(2012). INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN RABBITS USING DIFFERENT METHODS. Journal of Productivity and Development, 17(3), 281-289. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2012.42470
. "INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN RABBITS USING DIFFERENT METHODS". Journal of Productivity and Development, 17, 3, 2012, 281-289. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2012.42470
(2012). 'INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN RABBITS USING DIFFERENT METHODS', Journal of Productivity and Development, 17(3), pp. 281-289. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2012.42470
INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN RABBITS USING DIFFERENT METHODS. Journal of Productivity and Development, 2012; 17(3): 281-289. doi: 10.21608/jpd.2012.42470
INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN RABBITS USING DIFFERENT METHODS
A total number of fifty six Baladi Black (BB) rabbit does were used in this study to compare different methods for induction of ovulation using Gn-RH, vasectomized bucks; mechanical stimulation and natural mating. The animals were randomly allotted into four equal groups. Rabbit does in the 1st group were naturally mated (controlled group). Does in the 2ndgroup were intramuscularly injected with 0.2 ml/doe of Gn-RH analogue. The vaginas of does in the 3rd group were mechanically stimulated using a thermometer. In the 4th group, ovulation was induced by a mating with using a vasectomized buck. All rabbit does in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were artificially inseminated with fresh diluted semen using a Tris based extender. The dose of insemination was 50 x 106 motile spermatozoa for each insemination. Abdominal palpation was practiced 10 days after AI to detect pregnancy. Number of pregnant does, conception rate %, gestation length, litter size, litter weight at birth, 21 and 28 days and pre-weaning mortality percentage were recorded. Gn-RH increased conception rate (P<0.05) as compared with the other groups. Litter size at 21 and 28 days of age were significantly increased when using the mechanical vaginal stimulation or a vasectomized buck compared to those either naturally mated or injected with Gn-RH. However, insignificant differences between groups were recorded in pregnancy length and litter size at birth. Rabbit does mechanically stimulated showed the best results (P< 0.01) for litter weight at birth, 21 and 28 days and kits weight at birth and to 21 days and litter weight gain from birth to 21 or 28 days and from 21 to 28 days of age. Also, mated does showed the lowest values for kits weight and litter weight gain (P< 0.01) at different ages. However, kits weight at 28 days of age was not significantly affected by treatments. Does stimulated by a vasectomized buck recorded the lowest values (P < 0.01) for pre-weaning mortality percentage from birth to 21 days and from birth to 28 days as compared with the other groups, however, the differences were not significant in pre-weaning mortality percentage from 21 to 28 days. In conclusion, an intramuscular injection of 0.2 ml Gn-RH (Receptal®)/doe at insemination was as effective as natural mating on conception rate.