ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 17-α- hydroxyprogesterone caproate (HPC) on female African giant rats (FAGR) fertility in captivity. After mating confirmation by the observation of spermatozoa in vaginal smears, mated females were assigned to three groups of 16 animals. They were housed singly and had free access to water and feed. Groups 2 and 3 received daily an intramuscular injection of 16 and 20 mg/kg.bw of HPC respectively, in a volume of 0.3ml while group 1 received a ricin oil at 0.3ml/kg.bw. Injections stated at day 3 and ended at day 27 post coitus. At day fifteen, eight rats per group were sacrificed and the remaining female rats of each group was observed......
Key words: Female African giant rats, 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, embryo losses, fertility.
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