Age of pairing affects reproduction in prairie voles

The effect of the age at pairing on reproduction of weanling prairie voles was studied. The proportion of pairs producing a litter within 60 days was influenced significantly by the age at pairing. More voles paired at 31 days of age produced litters than those paired at 21 days of age. Assuming a gestation interval of 21 days, the earliest mating occurred around 33 days of age in both groups. On average, successful matings did not occur until voles were housed together for 2 to 3 weeks. No other measured variables were affected by age of pairing.