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Frozen embryos? Torpor during pregnancy in the Tasmanian short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 03:57 authored by Morrow, GE, Susan JonesSusan Jones, Stewart NicolStewart NicolWe studied the interaction between torpor and reproduction in free-ranging female Tasmanian echidnas using a combination of techniques including urogenital smears, hormone analysis, ultrasonography, external temperature loggers and camera traps. Male echidnas initiated mating activity by locating hibernating females. All females that mated or were disturbed by males prior to July 27 re-entered hibernation, including many that were pregnant. Pregnant females only entered hibernation in early pregnancy when plasma progesterone concentrations were about twice basal and progesterone then remained constant during torpor. By re-entering hibernation pregnant females extended their gestation period and delayed egg-laying. Progesterone peaked 4–6 days before egg-laying, then dropped rapidly.
Funding
National Geographic Society
History
Publication title
General and Comparative Endocrinology: An International JournalVolume
244Pagination
139-145ISSN
0016-6480Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Academic Press Inc Elsevier SciencePlace of publication
525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, USA, Ca, 92101-4495Rights statement
Copyright 2015 Elsevier Inc.Repository Status
- Restricted