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Rabbit Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 12:40, 17 July 2008
, 12:40, 17 July 2008→Female
== Female ==
== Female ==
* Female rabbit is known as the Doe.
* Induced ovulator with no well-defined oestrous cycle.
* Periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days.
* Ovulation occurs within 10 hours of coitus.
* Age of sexual maturity varies with breed.
** Small breeds mature at ~5 months
** Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
* Bicornuate duplex uterus.
** Two seperate uterine horns.
** No uterine body
** Each horn has its own cervix
** Two cervices open into a single vagina.
* Mesometrium is a major fat storage organ.
* Young are altricial
** Born hairless, deaf and blind.
** Totally dependent on their mother for the first few weeks of life.
** 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.
* Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples.