Reproduction in the Cat

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Reproduction in the Cat
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Feline Physiology and Reproduction
Reproduction in the Queen
Average age of puberty in the queen is 10 months
(range 4-18). Queen is seasonally polyestrous
breeder in that photoperiod controls the period
of cyclicity. Breeding season is from March to
September. Actually split seasons with January
to March and August to October. Queen is
anestrous during late fall and winter. Household
queens can cycle during winter with lights in
house giving 12 to 14 hours of light.
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Estrous Cycle of Queen
Reproductive cycle in the queen is similar to
other species with one unique difference. Queen
requires copulation to stimulate ovulation.
Induced ovulation requires 4-10
copulations Average length of the estrous cycle
is 14 to 21 days. Estrus will last approximately
7 days followed by a period of non-receptivity
for 10 days if no mating occurs.
Estrous Cycle Proestrus
Duration one day or less
Characteristic Rolling, head rubbing,
vocalization, crouching often with rear quarters
elevated, treading movement of feet but still
rejecting male.
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Duration is 6 to 7 days. Characteristi
c Increase intensity of proestrus activity but
will now accept male. Acceptance allows mating
with deviation of tail to one side and
permission of Tom to grasp her neck, mount and
copulate. Estrus can cause vocalization
in the female. 2-19 days
Estrus

Duration is 1 to 2 weeks
Characteristic Following
non-ovulation (no mating) there is no acceptance
of male and loss of signs of heat.
Metestrus
Pseudo pregnancy
Sterile mating induces ovulation of follicles and
formation of CL release progesterone which is
maintained for 35-45 days
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Anatomy of Queen Reproductive Tract
Ovary
Ovarian Bursa
Bladder
Uterine Horn
Uterine Body
Cerivx
Vagina
Vestibule
Clitoris
Vulva
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Hormonal Changes during Estrous Cycle and
Pregnancy
Copulation
LH
Parturition
Estradiol Progesterone
Heat
Heat
10 20 30 0 10 20 30
40 50 60 70
Days
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Mating of Queen induces LH surge for
Ovulation
Mating by male induces ovulation but it takes
approximately a minimum of 4 matings to induce
ovulation in queen. Male may breed 10x/hour The
penial spines on the cranial end of the Toms
penis induces the stimulation of the vagina for
the LH surge to ovulate. The penis has a band of
120-150 spine on the tip of the glans penis.
63-66 days
Duration of Gestation in Queen
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Abdominal Palpation 20-30 days
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Termination of Pregnancy
Treatment
Prostaglandin F2a at 0.75 mg/kg BW 2X 24 hours
apart after day 40 of gestation
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Anatomy of Tom
Bulbourethral Gland
Scrotum
Kidney
Rectum
Testis
Ureter
Bladder
Glans Penis
Ductus Deferens
Prostate Gland
Cornified Spines
Urethra
Os Penis
Glans Penis
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Penis and Accessory Glands
Prostate Gland
Bulbourethral Gland
Glans Penis
Penis
Penial Spines
Urethra
Crus Penis
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Unlike the dog, the Tom has a pair of
bulbo-urethral glands. The penis of Tom is
located ventral to scrotum and is
directed backwards. Cranial two-thirds of penis
contains about 100-200 cornified papillae or
spines (1 mm long) which are directed towards
base of the penis. Related to Mating Cry of
female upon withdrawal of penis following
copulation. Average age at Puberty is 9
months. Semen Characteristics Volume 0.04
ml Total Sperm 15-130 x 106 Motility 60-95
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Scrotum and Testis
Caput Epididymis
Testis
Corpus Epididymis
Scrotum
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Testis
Pampiniform Plexus
Ductus Deferens
Caput Epididymis
Corpus Epididymis
Testis
Cauda Epididymis
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Breeding and Mating Behavior
Cats are nocturnal Female in heat crouches,
rolls stamps hind feet and raises pelvis
Male detects female through pheromones Female
bends tail to one side and male bites back of
neck to insert penis. When penis is withdrawn,
female will move forward and give out the
copulation cry. The copulation cry is thought
to be caused by the penial spines as the penis
is withdrawn. Breeding is repeated several times
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Ovary in Bursa
Ovarina Bursa
Follilcles
Oviduct
Opening to Bursa
Ovary
Uterine Horn
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Differentiation of Sex
Anogenital Distance
Female Male Age 8
mm 13 mm Birth 10 mm
18 mm 21 Days 12 mm 20 mm
42 Days
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Lift the kitten's tail. The opening just under
the tail is the anus. Below the anus is the
genital opening which is round in males and is a
vertical slit in females. In kittens of similar
size, the distance between the anus and the
genital opening is greater in the male than the
female.
The color of the kitten may suggest it's gender.
Almost all (but not ALL) kittens of calico
(black, white and orange) or tortishell (black
and orange) color are females. More orange
kittens are male than female although the
association between color and sex is not as
strong as in the calico/tortishell colored kitten.