Ovulation induction in rabbit does: Current knowledge and perspectives

Abstract

The profitability of rabbit farms has increased in recent years due primarily to improvements in the management of reproduction and genetic selection. This review summarizes the most important scientific papers relating to ovulation in rabbit does dealing in particular with: (a) studies from 1905 to the present day relating to ovulatory mechanisms in rabbit does; (b) research on the primary gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), its analogues and their functions; and (c) descriptions of parenteral and intravaginal (iv.) treatments for induction of ovulation in does and their reported efficacies. The addition of GnRH analogues via the seminal dose (iv.) fulfils the need for a welfare-orientated method of inducing ovulation in rabbits. The structure, tissues, secretions, contractions, and innervations of the vagina in rabbits that can affect absorption profiles are reviewed in the context of recent reports of the achievement of high ovulation rates obtained by adding GnRH analogues directly to the seminal dose. This review demonstrates the possibility of ovulation induction in rabbits by the addition of GnRH synthetic analogues to the seminal doses and provides new perspectives for simplifying the AI technique.