Assessing the effect of litter size on growth pattern and homeothermy acquisition in the Pampas mice Akodon azarae (Rodentia, Muridae).
We evaluated in pups of Akodon azarae both the growth pattern from birth to 48 days of age and the effect of litter size on growth pattern and homeothermy acquisition from birth to weaning age. Individual pups gained weight as expected by a Gompertz growth pattern. Until weaning, litter size affected both the slope of the relationship between body temperature and age and the rate of growth of pups. Pups from small litters increased both body temperature and weight until body temperature and body weight of adults at higher rates than those from large litters.
Antinuchi
C Daniel
CD
Laboratorio de Ecofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CC 1245, 7600 Mar del Plata Argentina. antinuch@mdp.edu.ar
Luna
Facundo
F
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009115:Muridae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D015430:Weight Gain