Breed, parity, and cycle season effects on life-timereproduction in bitches: a retrospective study

Authors : BÜLENT POLAT, ARMAĞAN ÇOLAK, MEHMET CENGİZ, ORÇUN CANNAZİK, ARMAĞAN HAYIRLI

Pages : 543-549

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of breed, parity, and season on the reproductive parameters in bitches reared under a temperate climate. Breeding and pregnancy statuses, proestrus, estrus, and pregnancy durations, litter size, and cycle interval were recorded from German shepherds insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GS, n = 34);, Labrador retrievers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LA, n = 23);, Belgian Malinois dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BM, n = 13);, and Pointers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PO, n = 9); up to 10th parities. The mean age at first breeding insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(464.8 ± 26.2 days, mean ± SD); and the pregnancy rate insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(74.6%); were not different among breeds. The pregnancy duration was shortened as the number of puppies born increased in each whelping insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.008);. The cycle interval varied by breed insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(208.2, 215.1, 208.6, and 237.0 days for GS, LA, BM, and PO, respectively, P < 0.01); and decreased linearly from 241.1 to 202.0 days as parity increased from 1 to 10 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.04);. The season did not affect the cycle interval, proestrus, and estrus length insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P > 0.05);. Reproductive parameters varied among the GS, LA, BM, and PO bitches reared in Turkey. The effect of seasonal variation was negligible.
Keywords : Bitches, litter size, estrus cycle, pregnancy duration, season