REPRODUCTION IN THE FERRET ( MUSTELA FURO )

Abstract

Summary. Bilateral ovariectomy before Day 10 post coitum (p.c.) prevented implantation of ferret blastocysts. However, blastocysts survived for about a week beyond the normal time of implantation and although the zonae pellucidae were not shed, many underwent a marked increase in size similar to that seen in normal blastocysts at the time of implantation. Implantation occurred when ovariectomy was performed on Day 10 p.c., but resorption followed immediately. Immediate regressive changes were seen in uterine cornua of animals ovariectomized on Day 4 p.c. When ovariectomy was performed later, there was continued histological differentiation of the endometrium and some cornual growth. Cornua from animals ovariectomized on Day 6 p.c. were smaller than normal but were histologically similar to cornua from intact animals until about Day 20 p.c., after which regressive changes were found. Cornua from animals ovariectomized on Days 8 and 10 p.c. showed definite, albeit subnormal, growth in size after ovariectomy but exhibited essentially the same degree of histological development as normal cornua until Day 25 p.c. It is suggested that the ferret uterus, once stimulated by ovarian hormones, is capable of prolonged response without further stimulus.