This situation is in contrast to most other non-macropodid marsupials, in which the responses are dependent on the corpus luteum.
Pregnancy also influences the duration of the oestrous cycle and maternal behaviour.
The stimuli responsible for these effects probably include paracrine, endocrine and mechanical stimuli resulting from uterine stretch. Taken together, these unilateral responses demonstrate that there is a refined maternal recognition of pregnancy in at least the macropodid marsupials.