Effects of bio-stimulation induced by the presence of buck on reproductive performance of rabbit does

Abstract

Over the last few years, bio-stimulation methods have aroused interest as an alternative ways of employing exogenous gonadotropins to improve the sexual receptivity of lactating does and, consequently, the overall productivity of rabbit farms (Theau-Clement, 2000). Among the possible stimulation methods, the so called “buck effect” has been little investigated. The buck effect, understood as the visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile contact between female and male, following a period of separation from the male, is known to be effective in ewes and sows in stimulating and synchronizing oestrus. The existence of stimulus of an olfactory nature has also been established in rabbits. In fact, the pheromones secreted by the sebaceous glands in males have been shown to induce sexual maturity in young female rabbits (Frank, 1966). Moreover, in nulliparous rabbit does, the presence of males contributes to an increased acceptance to mating.......

Keywords

• rabbits, reproduction, bio-stimulation, male-female interaction.