Kangaroo Reproduction

Submitted by: Nicole Wills

Angela Welsh
Submitted to: John Kastelic
Date Submitted: April 5, 2005
Class: Bio 3850
 Kangaroos are part of the most recently evolved group of the marsupial family.
The average lifespan of a kangaroo is approximately twelve to eighteen years
(http://encarta.msn.com/text_761574683__1/Kangaroo.html). They tend to travel in
groups called mobs, with one dominant male. These dominant males have temporary
exclusive breeding rights to all the females in the mob
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo). There are numerous species of kangaroo and
their breeding varies from seasonal to continuous (King, 2001).

Reproductive Physiology

At the embryonic stage the relation of the Wolffian and Mullerian ducts to the
developing kidney ducts is what ultimately distinguishes marsupials from true mammals.
For both groups the ureters arise as budlike outgrowths on the dorsomedial side of the
Wolffian ducts, but as development continues in the marsupial the point of origin is
shifted to a medial position; the point of origin is shifted to the lateral aspect of the
Wolffian ducts in eutherians (Sharman, 1970). For marsupials this results in the ureters
passing to the base of the bladder between the Wolffian ducts. The Mullerian ducts
appear after the Wolffian ducts but grow so that the ureters also lie between.
In descent of the testis the vas deferens is outside the ureter while in eutherians
the vas deferens must loop over the ureter. The penis is bifid, having right and left prongs
that are placed in corresponding lateral vaginal canals during copulation (Sharman,
1970).
The males are thought to be continuously fertile due to active spermatogenesis
occurring at all times of the year. Marsupials lack seminal vesicles but the prostate gland
is very complex and consists of discrete parts that are homologous to the separate
accessory glands of other mammals. As a result of the vaginal apparatus being distended
with seminal fluid after copulation, it is assumed that the prostate size varies seasonally
like many other marsupials. The prostate is pear shaped surrounding the urethra and can
be divided into anterior, middle and posterior regions. Kangaroo ejaculate is relatively
greater than other mammals, such as the bull and ram, but the density of sperm is much
lower (Tyndale-Biscoe, 1973).
Female kangaroos have two lateral vaginas, not a fused uterus and vagina as in
eutherian species. These lateral vaginas are the canals which the sperm travels up after
insemination. Birth occurs through a midline passage. This passage is known as the
pseudovaginal canal. Where each lateral canal loops around a ureter a cul-de-sac is
formed creating a short cut to the urogenital sinus. In kangaroos this pseudovaginal canal
is not reformed at each parturition like other marsupials. However, in the kangaroo the
epithelium of the vaginal culs-de-sac and urogenital sinus forms a permanent mid line
birth canal after becoming adjacent at the time of the first parturition (Sharman, 1970).

Fig. 1 Comparison of female and male metatheria (marsupial) reproductive systems

with eutherian reproductive systems. (Sharman, 1970)
Reproductive Cycle

A proesterous phase begins the breeding cycle for female kangaroos; the ovaries
enlarge and follicles begin to grow and mature. Corpora lutea are formed at the site of
ruptured ovarian follicles (Sharman, 1970). When the female kangaroo comes into heat or
oestrus there is a peak in the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen regulates this stage of
reproduction, when the female becomes receptive to copulation with a male (King, 2001).
Oestrous typically lasts 22 to 42 days, spontaneous ovulation occurs
approximately 1-2 days later and the egg passes into the oviduct (Tyndale-Biscoe, 1973).
After oestrus occurs a luteal phase begins, which regulates progesterone and is
characterized by one or more functional corpora lutea in the ovaries (Sharman, 1970).
During this phase, the corpus luteum grows and implantation may occur (King, 2001).
In the formation of the corpus luteum the cells of the outer layer penetrate the
inner layer which results in a network of capillaries and lymphatic ducts. The cells of the
membrane granulosa (inner layer) enlarge and differentiate into endocrine secretory cells
also known as luteal cells. In the closing stages of the luteal phase the sub-epithelial
capillary bed becomes more prominent. Capillaries appear to bulge out beyond the
margin of the epithelium but this is not the case (Tyndale-Biscoe, 1973).
As females get close to their oestrus cycle, males begin to take notice and may
follow the female very closely to be sure that he is near at the moment she becomes
receptive to mating. A tending male will keep a distance of about two meters from the
female. Males will put on a display when they sense the female has begun the oestrus
cycle (King, 2001). Females will often reject males based on their body size; smaller
males tend to be rejected more often (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo).
If she accepts the male she will hunch down and allow mounting. The duration of
copulation generally lasts 15-30 minutes. The egg, which has been shed from the ripe
follicle and extruded the first polar body, is surrounded by the zona pellucida. It passes
into the open funnel of the oviduct and is carried rapidly to the uterus in one day. In this
short time it meets the spermatozoa and a single sperm penetrates the zona pellucida
stimulating the extrusion of a second polar body and resulting in fertilization (Tyndale-
Biscoe, 1973). Fertilization will occur in less than 48 hours as sperm are rapidly
transported through the lateral vagina. (King, 2001)
There may be little visible indication that the female is pregnant, except when
birth nears the female will begin cleaning her pouch. When the pouch is unoccupied, it
secretes a waxy compound that dries into a dark scale. The female will spend a couple of
days before birth licking away this scale (King, 2001).
. The gestation period for a kangaroo is approximately 31 to36 days. Due to the
fact that the gestation period is virtually the same duration as oestrus, mating and
fertilization can occur merely a day or two after birth (King, 2001). This ability to be
fertilized so soon after birth has evolved from the unpredictable nature of resources
(http://encarta.msn.com/text_ 761574683__1/Kangaroo.html).
Hormone production by the marsupial placenta has not been well studied but it is
known to have considerable capacity to synthesize prostaglandins. The fetal fluids are
also rich in prostaglandins and cortisol. The placenta maintains high concentrations of
these hormones against a concentration gradient. It also does with a wide variety of
amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates secreted in the fetal fluids (Renfree, 2000)
Kangaroos exhibit embryonic diapause (King, 2001). So while a newborn joey is
suckling in the pouch a new fertilized egg begins to develop in the womb. Once this
fertilized egg develops to a blastocyst, all development will stop. The blastocyst remains
in this suspended state until, the young in the pouch is mature enough to leave (about six
to seven months later). The blastocyst will then resume development. This type of
reproductive feature makes it possible for a kangaroo to care for three litters
simultaneously; having one litter in the womb, another in the pouch and a third older
offspring that is being weaned (http://encarta.msn.com/text_761574683__1/
Kangaroo.html)..
Fig. 2 Two methods of suckling inhibition. Left, return to estrus soon after the young is
removed from the pouch. Right, Estrus is not resumed for about a month after the young
is removed from the pouch.

A major factor in diapause has been found to be the arrested development of the
corpus luteum resulting from a lack of pituitary stimulation. While the rise in
gonadotrophin secretion would normally rise after birth in most animals preventing
resumption of the corpus luteum and embryo development, studies have shown that the
kangaroo does not experience this increase in gonadotrophin and therefore development
of the corpus luteum and embryo can be resumed (Tyndale-Biscoe, 1973). It has also
been determined that oxytocin plays a key role in preventing the development of the
corpus luteum. In red kangaroos deprived of their pouch young injected oxytocin
prevents both corpus luteum growth and maintains embryonic diapause (Sharman, 1970).
Partially due to diapause births can occur throughout the year but are generally more
concentrated in summer months (Poole, 1975).
 When parturition begins the female will assume a birthing position. The tail is
passed forward between the hind legs and leaning up against a tree. In this position, the
pelvis is twisted to bring the cloaca closer to the pouch (King, 2001). This is due to the
influence of prostaglandins. When male kangaroos are treated with prostaglandins they
will also assume the birthing position and begin licking their scrotum (Renfree, 2000).
Kangaroos, like all marsupials, lack a true placenta. The females contain a yolk
sac in the womb that functions in a similar manner, providing nutrients and removes
waste from the embryo. The embryo will continue to absorb nutrients from this yolk sac
for approximately four to five weeks (Stonehouse, 1977). PG production in both the
endometrium and yolk sac placenta increases as the fetus nears term. At term a surge of
PG results in uterine contractions and subsequent birth (Renfree and Shaw, 2002). Prior
to the birth of the joey a yolk sac is expelled from the urogenital opening. This yellowish
fluid contains the excretory products of the unborn young. The young is born enclosed in
the amnion, the mother may assist the young out of the amniotic sac by licking it so that it
ruptures (H.J Frith and J.H Calaby, 1969).
Once the joey is born it is still for the first 10-15 seconds before it begins its
journey to the pouch. The newborn weighs approximately one gram and has many
underdeveloped features; they do however have well developed forearms, which are
needed in order to climb up to the pouch. The small size of the fetus, less than 400 mg,
and the low mass of the placenta suggest that paracrine mechanisms between the fetus,
placenta and uterus may play an important role in regulating PG production or uterine
oxytocin receptor levels (Renfree and Shaw, 2002). During the first part of the joeys
climb to the pouch it is connected by the umbilical cord to the yolk-sac placenta which is
still with in the birth canal (Sharman 1970). It takes approximately three minutes from the
time the joey is born until it reaches the pouch of the mother (King, 2001). When the
umbilical cord is severed the placenta is expelled from the urogenital opening. The
mother continuously licks the fur behind the climbing joey to remove all traces of blood,
birth fluids and embryonic membranes (Sharman, 1970).
. After reaching the pouch the joey is guided by the sense of smell to one of the
four nipples and attaches to the teat. The teat will swell in the youngs mouth, and remain
swollen for approximately 70 days before the joey is able to voluntarily release the
nipple. Marsupial reproduction is dependant on lactation to nourish the poorly developed
young (King, 2001).
The female kangaroo is able to change the composition of the milk according to
the needs of the joey. She is also capable of producing two different kinds of milk
simultaneously in order to supply milk to joeys that are two different ages that are in the
pouch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo). At the time of parturition a clear fluid is
produced and the milk appears to contain little to no fat. The milk produced in later stages
of lactation has a higher fat content with advanced suckled young consuming milk with
up to 20 percent fat. The milk also increases in protein content as lactation proceeds
(Sharman, 1970). The joey begins to move around in the pouch at about 100 days. Then
at approximately 130 days the joey is able to open its eyes. After about four to five
months the joeys head emerges from the pouch, but it isnt until around six months
before the joey will emerge from the pouch (King 2001).

Conclusion

The kangaroo, and marsupials in general, are animals that have not been well
studied but it can be determined they are complex, unique animals just the same. The
physiology of this species is like no other and even with more extensive studies, which
are needed, the complex nature of this animal and how it evolved will never be less than
amazing.
References

Reproduction of a marsupial: From uterus to pouch, Marilyn B. Renfree and Geoffrey

Shaw, Animal Reproduction Science, Volume 64, Issue 1, pg. 11-21, July 2002

Reproductive Physiology of Marsupials, G.B. Sharman, Science, New Series, Vol.167,

No. 3922, pg.1221 1228, Feb., 1970

Reproduction in the Two Species of Grey Kangaroos, Macropus Giganteus Shaw and M.
Fuliginosus (Desmarest). li. Gestation, Parturition and Pouch Life, W. E. Poole,
Australian Journal of Zoology, 1975

Life of Marsupials, Hugh Tyndale-Biscoe, Australian National University, Canberra,

1973

The Biology of Marsupials, Edited by Bernard Stonehouse, School of Environmental

Science, University of Bradford, England, 1977

Kangaroos, H.J. Frith and J.H. Calaby, C. Hurst and Company, London, 1969

Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in Marsupials, Marilyn B. Renfree, Department of

Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Jan 2000

http://encarta.msn.com/text_761574683__1/Kangaroo.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo

www.biology.iastate.edu, Discoveries about Marsupial Reproduction, Anna King 2001