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in pretty much every ocean
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http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/killer-whale/images/pic-reproduction.jpg
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.
(J Mann et. al, 2000)
(Dierauf & Gulland, 2001)
(Robeck, 2996; Dierauf & Gulland, 2001)
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/72906/72906,1226739521,3/stock-photo-20544563.jpg
(Robeck et al., 1993)
Physiologically during oestrus, her body is doing a variety of things.
Her hormone profile is changing.
Typical luteal and follicular phase in polyestrus whale (Robeck et. al, 1993)
EC levels are rising (and PdG levels at decline). This phase is around 18 days.
(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)