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In the present study, we evaluated whether reproductive condition affects female reproductive behaviour in the induced ovulator Ctenomys talarum. We also explored the effect of the interaction with a male on the reproductive condition of females. To evaluate this, we arranged mating trials and evaluated female reproductive behaviour. Reproductive status of females was evaluated using a combined approach of vaginal smears, urinary progesterone and oestradiol, and ovarian histology. Behaviours denoting attraction (‘male sniff’ and ‘mount attempts’) and mutual courtship behaviours (‘spin’ and copula) were correlated with vaginal cytology before and oestradiol and progesterone levels in urine 12 h after male–female encounter. After 24 h of the interaction, oestradiol levels and vaginal epithelization increased while progesterone levels decreased in soliciting females. C. talarum females’ reproductive behaviour was related to its physiological reproductive state and vaginal cytology. The kind of male interaction, whether couples copulated or remained indifferent affected the later status of females. Females are induced ovulators by mating but male presence and interaction also affected other components of their reproductive physiology such as ovarian hormones and vaginal cytology.
The tuco-tucoCtenomys talarum Thomas, 1898 is a solitary subterranean rodent that breeds seasonally in coastal sand-dune grasslands from Argentina. We assessed whether short-day photoperiod determines the onset of reproduction by an increase in female’s receptivity and whether male odour interacts with photoperiod as a cue by producing a greater response in receptivity. Receptivity was measured by an increase in the percentage of vaginal epithelial cells, particularly cornified cells. Females were trapped during their non-reproductive season (summer-long days) and randomly assigned to different day-length experimental groups: constant summer (CS), early winter (EW), and natural (NA) photoperiod. We examined the vaginal epithelium using vaginal smears during the first experimental phase (120 days) to test the effect of photoperiod. In the second experimental phase (15 days), we presented the females with male-soiled shavings to test the effect of photoperiod and male odor.Ctenomys talarum females showed some evidence of reproductive responsiveness to photoperiodic cuing. The proportion of epithelial cells peaked earlier in females when winter day-length was advanced than in females under natural photoperiod. Contrary to that expected, male odours did not stimulate female receptivity. These results suggest that, while photoperiod may participate in regulating reproduction, the integration of other environmental and social factors, as well as the identification of bodily conditions that lead to differences in individual response needs further consideration.
The present work describes the association between environmental variables and reproductive seasonality in wild femaleCtenomys talarum Thomas, 1898. We assessed monthly variation in external reproductive features and vaginal smears of free-living females over a year-long period. We examined the relationship between frequency of lactating and pregnant females and temperature, plant biomass, plant water content, and rainfall (same month and 1 month prior) using path analysis. About 80% of the variance in the occurrence of pregnancy was explained by the model that included all of the above mentioned variables. Temperature had a direct negative effect on pregnancy. However, temperature had a positive effect on pregnancy through plant-water content and thus, positively influenced frequency of pregnancy. Although plant biomass was correlated with plant-water content, plant biomass had no significant effect on frequency of pregnancy. There were no effects (direct or indirect) of rainfall on pregnancy. The combination of vaginal smears and external features from free-living and autopsied females showed that reproductive activities occurred when new plant tissues were more abundant. Thus, enhanced energetic demands during gestation and lactation were assured. Moreover, births occurred when ambient temperatures provided a favorable thermal environment for pups that demonstrated poor thermoregulatory abilities during their initial phase of development.
A methodology for studying the social and reproductive behaviour of solitary subterranean rodents under laboratory conditions is proposed. A first account of Ctenomys talarum (Thomas, 1898) behaviour is also provided with the aim of evaluating the proposed methodology and to advance presently unknown information on its social behaviour and mating system. The device is a seminatural enclosure, departing from traditional test cages with respect to increased: (1) size, (2) structural complexity, (3) social complexity, and (4) resemblance to natural conditions. It consists of artificial burrows each comprising 3.5 m of tunnel, a resource cage and a nest box, resembling the structural complexity described for C. talarum burrows. Burrows are connected to a common space, which allows social interaction among various individuals. Animals were observed in the seminatural enclosure - 3 females and 2 males, in accordance with sex ratios found in natural populations - for a period of 6 months. We obtained data related to reproductive and social behaviour: marking, aggression, vocalization, courtship and copulation, pregnancy, pup development, and parental care. The proposed system enables the collection of behavioural data as yet unavailable due to the secretive habits and aggressiveness that characterize this group of rodents, coupled with the difficulties associated with simulating subterranean conditions.
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