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Seasonal Endocrine Changes and Breeding Activity in Mediterranean Wild Ruminants
Author(s) -
SantiagoMoreno J,
GómezBrunet A,
ToledanoDíaz A,
Picazo R,
GonzalezBulnes A,
LópezSebastián A
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00771.x
Subject(s) - biology , reproduction , mediterranean climate , endocrine system , zoology , offspring , reproductive biology , ecology , reproductive success , reproductive physiology , physiology , hormone , endocrinology , embryo , pregnancy , fishery , demography , genetics , embryogenesis , population , sociology
Contents The methods of assisted reproduction commonly used in domestic animals are currently being applied to non‐domestic species. This is because of the limitation of maintaining the genetic variability in the wild, as it occurs in wild ruminants of the Mediterranean Basin. Despite the apparent progress of the technology, success of the offspring to grow and become healthy adult individuals has remained low in wild species. Difficulties usually arise from insufficient information about basic reproductive biology, such as the seasonal changes in ovarian and testicular activity. Directional adaptive evolution involves development of specie‐specific physiological reproductive patterns to cope with various environmental factors. Thus, species originating and living at the same latitude display different reproductive strategies to entrain the breeding activity at an optimal time of the year. The aim of this paper was to present current knowledge on reproductive physiology of Mediterranean wild ruminants as a basic prerequisite for the successful use of assisted reproduction methods. Special emphasis is given to seasonal endocrine changes, ovarian cycles and testicular activity of Iberian wild ruminants, together with the role of social interactions on the regulation of these events.