Mating Systems and Reproduction in Mink

Ovarian follicular development in mink (Mustela vison)

“…This finding is consistent with the findings of Elofson et al (1989) who reported the presence of follicles with diameters > 0.5 mm in unmated mink from 14 March to 2 April.…”

“…The trial was initiated on the same day of the breeding season (13 March) in both years of the investigation. Adams (1981) (Bravo et al, 1991 (Elofson et al, 1989 and Lagerkvist et al, 1992 …”

“…Animals can mate and ovulate for the first time on any day of the breeding season (Enders, 1952;Elofson et al, 1989). Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the continual presence of preovulatory follicles in unmated animals.…”

“…Copulation, ovulation and pregnancy do not shorten, nor does the absence of mating lengthen, the interval over which the female will accept the male (Enders, 1952;Elofson et al, 1989).…”

“…Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the continual presence of preovulatory follicles in unmated animals. The first is that a cohort of follicles develops and is maintained until the end of the breeding season, or until an ovulatory stimulus occurs (Elofson et al, 1989;Lagerkvist et al, 1992). The second is that there is continuous overlapping development and regression of follicles throughout the breeding season, so that a new group of follicles with ovulatory capability is always present (Enders, 1952;Gilbert and Bailey, 1967 (Hansson, 1947 (Daniel, 1983), and the continuum of follicular diameters was divided into the follow¬ ing classes: 0.2-0.4, 0.4-0.6, 0.6-0.…”