Temporal variation in reproductive physiology of small Indian mongoose male,herpestes javanicus,inhabiting Potohar Plateau,Pakistan

Small indian mongoose (herpestes javanicus),a small carnivore,has a crucial role in the food web,especially in agro-ecosystems where it serves as biological control agent for rodents,snakes,and some insects. in pakistan,the scientific studies on reproductive biology of this species,vital for its management perspective,are scanty. we investigated male reproductive pattern of this species in potohar plateau by estimating concentrations of its male reproductive hormones and studying cellular changes inside the testes. the concentrations of testosterone,fsh (follicle-stimulating hormone) and lh (luteinizing hormone) were measured by using elisa kits,while cellular changes inside the testes were studied by using histological procedures. testosterone concentrations were found elevated from january till april and in august. the fsh levels were also elevated in january,february and march while those of lh were higher in february,march and april. sperm count was higher in april,june and september,while diameter of seminiferous tubules was found greater in april and august. the study concludes that small indian mongoose male breeds twice a year with its breeding season ranging from february to april,and july to september (6 months). copyright 2015 zoological society of pakistan.