MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES

Rabbits

Does have one vagina, two cervices and two separate uteri. Males are called bucks and the process of parturition is called kindling.

Ferrets

Ferrets are induced ovulators. If a jill is not induced to ovulate, they will go into a persistent estrus and may develop fatal estrogen-induced bone marrow suppression unless induced to ovulate. The male ferret is called a hob.

Alligators

Gender of the offspring of American alligators is dependent on incubation temperature of eggs in the nest.

Guinea pigs

Female guinea pigs (yes, they are called sows) must be bred before 7 months of age. After that time, complete ossification of the pubic symphysis occurs and will not expand to allow passage of the single, large precocious offspring born in this species.

Poultry

The oviduct of the chicken is made up of five segments. The segments and their functions follow:
Infundibulum - catches extruded ovum, secretes outer perivitelline layer and chalazae
Magnum - secretes albumen
Isthmus - secretes shell membrane
Shell gland (aka uterus) - secretes hardened shell
Vagina - oviposition

It takes a chicken about 26 hours to form and lay an egg. Molting occurs naturally once yearly. Chickens gradually lay fewer eggs just before molting but lay significantly more eggs after the molt; commercial hens often are induced to molt.

Roosters and tom turkeys have no accessory sex glands. The testes are intraabdominal and no epididymis is present. Spermatozoa survive in the ductuli deferentes only about 5 days but survive in the female 32 (chicken) to 70 (turkey) days.

Back to home page


The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.