Fertility parameters and reproductive management of Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coon, Persian and Bengal cats raised in Italy: a questionnaire-based study
Open accessAbstract
Objectives: Fertility and reproductive management were investigated, via questionnaires, in breeding establishments of Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coon, Persian and Bengal cats in Italy. Methods: Six Bengal, five Maine Coon, eight Norwegian Forest Cat and seven Persian breeders responded for a total of 128 queens, 565 heats, 337 litters and 1424 kittens spanning the period 1998–2012. The mean number of queens per cattery was 4.9 ± 2.3, with primiparous queens constituting 20.5%. Of the catteries, 61.5% were indoor, with 50% of them having access to a fenced balcony. Fifteen percent of the catteries were outdoor with cat runs. No light supplementation was used in any of the catteries. Results: Queens showed oestrous cycles throughout the year, although 67% of oestrous cycles occurred from January–June. Puberty occurred, on average, at 12.3 ± 7.4 months. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed routinely in only 30% of catteries. Both pregnancy length (average 64.7 ± 2.4 days, range 59–76 days) and litter size (average 4.2 ± 1.8 kittens, with 11.8% of kittens stillborn) showed some breed-specific differences; in Norwegian Forest Cats larger litter size was associated with shorter pregnancy length. Kitten mortality between birth and weaning was, on average, 14%. Stillborn kittens ( P <0.01) and kitten mortality (0.01 < P <0.05) increased with litter size. In Maine Coons and Persians, a total of 3% of parturitions occurred via caesarean section (CS); litters born via CS were larger and characterised by a greater number of stillborn kittens and kitten mortality. Conclusions and relevance: No previous data concerning reproductive patterns of pedigree cats raised in Southern Europe are available. Feline reproductive management should be adjusted for latitude owing to different climate and daylight patterns that may have an impact on feline reproduction.
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The mortality rate occurring between birth and weaning varies from approximately 8% to 14%.
“Some authors have reported that the mortality rate occurring between birth and weaning varies from approximately 8% to 14%.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
The Pre-weaning mortality section reports an overall average of 14%, and Table 3 reports 8% for Maine Coons. But the paper gives a wider breed-specific range, from 6% in Norwegian Forest Cats to 20% in Persians; it does not present 8–14% as the range of pre-weaning mortality. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredLarge litters are associated with shorter gestation lengths, especially in Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats.
“large litters are associated with shorter gestation lengths, 2 especially in Maine Coons 6 and Norwegian Forest Cats.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
The Breeding management section reports a negative correlation between litter size and gestation length in Norwegian Forest Cats, and the Discussion says gestation was shorter with increasing litter size. The paper reports larger litters in Maine Coons but does not establish the claimed litter-size–gestation association specifically for that breed. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredOnly 3-7% of queens have been reported to require surgical intervention (caesarean section).
“in general, only 3-7% of queens have been reported to require surgical intervention (caesarean section).”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
The Caesarean sections section reports that 3% of births in this study occurred via caesarean section. The Discussion reports 7.1% of Maine Coon litters, but its percentages are of births or litters, not of queens requiring surgery; the study also covers four breeds in Italian catteries rather than queens in general. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredRomagnoli et al reported a gestation length of 64.7 ± 2.4 days in purebred queens.
“Romagnoli et al 5 reporting a gestation length of 64.7 ± 2.4 days in purebred queens”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
In some breeds, such as Maine Coons and Persian cats, an increased risk for caesarean section is reported, as well as an association between caesarean section and the presence of one or more stillborn kittens.
“in some breeds, such as Maine Coons and Persian cats, an increased risk for caesarean section is reported, as well as an association between caesarean section and the presence of one or more stillborn kittens.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
Increasing litter size is associated with both stillbirth and neonatal mortality in purebred cats.
“increasing litter size was associated with both stillbirth and neonatal mortality.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [5]
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- Authors
- Romagnoli, S., Bensaia, C., Ferré-Dolcet, L., Sontas, H. B., & Stelletta, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Padua (IT)
- Private practitioner, Mestre, Italy
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary College, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Animal Hospital Postojna (SI)
- Corresponding author
- Romagnoli, Stefano
- Venue
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2019-02-06
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1188-1197
- ISSN
- 1098-612X (ISSN-L)
- 1532-2750
- PMC
- PMC10814262
- OpenAlex
- W2914893591
- Cited by
- 43
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 5.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Reproductive Physiology in Livestock
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Keywords
- feline reproduction, Maine Coon, Persian cat, Bengal cat, litter size, gestation length, stillbirth, kitten mortality, cesarean section, estrous cycle, puberty, pregnancy diagnosis
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Breeding, Cats, Female, Fertility, Italy, Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Animal, Reproduction
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