The effect of conception date on gestation length of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Animal Reproduction Science
I C ScottR P Littlejohn

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that gestation length of red deer (Cervus elaphus) is highly variable and influenced by various environmental factors, and this may confer survival advantages for neonates. The current study investigated the relationship between conception date and gestation length to test the hypothesis that within-herd synchrony of red deer births is facilitated by a 'push/pull' control over gestation length, such that hinds conceiving early and late in the breeding season have longer and shorter gestation periods, respectively. In Study 1, data on conception and calving dates were obtained for 393 naturally cycling hinds across two herds. In Study 2, conception and calving dates were obtained from 91 hinds in which oestrus/conception were artificially synchronised across a 4-week range of dates spanning the natural rut. Gestation length for each population was analysed by linear regression, fitting conception day followed by terms for the fixed effect which included hind age (pubertal vs. adult), hind genotype (Cervus elaphus scoticus vs. Cervus elaphus hippelaphus and their crossbreds), calf sex, sire genotype (Study 1 only), birth weight and year. In Study 1, both populations of naturally cycling hinds exhi...Continue Reading

References

Dec 1, 1971·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·F GuinnessR V Short
Feb 22, 2001·Animal Reproduction Science·J C Haigh
Dec 17, 2005·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Comparative Experimental Biology·Andrés José GarcíaLaureano Gallego
May 12, 2007·Society of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement·G W Asher

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Citations

Mar 20, 2012·PloS One·Grazyna E PtakPasqualino Loi
Aug 23, 2012·PloS One·Annie K EnglishNathalie Pettorelli
Oct 28, 2015·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Charlotte KourkgyCarole Toigo
Apr 19, 2011·Animal Reproduction Science·G W AsherR P Littlejohn
Oct 5, 2010·Animal Reproduction Science·G W Asher

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