Minia University Faculty of Agriculture Animal and Poultry Production Department

1. Minia University Faculty of AgricultureAnimal and Poultry Production Department Some Reproductive Aspects of Rabbits By Akrum Hamdy akrum312@hotmail.com

2. Rabbit Rabbit production is now one of the fastest growing livestock enterprises in the world. Highly prolific, early maturity, fast growth rate, high genetic selection potential, efficiency in feed conversion and economic utilization of space. 2

3. shy, but can be aggressive may bite or scratch kick on walls with hind legs 3 3

4. Sexual Biology Sexual maturity at 3-4 months (smaller breeds) of 8-9 months (larger breeds) Two uterine horns with separate cervix Induced ovulation Gestation 29-35 days Litter size 4-10 pups Pups are hairless, blind Weaning 4-6 weeks 4 4

5. Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Order Lagomorpha European rabbit originates from Spain Rabbit has been farmed since the 17th Century Common laboratory animal breeds: New Zealand White (NZW) V- Line 5 5

6. Physiologic values Weight at birth 30-100 g Weight of adult 1-6 kg Life span 5-6 years Body Temp. 38-39° C Respiration rate 32-60 /min Heart rate 120-150 /min 6 6

7. The estimated rabbit population in Egypt is10.9 millions (FAO, 2014) 7

8. Which one of the following management practices will make a producer the most money? Nutrition & Feeding Programs Facilities Set-up Disease and Illness Control Reproduction Answer: Reproduction 8

9. What is another reason we study animal reproduction?

10. The 3 main reasons we study Animal Reproduction: Increase income because we have more offspring. Make genetic improvements. Identify reproductive problems. 10

11. Pregnancy If the doe is receptive and the buck is experienced, copulation occurs rapidly, and she will normally ovulate 10 - 13 hours after mating. Eighty percent of mating will result in pregnancy, which can be confirmed by marble-sized uterine swellings that can be palpated through the abdominal wall by the 12 - 14th day of gestation. 11

12. OK….I know it is important to study animal reproduction, but who is more important….the male or female? Male 1- Physically mount the female for breeding. 2- Produce large amounts of sperm Contribute 50% of the offspring’s genetic makeup. 3-Able to breed multiple females in a short period of time. Female 1- Physically stand for the male. 2- Produce 1 or more eggs for fertilization. 3- Contribute 50% of the offspring’s genetic makeup. 4- Provide a safe site for fertilization. 5-Nurture the egg as it grows into an embryo then fetus. 6- Give birth to the offspring. 7- Produce colostrums and milk for offspring 8- Protect offspring from predators. 12

13. Sexing Rabbits • How to determine the gender of the baby bunnies as early as 2-3 weeks of age. 13

14. Sexing rabbits Which is male? Which is female? Male Female 14 14

15. Male Scrotum Penis 15 15

16. Vulva Female 16 16

17. Rabbit Mating • To mate rabbits, take the doe to the buck. Important: if you take the buck to the doe, the fur will fly, as does are very territorial. If she's not 'in the mood,' she'll wreak havoc on the buck. 17

18. Pregnant Rabbit • Is the doe really pregnant? Here are some signs to watch for in a pregnant rabbit. 18

19. Fetus Images • Just so you know, a rabbit pregnancy occasionally doesn't go exactly as planned. 19

20. After the rabbit breeding • The gestation period for a female rabbit (doe) is 31 days.  The doe can kindle (give birth) between day 28 and day 35, however 99% of the time she’ll be punctual - between day 31 and day 32. 20

21. Rabbit Nest Box • How to prepare the rabbit nesting box and when to place it in the doe's cage. 21

22. Minia University Faculty of AgricultureAnimal and Poultry Production Department Some Reproductive Aspects of Rabbits By Akrum Hamdy akrum312@hotmail.com

23. Objective The objective of this review article is to focus on nutrition, management and diseases on rabbit reproduction. 23

24. The main factors affecting the reproductive performance of rabbit does In the last 15 years the profitability of rabbit farms has increased mainly due to improvements in management and genetic selection but several problems related to animal welfare have also occurred. 24

25. Reproductive Failures in Rabbits Sterility, or the inability to reproduce, may be caused by a number of reasons. Permanent or temporary sterility can be the result of specific physical defects, particular diseases, environmental factors, or nutritional aspects.

26. Factors that affect reproductive ability include the following: Anatomical factors, Environmental factors, Nutrition and Genetic factors, Physiological factors and Diseases.

27. Anatomical Factors Cryptorchidism – a hereditary condition where both of the testes fail to descend into the scrotum resulting in complete sterility. Unilateral cryptorchidism – a hereditary condition where one of the testes fails to descend into the scrotum resulting in reduced fertility.

28. Scrotal hernia – a condition where part of the intestine passes through the inguinal canal into the scrotum; though it may not cause sterility, a scrotal hernia may cause an animal not to breed and it can be dangerous.

29. Malformed penis – a condition resulting from injury or birth defect that causes the penis to be malformed to the extent that copulation cannot be performed.

30. Infantile or absence of ovaries – a condition where the ovaries fail to develop, do not function, or are absent because of a hormone imbalance.

31. Endocrine disturbances – hormonal or glandular reproductive disturbances in females resulting from one or more cysts on the ovaries.

32. Environmental Factors Mechanical injury – physical damaged to reproductive organs caused by injuries due conditions such as improper handling, unsafe facilities, fighting among animals, or complications during parturition or copulation.

33. Stress– severe climatic conditions (primarily extreme heat), high population density, rough handling, and other stressful environmental factors can cause reproductive distress.

34. Managements In the current reproductive rhythms, there is an extensive overlap between lactation and gestation. The resulting of energetic and hormonal antagonism reduces the fertility rate and lifespan of the doe. 34 20 كانون الأول 2019

35. Stress 35 20 كانون الأول 2019

36. THI THI = t − [( 31.0 − 31.0 × RH)(t −14. 4)] The values of THI obtained for the temperate and subtropical region are classified as: 27.8 = absence of heat stress, 27.8–28.9 = moderate heat stress, 28.9–30= severe heat stress and above 30 = very severe heat stress (Marai et al., 2002). 36 20 كانون الأول 2019

37. 37 20 كانون الأول 2019

38. Physiological Factors Basic ovarian functions are regulated by “non-classical” reproductive hormones. Growth factors are important regulators of ovarian functions and mediators of hormone actions.

39. Protein kinasesand RNA interference are important regulators of basic ovarian functions and mediators of hormones and growth factors action. These extra- and intracellular regulators are useful for characterization, prediction and control of reproductive functions.

40. LH Luteinizing Hormone-Dependent Activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Network Is Essential for Ovulation. Dramatic changes in the somatic cells surrounding the oocytes and in the follicular wall are also induced by LH and are necessary for ovulation.

41. Super ovulation Induction of ovulation can be accomplished by injection of reproductive hormones. FSH or follicle stimulating hormone prepares the reproductive tract for pregnancy. LH or leutinizing hormone causes the release of eggs from the ovaries. In rabbit, LH is given 46 to 48 hours after FSH. Hormone treatment often results in superovulation, an enhanced release of ova from the ovaries. Technique used to collect many eggs from the same female.

42. AI Rabbits have played an important role in developing AI techniques. New generation of rabbits can be generated very quickly and at a low cost. AI use in rabbits can be quite successful, but varies based on factors derived from both the male and female, ranging from the quality of semen and how the semen is processed to the reproductive status of the doe and the methods used to induce ovulation.

43. Nutrition Nutrition has a significant impact on numerous reproductive functions including hormone production, folliculogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. developmentThis intimate association is because reproductive processes are energetically expensive, and the brain must temper the fertility of individuals to match nutritional availability. 43

44. The link between nutrition and reproduction is mainly through the energy balance. 44

45. NutrientsRecommended limits for the incorporation of various minerals.doc 45 Protein level The protein level of the feed is very important. For efficient rabbit feeding, you need four diets. Since most rabbit producers cannot (or do not want to) handle more than one feed, a 16-17% protein feed may be substituted. Protein Requirements of Rabbits Newly weaned rabbits >18% CP 12-24 weeks old 16-18% CP Breeder 15-17% CP Other stocks (Normal growth) 12-14% CP

46. Feeding Herbivores Daily food intake: 5gm/100gm BW/day Daily water intake: 5-10 mls/100gm BW/day Daily urine output: 50-90 mls/day 46

47. NEB The rabbit doe of modern strains produces a lot of milk with high energetic value, (60- 65 gm/ kg BW / day ~ 14% Protein, which leads to a mobilization of body fat resulting in a negative energy balance. 47

48. 48 Carbohydrates and Fats Carbohydrate and fats provide energy. Rabbit needs energy for contraction of muscles which enable the rabbit to move. It is also used to join substance together to build up the rabbit’s body and to make products such as hair and milk. It worth known that rabbit adjusts their food intake to try and satisfy their energy requirements. A general recommendation of energy requirement for breeding rabbits is 2600-2700 Kcal DE/KgDM or 2.0-3.0 MJME/KgDM. Minerals Most of the minerals in the rabbit’s body are in the bones and teeth which contain large amounts of the two minerals; Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P). These minerals help to give the bones their hardness. They are also involved in maintaining the acid-alkaline balance in the blood. Phosphorus also involves in energy transfer within the body cells. Ca, P and Vitamin D are often considered together because they interact with each other. Other minerals are Mg, Na, K and Cl (major minerals). Examples of trace minerals are Fe, Cu, S, Co, Zn, etc. Vitamins Vitamins are chemical that are require in very small amount to speed up chemical reactions within the rabbit body. The most important vitamins are vitamins A , E, D and the B vitamins Choline and Thiamin

49. The following vitamins and minerals are known to affect reproduction, if they are not balanced in the animal’s diet.TABLE 22 Recommended chemical composition of feeds for intensively reared rabbits of different categories.doc Vitamin A – shortened periods of gestation, higher incidence of retained placentas, stillbirths, abortions, mastitis, calves born blind and uncoordinated;

50. Vitamin E – poor conception rates, higher incidence of stillbirths and newborn mortality; Phosphorus – poor conception rates, delayed puberty, lower weaning rates, erratic heat; Calcium – increased calving difficulty, uterine prolapse, retained placenta;