Reproductive seasonality in captive Chinchilla lanigera | Estacionalidad reproductiva de la chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) en condiciones de cautiverio
2009
Nistal, A.J. | Di Masso, R.J.
Chinchilla lanigera, is an endemic South American rodent farmed primarily as livestock for its fur properties and in some countries also as a pet animal. Its seasonal breeding pattern is still not fully understood. The literature mentioned a breeding season from May to November in the southern hemisphere and from November to May in the Northern hemisphere although the species reproduces throughout the year when bred in captivity. The number of litters jointly with the number of newborns produced throughout the year were registered in 19 farms where animals were bred under a natural lightening regimen. A clear photoperiod effect on fertility and prolificity was evident since most parturitions concentrate in summer and spring with a higher average number of newborns than in autumn and winter. This behaviour could be related to a great female sexual activity in those months with a photoperiodic pattern of increasing length days as it has been reported. The clarification of this interaction between photoperiod and breeding is important for the design of an artificial lightening programme that enhances overall productivity.
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