Feline Reproduction Flashcards
1
Q
Puberty
A
Average 5-9 months
- free roaming cats cycle sooner
- group housing or intro of tom or queen in estrus will hasten onset of puberty
2
Q
Puberty is affected by
A
- breed
- photoperiod (long day breeders, cycle in spring/summer)
- body weight
- body condition
3
Q
Seasonality
A
Seasonlly polyestrus
- cycle Feb-Sept
- period of anestrus during Oct-Jan
4
Q
Cats will display estrus every 14 days unless
A
- pregnancy
- pseudopregnancy (30-50 days)
- sterilization
- illness
5
Q
Proestrus
A
Attractive but not receptive
- period of rapid ovarian growth
- typical behavior, subtle signs are difficult to detect
- duration: 12 hours to 3 days
6
Q
Estrus
A
Period of sexual receptivity
- duration: 4-7 days
- estradiol peaks
- edematous labia or scant discharge
- queen vocalizes and calls to tom
- assumes lordosis stance in presence of tom
- stance elicited by stroking queen’s back
7
Q
Interestrus
A
Cats don’t ovulate every cycle
- induced ovulators!
- period of sexual inactivity between follicular waves
- lasts on average 1-3 weeks
8
Q
Diestrus
A
Only occurs if ovulation occurs!
- CLs form within 48 hrs of ovulation
- remain functional for 45 days if not pregnant, 57 days if pregnant
- CL then regresses and a normal interestrous interval follows
9
Q
Outcome of induction of ovulation
A
- -> pregnancy (63-66 days)
- -> pseudopregnancy (40-50 days) –> estrus
10
Q
No induction of ovulation
A
Interestrous (8 days) –> estrus
11
Q
Anestrus
A
Period of sexual rest
- Oct-Jan in free roaming cats
- can be manipulated with lighting
12
Q
Peak reproductive activity occurs between ______
A
- 5-8 years of age
- average 2-3 litters/year
- average 3-4 kittens/litter
- old and young cats will cycle irregularly and are prone to small litters and more stillbirths
13
Q
Male tortoishell or calico
A
Rare (1:3000)
- infertile
- genes for orange or black hair are found on X chromosome –> if male is born both orange and black, then he must be XXY (infertile)
14
Q
Breeding behavior
A
Occurs at night
- vocalization is common
- courtship is brief (10 sec-5 min)
- tom grasps queen’s neck with teeth –> grips queen side with forelegs
- intromission and ejaculation occur within a few days
15
Q
Post coital reaction by queen
A
Lasts several minutes
- queen will scream
- attach tom
- rolls on ground
- licks vaginal area
- may have additional matings after 20-30 minutes
16
Q
How to determine if queen is ready to be bred?
A
- cytology is marginally helpful
- P4 is NOT helpful due to induced ovulation
- bring estrous queen to tom and observe for receptivity
- breed over 1-3 days (2 hours daily)
- observe matings to ensure mating is occurring