Seasonal oestrous cycle activity of captive female koalas in south-east Queensland

This study investigated the seasonality of behavioural oestrus in a captive koala population in south-east Queensland. A total of 33 sexually mature koalas were examined over a 4-year period (2009–12) to determine the possible influence of temperature, photoperiod and rainfall on the incidence of ex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAustralian mammalogy Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 245 - 252
Main Authors Ballantyne, K, Lisle, A, Mucci, A, Johnston, S. D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published CSIRO Publishing 01.01.2015
Subjects
autumn
breeding
estrus
females
lactation
photoperiod
rain
sexual maturity
temperature
winter
Queensland
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Summary:This study investigated the seasonality of behavioural oestrus in a captive koala population in south-east Queensland. A total of 33 sexually mature koalas were examined over a 4-year period (2009–12) to determine the possible influence of temperature, photoperiod and rainfall on the incidence of expression of behavioural oestrus without the confounding effect of lactation or limiting food resource availability. Although signs of behavioural oestrus were detected throughout the year, an obvious seasonality was apparent, with significantly fewer females displaying behavioural oestrus in late autumn and winter (May–August) than September to April (P<0.0001). While average monthly photoperiod (P<0.0001) and average monthly temperature (P<0.0001) were significantly related to oestrous behaviour, rainfall was not (P>0.05). A better understanding of the seasonality of reproductive function in the female koala will facilitate the use of reproductive management-assisted breeding technology to enable improved genetic management in captive populations.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AM14018
ISSN:0310-0049
DOI:10.1071/AM14018