Considerations regarding the queen’s reproduction
Keywords:
Queen, Cyclicity, Estrous cycle, Reproductive cycle, ReproductionAbstract
Understanding the cat's reproductive physiology is important to better know the species, as well as to deal with wild cats and feral cat populations. Thus, the purpose of this review is to make some considerations about the queen's reproduction that is seasonal polyestric with different stages of the estrous cycle. She is considered to have induced ovulation, with copulation triggering the release of luteinizing hormone (LH). However, in some circumstances, some queens are able to spontaneously ovulate. The induced ovulation in the queen is dependent on several factors: the number of matings and the intervals between them, the day of the estrus on which she is mates and individual differences in the LH peak. If the queen ovulates, but does not gestate, she will go into pseudo-pregnancy similar to pregnancy in the first 40 days. After 40 days, plasma progesterone levels will be back to almost basal level in the pseudo-pregnant queen, due to luteal regression. If the queen is mated and becomes pregnant, she will go through a phase dominated by progesterone longer than during pseudo-pregnancy. It is not yet clear whether her placenta is responsible for the production of progesterone that maintains pregnancy after the start of luteal regression. Thus, it is concluded that the reproductive processes of the queen are not fully mapped. Therefore, more research is needed for a more complete understanding of your reproductive physiology.
References
ABINPET (Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Alimentos para Animais de Estimação). População de animais no Brasil, 2017. Acesso em 15 de dezembro de 2020. Disponível em: http://abinpet.org.br/mercado/
BAKKER, J.; BAUM, M.J. Neuroendocrine regulation of GnRH release in induced ovulators. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, v.21, n.3, p.220-260, 2000.
BANKS, D.H.; STABENFELDT, G. Luteinizing hormone release in the cat in response to coitus on consecutive days of estrus. Biology of Reproduction, v.26, n.4, p.603-611, 1982.
BANKS, D.H.; PAAPE, S.R.; STABENFELDT, G.H. Prolactin in the cat: 1. Pseudopregnancy, pregnancy and lactation. Biology of Reproduction, v.28, n.4, p.923-932, 1983.
BINDER, C.; CHRISTINE AURICH, C.; REIFINGER, M.; AURICH, J. Spontaneous ovulation in cats - Uterine findings and correlations with animal weight and age. Animal Reproduction Science, v.209, n.106167, p.1-9, 2019.
BRAUN, B.C.; ZSCHOCKELT, L.; DENHARDT, M.; JEWGENOW, K. Progesterone and estradiol in cat placenta – biosynthesis and tissue concentration. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, v.132, n.3/5, p.295-302, 2012.
BRISTOL, S.K.; WOODRUFF, T.K. Follicle-restricted compartmentalization of transforming growth factor β superfamily ligands in the feline ovary. Biology of Reproduction, v.70, n.3, p.846-859, 2004.
BROWN, J.L. Comparative endocrinology of domestic and nondomestic felids. Theriogenology, v.66, p.25-36, 2006.
BROWN, J.L. Female reproductive cycles of wild female felids. Animal Reproduction Science, v.124, n.3-4, p.155-162, 2011.
BROWN, J.L.; WASSER, S.K.; WILDT, D.E.; GRAHAM, L.H. Comparative aspects of steroid hormone metabolism and ovarian activity in felids, measured noninvasively in feces. Biology of Reproduction, v.51, n.4, p.776-786, 1994.
CHRISTIANSEN, I.J. Reprodução no Cão e no Gato. 1ª ed., São Paulo: Manole Ltda., 1988. 362p.
CONCANNON, P.; HODGSON, B.; LEIN, D. Reflex LH release in estrous cats following single and multiple copulations. Biology of Reproduction, v.23, n.1, p.111-117, 1980.
FELDMAN, E.C.; NELSON, R.W. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. 3rd ed. Missouri: Saunders, 2004. 1089p.
FITOPET. População felina deve superar a de cães em 10 anos. Fitopet. 17 de novembro de 2017. Acesso em 01 de dezembro de 2020. Disponível em: http://fitopet.com.br/populacao-felina-deve-superar-a-de-caes-em-10-anos/
GOERICKE-PESCH, S. Reproduction control in cats – New developments in non-surgical methods. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, v.12, n.7, p.539-546, 2010.
GRAHAM, L.H.; SWANSON, W.F.; BROWN, J.L. Chorionic Gonadotropin administration in domestic cats causes an abnormall endocrine environment that disrupts oviductal embryo transport. Theriogenology, v.54, n.7, p.1117-1131, 2000.
GUDERMUTH, D.F., NEWTON, L., DAELS, P., CONCANNON, P. Incidence of spontaneous ovulation in young, group-housed cats based on serum and faecal concentrations of progesterone. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, suppl.1, v.51, p.177-184, 1997.
JEMMET, J. E.; EVANS, J. M. A survey of sexual behaviour and reproduction of female cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, v.18, n.1, p.31-37, 1977.
JOHNSTON, S.D; ROOT-KUSTRITZ, M.V; OLSON, P.N.S. Canine and Feline Theriogenology. 1a ed., Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 2001. 591p.
KUTZLER, M.A. Estrus induction and synchonization in canids and felids. Theriogenology, v.68, n.3, p.354-374, 2007.
LAWLER, D.F., JOHNSTON, S.D., HEGSTAD, R.L., KELTNER, D.G., OWENS, S.F. Ovulation without cervical stimulation in domestic cats. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, suppl., v.47, supl.1, p.57-61, 1993.
LEYVA, H; MADLEY, T; STABENFELDT, G.H. Effect of light manipulation on ovarion activy and melatonin and prolactin secretion in the domestic cat. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, v.39, supl.1, p.125-133, 1989.
MEYER, H.H. Luteal versus placental progesterone: the situation in the cow, pig and bitch. Experimental Clinical Endrocrinology, v.102, p.190-192, 1994.
MIALOT, J.P. Patologia da Reprodução dos Carnívoros Domésticos. 1ª ed., Porto Alegre: Metrópole, 1988. 160p.
MUNDAY, H.S.; DAVIDSON, H.P.B. Normal gestation lenghts in the domestic shorthair cat (Felis domesticus). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, v.47, suppl.1, p.559-559, 1993.
PAAPE, S.R.; SHILLE, V.M.; SETO, H.; STABELFELDT, G.H. Luteal activity in the pseudopregnant cat. Biology of Reproduction, v.13, n.4, p.470-474, 1975.
REKWOT, P.I.; OGWU, D.; OYEDIPE, E.O.; SEKONI, V.O. The role of pheromones and biostimulation in animal reproduction. Animal Reproduction Science, v.65, n.3/4, p.157-170, 2001.
ROMAGNOLI, S. Clinical approach to infertility in the queen. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, v.5, n.2, p.143-146, 2003.
ROOT, M.V.; JOHNSTON, S.D.; OLSON, P.N. Estrous length, pregnancy rate, gestation and parturition lengths, litter size, and juvenile mortality in the domestic cat. Journal of American Animal Hospital Association, v.31, n.5, p.429-433, 1995.
SCHMIDT, P.M. Feline breeding management. Small Animal Practice, v.16, n.3, p.435-451, 1986.
SCHMIDT, P.M; CHAKRABORTY, P.K.; WILDT, D.E. Ovarian activity, circulating hormones, and sexual beravior in the cat. I- Relationships during the pregnancy, parturition, lactacion and postpartum estrus. Biology of Reproduction, v.28, n.3, p.657-671, 1983.
SHILLE, V.M., LUNDSTRÖM, K.E.; STABENFELDT, G.H. Follicular function in the domestic cat as determined by estradiol-17β concentrations in plasma: relation to estrous behavior and cornification of exfoliated vaginal epithelium. Biology of Reproduction, v.21, n.4, p.953-963, 1979.
SHILLE, V.M.; MUNRO, C.; FARMER WALKER, S.; PAPKOFF, H.; STABENFELDT, G.H. Ovarian and endocrine responses in the cat after coitus. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, v.69, n.1, p.29-39, 1983.
SHILLE, V.M.; STABENFELDT, G.H. Luteal function in the domestic cat during pseudopregnancy and after treatment with prostaglandin F2α. Biology of Reproduction, v.21, n.5, p.1217-1223, 1979.
SILVA, T.F.P.; MATTOS, M.R.F; SIMÕES-MATTOS, L.; PEREIRA, B.S.; SILVA, L.D.M. Período de gestação e retorno ao estro pós-parto de gatas Persas criadas em Fortaleza-Ce. Ciência Animal, v.11, n.1, p.265, 2001.
SILVA, T.F.P.; SILVA, L.D.M.; UCHOA, D.C.; MONTEIRO, C.L.B.; THOMAAZ, L.A. Sexual characteristics of domestic queens kept in a natural equatorial photoperiod. Theriogenology, v.66, n.6-7, p.1476-1481, 2006.
STEWART, D.R.; STABENFELDT, G.H. Relaxin activity in the pregnant cat. Biology of Reproduction, v.32, n.4, p.848-854, 1985.
TSUTSUI, T.; STABENFELDT. Biology of ovarian cycles, pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in the domestic cat. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, v.47, suppl.1, p.29-35, 1993.
TSUTSUI, T.; SUZUKI, Y.; TOYONAGA, M.; OBA, H.; MIZUTANI, T.; HORI, T. The role of the ovary for the maintenance of pregnancy in cats. Reproduction of Domestic Animals, v.44, suppl.2, p.120-124, 2009.
VERHAGE, H.G.; BEAMER, N.B.; BRENNER, R.M. Plasma levels of estradiol and progesterone in the cat during polyestrus, pregnancy and pseudopregnancy. Biology of Reproduction, v.14, n.5, p.579-585, 1976.
VERSTEGEN, J.P. Physiology and endocrinology of reproduction in female cats. In: SIMPISON, G.; ENGLAND, G.C.; HARVEY, M.J. Manual of Small Animal Reproduction and Neonatology. 1a ed., Chelteham: British Small Animal Veterinary Association, p.11-16, 1998.
VERSTEGEN, J.P., ONCLIN, K., SILVA, L.D., WOUTERS-BALLMAN, P., DELAHAUT, P., ECTORS, F. Regulation of progesterone during pregnancy in the cat: studies on the roles of corpora lutea, placenta and prolactin secretion. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, v.47, p.165-173, 1993.
WILDT, D.E.; SEAGER, S.W.J.; CHAKRABORTY, P.K. Effect of copulatory stimuli on incidence of ovulation and serum luteinizing hormone in the cat. Endocrinology, v.107, n.4, p.1212-1217, 1980.
WILDT, D.E.; CHAN, S.Y.W.; SEAGER, S.W.J.; CHAKRABORTY, P.K. Ovarian activity, circulating hormones, and sexual behavior in the cat. 1. Relationships during the coitus-induced luteal phase and the estrous period without mating. Biology of Reproduction, v.25, n.1, p.15-28, 1981.
ZSCHOCKELT, L., AMELKINA, O., SIEMIENIUCH, M.J., KOSTER, S., JEWGENOW, K., BRAUN, B.C., 2014. Corpora lutea of pregnant and pseudopregnant domestic cats reveal similar steroidogenic capacities during the luteal life span. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, v.144, parte.B., p.373-381, 2014.
