Reproduction in the Male Dasyurid Antechinus minimus maritimus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)

Abstract

Reproduction in male Antechinus minimus maritimus was investigated in the field and laboratory by morphological, histological and endocrinological techniques. All males died in late July or early August immediately after mating. Testicular weight was maximal in May and then declined abruptly in June. Spermatogenesis lasted from February to May. The germinal epithelia of some tubules at the time of testicular regression consisted of only Sertoli cells, while in others some spermatogonia were also present. Prostate and Cowper's glands were maximally enlarged in June and July, which coincided with the maximal concentration (5 ng ml-¹) of androgens in the blood. During the rest of the year concentrhtions were less than l ng ml-¹. It is concluded that reproduction in male A. m. maritimus is essentially the same as in other Antechinus which exhibit male 'die-off'. The low concentrations of plasma androgens during spermatogenesis in Antechinus indicate that if these steroids are important for spermatogenesis, only relatively small amounts are required.