Reproduction in foxes: current research and future challenges

Basic information on fox reproduction, such as endocrinology, oocyte maturation, artificial insemination, fertilisation and embryo development, ovarian and testicular function, parturition, milk production and neonatology has been gained from studies of farmed animals. Fox farming is an industry with considerable economic importance in countries such as Norway and Finland, and the use of farmed animals as models to study wild canine species has proven valuable. This paper reviews some major research accomplishments and new knowledge and identifies future challenges in research regarding both the wild and domestic variants of the fox species.