Seasonal hormones, female reproductive tract changes, and some field observations on breeding activities of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) from its native range of Potohar Plateau, Pakistan

Authors : Faraz AKRIM, Hira FATIMA, Saidia NAZIR, Tariq MAHMOOD, Riaz HUSSAIN, Muhammad Sajid NADEEM

Pages : 664-673

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The small Indian mongoose acts as a biological control agent for rodents, snakes, and many insects in agroecosystems. Its reproductive physiology has been studied mostly from its introduced range. We investigated the reproductive pattern of the female small Indian mongoose on the Potohar Plateau, i.e. its native range. We found a male:female ratio of 0.67 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 52);; only 16% of the live-trapped females were found to be pregnant. Elevated estradiol and progesterone levels were found during March to May. LH levels showed 2 peaks: the first during March insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(25.5 mIU/mL); and the second in September insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(29.8 mIU/mL);; however, FSH levels were almost the same. Light microscopic sections insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(H & E stained); of the ovary showed mature Graafian follicles during February, corpora lutea insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(early gestation); during March, and maintenance of prominent corpora lutea inside the ovary during April insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(late gestation period);; however, during June, no corpora lutea were observed in the ovary, indicating the lactational phase. Average litter size was 2.83 ± 0.14 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(by visual observation);, 3 ± 0.24 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(by counts of placental scars);, and 3.2 ± 0.37 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(by counts of developing embryos);. The study concludes that the small Indian mongoose breeds twice a year in its native range.
Keywords : Reproduction, hormones, histology, ovary, litter size, breeding season