Difference between revisions of "Rabbit Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"
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| − | + | {{toplink | |
| − | + | |backcolour =EED2EE | |
| − | + | |linkpage =Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology | |
| − | + | |linktext =Reproductive System | |
| − | + | |maplink = Reproductive System (Content Map) - Anatomy & Physiology | |
| − | + | |pagetype =Anatomy | |
| − | = Male = | + | |sublink1=Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Small Domestic Mammals |
| + | |subtext1=SMALL DOMESTIC MAMMALS | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | == Male == | ||
* Male rabbit is known as the buck. | * Male rabbit is known as the buck. | ||
| − | + | === Penis=== | |
| − | == Penis== | ||
* Rounded penile sheath. | * Rounded penile sheath. | ||
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* Easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age. | * Easily extruded in rabbits over 2 months of age. | ||
| − | == Testes == | + | === Testes === |
* Two testes | * Two testes | ||
| Line 25: | Line 28: | ||
* Inguinal canal remains open. | * Inguinal canal remains open. | ||
| − | == Accessory Sex Glands== | + | === Accessory Sex Glands=== |
| − | === Seminal vesicles === | + | ==== Seminal vesicles ==== |
* Open into the prostatic section of the urethra. | * Open into the prostatic section of the urethra. | ||
| − | === Bulbourethral Glands === | + | ==== Bulbourethral Glands ==== |
* Small and paired | * Small and paired | ||
* Form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate. | * Form a bilobed swelling in the dorsal wall of the urethra, just behind the prostate. | ||
| − | === Prostate Gland === | + | ==== Prostate Gland ==== |
| − | == Mammary Gland == | + | === Mammary Gland === |
* No nipples | * No nipples | ||
| − | + | == Female == | |
| − | |||
| − | = Female = | ||
* Female rabbit is known as the Doe. | * Female rabbit is known as the Doe. | ||
| − | == Reproductive Tract == | + | === Reproductive Tract === |
| − | === Uterus === | + | ==== Uterus ==== |
* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate duplex uterus]]. | * [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Anatomical_Types_of_Uteri|Bicornuate duplex uterus]]. | ||
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| − | === Attachments and Blood Supply === | + | ==== Attachments and Blood Supply ==== |
* Mesometrium is a major fat storage organ. | * Mesometrium is a major fat storage organ. | ||
* Only minor anastomoses exist between the uterine and ovarian vasculature. | * Only minor anastomoses exist between the uterine and ovarian vasculature. | ||
| − | == Puberty and Sexual Maturity == | + | === Puberty and Sexual Maturity === |
* Age of sexual maturity varies with breed. | * Age of sexual maturity varies with breed. | ||
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| − | == Breeding Characteristics == | + | === Breeding Characteristics === |
* Induced [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]] with no well-defined [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|oestrous cycle]]. | * Induced [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulator]] with no well-defined [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-Oestrous_Cycle_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|oestrous cycle]]. | ||
| Line 80: | Line 81: | ||
| − | == Gestation and Offspring == | + | === Gestation and Offspring === |
| − | === Gestation === | + | ==== Gestation ==== |
* [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 28-32 days. | * [[Reproductive_System#Gestation|Gestation]] period is 28-32 days. | ||
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** Corpus Luteum secretes progesterone, which causes the uterus and mammary glands to grow. | ** Corpus Luteum secretes progesterone, which causes the uterus and mammary glands to grow. | ||
| − | === Litter === | + | ==== Litter ==== |
* Litter size 4-12. | * Litter size 4-12. | ||
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** If the nest is disturbed, the Doe may cannibalise the offspring. | ** If the nest is disturbed, the Doe may cannibalise the offspring. | ||
| − | == Mammary Gland and Lactation == | + | === Mammary Gland and Lactation === |
* Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples. | * Doe has 4/5 pairs of nipples. | ||
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** Very high protein and fat content | ** Very high protein and fat content | ||
** Composition: 13% Protein, 9% Fat, 1% [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]], 2.3% minerals | ** Composition: 13% Protein, 9% Fat, 1% [[Lactation_-_Milk_Composition_and_Biosynthesis-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Carbohydrate:Lactose|Lactose]], 2.3% minerals | ||
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Revision as of 12:10, 3 September 2008
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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: