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

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* No nipples
 
* No nipples
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----
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= Female =
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* Female rabbit is known as the Doe.
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== Reproductive Tract ==
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* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate duplex uterus]].
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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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== Puberty and Sexual Maturity ==
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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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== Breeding Characteristics ==
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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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== Gestation and Offspring ==
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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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* Litter size 4-12.
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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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== Mammary Gland ==
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* Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples.

Revision as of 11:47, 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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