HomeEquine Research BankVet Clin North Am Equine PractKey Aspects of Donkey and Mule Reproduction.

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2019; 35(3); 607-642; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.08.014

Key Aspects of Donkey and Mule Reproduction.

Canisso, IF
·
Panzani, D
·
Miru00f3, J
·
Ellerbrock, RE

Abstract: Donkeys are nonseasonal, polyestrous, territorial, and nonharem breeders. Although there are many similarities between horses and donkeys, there are also reproductive features that differ, from the longer cervix in the jenny to spermatogenic efficiency in the jack. Mules display reproductive cyclic activity but are rarely fertile. Frozen donkey semen has high pregnancy rates in mares, but lower rates in jennies. This article reviews key aspects of donkey and mule reproductive physiology, reproductive medicine, and assisted reproductive techniques that are useful for practitioners offering assisted reproductive techniques, and also for practitioners with the occasional client with a basic reproductive question.

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Publication Date: 2019-11-02 PubMed ID: 31672204DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.08.014Google Scholar: Lookup

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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study is an exploration of donkey and mule reproduction, including notable differences when compared to horses, the characteristics of their breeding behaviours, and the fertility of mules and the effectiveness of frozen donkey semen for reproduction.

Donkey and Mule Breeding Characteristic

The study starts by establishing that donkeys exhibit nonseasonal and polyestrous breeding behaviour making them capable of breeding any time of the year and going through multiple estrous cycles in a single year. Additionally, they are territorial and do not engage in collective breeding, or harem breeding, like some species do.
Despite a number of similarities with horses, significant reproductive differences exist between the two. These differences are pointed out as distinguishing characteristics to be considered when analyzing their breeding habits.

Mules’ Reproductive Activity and Fertility

Mules, a hybrid of a donkey and a horse, display reproductive activity similarly to their parents. However, they almost always are infertile, consistent with the general rule that hybrid species tend to have low fertility or are often completely sterile.

Frozen Donkey Semen and Pregnancy Rates

The success rate of pregnancy from frozen donkey semen is variable, depending on the recipient. In horses (mares), the success rate is high whereas in female donkeys (jennies), it is considerably lower. This could potentially reflect an evolved adaption in response to interspecies breeding or a fundamental biological difference between mares and jennies.

Practical Application of Research

The findings from this research are aimed at informing practitioners offering assisted reproductive techniques, specifically those concerning donkey breeding.
Understanding these specifics of donkey and mule reproduction can also offer insights to practitioners who might be puzzled by a seemingly basic reproductive question concerning these animals.

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APA

Canisso IF, Panzani D, Miru00f3 J, Ellerbrock RE. (2019). Key Aspects of Donkey and Mule Reproduction. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 35(3), 607-642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2019.08.014

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice

ISSN: 1558-4224

NlmUniqueID: 8511904

Country: United States

Language: English

Volume: 35

Issue: 3

Pages: 607-642

PII: S0749-0739(19)30052-5

Researcher Affiliations

Canisso, Igor Federico

Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA. Electronic address: canisso@illinois.edu.

Panzani, Duccio

Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa 56122, Italy.

Miru00f3, Jordi

Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.

Ellerbrock, Robyn E

Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Equidae / physiology
Female
Horses
Male
Pregnancy
Reproduction / physiology
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.

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