Reproductive tract of the female rabbit

Esther van Praag, Ph.D.

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Warning: this file contains pictures that may be distressing for people.

The reproductive organ of the female rabbit is considered as "primitive". Indeed, the split two-horned system is only observed in monotreme egg lying mammals and in lagomorphs (pika, hare and rabbit). The organ is hold in place by a broad ligament that is anchored at 4 points under the vertebral column.

Sex differentiation occurs during the embryonic phase, on the 16th day post fertilization. The ovaries grow from an aggregate of cells that is lying near the original testes. The development of the ovaries is accompanied by the degeneration of the testes.

The development of the ovules (female reproductive cell) starts around the 21st day and continues till birth, around the 30th day. The first ova and follicles start to develop only 13 days after birth.

The reproductive organ of the female rabbit is duplex: the uterus is formed by two independent horns, split over their whole length (± 7 cm). Each horn possess its own cervix. The ovaries, ellipsoid bodies that have a maximal length of 1-1.5 cm, are located at the end of the uterus, right under the kidneys. They are hidden by the mesometrium (portion of the broad ligament that separates and encloses the uterus) and fat.

View of the external female genital part and one of the two scent glands, located on each side of the urogenital orifice, containing secretion.

The vagina does not present any particularities. This part of the reproductive tract is large, with the urethra joining halfway, at the level of the vaginal vestibule. At the end of the vagina, the glands of Bartholin and prepucial glands can be recognized. The external part of the genital system, the vulva, is surrounded by fat glands. Sometims, these are filled with a white fatty subtance and become visible. Unlike an abscess or rabbit syphilis, these white "pimples" are normal and should not be treated.

Sebaceous (fat) glands surround the external genital parts of female and male rabbits. They are often not visible, except when full with a white fatty secretion. Here in this male rabbit. Females have those glands too, less numerous.

The age at which sexual maturity is reached depends on the size and the breed: while small and middle sized rabbits become adult between 4 and 6 months, it may take between 5 to 8 months for giant breeds. As a rule, it is considered that a rabbit is adult and able to reproduce when it has reached 75 to 80% of its adult size.

Female rabbits do not have a true estrus (heat) cycle with regular periods of heat (estrus), as do other small animals like dogs or cats. In fact, adult female rabbits are considered to be “reflex ovulators”, always in estrus . This means that ovulation is induced only after coital stimulation and happens automatically 9 to 13 h after the copulation act.

Reproductive organs of the female rabbit and view of the ovaries, uterine horns and part of the vagina, during a ovariohysterectomy operation.

Female rabbits are, however, not continuously ready to get fertilized and produce offspring, A certain cycle does nevertheless exist. Factors inducing an estrus cycle are not well understood; they may be seasonal factors, light intensity, length of the day, temperature and, possibly, molting. Females that are ready to be fertilized (presence of ripe follicles) present changes of the external parts of female genitals (vulva): swelling and dark red to purple coloration. Female rabbits are then receptive to a male rabbit and accept to mate when their vulva is reddish/purple.

When a doe is in a less fertile period, her vulva is pale and small. She will not cooperate, refuse the presence of a male rabbit and will refuse to be mounted. This is no clear indication though, as some female rabbits will mate when their vulva is pale and small.

Michel Gruaz

Swollen purple vulva of a receptive female

To avoid problems related to mating, health (ovarian adenocarcinoma, endometritis) or/and unwanted litter, ovariohysterectomy is recommended, starting at the age of 6 months. The breed of the rabbit must be taken into account, before performing the operation.

Acknowledgement

Thanks are due to Michel Gruaz (Switzerland) and to Akira Yamanouchi, for their permissions to use pictures from VEIN (Veterinary Exotic Information Network, http://vein.ne.jp/).

Further Information

Elizabeth V. Hillyer,Katherine Quesenberry,Sandra Valkoff (1997) Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. Saunders W B Co., p. 230.

K. Laber-Laird, P. A. Flecknell, M. Swindle (1996) Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Elsevier Science, p. 243.

C . A Mc Laughlin, R. B. Chiasson (1990) Laboratory Anatomy of the Rabbit. McGraw Hill, p. 83.

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