Seasonal morphometry of the vomeronasal organ in the marsupial mouse, Antechinus subtropicus.

ABSTRACT: The vomeronasal system consists of a peripheral organ and the connected central neuronal networks. The central connections are sexually dimorphic in rodents, and in some species, parameters of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) vary with sex, hormonal exposure, body size and seasonality. The VNO of the dasyurid marsupial mouse, Antechinus subtropicus is presumed to be functional. The unusual life history (male semelparity) is marked by distinct seasonality with differences in hormonal environments both between males and females, and in males at different time points. Body size parameters (e.g., length, weight) display sexual dimorphism and, in males, a pronounced weight gain before breeding is followed by a rapid decline during the single, short reproductive season. VNO morphometry was investigat

SUBMITTER: Aland RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5095805 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature