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- Title
Photoperiod manipulation to increase the productivity of black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes) and Siberian polecats ( M. eversmanii).
- Authors
Branvold, H.A.; Biggins, D.E.; Wimsatt, J.H.
- Abstract
The endangered black-footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes) reproduces naturally in the spring. The Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Program would benefit from increased productivity in the captive population by manipulating photoperiod and temperature to create three artificial cycles in 1½ years. In the present study the photoperiod was set at 8 hr light:16 hr dark for 1-2 months, then switched to 16 hr light:8 hr dark for 4-5 months. The males' light was switched 1 month before the females' light. Three cycles were performed in 2 years. During the first cycle, 0% of the males bred, 17% of the females came into estrus and were bred through artificial insemination, and 0% of the females whelped. In the second cycle, 100% of the females came into estrus and were bred naturally, and 77% whelped. In the third cycle, all males showed testicular recrudescence but none bred; all females showed signs of estrus, 40% were bred using artificial insemination, and 0% whelped. Siberian polecats ( Mustela eversmanii), the black-footed ferrets' closest living relative, also were put on an artificial photoperiod, coinciding with the black-footed ferrets' third cycle. All female polecats came into estrus and were bred naturally, and 33% whelped. All males showed testicular recrudescence, and 22% produced sperm and bred. The low rate of success in breeding and whelping suggests that multiple cues may be needed to induce estrus in ferrets and polecats. Zoo Biol 22:1-14, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
- Publication
Zoo Biology, 2003, Vol 22, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
0733-3188
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/zoo.10066