 11:54, 21 July 2008

BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS


Male

Penis

  • Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis.


Testes

  • 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.


Reproductive Behaviour

  • 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

Reproductive Tract


Puberty and Sexual Maturity

  • Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.


Oestrous Cyclicity


Breeding Characteristics

  • 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 and Offspring

  • 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.


Mammary Gland

  • 4 pairs of teats.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikivet.net/index.php?title=Gerbil_Reproduction_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology&oldid=21419"