Factors Influencing Behaviour of Guinea Pig Females during the Birth

摘要

The aim of this study was tested hypothesis that factors sex of the young, birth weight of the young, litter size, season of year, and time of day affecting female behaviour. Females of domestic guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) do not treat up to 45% of the born young that subsequently die due to asphyxiation in embryonic covers. Following determinants were observed: sex of the young, birth weight, condition of the young, litter size, season, daytime. In the overall evaluation, a relation between the alive or dead young and other observed values was assessed using Statistix 9.0. A statistical significance was unambiguously proved in the case of daytime, which clearly reflected the influence of light and darkness on a loss of maternal behaviour and instinctive urge of female guinea pigs. Another parameter in which statistical significance was clearly proved was the litter size. Some females do not manage to clean all their youngs after giving birth to a large litter, they are more exhausted and the impact is fatal on the newborn youngs. The ethological observation has also led to a finding that the females devote special care to their firstborn young and neglect the others. This phenomenon often leads to the late rupture of embryonic covers and suffocation of the young as well. Birth weight of newborns is another indicator that has an impact on mortality of the young at birth. It is closely connected with litter size. In conclusion, the study has proved a relationship between selected parameters which can have an effect on the behaviour of female guinea pigs during birth with an impact on giving birth to the live young.