Oestrus Cycle in the Queen: which statement is true?

• A. Seasonally polyoestrus
• B. Induced ovulators
• C. Recurrent oestrous cycle = Jan to September
• D. Queens become sexually active in the first spring after they are born, so can be as young as 4 months at first season

Answer: (B)

In cats, ovulation is induced by mating rather than occurring on a fixed schedule. When a tom mates, the stimulation triggers a surge of hormones that causes ovulation about a day later. Because ovulation depends on successful copulation, the queen may display heat behaviors, can cycle repeatedly, and pregnancy follows only if mating occurs. This makes the statement describing induced ovulation the correct one.

The other ideas aren’t reliable: cycles aren’t tied to a strict calendar like January to September, and domesticated queens can cycle year‑round in many environments; puberty usually occurs later than four months, so the notion of becoming sexually active that young isn’t generally accurate.