Breeding and Reproduction Flashcards

Which method is used to determine if a female rabbit has been successfully bred?

Answer: Palpation of the abdomen at 10-14 days post-mating

Abdominal palpation at 10-14 days post-mating is the standard method to detect embryos in rabbits.

What is the term for the reabsorption of embryos that can occur in mice and rats under stressful conditions?

Answer: Embryonic resorption

Embryonic resorption is the process by which embryos are reabsorbed by the dam, often triggered by stress or overcrowding.

Guinea pigs are unique among common lab rodents because their young are born:

Answer: Fully furred and mobile (precocial)

Guinea pig pups are precocial, born fully furred, eyes open, and able to move shortly after birth.

What does the acronym 'SPF' mean in the context of a breeding colony?

Answer: Specific Pathogen Free

SPF stands for Specific Pathogen Free, meaning the colony is free of a defined list of pathogens.

In a trio mating system for mice, the recommended composition is:

Answer: Two females and one male

A trio consists of two females and one male, maximizing reproductive output per male.

Which of the following best describes 'outbred' stocks used in research?

Answer: Heterogeneous populations maintained to maximize genetic diversity

Outbred stocks are maintained with systematic randomization to preserve genetic heterozygosity across the population.

The Whitten effect in mice refers to:

Answer: Synchronization of estrus cycles upon introduction of male pheromones

The Whitten effect is the synchronization of estrous cycles in female mice triggered by exposure to male urine pheromones.