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Previous to this study, there is no data relating to the reproductive physiology of the Cirneco dell'Etna breed. The birth date of 141 bitches and 104 sires registered at the National Agency of the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) from all Sicilian breeders, and data related their fertile matings, which produced 266 whelps over a 14-year period, (2009–2022) were collected. Total whelping produced 1069 pups. The mean bitch age at first whelping was 39.13 ± 21.7 months and the mean litter size was 3.84 ± 2.08. The birth period of the bitches and sires was significantly influenced by the month of the year (p < 0.01), as was the distribution of the first (p < 0.05) and subsequent whelping periods (p < 0.01). Whelping distributions show a significant difference between the highest peak in April (which roughly corresponds to a period of heat in February) and in July (which roughly corresponds to a period of heat in May) and the lowest peak in March. No influence of month on litter size and sex ratio was found. Available data suggests that some ancient breeds such as the Cirneco dell'Etna may show seasonal patterns as a vestige of the stricter seasonality of its closest relative the wolf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of seasonal variation and lunar cycles on reproductive parameters in dogs is unknown. Lunar cycles have important effects on several biological events. Controversy exists about the influence of lunar cycles on offspring sex ratio. This study examined the sex offspring distribution of 973 puppies (48% females and 52% males) from 150 bitches in Italy between 2015 and 2020. A two-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc t-test (Bonferroni correction) was used to analyze the influence of season and lunar phase on offspring sex ratio at conception. Sex offspring distribution was not affected by season, whereas lunar phase had a significant effect (p<.05). During the new moon, the proportion of male puppies born was significantly lower than during the full moon phase (p <.05). We conclude that season had no effect on sex offspring distribution. The new moon phase at conception appeared to be related to a lower male sex ratio at birth. Further studies assessing additional factors will help provide a better understanding of the lunar cycle differences observed in the sex ratio distribution of dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]