The reproductive processes of certain mammals. III.—The reproductive cycle of the male ferret

Abstract

Cyclic changes in the reproductive organs of male mammals have been studied in a few forms only, but the information available reveals interesting differences in the duration of reproductive activity, and in the correlation between the various organs. Marshall (1911) has described the reproductive cycle in the male hedgehog. Regaud (1904), Tandler and Grosz (1911) and Lecaillon (1909) have studied the mole, but with conflicting results. Rasmussen (1917 and 1918) gives detailed information of the periodic changes in the interstitial tissue of the testis in the woodchuck, and more recently Courrier (1923) has investigated the reproductive cycle in various bats, in the mole, hedgehog, and marmot. The work of Marshall (1904), Robinson (1918) and Hammond and Marshall (1930) has established that in the female ferret the breeding season is restricted and lasts from April to August ; during the remaining months of the year the reproductive organs are in a state of quiescent anœstrus. The first mating occurs in March or April. The present investigation was undertaken in order to determine the duration of the quiescent period in the male ferret and to compare the changes in the testis tubules with those in the interstitial tissue and accessory organs. The condition of the reproductive tract has accordingly been studied at various times of the year, and an attempt has been made to assess the changes in the organs and in their constituent parts.

Age and Seasonal Changes in the Testis of the Ferret

“…Furthermore, the acrosome of ferret germ cells was positive with the acroleinSchiff reaction of VAN DUIJIN (1961), indicating the presence of proteins. The seasonal histological changes observed in the interstitial cells of the ferret testis are similar to those reported by ALLANSON (1932). They also approximate the changes seen in other feral species, in which the interstitial cells become small and inactive during the sexually quiescent period (squirrel, ALLANSON 1933, MOSSMAN et al 1933, PRASAD 1951, MOSSMAN et al 1955, KIRKPATRICK 1955, MCKEEVER 1963, hedgehog, ALLAN-SON 1934, SCHUTZ 1954, deer, WISLOCKI 1949, wood-mouse, GROOME 1933, mole, LOFTS 1960.…”

“…In the present investigation, however, a brown pigment appeared in the interstitial cells of all the degenerating ferret testes. This disagrees with the results of WISLOCKI (1949) and ALLANSON (1932) who reported that this type of pigmentation occurred only in functional testes. The fact that pigmentation was seen only in degenerating testes in the present study suggests that there may be a negative correlation between hormonal activity and pigmentation in these interstitial cells.…”

“…Similar pigments also develop in the testes of vitamine E deficient rats (MASON and EMMEL 1944). Pigment deposits appear also during the active phase in the testicular interstitial cells of seasonally active animals such as the deer (WISLOCKI 1949) Changes in Ferret Testis 203 and occasionally in the ferret (ALLANSON 1932). In the present investigation, however, a brown pigment appeared in the interstitial cells of all the degenerating ferret testes.…”

Comparative semen cryopreservation in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and pregnancies after laparoscopic intrauterine insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa

“…The reproductive cycle and the physiological mechanisms controlling seasonal variation in sperma¬ togenesis and circulating testosterone profiles have been characterized in male ferrets (Mustela putoriusfuro) (Allanson, 1932;Baum & Goldfoot, 1974;Walton, 1976;Erskine & Baum, 1982;Sisk & Desjardins, 1986;Kastner & Apfelbach, 1987). Reproductive activity in this species is stimulated by a long-day photoperiod, most breeding occurring from March until August in the northern hemisphere (Neal et ai, 1977).…”

Chromosome behaviour in the male ferret and mole during anoestrus

“…The cyclic histological changes in the testes and in the accessory organs have been described in detail in the ferret ( furo, L.) by Allanson (1932), and in the mole ( Talpaeuropea, L.) by Tandler an and Allanson {unpublished). It was found in both genera that during the breeding season spermatogenesis is complete and very active in the rapidly growing testis, but after that period the reproductive organs return to a quiescent state and sperms are entirely absent.…”