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Rabbit Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 11:47, 21 July 2008
, 11:47, 21 July 2008no edit summary
* No nipples
* No nipples
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= Female =
* Female rabbit is known as the Doe.
== Reproductive Tract ==
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate duplex uterus]].
** Two seperate uterine horns.
** No uterine body
** Each horn has its own [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]].
** Two cervices open into a single vagina.
* Mesometrium is a major fat storage organ.
== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
* Age of sexual maturity varies with breed.
** Small breeds mature at ~5 months
** Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
== Breeding Characteristics ==
* Induced [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]] with no well-defined [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|oestrous cycle]].
* Periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days.
* Oestrus period lasts ~14 days.
* [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Ovulation]] occurs within 10 hours of coitus.
* Breeding season January-October in the UK.
== Gestation and Offspring ==
* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 28-32 days.
* Pseudopregnancy may occur.
** Lasts 18 days.
* Litter size 4-12.
* 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.
== Mammary Gland ==
* Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples.