Reproduction of a marsupial: From uterus to pouch

Abstract

Parturition in marsupials is a remarkable process because the maternal endocrine system must be able to respond to signals from the tiny altricial neonate which may be as small as 5 mg (honey possum) or as 'large' as 800 mg (red and grey kangaroos). From the relatively few studies that have been conducted, it is clear that many features involved in the control of birth are held in common with those of eutherians. Based on current data on parturition in one species, the tammar wallaby, it is now clear that prostaglandins F(2α), and PGE2 (PGs) are the key regulators. The active oxytocic peptide in tammars is mesotocin (MT), which appears to facilitate birth. In the second half of gestation the..