Difference between revisions of "Rabbit Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"
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m (Text replace - "-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology" to "- Anatomy & Physiology") |
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==== Uterus ==== | ==== Uterus ==== | ||
− | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_- | + | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_- Anatomy & Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate duplex uterus]]. |
** Two seperate uterine horns. | ** Two seperate uterine horns. | ||
** No uterine body | ** No uterine body | ||
− | ** Each horn has its own [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_- | + | ** Each horn has its own [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_- Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]]. |
** Two cervices open into a single vagina. | ** Two cervices open into a single vagina. | ||
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=== Breeding Characteristics === | === Breeding Characteristics === | ||
− | * Induced [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- | + | * Induced [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulator]] with no well-defined [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_- Anatomy & Physiology|oestrous cycle]]. |
* Periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days. | * Periods of sexual receptivity every 4-6 days. | ||
* Oestrus period lasts ~14 days. | * Oestrus period lasts ~14 days. | ||
− | * [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- | + | * [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|Ovulation]] occurs within 10 hours of coitus. |
* Breeding season January-October in the UK. | * Breeding season January-October in the UK. | ||
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* Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples. | * Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples. | ||
* Mammary gland develops in the last week of pregnancy. | * Mammary gland develops in the last week of pregnancy. | ||
− | * Suckling is stimulated by a [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Attractivity_Behaviour_- | + | * Suckling is stimulated by a [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Attractivity_Behaviour_- Anatomy & Physiology#Pheromones|pheromone]] produced by a gland near the nipple. |
* Consumption of water and caecotrophs increases 10-fold during lactation. | * Consumption of water and caecotrophs increases 10-fold during lactation. | ||
* Rabbit milk is richer than cow's milk: | * Rabbit milk is richer than cow's milk: | ||
− | ** Unusually low [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis- | + | ** Unusually low [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|lactose]] content |
** Very high protein and fat content | ** Very high protein and fat content | ||
− | ** Composition: 13% Protein, 9% Fat, 1% [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis- | + | ** Composition: 13% Protein, 9% Fat, 1% [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis- Anatomy & Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]], 2.3% minerals |
[[Category:Reproductive System]] | [[Category:Reproductive System]] |
Revision as of 15:23, 29 November 2010
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Male
- Male rabbit is known as the buck.
Penis
- Rounded penile sheath.
- Rounded penile urethra.
- Easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age.
Testes
- Two testes
- Descend at ~12 weeks of age
- Large with epididymal fat pads.
- 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.
Accessory Sex Glands
Seminal vesicles
- Open into the prostatic section of the urethra.
Bulbourethral Glands
- Small and paired
- Form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate.
Prostate Gland
Mammary Gland
- No nipples
Female
- Female rabbit is known as the Doe.
Reproductive Tract
Uterus
- Bicornuate duplex uterus.
- Two seperate uterine horns.
- No uterine body
- Each horn has its own cervix.
- Two cervices open into a single vagina.
Attachments and Blood Supply
- Mesometrium is a major fat storage organ.
- Only minor anastomoses exist between the uterine and ovarian vasculature.
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
- Gestation period is 28-32 days.
- Pseudopregnancy may occur.
- Lasts 18 days.
- May be due to infertile mating, or the presence of a male nearby.
- Dam is unable to conceive during this time.
- Corpus Luteum secretes progesterone, which causes the uterus and mammary glands to grow.
Litter
- 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 and Lactation
- Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples.
- Mammary gland develops in the last week of pregnancy.
- Suckling is stimulated by a pheromone produced by a gland near the nipple.
- Consumption of water and caecotrophs increases 10-fold during lactation.
- Rabbit milk is richer than cow's milk: