Evidence of sperm storage in the female ostrich
Objective To determine the length of time following mating that fertile eggs can be laid by an ostrich (Struthio camelus). Design A clinical reproductive problem in a pair of breeding ostriches provided the opportunity to mate the birds at intervals of 5 to 8 days and assess the fertility of the egg...
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Published in | Australian veterinary journal Vol. 77; no. 10; pp. 649 - 650 |
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Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford, UK
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.10.1999
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Objective To determine the length of time following mating that fertile eggs can be laid by an ostrich (Struthio camelus).
Design
A clinical reproductive problem in a pair of breeding ostriches provided the opportunity to mate the birds at intervals of 5 to 8 days and assess the fertility of the eggs laid.
Procedure
Following prolapse of the phallus of the male ostrich during the breeding season, the pair were immediately separated. The hen was reintroduced to the cock at intervals of 5 to 8 days over a 6 week period for supervised mating. Records were kept of dates of mating and laying, number of eggs laid, egg weights, and fertility determined by candling after 2 weeks incubation.
Results
Over the 6 week period, 10 eggs were laid, of which 8 were fertile and 2 infertile. Fertile eggs weighed 1020 to 1285 g (mean 1143). The two infertile eggs weighed 1160 and 925 g. Six fertile eggs were laid 2 to 7 days after mating. The remaining two fertile eggs were laid the same days that mating occurred, suggesting that fertilisation resulted from the last matings 5 and 8 days previously, or from earlier matings.
Conclusion
Sperm storage occurs in ostrich hens and fertile eggs can be laid for at least 5 to 8 days after copulation. Further studies are required to demonstrate the maximum period during which stored sperm are capable of successful fertilisation. |
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Bibliography: | ArticleID:AVJ649 istex:5FC489DF4C981ABEBA47E99BFE65E63AAA1F3139 ark:/67375/WNG-PQFH4VXZ-8 ObjectType-Case Study-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-4 content type line 23 ObjectType-Report-1 ObjectType-Article-3 |
ISSN: | 0005-0423 1751-0813 |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb13152.x |