Is the reproductive potential of wild house mice regulated by extrinsic or intrinsic factors?

2007

The regulation of reproductive performance in small mammals may be determined by extrinsic or intrinsic parameters. In a large-scale, replicated field experiment we monitored the seasonal fluctuation in food availability and tested the effects of food addition on the reproductive performance of wild house mice (Mus domesticus) in south-eastern Australia. Ovulation rates and litter size increased during spring and peaked in October/November. Ovulation rate was consistently higher than litter size by approximately 1.2 embryos (19%). None of the extrinsic parameters measured (food quality and quantity, mouse abundance) had an impact on reproductive performance. The addition of food did not pre…