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Lack of a response of the sub-tropical rodent (Saccostomus campestris) to a secondary plant compound, 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone — consequences for reproductive strategy
- Source :
- African Zoology; Vol 34, No 3 (1999); 108-113
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- NISC (Pty) Ltd, 2017.
-
Abstract
- A potential strategy for southern African small mammals to maximise reproductive success is to cue breeding activity to rainfall and subsequent vegetative growth via a secondary plant compound such as 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone (6MBOA). This study investigated whether the sub-tropical rodent Saccostomus campestris utilised this compound to enhance reproductive activity. 6MBOA or control vehicle were injected into adult females and into peri-pubertal females under long day (LD) and short day (SD) photoperiods (adults n = 6 to 8: peri-pubertals n = 5 to 10/treatment). There was no significant effect of 6MBOA or photoperiod on uterine or ovarian masses nor on ovarian development in sacrificed animals, nor on age at vaginal opening of peri-pubertals It was concluded that 6MBOA is not a major stimulant of reproduction in this species. Rather, we propose that seasonal breeding occurs in response to multiple environmental cues. This reproductive strategy and omnivory permit.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15627020 and 2224073X
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- African Zoology
- Accession number :
- edsair.78975075580c..5498cf2f43a105a6e29b78d12958bb6d