Onuma Manabu, Nagamine Takashi, Nakaya Yumiko, Neagari Yasuko
Ecological Genetics Analysis Section, Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16–2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305–8506, Japan.
J Vet Med Sci. 2011 Sep;73(9):1169-75. doi: 10.1292/jvms.11-0174. Epub 2011 May 24.
The captive breeding program of the Okinawa rail started in 2008. For successful captive breeding, information related to reproduction, such as age at sexual maturity, testicular cycles and ovulatory cycles, is essential to predict when reproduction is possible and when certain reproductive behaviors are most likely to occur. We made gross and histological observations of the reproductive organs of Okinawa rails to gain understanding of sexual maturity, the testicular cycle and the ovulatory cycle. We found that the weight of the testis was smallest in December and largest in March. Changes in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule showed the same pattern. Mature sperm were observed from March to June. The heaviest ovary was observed in April. A single peak of reproduction, from March to April, was observed in males and females. Our observations suggested that the Okinawa rail is a seasonal breeder. Establishing suitable breeding pairs will be critical to ensure success of the Okinawa rail captive breeding program. Our results suggested that pairing must be started before March. If supportive breeding is used, semen should be collected from March to June and artificial insemination conducted in April.
冲绳秧鸡的圈养繁殖计划始于2008年。对于成功的圈养繁殖而言，与繁殖相关的信息，如性成熟年龄、睾丸周期和排卵周期，对于预测何时可能繁殖以及某些繁殖行为最可能在何时发生至关重要。我们对冲绳秧鸡的生殖器官进行了大体和组织学观察，以了解其性成熟、睾丸周期和排卵周期。我们发现，睾丸重量在12月最小，在3月最大。曲细精管直径的变化呈现相同模式。3月至6月观察到成熟精子。4月观察到最重的卵巢。在雄性和雌性中均观察到3月至4月为单一的繁殖高峰。我们的观察表明，冲绳秧鸡是季节性繁殖者。建立合适的繁殖配对对于确保冲绳秧鸡圈养繁殖计划的成功至关重要。我们的结果表明，配对必须在3月之前开始。如果采用辅助繁殖，应在3月至6月收集精液，并在4月进行人工授精。
