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Reproductive Tract Collections

Readers should note that productivity data presented are from bears harvested in 2002. Information from reproductive tracts obtained in 2003 cannot be fully analyzed until ages of sows are determined, which is later in the year. Readers should also be reminded that they must add one year to the age of the bear for reproductive information. For example, if it is reported in this section that a 2-year old had corpora lutea then that means that she would have had her cubs at 3-years old.

Seventy-two reproductive tracts were collected in 2002. Fifteen (21%) were of limited use because either the age or part of the tract was missing. Reproduction in black bears is directly related to the female's age, and therefore must be considered by age classes.

All yearlings (12) showed no evidence of breeding. Six of 8 (75%) 2-year old females bred in 2002. Of the 6 breeders, 1 sow had 1 corpora lutea and 5 contained 2 corpora lutea.

Nine of 10 (90%) of 3 or 4-year old sows showed evidence that they had bred in 2002. The other sow, a 3-year old, had 2 placental scars, indicating that she had given birth in 2002. There was an average of 2.5 corpora lutea in these pregnant sows.

Twenty-two of 27 (81%) of females 5-years and older contained corpora lutea, 4 (15%) contained placental scars, and 1 (4%) showed no evidence of breeding. There was an average of 2.8 corpora lutea per pregnant female. One female had 2 placental scars, 2 had 3 placental scars, and 1 had 4 placental scars, indicating that they had given birth in 2002.

Written by Christopher W. Ryan
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