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− | |backcolour =EED2EE
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− | |linkpage =Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology
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− | |linktext =Reproductive System
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− | |maplink = Reproductive System (Content Map) - Anatomy & Physiology
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− | |sublink1=Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Small Domestic Mammals
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− | |subtext1=SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS
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− | }} | |
− | <br>
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| == Male == | | == Male == |
− | | + | The male rabbit is known as the '''buck'''. |
− | * Male rabbit is known as the buck.
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| === Penis=== | | === Penis=== |
− | | + | The penis has a rounded penile sheath and urethra. It can be easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age. |
− | * Rounded penile sheath.
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− | * Rounded penile urethra.
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− | * Easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age.
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| === 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. |
− | * Two testes
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− | * Descend at ~12 weeks of age
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− | * Large with epididymal fat pads.
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− | * In the adult male they lie in two almost hairless scrotal sacs.
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− | * Scrotal sacs are cranial to the penis (In the majority of placental mammals they lie caudal to the penis).
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− | * Inguinal canal remains open.
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| === 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. |
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− | ==== Seminal vesicles ==== | + | === Mammary Gland === |
| + | Male rabbits do not possess nipples. |
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− | * Open into the prostatic section of the urethra.
| + | == Female == |
| + | The female rabbit is known as the '''doe'''. |
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− | ==== Bulbourethral Glands ==== | + | === 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. |
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− | * Small and paired
| + | 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. |
− | * Form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate.
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− | ==== Prostate Gland ==== | + | == Puberty and Sexual Maturity == |
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− | === Mammary Gland ===
| + | The age of sexual maturity varies with breed: |
| + | * Small breeds mature at ~5 months |
| + | * Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months. |
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− | * No nipples
| + | == 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. |
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− | == Female ==
| + | The breeding season lasts from January to October in the UK. |
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− | * Female rabbit is known as the Doe.
| + | Does can become quite territorial and this needs to be taken into account when planning any matings. It is advisable to take the doe to the buck rather than the other way round. |
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− | === Reproductive Tract === | + | == 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. |
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− | ==== Uterus ====
| + | Radiography or ultrasonography can be used after 21 days if necessary. |
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− | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate duplex uterus]].
| + | === Gestation === |
− | ** Two seperate uterine horns.
| + | The gestation period of a rabbit is 29-35 days. |
− | ** No uterine body
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− | ** Each horn has its own [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]].
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− | ** Two cervices open into a single vagina.
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| + | 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. |
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− | ==== Attachments and Blood Supply ==== | + | === Litter === |
| + | The litter size can vary from 4-12 offspring. |
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− | * Mesometrium is a major fat storage organ.
| + | 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. |
− | * Only minor anastomoses exist between the uterine and ovarian vasculature.
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− | === Puberty and Sexual Maturity === | + | === Mammary Gland and Lactation === |
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− | * Age of sexual maturity varies with breed.
| + | 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. |
− | ** Small breeds mature at ~5 months
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− | ** Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
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| + | Consumption of water and caecotrophs by the doe increases 10-fold during lactation. |
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− | === Breeding Characteristics ===
| + | 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. |
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− | * Induced [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]] with no well-defined [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|oestrous cycle]]. | + | Composition: |
− | * Periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days. | + | * 13% Protein |
− | * Oestrus period lasts ~14 days. | + | * 9% Fat |
− | * [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Ovulation]] occurs within 10 hours of coitus.
| + | * 1% Lactose |
− | * Breeding season January-October in the UK. | + | * 2.3% minerals |
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| + | ==Sexing== |
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− | === Gestation and Offspring ===
| + | 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. |
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− | ==== Gestation ====
| + | 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. |
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− | * [[Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 28-32 days.
| + | 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. |
− | * Pseudopregnancy may occur.
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− | ** Lasts 18 days.
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− | ** May be due to infertile mating, or the presence of a male nearby.
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− | ** Dam is unable to conceive during this time.
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− | ** Corpus Luteum secretes progesterone, which causes the uterus and mammary glands to grow.
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− | ==== Litter ==== | + | {{Learning |
| + | |flashcards = [[Small Mammals Q&A 17]] |
| + | }} |
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− | * Litter size 4-12.
| + | ==References== |
− | * Young are altricial
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− | ** Born hairless, deaf and blind.
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− | ** Totally dependent on their mother for the first few weeks of life.
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− | ** Protected from the environment and predators by the nest which is made by the Doe using hair from the dewlap.
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− | ** If the nest is disturbed, the Doe may cannibalise the offspring.
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− | === Mammary Gland and Lactation ===
| + | Richardson, V. (2000) '''Rabbits Health, Husbandry and Diseases''', ''Blackwell Science'' |
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− | * Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples.
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− | * Mammary gland develops in the last week of pregnancy.
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− | * Suckling is stimulated by a [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Attractivity_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Pheromones|pheromone]] produced by a gland near the nipple.
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− | * Consumption of water and caecotrophs increases 10-fold during lactation.
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− | * Rabbit milk is richer than cow's milk:
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− | ** Unusually low [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|lactose]] content
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− | ** Very high protein and fat content
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− | ** Composition: 13% Protein, 9% Fat, 1% [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]], 2.3% minerals
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| + | {{review}} |
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− | [[Category:Reproductive System]] | + | {{OpenPages}} |
| + | [[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]][[Category:Rabbit]] |
| + | [[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]] |