Fruktsamhet och fruktsamhetsproblem hos chow-chow
En inledande studie över situationen i Sverige
Chow-chowSäsongsmässig reproduktionFertilitetsproblem hos hundFertilitet hos hundReproduktion hos hund
The chow-chow breed is considered to have a low fertility and this report is an in
depth study of the reproductive functions of this breed in Sweden. Only 53 % of
the Chow-chow matings results in litters. Previous studies of other breeds in
commercial kennels shows mating results around 85-90 %, but this has not been
investigated in hobby kennels and most Chow-chows which are bred from in
Sweden, are kept as family pets.
Contrary to most other breeds, Chow-chows show a seasonal reproductive pattern
and most litters are born in the autumn. The influence of the month of mating on
pregnancy rate and litter size was found to be not significant, but can be
considered a trend.
Thirty-nine females with previous known fertility problems where studied. Some
of them had reached puberty extremely early, at an age between 4-5 months, and
many of the bitches showed great fluctuations in intervals between oestrus cycles.
Some of the females showed abnormalities such as very short oestrus intervals of only 2-3 months, probably without ovulating. One bitch was mated between days
4-18 in the heat, which is extreme. One bitch varied in length of the heat with 1-4
weeks. Some of the bitches did not accept any male as mating partner, which is a
primitive and natural behaviour for canines.
The semen quality of four Chow-chow males was evaluated every third month
during a year. No seasonal variation in semen quality was noted. However, the
quality varied greatly in each individual male between the sampling occasions.
Deviations from the normal reproductive pattern of both females and males in the
study are exemplified and suggestions of measures and further investigations are
given in the report.