Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What is the purpose of using harem mating in research?

1. To ensure genetic diversity

2. To produce a large number of offspring quickly

3. To study maternal behavior

4. To increase individual animal care

The correct answer is: To produce a large number of offspring quickly

The purpose of using harem mating in research is primarily to produce a large number of offspring quickly. In a harem mating system, multiple females are mated with a single male, which allows for breeding several females simultaneously. This method is particularly effective in laboratory settings where the goal is to generate large cohorts of animals for experiments in a relatively short time frame. By maximizing the number of females that can be bred at once, researchers can accelerate the production of offspring, facilitating various research studies that require a substantial and uniform population. While aspects such as genetic diversity, maternal behavior, and individual animal care are critical factors in broader breeding strategies, they are not the main focus of harem mating, which is designed for efficiency and speed in producing offspring.