Reproduction in the Cat

Feline Physiology and ReproductionFeline Physiology and Reproduction

Reproduction in the Queen

Average age of puberty in the queen:10 months (range 4-18).10 months (range 4-18).

Queen is seasonally polyestrous breeder in that photoperiodcontrols the period of cyclicity.

Breeding season: is from March to September. Actually split seasons with January to March and August to October.

Queen is anestrous during late fall and winter.

Household queens can cycle during winter with lights in housegiving 12 to 14 hours of light.

Estrous Cycle of QueenEstrous Cycle of Queen

Reproductive cycle in the queen is similar to other specieswith one unique difference. Queen requires copulation to stimulate ovulation.

Average length of the estrous cycle is 14 to 21 days. Estruswill last approximately 7 days followed by a period of non-receptivity for 10 days if no mating occurs.

Estrous CycleEstrous Cycle

Proestrus:

Characteristic: Rolling, head rubbing, vocalization, crouching often with rear quarters elevated, treading movement of feet but still rejecting male.

Duration one day or less

Estrus: Duration is 6 to 7 days.Estrus: Duration is 6 to 7 days.

• Characteristic: Increase intensity of proestrus activitybut will now accept male. Acceptance allows mating with deviation of tail to one side and permission of Tom to grasp her neck, mount and copulate

Metestrus: Duration is 1 to 2 weeksMetestrus: Duration is 1 to 2 weeks

• Characteristic: Following non-ovulation (no mating)there is no acceptance of male and loss of signs of heat.

Psuedopregnancy:Psuedopregnancy:

• Sterile mating induces ovulation of follicles and formation of CL release progesterone which is maintained for 35-45 days

Reproductive Tract

Ovary

Oviduct

Ovarian Bursa

Bladder

Uterine HornUterine Body

Cerivx

VaginaVestibule

Vulva

Urethra

Clitoris

Hormonal Changes during Estrous Cycle and PregnancyHormonal Changes during Estrous Cycle and Pregnancy

10 20 30 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Est

rad

iol

P

rog

este

ron

e

LH

Copulation

Heat Heat

Parturition

Days

Mating of Queen induces LH surge for OvulationMating of Queen induces LH surge for Ovulation

Duration of Gestation in Queen:Duration of Gestation in Queen:63-66 days63-66 days

Pregnancy Diagnosis:Pregnancy Diagnosis:Abdominal Palpation: 20-30 days

•Mating by male induces ovulation but it takes approximatelya minimum of 4 matings to induce ovulation4 matings to induce ovulation in queen.

•Male may breed 10x/hour (WOW!!!)

•The penial spines on the cranial end of the Tom’s penisinduces the stimulation of the vagina for the LH surge toovulate.

Termination of PregnancyTermination of Pregnancy

• Cabergoline was given orally (n=5; 50 µg/cat/day) for five consecutive days.

• Prostaglandin F2 was administered SC (n=5;

2.5 mg/cat/day) for five consecutive days.

• Both cabergoline (n=5; 50 µg/cat/day) and prostaglandin F2. (2.5 mg/cat/day) were

administered.

Ahmadzadeh et al, 2000Ahmadzadeh et al, 2000

Anatomy of Tom

Kidney

Bladder

Rectum

Bulbourethral Gland

Testis

Scrotum

Glans PenisDuctusDeferens

Ureter

ProstateGland

Glans Penis

CornifiedSpines

Urethra

Os Penis

Reproductive Anatomy of Tomcat

Bladder

UreterDuctus Deferens

ProstateGland

Scrotum

GlansPenis Urethra

Average age at: 9 months9 months.

Semen Characteristics:Volume: 0.04 mlTotal Sperm 15-130 x 106

Motility 60-95%

Breeding and Mating Behavior

Cats are nocturnal

•Female in heat crouches, rollsstamps hind feet and raises pelvis

•Male detects female throughpheromones•Female bends tail to one side and

male bites back of neck to insert penis.•When penis is withdrawn, female

will move forward and give out the “copulation cry”.

•The copulation cry is thought to be caused by the penial spines as the penis is withdrawn.•Breeding is repeated several times

Breeding and Mating BehaviorBreeding and Mating Behavior

Ovary in Bursa

Ovary

Ovarina Bursa

Opening to Bursa

Follilcles

Oviduct

Uterine Horn

Scrotum and Penis

Scrotum

Penis

Note opening to penis in the tomcat is below scrotum

Scrotum and Testis

Testis

CaputEpididymis

CorpusEpididymis

Scrotum

Penis and Pelvic Region

GlansPenis

Penis

Bladder

ProstateGland

BulbourethralGland

Urethra

DuctusDeferens

CrusPenis

Testis

CaudaEpididymis

CaputEpididymis

Testis

PampiniformPlexus

DuctusDeferens

CorpusEpididymis

Penis and Accessory Glands

GlansPenis

PenialSpines Crus

Penis

BulbourethralGland

Urethra

ProstateGland

Penis