Abstract

The Possum Research Programme of the Reproductive Biology Group at the Wallaceville Animal Research Centre is focused in four specific areas, namely: (a) identifying growth factors and hormones associated with gonadal development during the first 200 days of life; (b) searching for possum homologues of a riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) and a gut epithelial receptor/transporter protein (FcRn); (c) elucidating the role of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on pituitary gonadotrophin secretions and; (d) producing and testing reagents which might interfere with gonadal formation and function of the pituitary gland. Possum specific reagents and in vitro test systems have been developed and will be used to develop strategies for fertility control.

DC, Eckery, AE Fidler, LG Moore, and KP McNatty

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 59, , 239-244, 1999