Breeding and Experimental Facility for Woodchucks ('Marmota monax'). Annual Report, May 27, 1986-May 26, 1987

摘要

The 1987 breeding season was the most successful, in terms of female fertility and number of pups produced, in the Cornell Woodchuck Colony's 7-year history of captive breeding. 168 pups lived to weaning age. Reproductive research included effects of hibernation, effects of food restriction on reproductive performance and effects of melatonin on testicular recrudescence in nonhibernating woodchucks. Studies of experimental woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection were continued. The woodchuck appears to have great promise for future studies of the pathogenesis of hepadna virus infection and as a model for development of improved methods for the control and prevention of hepatitis B infection and hepatocellular carcinoma in man.