Peppler R D, Hossler F E, Stone S C
J Reprod Fertil. 1986 Jan;76(1):141-6. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0760141.
At 3-month intervals from birth to 27 months of age, 3 female armadillos were killed. The number and size of follicles greater than 202 micron were determined, plasma progesterone concentration was measured, and values were correlated with age. Blood samples were taken monthly by femoral vein puncture and plasma was analysed by radioimmunoassay for progesterone concentration. At necropsy, both ovaries were visually inspected for a corpus luteum, weighed and then processed for routine histology. The number of normal, antral follicles greater than 202 micron were counted. These follicles were arbitrarily categorized into 15 different size groups (every 77 micron). Total number of follicles greater than 202 micron varied from 15.5 +/- 1.3 at 15 months of age to 26.3 +/- 1.9 at 21 months. Follicles of a size (greater than 978 micron) most likely to ovulate were present only at greater than or equal to 9 months of age. Progesterone values remained below the adult concentration (5 ng/ml) until 15 months of age. A concentration of progesterone indicative of ovulation (approximately 10 ng/ml) occurred between 17 and 20 months of age. The findings of the present study demonstrate that the female armadillo is reproductively mature after 15 months of age.
从出生到27个月龄期间，每隔3个月处死3只雌性犰狳。测定直径大于202微米的卵泡数量和大小，测量血浆孕酮浓度，并将这些数值与年龄进行关联分析。每月通过股静脉穿刺采集血样，采用放射免疫分析法测定血浆孕酮浓度。尸检时，肉眼检查双侧卵巢有无黄体，称重后进行常规组织学处理。计数直径大于202微米的正常窦状卵泡数量。这些卵泡被随意分为15个不同大小组（每组间隔77微米）。直径大于202微米的卵泡总数在15月龄时为15.5±1.3个，在21月龄时为26.3±1.9个。最有可能排卵的卵泡大小（大于978微米）仅在9月龄及以上时出现。孕酮值在15月龄之前一直低于成年浓度（5纳克/毫升）。在17至20月龄之间出现了表明排卵的孕酮浓度（约10纳克/毫升）。本研究结果表明，雌性犰狳在15月龄后达到生殖成熟。
