Effects of Exposure to 21 and 34°C on the Outcome of Overlapping Reproductive Cycles in the Mouse

Abstract

In rodents, second and subsequent pregnancies can result either from post-partum or from post-weaning matiugs. If pregnancy results from a post-partum matiug, the gestation period overlaps with the lactation period of the previous reproductive cycle. There is some evidence that under these conditions, the viability and growth of both the suckiug and the unborn litter are affected (McCarthy 1965), although other authors could find little or no evidence of this (Krehbiel 1941; Bruce and East 1956).