This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by SUNDQVIST, C. Articles by BARTKE, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by SUNDQVIST, C. Articles by BARTKE, A.

Reproductive Endocrinology of the Mink (Mustela vison)

Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6512
Department of Biology, Utah State University Logan, Utah 84322-5305

Correspondence: Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Christer Sundqvist, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6512.

Abstract

Introduction: THE MINK (Mustela vison) is a seasonally breeding, semiaquatic animal that is a delayed implanter belonging to the mammalian order Carnivora. It is not a traditional laboratory animal; nevertheless it is of great importance because it is a valuable fur-bearing animal bred and raised in captivity in significant numbers [25.9 million pelts produced 1982/1983 in the world (1)]. The animal has a short life cycle in that the period of time from breeding (early March) to pelting (late November and early December) is roughly 9 months. Few reviews exist on reproduction and endocrinology of the mink (2–5), although some books and book chapters have been written about their breeding (6–22). This review will, therefore, focus on the current knowledge on the reproductive endocrinology of mink.

Endocrinology of Mink Reproduction: The hypothalamic-pituitary unit

Anatomy. As in other animals, the mink hypothalamus and pituitary gland form a close anatomical and functional unit (23–26) in which the hypothalamus appears to secrete releasing factors.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. A Desmarais, M. Cao, A. Bateman, and B. D Murphy Spatiotemporal expression pattern of progranulin in embryo implantation and placenta formation suggests a role in cell proliferation, remodeling, and angiogenesis Reproduction, August 1, 2008; 136(2): 247 - 257. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Akpovi, S. R. Yoon, M. L. Vitale, and R-M. Pelletier The predominance of one of the SR-BI isoforms is associated with increased esterified cholesterol levels not apoptosis in mink testis J. Lipid Res., October 1, 2006; 47(10): 2233 - 2247. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Kabbaj, S. R. Yoon, C. Holm, J. Rose, M. L. Vitale, and R.-M. Pelletier Relationship of the Hormone-Sensitive Lipase-Mediated Modulation of Cholesterol Metabolism in Individual Compartments of the Testis to Serum Pituitary Hormone and Testosterone Concentrations in a Seasonal Breeder, the Mink (Mustela vison) Biol Reprod, March 1, 2003; 68(3): 722 - 734. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Vitale, J. Cardin, N. B. Gilula, M. Eloísa Carbajal, and R.-M. Pelletier Dynamics of Connexin 43 Levels and Distribution in the Mink (Mustela vison) Anterior Pituitary Are Associated with Seasonal Changes in Anterior Pituitary Prolactin Content Biol Reprod, February 1, 2001; 64(2): 625 - 633. [Abstract] [Full Text]