Figure 5. Reproductive development and estrus cycles are altered in Lepr^ΔVglut2 females.

(A) Age of vaginal opening (VO; t₁₈ = 0.84; p = 0.41) and (B) body mass at vaginal opening (VO) (t₁₈ = 1.47; p = 0.16) in females. (C) Age of first estrus (t₁₄ = 2.45; p = 0.028) and (D) body mass at first estrus (t₁₄ = 0.59; p = 0.56) in females. (E) Age of complete balanopreputial separation (BPS; t₁₁ = 1.80; p = 0.1) and (F) body mass at BPS (t₁₁ = 2.43; p = 0.033) in males. (G) Representative estrus cycle profiles from control Lepr^Cre and (H) experimental Lepr^ΔVglut2 females (E: estrus, P: proestrus, M/D: metestrus/diestrus). (I) Cycle duration in adult females (t₂₅ = 3.71; p = 0.001). (J) Time spent in each phase of the cycle during the 30 days studied. Estrus (t₂₆ = 1.97; p = 0.059), proestrus (t₂₆ = 2.81; p = 0.009), and diestrus (t₂₆ = 2.39; p = 0.024). (K) Days spent from mating until the first litter was observed in females paired with proven male breeders (Mann–Whitney test; p = 0.32). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.