Lack of a response of the sub-tropical rodent (Saccostomus campestris) to a secondary plant compound, 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone - consequences for reproductive strategy

A potential strategy for southern African small mammals to maximise reprodu ctive success is to cue breeding activity to rainfall and subsequent Vegeta tive growth via a secondary plant compound such as 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone (6MBOA). This study investigated whether the sub-tropical rodent Saccostom us campestris utilised this compound to enhance reproductive activity. 6MBO A or control vehicle were injected into adult females and into peri-puberta l females under long day (LD) and short day (SD) photoperiods (adults n = 6 to 8; peripubertals n = 5 to 10/treatment). There was no significant effec t of 6MBOA or photoperiod on uterine or ovarian masses nor on ovarian devel opment in sacrificed animals, nor on age at vaginal opening of peri-puberta ls. It was concluded that 6MBOA is not a major stimulant of reproduction in this species. Rather, we propose that seasonal breeding occurs in response to multiple environmental cues. This reproductive strategy and omnivory pe rmit an opportunistic reproductive response to the unpredictable environmen t of the southern African region.