Difference between revisions of "Rabbit Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"

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== Male ==
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<big><center>[[Reproductive System|'''BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM''']]</center></big>
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The male rabbit is known as the '''buck'''.
 
  
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=== Penis===
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<big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Small_Domestic_Mammals|'''BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS''']]</center></big>
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The penis has a rounded penile sheath and urethra. It can be easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age.
 
  
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=== Testes ===
 
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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.
 
  
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=== Accessory Sex Glands===
 
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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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=== Mammary Gland ===
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= Male =
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Male rabbits do not possess nipples.
 
  
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== Female ==
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* Male rabbit is known as the buck.
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The female rabbit is known as the '''doe'''.
 
  
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=== Uterus ===
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== Testes ==
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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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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.
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* Two testes
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* Descend at ~12 weeks of age
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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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== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
 
  
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The age of sexual maturity varies with breed:
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== Mammary Gland ==
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* Small breeds mature at ~5 months
 
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* Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
 
  
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== Breeding Characteristics ==
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* No nipples
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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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The breeding season lasts from January to October in the UK.
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----
  
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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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= Female =
  
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== Gestation and Offspring ==
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* Female rabbit is known as the Doe.
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===Pregnancy diagnosis===
 
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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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Radiography or ultrasonography can be used after 21 days if necessary.
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== Reproductive Tract ==
  
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=== Gestation ===
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* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate duplex uterus]].
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The gestation period of a rabbit is 29-35 days.  
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** Two seperate uterine horns.
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** 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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* Mesometrium is a major fat storage organ.
  
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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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=== Litter ===
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== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
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The litter size can vary from 4-12 offspring.
 
  
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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.
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* Age of sexual maturity varies with breed.
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** Small breeds mature at ~5 months
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** Larger breeds mature as late at as 8 months.
  
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=== Mammary Gland and Lactation ===
 
  
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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.
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== Breeding Characteristics ==
  
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Consumption of water and caecotrophs by the doe increases 10-fold during lactation.
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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]].
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* Periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days.
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* Oestrus period lasts ~14 days.
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* [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Ovulation]] occurs within 10 hours of coitus.
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* Breeding season January-October in the UK.
  
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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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Composition:
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== Gestation and Offspring ==
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* 13% Protein
 
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* 9% Fat
 
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* 1% Lactose
 
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* 2.3% minerals
 
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==Sexing==
 
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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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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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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.
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* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 28-32 days.
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* Pseudopregnancy may occur.
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** Lasts 18 days.
  
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{{Learning
 
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|flashcards = [[Small Mammals Q&A 17]]
 
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}}
 
  
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==Webinars==
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* Litter size 4-12.
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<rss max="10" highlight="reproductive disease">https://www.thewebinarvet.com/urogenital-and-reproduction/webinars/feed</rss>
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* 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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==References==
 
  
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Richardson, V. (2000) '''Rabbits Health, Husbandry and Diseases''', ''Blackwell Science''
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== Mammary Gland ==
  
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[[Category:Small Mammal Reproduction]][[Category:Rabbit]]
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* Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples.
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[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]
 

Revision as of 11:48, 21 July 2008

BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
BACK TO SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS


Male

  • Male rabbit is known as the buck.

Testes

  • Two testes
  • Descend at ~12 weeks of age
  • In the adult male they lie in two almost hairless scrotal sacs.
  • Scrotal sacs are cranial to the penis (In the majority of placental mammals they lie caudal to the penis).
  • Inguinal canal remains open.


Mammary Gland

  • No nipples

Female

  • Female rabbit is known as the Doe.

Reproductive Tract

  • 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.


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 ovulator with no well-defined oestrous cycle.
  • Periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days.
  • Oestrus period lasts ~14 days.
  • Ovulation occurs within 10 hours of coitus.
  • Breeding season January-October in the UK.


Gestation and Offspring

  • 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.
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