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http://thewinterdolphinchronicles.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/nowergian_orca.jpg

http://killerwhalesinthesea.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/killer-whale2.jpg

  • The length of cycle was found to be 41.2 days.
  • Luteal Phase on average was 22 days.
  • Follicular Phase on average was 18 days.
  • LH peaks occured 38 hours prior to ovulation.

(Robeck et al., 2004)

  • Killer Whale is not a whale. It is actually a dolphin.
  • Largest dolphin in the world, apex predator & K species.
  • Scientific name is Orcinus orca.
  • Also known as the Orca Whale, Orca, Shamu-type-whale.
  • Geographically they are found

in pretty much every ocean

  • How are they so good at breeding?

Hope you all had a whale of a time!

http://jerproonline.com/web%20design%20pics/final%20project/whale1.JPG

So... eostrous eh?

http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/killer-whale/images/pic-reproduction.jpg

Let's follow Kelly's oestrous cycle

https://www.imata.org/uploads//animals/139_KillerWhale-headUp.jpg

Anoestrus

1st Anoestrus

Like all mammals, reproductive output declines with age.

Female killer whales stop bearing calves later on in life. They are then called 'post-productive'.

They live in pods, aid in taking care of any new calves.

Female become sexually mature when they are 85-90% of their mature body weight. This can be anywhere from 10 - 15 years.

A Killer Oestrous Cycle

(J Mann et. al, 2000)

(Dierauf & Gulland, 2001)

Oestrus

  • Her oestrus cycles will on average last 42 days.
  • She will have polyestrus (multiple cycles) interspersed with periods of non cycling.
  • On average she will have 4 estrus cycles (with 1 ovulation per cycle).
  • Her non cycling periods will be around 7-8 months.

Oestrus

(Robeck, 2996; Dierauf & Gulland, 2001)

  • Follicular size range from 2.5-4.5cm at the start of follicular phase.
  • Follicles destined to ovulate do so over 2 cycles.
  • Follicles are turgid, spherical shapes as they approach ovulation.
  • Secondary follicles do not regress.
  • Prolonged anestrus maybe due to lack of secondary follicles.

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/72906/72906,1226739521,3/stock-photo-20544563.jpg

Preovulatory pimary follicle

(Robeck et al., 1993)

Physiologically during oestrus, her body is doing a variety of things.

Her hormone profile is changing.

Anoestrus

Typical luteal and follicular phase in polyestrus whale (Robeck et. al, 1993)

Follicular Phase

EC levels are rising (and PdG levels at decline). This phase is around 18 days.

Luteal Phase

(Dierauf & Gulland, 2001)

PdG levels are rising (EC levels are declining). This phase is around 22 days.

Progesterone levels rise, until the first trimester in

which a drop is observed and then a rise and then a

gradual decline for the rest of the gestation.

Gestation on average is 17 months.Kelly can remain in anoestrus, for up to 2 years

(but probably only 1 year).

At the end of pregnancy, killer whales have been observed to return to regular cyclicity immediately after parturition of their calf.

However more recent studies have shown that lactation and suckling will suppress follicular developme.

(Robeck et. al, 1996)

http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/small-wonders/killer-whale/images/killer-whale.jpg

(Norris, 1966)

(Robeck et al., 1996)

LH peaks approx. 12hrs following the EC peak.

The EC is associated with behavioural and physiological sexually receptive changes.

Ovulation occurs 38hrs after LH surge.

(Robeck et al., 2004)

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