Exam 1: Feline Reproduction

Question 1

Seasonally polyestrus

Answer 1

cycle January - October
Indoor cats cycle year round (14-16 hrs light)

Question 2

Puberty

Answer 2

4-12 months depending on seasonality
2.3 - 2.5 kgs start cycling
long haired & manx cats start later

Question 3

Proestrus

Answer 3

Minimal signs

Question 4

Estrus

Answer 4

6-10 days avg, 12 hrs-19 days
vocalization, affectionate, lordosis, rarely discharge, cornified cells

Question 5

Postestrus

Answer 5

If no ovulation, come back into heat in 13-18 days

Question 6

Diestrus

Answer 6

After ovulation
CL persists, progesterone produced
gestation: 65-66 days
non-fertile mating causes pseudopreganancy: 40-50 days

Question 7

Anestrus

Answer 7

Seasonal

Question 8

Ovulation

Answer 8

Induced ovulators: external trigger (mating) required to release GnRH and LH
Ovulate within hours of being bred
50% queens bred once showed ovulation
100% queens bred 4 times did

Question 9

Penis

Answer 9

Penile spine: cornified papillae which encircle the penis
appear at puberty, disappear with castration- androgen dependent

Question 10

Accessory glands

Answer 10

Prostate
Cowper’s gland aka bulbourethral grand

Question 11

Chance of pregnancy

Answer 11

1 breeding has 50% pregnancy rate
4 breedings give 80%
each breeding gives LH spike, more breedings more LH

Question 12

AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone)

Answer 12

Prevents development of uterus in male embryos
AMH in blood indicates incomplete spay (F) or cryptorchid (M)