Ans. Reproduction in Rabbit
Rabbits' are small mammals found in several parts of the world. They are used in research as experimental animals.
Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system of rabbit
consists of a pair of testes that produce Figure 14.18 Reptile's and bird's egg sperms, the associated ducts that provide protection and food to embryo transport sperm to external genitalia and gland that add secretions to sperms Figure 14,19
Testes: Testes are located in a bag of skin called scrotum that hangs below the body.
Seminiferous tubules:
Each testis consists of a mass of coiled tubes called the seminiferous tubules. In these tubules, the sperms are formed.
Epididmys: When sperm are mature, they accumulate in the collecting ducts of testes and then pass to epididimys.
a sperm duct called vas deferens.
Urethra: Both sperm ducts join urethra just below urinary bladder. The urethn transports both sperm and urine.
Reproduction
Semen: Semen is the material containing sperms in a fluid. It consists of 10% sperms and 90% fluid. As the sperms pass down the ducts from testes to urethra, the associated glands add various secretions.
Seminal vesicles: seminal vesicles produce secretions that provide nutrients for sperms.
Prostate gland: They produce a secretion that neutralizes the acidity of the fluid.
Cowper's glands: They produce secretions that lubricate the ducts.
Female Reproductive System
The .female reproductive system of rabbit consists of ovaries and associated ducts. Figure14.20
Ovaries: These are small oval organs situated in abdominal cavity just ventral to kidneys. Like most animals, female rabbits have a pair of ovaries. The outer regions of ovary produce egg cells.
Follicle: A cluster of specialized cells called follicle surroundings and nourishes each egg cell. From ovaries, egg cells are released in fallopian tubes.
The opening of fallopian tube lies close to ovary. Fertilization occurs in fallopian tubes and the fertilized egg (zygote) is carried to uterus. The uterus of rabbit is divided into two separate parts or horns. The uterus horns join and open into vagina or birth canal. -
Cervix is the portion of uterus, which separates it from birth canal, where sperms of mater are deposited.