Are cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) induced or spontaneous ovulators?

    Authors

    L. Bouchie; N. C. Bennet; T. Jackson;J. M. Waterman

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Mammal.

    Keywords

    ground squirrel; induced ovulation; progesterone; spontaneous ovulation; Xerus; MOLE-RAT; REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY; CRYPTOMYS-DAMARENSIS; SCIURIDAE; RODENTIA; BEHAVIOR; FEMALES; MAMMALS; ESTRUS; Zoology

    Abstract

    Little is known about the ovulation patterns in ground squirrels, even though the timing of ovulation could Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) is a social, nonhibernating, semifossorial rodent with aseasonal reproduction. Evidence suggests that sperm competition is an important aspect of male reproductive success in this species. We examined whether the Cape ground squirrel is an induced or spontaneous ovulator. Fifteen reproductive adult females were removed from natal colonies and housed individually. Females were subjected to I of 3 trials: no male contact, chemical and visual contact but no physical contact with intact males, or direct contact with epididymectomized males. Females from each of the 3 experimental treatments exhibited similar urinary progesterone metabolite concentrations and qualitative ovarian histology. Neither the presence of males nor copulation appear necessary for ovulation to occur, and ovulation in this social African ground squirrel appears to be spontaneous.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Mammalogy

    Volume

    87

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2006

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    60

    Last Page

    66

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000235845500009

    ISSN

    0022-2372

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