Population density does not affect seasonal regulation of reproductive physiology in male water voles.
Biol Lett
; 19(2): 20220441, 2023 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36815586
ABSTRACT
Most small rodent species display cyclic fluctuations in their population density. The mechanisms behind these cyclical variations are not yet clearly understood. Density-dependent effects on reproductive function could affect these population variations. The fossorial water vole ecotype, Arvicola terrestris, exhibits multi-year cyclical dynamics with outbreak peaks. Here, we monitored different water vole populations over 3 years, in spring and autumn, to evaluate whether population density is related to male reproductive physiology. Our results show an effect of season and inter-annual factors on testis mass, plasmatic testosterone level, and androgen-dependent seminal vesicle mass. By contrast, population density does not affect any of these parameters, suggesting a lack of modulation of population dynamics by population density.
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1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Arvicolinae
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article