Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
Frente Sur L. Melliza (March 2010)
ABSTRACT
The presence and duration of the estrous cycle of captive female Crateronyms heaneyi (Panay Bushy-Tailed Cloud Rat) in Mariit Wildlife Conservation Park was investigated through vaginal smeal cytology. Smears were taken from three Cloudrants to ascertain if they are induced or cyclic ovulators. Smears were taken also taken from established cyclic and induced ovulators,namely, mice and rabbits,respectively, to serve as controls to contrast with the cloud rat smears. Smears were obtained from 9:00 AM using the pipette-smearing method throughout a 21-day smearing period and examined under a compound ligt microscope using a 10 x objective lens. The estrous phases manifested by the smears were then identified and recorded. Based on the findings, captive C. heaneyi are cyclic ovulators exhibiting a 5.12 day mean estrous cycle that progresses through the proestrus, estrous, metestrus and dietrus phases, which were determined according to the cell types and ratios observed on the vaginal smears. The information obtained in this pioneering study on the reproductive biology of the critically endangered C. heaneyi could help in their management in captivity and the conservation effort where their numbers are being bolstered in captivity for their eventual reintroduction to the wild.