Hi Doug:
Most rodents have a double-horned uterus. It is possible for a rodent to become
pregnant with only one horn being occupied by embryos/fetuses. Normally, the next
scheduled estrous cycle is suppressed due to hormonal changes. However, occasionally,
the next cycle does occur, in which case the other horn may become occupied by
embryos/fetuses that are a cycle behind. The delivery of the first set of
embryos/fetuses will occur on schedule. The second set may be delivered at the same
time or the female will "close up" and deliver again at the normal time for the second
set. in the first case, the second embryos/fetuses will naturally be much smaller and
possibly non-viable.
With altricial offspring such as with Gerbils, Hamsters, Rabbits etc, the "premie"
will most probably be too underdeveloped and thus stillborn. With precocial offspring
such as with Chins, Cavies, Hares, the "premie" often has a good chance of survival.
In addition to this happening in Cavies/Guinea Pigs, as you stated below, this
"asynchronous pregnancy" [I don't know the actual name either] is known to occur with
Chinchillas. In fact, this happened last Autumn with a local Chin breeder I know.
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On Fri, 4 Aug 2000 15:37:14 Douglas White wrote:
>I had this happen a few days ago with my burmese and argente cream pair that
>had one baby born dead that was half the size (about) of the other pups. I
>have also seen this in guinea pigs but it was not twinning and I can't
>remember what the vet called it.
>
> Doug
>
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