Gerbil Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology

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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


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

  • 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.