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Rabbit Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 17:32, 23 August 2011
, 17:32, 23 August 2011no edit summary
== Male ==
== Male ==
The male rabbit is known as the '''buck'''.
The male rabbit is known as the buck.
=== Penis===
=== Penis===
The penis has a rounded penile sheath and urethra. It can be easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age.
The penis has a rounded penile sheath and urethra. It can be easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age.
=== Testes ===
=== Testes ===
The rabbit has two testes that descend at approximately 12 weeks of age. These testes are large with epididymal fat pads. In the adult male they lie in two almost hairless scrotal sacs which are cranial to the penis (in the majority of placental mammals they lie caudal to the penis). The inguinal canal remains open throughout life.
The rabbit has two testes that descend at approximately 12 weeks of age. These testes are large with epididymal fat pads.
In the adult male they lie in two almost hairless scrotal sacs which are cranial to the penis (in the majority of placental mammals they lie caudal to the penis). The inguinal canal remains open throughout life.
=== Accessory Sex Glands===
=== Accessory Sex Glands===
The seminal vesicles open into the prostatic section of the urethra. The bulbourethral glands are small and paired. They form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate.
The seminal vesicles open into the prostatic section of the urethra. The bulbourethral glands are small and paired. They form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate.
=== Mammary Gland ===
=== Mammary Gland ===
Male rabbits do not possess nipples.
Male rabbits do not possess nipples.
== Female ==
== Female ==
The female rabbit is known as the '''doe'''.
=== Uterus ===
The female rabbit has a [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|bicornuate duplex uterus]]. This has two separate uterine horns and no uterine body. Each horn has its own [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]], and the two cervices open into a single vagina.
The female rabbit has a [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|bicornuate duplex uterus]]. This has two seperate uterine horns and no uterine body. Each horn has its own [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]], and the two cervices open into a single vagina.
The mesometrium is a major fat storage organ. The mesometrium in very friable and contains many vessels, however only minor anastomoses exist between the uterine and ovarian vasculature.
The mesometrium is a major fat storage organ. It is very friable and contains many vessels, however only minor anastomoses exist between the uterine and ovarian vasculature.
== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
The age of sexual maturity varies with breed:
The age of sexual maturity varies with breed:
* Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
* Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
== Breeding Characteristics ==
Rabbits are induced [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|ovulators]] with no well-defined [[Oestrous Cycle - Anatomy & Physiology|oestrous cycle]]. The female rabbits have periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days and the oestrus period lasts ~14 days. [[Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|Ovulation]] occurs within 10 hours of coitus.
The breeding season lasts from January to October in the UK.
The breeding season lasts from January to October in the UK.
== Gestation and Offspring ==
===Pregnancy diagnosis===
Foetuses may be felt by gentle abdominal palpation as early as 10 days post breeding as 1 to 1.5cm masses in the caudal ventral abdomen. At 18 days they should be 2.5 to 3cm in length.
Radiography or ultrasonography can be used after 21 days if necessary.
Radiography or ultrasonography can be used after 21 days if necessary.
=== Gestation ===
The gestation period of a rabbit is 29-35 days.
Pseudopregnancy may occur, which lasts approximately 18 days. It can be caused by infertile mating, or the presence of a male nearby. The dam is unable to conceive during this time. During pseudopregnancy, the [[Corpus Luteum - Anatomy & Physiology|corpus luteum]] secretes progesterone, which causes the uterus and mammary glands to grow.
Pseudopregnancy may occur, which lasts approximately 18 days.
It can be caused by infertile mating, or the presence of a male nearby. The dam is unable to conceive during this time. During pseudopregnancy the Corpus Luteum secretes progesterone, which causes the uterus and mammary glands to grow.
=== Litter ===
The litter size can vary from 4-12 offspring.
The young are altricial - born hairless, deaf and blind. Offspring are totally dependent on their mother for the first few weeks of life. They are protected from the environment and predators by the nest which is made by the doe using hair from her dewlap. If the nest is disturbed, the doe may cannibalise the offspring.
The young are altricial - born hairless, deaf and blind. Offspring are totally dependent on their mother for the first few weeks of life. They are protected from the environment and predators by the nest which is made by the Doe using hair from the dewlap. If the nest is disturbed, the Doe may cannibalise the offspring.
=== Mammary Gland and Lactation ===
=== Mammary Gland and Lactation ===
The doe has four or five pairs of nipples.
The doe has four or five pairs of nipples. The mammary gland develops in the last week of pregnancy. Suckling is stimulated by a [[Attractivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology#Pheromones|pheromone]] produced by a gland near the nipple.
The mammary gland develops in the last week of pregnancy. Suckling is stimulated by a [[Attractivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology#Pheromones|pheromone]] produced by a gland near the nipple.
Consumption of water and caecotrophs by the doe increases 10-fold during lactation.
Consumption of water and caecotrophs by the doe increases 10-fold during lactation.
Rabbit milk is richer than cow's milk, it has an unusually low [[Milk Composition and Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|lactose]] content and a very high protein and fat content.
Rabbit milk is richer than cow's milk, it has an unusually low [[Milk Composition and Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|lactose]] content and a very high protein and fat content.
Composition:
Composition:
* 13% Protein
* 13% Protein
* 9% Fat
* 9% Fat
* 1% [[Milk Composition and Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]]
* 1% Lactose
* 2.3% minerals
* 2.3% minerals
{{review}}
[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]][[Category:Rabbit]]
[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]][[Category:Rabbit]]
[[Category:To Do - Manson]]
[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]