The seasonal reproductive cycle of a marsupial, Antechinus stuartii: effects of oral administration of melatonin

McAllan, Bronwyn M.; Westman, Wendy; Joss, Jean

doi:10.1016/s0016-6480(02)00067-9

Cited by 9 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 33 publications

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“…The neuroendocrine control of reproduction in those mammals studied so far, including marsupials e.g. [61,23,45,52,50], is initiated by the hormone melatonin, via the pineal gland, in response to photoperiod [62]. The neuroendocrine cascade results in gonadal and reproductive hormonal changes in response to these changes in photoperiod, and these have been best described in some hamsters and ground squirrels [27,11,2,30,31,66].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of reproductive hormones on the torpor patterns of the marsupial Sminthopsis macroura: Bet-hedging in an unpredictable environment

McAllan

Feay

Bradley

et al. 2012

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of reproductive hormones on the torpor patterns of the marsupial Sminthopsis macroura: Bet-hedging in an unpredictable environment

McAllan

Feay

Bradley

et al. 2012

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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Boom and bust: a review of the physiology of the marsupial genus Antechinus

2008

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The marsupial genus Antechinus is a group of small carnivorous marsupials from the order Dasyuromorphia (Family Dasyuridae) and is found in eastern Australia. The life history of all species in the genus is characterized by a complex, but highly synchronized life cycle in both sexes, culminating in a short mating period followed by total male mortality (semelparity). The breeding season is defined by a specific rate of increase in photoperiod, which is different for each species. In Antechinus spp., male mortality is due to the effects of high free testosterone and cortisol levels on many organ systems. Unusually, spermatogenesis is complete before testosterone levels begin to rise at the winter solstice. In males, low sperm counts have been compensated for by high proportions of sperm reaching the isthmus of the female reproductive tract and long-term storage in the crypts. The females survive to rear their young and may mate again in their second year. Gestation lasts from 26 to 34 days, depending on the species. However, developmental arrest can occur at several stages during embryogenesis, elongating the apparent gestation duration by several days. Several species have strong female sex biases in their litters. The high degree of life history synchrony and the cascade of endocrine-driven physiological events that result in male death are unusual physiological characteristics for mammals. Suggestions why semelparity may have evolved in Antechinus are discussed.

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Reproductive Endocrinology of Prototherians and Metatherians

McAllan

2011

Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates

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The seasonal reproductive cycle of a marsupial, Antechinus stuartii: effects of oral administration of melatonin

Cited by 9 publications

References 33 publications

The influence of reproductive hormones on the torpor patterns of the marsupial Sminthopsis macroura: Bet-hedging in an unpredictable environment

The influence of reproductive hormones on the torpor patterns of the marsupial Sminthopsis macroura: Bet-hedging in an unpredictable environment

Boom and bust: a review of the physiology of the marsupial genus Antechinus

Reproductive Endocrinology of Prototherians and Metatherians

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