Preliminary evaluation of urinary cytology and running wheel activity to detect oestrus and the effect of daily handling on breeding success of fat-tailed dunnarts Sminthopsis crassicaudata

Abstract

Eight recently weaned female fat-tailed dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) were divided into two experimental groups: those in Group A (n = 4) received limited handling, whereas those in Group B (n = 4) were handled daily for the collection of urine samples to detect changes in cornified epithelial cells (CEC). Daily faecal output, food consumption, running wheel activity and weekly bodyweight changes were recorded. Faecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) concentrations were determined over two periods, namely after introduction to either a new enclosure or a male for mating. Although changes in faecal output, food consumption, bodyweight and running wheel activity showed no relationship to oestrus, CEC scoring was a suitable means for detecting oestrus. Overall mean FCM concentrations did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the Groups A and B, and pouch young were produced in both (Group A, n = 2; Group B, n = 3), suggesting that daily handling is not a significant factor affecting breeding success. However, females that did not produce young during the study period demonstrated higher baseline FCM concentrations than females that did (mean (±s.e.m.) 79.8 ± 4.0 vs 62.3 ± 3.1 ng g−1). Daily handling for urine collection for CEC scoring appears to have little effect on adrenal output or reproductive success, confirming its utility as a reproductive management tool for this species.