Reproductive Responses of Microtus Montanus to Plants and Plant Extracts in The Diet

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Abstract
Breeding experiments with Microtus montanus indicate that small dietary supplements of either sprouted wheat or acetone-ether extracts of sprouted wheat elicited improved reproductive performance. The improvement resulted primarily in more frequent postpartum matings and lower rates of litter loss. Spinach extract, fed to 4-week-old female Microtus, stimulated an increase in uterine weight and in number of developing follicles in the ovaries. Sprouted wheat, fed to immature females, stimulated immediate onset of estrus, as well as an increase in uterine and adrenal weights. It is suggested that hormone-like substances in plants may influence reproduction in natural populations of Microtus montanus.