Seasonal variation in plasma testosterone and the testis in captive male dingoes, Canis familiaries dingo

Abstract

Eastern Highlands and Central Australian dingoes housed in Canberra do not have a testicular cycle. They are spermatogenically active and capable of mating with oestrous females and fathering young all year. They do exhibit a breeding season (April-June) but this is entirely governed by the female. During the breeding season testosterone levels rise; this is thought to be influenced by the presence of an oestrous female and copulation. There are indications that captive dingoes in Central Australia may have a testicular cycle. Colony dingoes showed little interest in and do not mate with an oestrous domestic female at times other than January-July. They also become almost aspermous outside the breeding season. In contrast, Central Australian dingoes housed in Canberra are spermatogenically active and capable of successful matings all year.