title: Effect of population density on reproduction in Microtus fortis under laboratory conditions.
abstract: Between December 2011 and March 2012, the reproductive characteristics of Microtus fortis reared in the laboratory at different population densities were assessed. In all, 258 male and female voles were randomly divided into 4 groups and reared at densities of 2, 4, 6, and 8 animals per cage (sex ratio: 1:1). The results showed that the pregnancy rate (χ2 = 21.671, df = 3, P < 0.001) and first farrowing interval (F = 12.355, df = 3, P < 0.001) were significantly different among the different population density groups, but the mean litter size (mean ± SD) was not (F = 2.669, df = 3, P > 0.05). In particular, the reproductive index and sex hormone levels showed a significant difference among the different density groups studied.
authors.affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Changsha 410125 China Sichuan University College of Life Science Chendu 610064 China.
authors.forename: Qunhua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Changsha 410125 China.
authors.forename: Meiwen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Sichuan University College of Life Science Chendu 610064 China.
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Changsha 410125 China.
authors.forename: Guo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Changsha 410125 China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Changsha 410125 China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Changsha 410125 China.
authors.forename: Zhenggang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005865:Gestational Age; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008098:Litter Size; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012098:Reproduction; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Microtus fortis; population density; reproduction; sex hormone