scholarly journals The reproductive processes of certain mammals. III.—The reproductive cycle of the male ferret

1932 ◽  
Vol 110 (767) ◽  
pp. 295-312 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Interstitial Tissue ◽  
Quiescent Period ◽  
Cyclic Changes ◽  
Reproductive Processes ◽  
Periodic Changes

Cyclic changes in the reproductive organs of male mammals have been studied in a few forms only, but the information available reveals interesting differences in the duration of reproductive activity, and in the correlation between the various organs. Marshall (1911) has described the reproductive cycle in the male hedgehog. Regaud (1904), Tandler and Grosz (1911) and Lecaillon (1909) have studied the mole, but with conflicting results. Rasmussen (1917 and 1918) gives detailed information of the periodic changes in the interstitial tissue of the testis in the woodchuck, and more recently Courrier (1923) has investigated the reproductive cycle in various bats, in the mole, hedgehog, and marmot. The work of Marshall (1904), Robinson (1918) and Hammond and Marshall (1930) has established that in the female ferret the breeding season is restricted and lasts from April to August ; during the remaining months of the year the reproductive organs are in a state of quiescent anœstrus. The first mating occurs in March or April. The present investigation was undertaken in order to determine the duration of the quiescent period in the male ferret and to compare the changes in the testis tubules with those in the interstitial tissue and accessory organs. The condition of the reproductive tract has accordingly been studied at various times of the year, and an attempt has been made to assess the changes in the organs and in their constituent parts.

scholarly journals On the relation between the anterior pituitary body and the gonads.- Part II. The induction of ovulation in the anæstrous ferret

1930 ◽  
Vol 107 (748) ◽  
pp. 39-49 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Induction Of Ovulation ◽  
The Common ◽  
Reproductive Processes ◽  
Increased Activity

The factors responsible for the alternation of reproductive activity and anæstrous quiesecence are imperfectly known, but in view of much recent work on the regulation of the ovary (Smith and Engle, 1927, Zondek and aschheim, 1927), it is necessary to suppose that the anterior pituitary body is involved. On such a view anæstrus might be caused by inability of the ovary to respond to stimulation from the hypophysis, but it is more reasonable to suppose that the onset of the breeding season is due to increased activity of the anterior pituiary body, and that anæstrus results from decreased activity. In the circumstances it seemed that results of interest might be obtained by the administration of preparations containing the gonad-stimulating principles of the anterior pituitary body to animals during anæstrus. Most of the common labortory animals have no definite anæstrus, and the choice of an animal for work on anæstrus is almost limited to the ferret ot the dog. Of these, the former is obviously more suitable, especially as a considerable amount id now known about its reproductive processes. The work of Marshall (1904), Robinson (1918) and Marshall and Hammond (1930) has made it possible to make the following statements regarding the œstrous cycle in the ferret:- ( a ) The breeding season in restricted and lasts only from April to August. During the remainder of the are the reproductive organs are in a state of quiescent anæstrus.

scholarly journals VI. The Reproductive processes of certain mammals. Part VI. - The reproductive cycle of the female hedgehog

1934 ◽  
Vol 223 (494-508) ◽  
pp. 239-276 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Comparative Physiology ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Reproductive Processes ◽  
Period Of Gestation ◽  
Length Of Gestation

The hedgehog ( Erinaceus europceus ) is a common British and North European mammal, but no thorough investigation appears to have been made of the reproductive cycle of the female. The present account is designed to fill this gap and as a contribution to the comparative physiology of reproduction. Ecological data are not included. Hubrecht (1889), working at Utrecht on the embryology of the hedgehog, gives the breeding season as June to August and the number of foetuses as 4-8. He regards the hedgehog as a primitive type. Millais (1904) states that the hedgehog breeds twice a year in Great Britain, having its first litter in May or June and its second in August or September, the period of gestation being not more than one month. Five to seven young are born, which are blind at birth ; after about three weeks their spines harden and they assume adult coloration. The young are three-quarters grown by the time winter sets in. Barrett-Hamilton (1911) states that the earliest hedgehog pregnancies occur in April, but he does not include any records. Second litters are found between the middle of August and the end of September ; a late pregnancy is recorded on September 23 in Ireland and an early post-partum animal on September 28 in Scotland. There are generally four or five young, though they may vary in number from 2-9. The length of gestation is given as 4-7 weeks, but as most probably seven weeks on the authority of Lilljeborg (1874). Like Millais, Barrett-Hamilton states that the young are well grown in the same season. Both these writers describe the hedgehog as hibernating from late in November onwards ; the length and extent of hibernation are very variable, however, and the animal is not infrequently found walking about in the winter. In view of the restricted breeding season it seemed likely that the reproductive organs of the female, no less than of the male hedgehog (Marshall, 1911), would show marked changes between the anoestrous and breeding season conditions.

scholarly journals VII. The Reproductive processes of certain mammals. Part VII. - Seasonal variation in the reproductive organs of the male hedgehog

1934 ◽  
Vol 223 (494-508) ◽  
pp. 277-303 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Experimental Work ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
General Nature ◽  
Secretory Cycle ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cyclic Changes

The seasonal changes in the genital tract of the male hedgehog, notably the enormous hypertrophy of the accessory sexual glands in the spring and summer, early attracted the attention of biologists. The first important account of the reproductive cycle was given by Marshall (1911) who described the histological condition of the testis at different seasons and found that the production of spermatozoa commenced as early as January and continued to the end of September. The summer and winter appearance of the prostate and Cowper’s glands was described by Griffiths (1890), and in 1926 Pellegrini published observations on the secretory cycle in the interstitial cells of the testis. Courrier (1927) studied the cyclic changes in the various organs and gave a full bibliography of work on the male hedgehog. Animals with restricted reproductive activity have already proved valuable for experimental research (Hill and Parkes, 1932 ; Bissonnette, 1932), and earlier workers recognized the suitability of the hedgehog in this connection. Marshall (1911), by castrating hedgehogs at various phases of the reproductive cycle, showed that the periodic hypertrophy and continued activity of the accessory glands was controlled by the testes, and Courrier extended and confirmed his findings. The hedgehog should prove useful in a wide range of experimental work, for, besides possessing remarkable accessory glands, it is probably the only mammal with abdominal testes that can be easily obtained in England and kept in captivity. Although the general nature of the reproductive cycle has been described, previous authors have been content to examine a few animals only, and it was therefore thought desirable to examine a series sufficiently large to provide an adequate quantitative basis for experimental work. In addition, the large number of immature animals obtained supplied information on the rate of development of the genital tract before the first breeding season.

Changes in the Male Reproductive Organs of the Dugong, Dugong dugon (Sirenia: Dugondidae) with Age and Reproductive Activity

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Marsh ◽  
GE Heinsohn ◽  
TD Glover
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Growth Layer ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Quantitative Examination ◽  
Testicular Histology

The anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the dugong (Dugong dugon) is described. Each testis and its adjacent epididymis lie immediately caudal to the corresponding kidney. The seminal vesicles are large but there is no discrete prostate gland and the bulbo-urethral glands are also diffuse. Both qualitative and quantitative examination of the testes and epididymides of 59 males whose ages have been estimated from tusk dentinal growth layer counts indicate that the male dugong does not produce spermatozoa continuously, despite the absence of a distinct breeding season. Individual dugongs were observed with testes at all stages between complete quiescence and full spermatogenesis, and only 10 of the 40 mature males had fully spermatogenic testes and epididymides packed with spermatozoa. Androgenic and spermatogenic activity of the testes appeared to be in phase, but the testicular histology of some old males suggested that they may have been sterile for long periods.

Studies on the marsupial glider, Schoinobates volans (Kerr) I. Reproduction

1969 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
RFC Smith
Keyword(s):  
Natural Population ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Female Reproductive System ◽  
Histological Changes ◽  
Second Year

Field data were obtained during the period September 1962-January 1965 from 710 greater gliders, S. volans, in a natural population. Histological changes were observed in the reproductive tracts of another 129 animals shot during this period. S. volans has a short breeding season in March, April, and May, after which involution of the reproductive organs occurs in both sexes. The species is monovular and polyoestrous. Sexual maturity is attained by both sexes in the second year, following which breeding probably occurs annually. The female reproductive system shows several primitive and anomalous features, among which is the retention of the Wolffian ducts in the adult. The histology of ovaries, uteri, and vaginae at various stages of the reproductive cycle is briefly described.

The breeding season and reproductive cycle of the western red squirrel

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Millar
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
North America ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Timing Of Breeding ◽  
Red Squirrel

Breeding in the red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben), in southern British Columbia differed in some respects from that reported in eastern North America. The period during which males were capable of breeding varied from 2 to 6 months, and their reproductive organs showed only a single peak in size each year. All breeding females produced two litters in 1966, but only one litter in 1967. Females did not breed during the year of their birth, and, in 1967, some did not breed as yearlings. February appeared to be the earliest date for the onset of breeding in southern British Columbia. The timing of breeding may be influenced by weather conditions.

Reproduction in Sminthopsis-Macroura (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) .2. The Male

1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Woolley
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Histological Changes ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Sminthopsis Macroura ◽  
Sexually Mature ◽  
Androgen Levels

The breeding season of S. macroura extends from June to February, and individual males (both wild- caught and laboratory-reared) are capable of breeding over extended periods during the breeding season, and for up to three seasons, in the laboratory. Gross and histological changes in the reproductive organs and endocrine changes in relation to reproductive activity have been investigated. Males do not appear to reach sexual maturity until the season following that in which they were born, although spermatorrhoea may commence in the season of birth. Testis and epididymis weight of these males, which commence spermatorrhoea late in the season, approximates that of sexually mature males early in the season but androgen levels and the weight of the accessory glands are low in all males except during the early months of the season. The age at which spermatorrhoea commences ranges from 141 to 350 days. The minimum scrota1 width at which it commences is 7.9 mm and the minimum body weight, 14.0 g. The onset of spermatorrhoea is not a function of age or season and in S. macroura should be used with caution as an indicator of impending sexual maturity. Maximum corticosteroid- binding capacity (MCBC) generally exceeded corticosteroid concentration and no androgen-related fall in MCBC was evident.

scholarly journals Changes in semen quality and morphology of the reproductive tract of the male tammar wallaby parallel seasonal breeding activity in the female

Reproduction ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
D B B P Paris ◽  
D A Taggart ◽  
G Shaw ◽  
P D Temple-Smith ◽  
M B Renfree
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Accessory Sex Glands

Changes in semen quality and morphology of the male reproductive tract were studied throughout the year in the highly promiscuous tammar wallaby. Body size, semen quality and gross morphology of the reproductive organs were assessed in adult males each month from January to November. The mean weight of males was similar in most periods sampled, but males were slightly heavier in the minor (P < 0.05) than the non-breeding season. Since body weight was correlated with weights of the testes, epididymides and accessory sex glands, organ weights were adjusted for body weight in subsequent analyses. In the major breeding season (late January/early February), when most females go through a brief, highly synchronized oestrus, the testes, prostate, Cowper’s glands, crus penis and urethral bulb were heaviest, volume and coagulation of ejaculates were greatest, and sperm motility had increased. Semen samples collected by electroejaculation at this time contained low numbers of spermatozoa, possibly as a result of dilution and entrapment by the seminal coagulum or depletion of epididymal stores during intense multiple mating activity. In the non-breeding season (late May–July), when mating does not normally occur in the wild, there was a significant decrease in the relative weight of nearly all male reproductive organs and a decline in most semen parameters. In the minor breeding season (September–November), when pubertal females undergo their first oestrus and mating, the weights of testes, epididymides and most accessory sex glands had significantly increased similar to those of males in the major breeding season. The total number and motility of ejaculated spermatozoa were highest during this period, but the volume and coagulation of ejaculates and weight of the prostate had only increased to levels that were intermediate between the major and non-breeding seasons. Ejaculate volume was strongly correlated with prostate weight, and % motile spermatozoa was strongly correlated with epididymis weight. Semen quality thus varied seasonally with changes in androgen-dependent reproductive organs in the male tammar wallaby and appeared to be influenced by the seasonal timing of oestrus in females. Semen quality may also improve in response to an increase in the number of available oestrous females.

The pattern of reproduction in the Libyan jird (Meriones libycus; Rodentia: Muridae) from central Saudi Arabia in the absence of rainfall

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.W. Hart ◽  
A.A. Alghamdi ◽  
N.C. Bennett ◽  
O.B. Mohammed ◽  
N.M. Amor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Reproductive Pattern ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Tubule Diameter

The reproductive pattern of the Libyan jird (Meriones libycus Lichtenstein, 1823) from central Saudi Arabia was investigated in the absence of rainfall. In this study, body mass, morphometry of the reproductive tract, the histology of the reproductive organs, and the hormone concentrations of males and females were studied over 12 consecutive months in a wild population of the Libyan jird from central Saudi Arabia. Previous studies have found the breeding season of the Libyan jird from the Sahara desert of Algeria to occur during the wet months of spring. In the absence of rainfall, temperature and photoperiod were found to be important activators of reproductive activity. The cooler temperatures and shorter days of winter triggered the onset of ovulation in females and increased testes size and seminiferous tubule diameter in males. Only two pregnancies were found during the sampling period, which occurred during the cooler winter and early spring and coincided with a rise in plasma progesterone concentration in females. The Libyan jird was found to shift its breeding to the cooler months of winter in the absence of rainfall. This study strengthens the findings that changes in rainfall and temperature in dry deserts are critical cues for the onset of reproduction in small mammals.

scholarly journals Vitamin D3 Action Within the Ovary – an Updated Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 371-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
M GRZESIAK
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D3 ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Reproductive Processes ◽  
Vitamin D3 Deficiency

Vitamin D3 is well-known as a major regulator of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. A growing body of evidence highlights its crucial role in the regulation of reproductive processes in females. The role of vitamin D3 in the female reproductive tract has been extensively investigated because its receptor is abundant in reproductive organs, including ovary. Importantly, besides expression of vitamin D3 receptor, the ovary is an extrarenal site of vitamin D3 metabolism. The influence of vitamin D3 on follicular development and ovarian steroidogenesis has been investigated. Furthermore, vitamin D3 deficiency has also been associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure and ovarian cancer. The objective of this review is to summarize our knowledge about the contribution of vitamin D3 to physiological and pathological processes within the ovary.

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