[A variation of secondary sex ratio in blue fox (Alopex lagopus L.)]

Abstract

The effects of several genotypic and paratypic factors on the secondary (at birth) sex ratio was analyzed in blue fox bred in captivity. In particular, variation of sex ratio was for the first time studied as dependent on sire's age (without considering dam's age), the ages of both sire and dam, and the lines of both parents. The initial data were obtained from the Pushkino breeding facility, Moscow oblast. In total, 15,396 puppies were analyzed. The frequency of males (P) in this population was 0.551 +/- 0.004 (confidence interval 0.543 << p << 0.559). Parents' ages and litter size had no effect on the proportion of males in the progeny. In one of the two blue fox subpopulations under study, dam's line proved to be associated with a significant departure of sex ratio to a higher proportion of males, suggesting the effect of genotypic factors on the variation of secondary sex ratio in blue fox.