A comparative study on reproductive performance of three rabbit breeds under natural mating and artificial insemination

Abstract EN

This study was carried out to evaluate three rabbit breeds, as affected by natural mating and artificial insemination on some productive and reproductive parameters.

One hundred and sixty females were used in artificial insemination (AI) [64 New Zealand White (NZW), 48 Californian (Cal) and 48 Senawey (Sen)].

In artificial insemination, the semen was diluted with two semen extenders.

Fifty two females were chosen (20 NZW, 16 Cal and 16 Sen) for natural mating.

Number of services per conception (NSC), number of mated does (NM), number of pregnant does (NP), litter size at birth (LSB) and at weaning (LSW), gestation period (GP), bunny weight at birth (BWB) and at weaning (BWW), litter weight at birth (LWB) and litter weight at weaning (LWW) were recorded.

Fertility rate (FR) and mortality rate (MR) were calculated.

There was no significant effect of breed on GP and litter size.

NZW rabbit had the heaviest BWB and BWW, LWB and LWW.

Sen had the lowest MR under natural mating (Na).

Using AI decreased FR, increased NSC, decreased LSB, LSW and MR.

Second ejaculate and second dilunt or the interaction between them increased FR, LSB and LSW.

The interaction between first ejaculate (E1) with Cal or Sen had the lowest FR while second ejaculate (E2) with the same breeds had the highest values.