Reproductive Cycle Observation of the Okinawa Rail (Gallirallus okinawae) in the Wild

Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

Takashi NAGAMINE¹  Yumiko NAKAYA¹  Yasuko NEAGARI³  Manabu ONUMA² 

[1] Conservation & Animal Welfare Trust;Ecological Genetics Analysis Section, Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem, National Institute for Environmental Studies;Laboratory for Intellectual Fundamentals for Environmental Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies

关键词: captive breeding;    Gallirallus okinawae;    okinawa rail;    ovulatory cycle;    testicular cycle;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.11-0174

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

References(13)The captive breeding program of the Okinawa rail started in 2008. For successful captive breeding, information related to reproduction, such as age at sexual maturity, testicular cycles and ovulatory cycles, is essential to predict when reproduction is possible and when certain reproductive behaviors are most likely to occur. We made gross and histological observations of the reproductive organs of Okinawa rails to gain understanding of sexual maturity, the testicular cycle and the ovulatory cycle. We found that the weight of the testis was smallest in December and largest in March. Changes in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule showed the same pattern. Mature sperm were observed from March to June. The heaviest ovary was observed in April. A single peak of reproduction, from March to April, was observed in males and females. Our observations suggested that the Okinawa rail is a seasonal breeder. Establishing suitable breeding pairs will be critical to ensure success of the Okinawa rail captive breeding program. Our results suggested that pairing must be started before March. If supportive breeding is used, semen should be collected from March to June and artificial insemination conducted in April.

【 授权许可】

Unknown