Rat Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology

BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS

• Male
• Female

Reproductive tract

• Bicornate uterus
  • Short uterine body
  • Single cervix

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Oestrous Cyclicity

• Non-seasonal polyoestrus
• Oestrus cycle 4-5 days.
• Duration of oestrus is ~14 hours.

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Copulation

• Evidence that mating has occured is the 'copulatory plug'
  • Forms in the vagina.

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Gestation and Offspring

• Gestation length is 20-22 days.
• Litter size 6-16
• Altricial young
  • Eyes open at 12-14 days.
• Earliest weaning age 21 days.
• Care not to stress mother or she may cannibalise the young.

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Mammary Gland

• 5 pairs of teats.

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