Difference between revisions of "Gerbil Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"
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| − | + | {{toplink | |
| − | + | |backcolour =EED2EE | |
| − | + | |linkpage =Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology | |
| − | + | |linktext =Reproductive System | |
| − | + | |maplink = Reproductive System (Content Map) - Anatomy & Physiology | |
| − | + | |pagetype =Anatomy | |
| − | = Male = | + | |sublink1=Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Small Domestic Mammals |
| + | |subtext1=SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | == Male == | ||
Anogenital distance in the adult is ~10mm (twice that of the female). | Anogenital distance in the adult is ~10mm (twice that of the female). | ||
| − | == Penis == | + | === Penis === |
* Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis. | * Os penis lies within the tissue of the penis. | ||
| − | == Testes == | + | === Testes === |
* Two testes in an external scrotum. | * Two testes in an external scrotum. | ||
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* In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour. | * In the young animal, scrotum is obvious and dark in colour. | ||
| − | == Reproductive Behaviour == | + | === Reproductive Behaviour === |
* Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks. | * Abdominal sebacious gland is large and apparent at ~4 weeks. | ||
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| − | == Mammary Gland== | + | === Mammary Gland=== |
* Teats are absent. | * Teats are absent. | ||
| − | + | == Female == | |
| − | = | + | === Reproductive Tract === |
| − | |||
| − | == Reproductive Tract == | ||
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]] | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate uterus]] | ||
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| − | == Puberty and Sexual Maturity == | + | === Puberty and Sexual Maturity === |
* Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks. | * Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks. | ||
| − | == Oestrous Cyclicity == | + | === Oestrous Cyclicity === |
* Polyoestrous | * Polyoestrous | ||
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* Spontaneous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]]. | * Spontaneous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]]. | ||
| − | + | === Breeding Characteristics === | |
| − | == Breeding Characteristics == | ||
* Monogamous (in contrast to [[Small_Mammals_-Rat-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|rats]] and [[Small_Mammals_-Mouse-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mice]]). | * Monogamous (in contrast to [[Small_Mammals_-Rat-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|rats]] and [[Small_Mammals_-Mouse-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mice]]). | ||
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* Copulation plug is small and lies deep in the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vagina]], so cannot easily be detected. | * 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=== | ||
| − | == | + | ==== Gestation ==== |
| − | |||
| − | = | ||
* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 22-26 days. | * [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 22-26 days. | ||
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* Pseudopregnancy may occur. | * Pseudopregnancy may occur. | ||
| − | === Litter === | + | ==== Litter ==== |
* Mean litter size is 4-5. | * Mean litter size is 4-5. | ||
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** Cannibalisation/abandonment is rare. | ** Cannibalisation/abandonment is rare. | ||
| − | == Mammary Gland == | + | === Mammary Gland === |
* 4 pairs of teats. | * 4 pairs of teats. | ||
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Revision as of 12:12, 3 September 2008
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Male
Anogenital distance in the adult is ~10mm (twice that of the female).
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.
- 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
- Bicornuate uterus
- Two channels of the cervix separated almost to the single entrance into the vagina.
Puberty and Sexual Maturity
- Sexual maturity is at ~9-12 weeks.
Oestrous Cyclicity
- Polyoestrous
- Oestrous cycle length: 4-6 days
- Post-parturient oestrus
- Spontaneous ovulator.
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
- Gestation period is 22-26 days.
- 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.
Litter
- Mean litter size is 4-5.
- Altricial offspring.
- 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.