Question

Name the reproductive cycle that occurs in seasonal breeders. Give an example.

Answer 1

The animals which breed successfully only during a particular time of the year are called seasonal breeders. The specific time of the year helps in survival of the offsprings as there is optimum temperature, food supply, etc.

Complete answer:
-Estrus cycle is a 20 day cycle in mammals except higher primates during which they are in heat and are ready to accept a male or female. It is also the breeding season of the species.
-During the breeding season of a species, one or more periods of estrus may arise. The endometrium (uterine lining) thickens before ovulation, in preparation for holding the fertilized ovum.
-As the proliferation of uterine tissue reaches its peak, the estrous period is the highest receptivity.
-Monestrous animals like dogs have one heat during the breeding season.
-Polyestrous animals like ground squirrels have more than one heat period during their breeding season.
-They will come into heat repeatedly during the breeding season if not impregnated.
-Males can recognize a woman in heat by smell; only at this part of her cycle are certain substances (pheromones) secreted.
-During estrus, the female's genital region may be swollen, and she may show that she is ready to mate through a variety of behavioral signals.

Note: There are four phases in the estrous cycle, namely proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus, lasting for 4 to 5 days. Estrus is the period in the blood when large quantities of estrogen are observable. Estrogen generates the estrus' behavioral signs, such as the mounting of other cows, the willingness to stand while other cows are mounted, and the overall increase in activity.