Reproductive parameters of pet guinea pigs

The aim of this bachelor thesis was the observation and evaluation of female conception, as the main reproduction parameter, and the litter size in guinea-pig hobby breed. There were 50 litters evaluated in total and the results were compared with literature. In the experiment the date when the male was put in the group of females, the date of delivery and the size of the litter were recorded. The order of heat in which females got pregnant was calculated using these data. The results were visualized using tables and graphs. The results of female conceptions were considerably various, the majority of females, namely 28, became pregnant in the first heat, on the contrary, only one female became pregnant in their sixth heat. In the second, third and fourth heat total of 11, 4 and 6 respectively became pregnant. The exception was the fourth heat, while no female became pregnant. The litter sizes were also very different, females delivered from 1 to 6 pups. Four of the total 50 observed females delivered only one pup, 10 and 13 females had two and three pups respectively. The most common litter size was 4, delivered by 15 females; seven females had 5 pups and the largest size of six pups was in one case