Observations on Vitamin Treatment of Reproductive Abnormalities in the Rabbit

Abstract

The reproductive activities of certain rabbits in our breeding colony have been observed on repeated occasions to be abnormal. These abnormalities may be classified, for present consideration, in 3 phases, namely, infertility, desertion or neglect of the young, and cannibalism. Observations indicated that some of these conditions were associated with nutritional disorders and it had been found that some improvement could be obtained by a general increase in vitamin intake. Accordingly, an attempt was made to correct the abnormalities of a selected series of animals by the administration of vitamin concentrates singly or in various combinations. The results thus far obtained have been highly encouraging and these form the basis of the present communication. A group of 42 rabbits was selected for this study. These included 38 females and 4 males of pure bred and hybrid stocks, chiefly Rex, Belgian hare, English, Havana, Dutch, Polish, Himalayan and a highly inbred Albino family. In each case previous observations had indicated that the reproductive behavior was abnormal. Following vitaminization for various periods of time, the treated animals were mated with known fertile animals and the results were measured by subsequent observations made with regard to the particular abnormality presented. In all cases except one, dried brewer's yeast, representing the B complex was used either alone or in combination with halibut liver oil or viosterol or with both. Halibut liver oil alone was employed in one case. All vitamin concentrates were administered by hand. A few preliminary tests were made during the Winter of 1932-33 and the Spring of 1933, but most of the experiments were carried out between December, 1933, and February, 1934, inclusive. The test animals have lived indoors from birth and were distributed among normals in several rooms, and all the rabbits of the colony were fed a standard diet.