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Rabbit Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 12:18, 6 July 2011
, 12:18, 6 July 2011no edit summary
== Male ==
== Male ==
The male rabbit is known as the buck.
=== Penis===
=== Penis===
==== Seminal vesicles ====
==== Seminal vesicles ====
* Open into the prostatic section of the urethra.
*Open into the prostatic section of the urethra.
==== Bulbourethral Glands ====
==== Bulbourethral Glands ====
* Small and paired
*Small and paired
* Form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate.
*Form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate.
==== Prostate Gland ====
==== Prostate Gland ====
== Female ==
== Female ==
The female rabbit is known as the Doe.
=== Reproductive Tract ===
=== Reproductive Tract ===
** Each horn has its own [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]].
** Each horn has its own [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]].
** Two cervices open into a single vagina.
** Two cervices open into a single vagina.
==== Attachments and Blood Supply ====
==== Attachments and Blood Supply ====
** Small breeds mature at ~5 months
** Small breeds mature at ~5 months
** Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
** Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
=== Breeding Characteristics ===
=== Breeding Characteristics ===
* Breeding season January-October in the UK.
* Breeding season January-October in the UK.
=== Gestation and Offspring ===
=== Gestation and Offspring ===
====Pregnancy diagnosis====
*Foetuses may be palpated by gentle abdominal palpation as early as 10 days post breeding. They can be felt as 1 to 1.5cm masses in the caudal ventral abdomen.
*At 18 days they become 2.5 to 3cm in length.
*Radiography or ultrasonography can be used after 21 days if necessary.
==== Gestation ====
==== Gestation ====
* Gestation period is 28-32 days.
* Gestation period is 29-35 days.
* Pseudopregnancy may occur.
* Pseudopregnancy may occur.
** Lasts 18 days.
** Lasts 18 days.
** Very high protein and fat content
** Very high protein and fat content
** Composition: 13% Protein, 9% Fat, 1% [[Milk Composition and Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]], 2.3% minerals
** Composition: 13% Protein, 9% Fat, 1% [[Milk Composition and Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]], 2.3% minerals
==Sexing==
Kits are best sexed at birth or at weaning (5-8 weeks of age). In between those times it can be difficult to exteriorise the genitalia.
Sexing is performed by gentle pressure on the genital orifice which everts the penis or vulva. The male has a cylindrical organ with a rounded to oval-shaped urethral opening. The female vulva has a leaf-like appearance with a slit-like opening.
In the male the testicles descend at around 12-14 weeks of age and can be palpated, although they can be retracted into the abdomen if the rabbit is stressed.
==References==
Richardson, V. (2000) '''Rabbits Health, Husbandry and Diseases''', ''Blackwell Science''
[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]][[Category:Rabbit]]
[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]][[Category:Rabbit]]
[[Category:To Do - Manson]]
[[Category:To Do - Manson]]
[[Category:To Do - Helen]]