Fik M. et. al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2013, 46 (2)
The Possibility of Using of Selected Biotechnological Method
by Dwarf Rabbit
Martin Fik1, Lenka Malíková1, Jozef Gašparík1
1
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Department of Poultry
Sience and Small Husbandry, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility of using insemination in small scale breed condition of lop dwarf
white of red eyes. Monitored were three groups of does. In group 1 was used to induce receptivity an agent-based
PMSG. In Group 2 to induce receptivity was used 30 minute common housing (8 - 10) of does before insemination.
In group 3 was used natural mating. State of receptivity was recorded through a numerical scale 1 (pale vulva), 2
(pink vulva), 3 (red vulva) and 4 (violet vulva). Does in group 1 and 2 were inseminated polysperm insemination
dose (0.3 ml / doe). By comparing the receptivity in group 1 (state of receptivity 2.81) and 2 (state of receptivity
2.56) were not found statistically significant differences. The best reproduction results were recorded in group 1
where on the one done insemination accounted for 3.12 pc of newborn pups. The number of pups born per one done
insemination was 2.04 pc. The lowest scores were recorded in group 3 where the number of pups born per one
successfully copulated doe was 1.3 pc.
Keywords: artificial insemination, dwarf rabbit, lop dwarf white of red eyes, rabbit reproduction.
1. Introduction
synchronization of estrus and artificial
insemination.
By using of artificial insemination in breeding
keeper saves a lot of time, which can be
effectively used. Synchronization of receptivity in
does before insemination by agents based on
PMSG belongs to the traditional practices used in
our breeding.
The disadvantages of the use of PMSG in the
reproductive management of does were described
by several authors (Boito et al. [1]; Castellini, [2];
Maertens and Luzi, [3]). Come to the foreground
various alternative methods of synchronization of
estrus that by changing environmental conditions
can increase the status in does receptivity.
This method of synchronization of estrus were
described by several authors (Fik, [4]; Fik, [5]; Fik
– Fiková [6]; Fik – Fiková [7]; Fiková, [8];
Ladyková et al. [9]; Ladyková [10]; Gómez et al.
[11]; Castellini, [2]; Duperray et al. [12]). Fik and
Dubec [13] stated that a common housing of does
should be used as an alternative method of
Breeding of dwarf rabbit breeds currently is
experiencing a boom. Dwarf breeds of rabbits are
often kept as pets. Candidates provide them
directly from farmers or through the distribution
from the business network of different pet shops.
Dwarf breeds of rabbits, however have a relatively
low fertility (fewer pups per litter, lower
conceptual rate, etc.). The dwarf rabbit breeds,
except dwarf rabbit breeds of rams until the
individual is born with a recessive dwarf gene in
the homozygous state, these individuals die
shortly after birth.
These effects are typically up to 25% offspring.
Between the promising possibilities to increase
fertility in these breeds is the use of

* Corresponding author: Ing. Martin Fik, PhD. Tel.:
037/641 47 17, e-mail: [email protected]
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Fik M. et. al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2013, 46 (2)
Group of does marked 1 was for the purpose of
synchronization with treated of estrus based
PMSG (Sergon) at a dose of 20 m.j. to does.
Before the treatment for each does was recorded
the state of estrus based on coloring hems of
vagina.
The Group of does marked 2 was not hormonally
treated with substances to induce estrus. To induce
of estrus was used an alternative method of the
synchronization of estrus through 30-minute
common housing of does (8 - 10 does) before
insemination.
For the common housing was used wooden box
with dimensions 160 x 100 x 30 cm (length,
width, height).
For each female before inserting into boxes was
recorded a state of receptivity. Receptivity was
recorded in does also before the actual
insemination.
Insemination was performed by standard a plastic
pipette with dose 0.3 ml of polysperm
insemination dose.
synchronization of estrus before insemination,
respectively natural mating.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the
possibility of using the insemination in small scale
breed condition of lop dwarf white of red eyes.
2. Materials and methods
Experiments were carried out from June 2010 to
October 2011 in conditions of breeding animals
dwarf breed rabbits (brie, dwarf Russian, dwarf
wild, Chinchillas dwarf). Breeding consisted of
170 does and 40 males.
Does were inseminated after weaning of juveniles.
The animals were kept in traditional wooden hutch
located in the hall, where was partially controlled
microclimate.
For the breeder the sale of juveniles dwarf rabbit
breeds represented a substantial part of its
revenue. Sale in network of pet shops has
contracted treated.
Table 1 Distribution of state receptivity
The status of the vulva receptivity
Description signs of receptivity
1
Anemic not swollen vulva
2
Slightly swollen pink vulva
3
Markedly swollen red vulva
4
Markedly swollen purple vulva
- Number of inseminated / does mating,
- Success of mating / insemination (in %),
- Number of kitted does,
- Conceptual rate (in %),
- Total number of pups born (live and dead born)
per litter,
- Total number of pups born per pareted doe
(group 3),
- Total number of pups born on 1 performed
insemination of / pareted doe.
The observed results were statistically processed
by using the program Microsoft Excel and
differences between groups were compared of ttest.
In both of treatment groups (group 1 and group 2)
was used intramuscular administration substances
based on GnRH (Supergestran) at a dose of 0.1
ml, to induce ovulation.
Group of does marked 3 was mating with natural
mating of hand. State of receptivity in this group
was recorded.
On the insemination of does was used
insemination doses produced on the farm before
insemination. Semen was collected from male
dwarf breed rams into silicone vagina heated in a
water bath.
After collection, the semen from each male were
mixed (polysperm) and diluted with durable
defatted milk in a ratio of 1:5.
The actual insemination was performed
with standard plastic pipette. Insemination dose
was made up of 0.3 ml of diluted fresh semen.
Monitored indicators:
- The number of does in the group,
3. Results and discussion
In the experiments was recorded positive reaction
receptivity of does to 30-minute joint housing
(visual, odor and vibration does contact to other
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Fik M. et. al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2013, 46 (2)
of newborn pups per performed insemination
reached only the level of 1.87 pc pups. The lowest
results were recorded in the reproduction of group
3, where the number of pups newborn per steamed
doe reached level only 1.79 pc, and on the one
doe, which the breeder planned steaming was
observed number of newborn pups only 1.32 pc.
Fik [4] observed in rabbits dwarf rams breed for
inseminations conceptual ratio 62.65% in group
with synchronization of estrus through PMSG and
44.74% in group with synchronization of estra
through shared housing of does before
insemination. In natural mating provides a
conceptual ratio 38.24%.
foreign does) before insemination. The
synchronization of receptivity through shared
housing were recorded lower results of receptivity
compared to synchronize receptivity by
intramuscular injection of the substance based
PMSG, but without statistically significant
differences. Results of improve receptivity after
common housing maintained does before
insemination state Fik [14], Fik and Dubec [13],
Fik [4]. Results of receptivity are listed in Table 2.
The best reproduction results in dwarf rabbit
breeds rams were observed in group 1, where on
the one done insemination accounted for 2.01 pc
newborn pups. In Group 2, the observed number
Table 2 Comparison of hormonal treatment and the common housing for state of receptivity of does
Group of
Number of
Synchronization of
State of receptivity
does
observed does
estrus
Before
After
Statistically
1
2
160
102
PMSG
Common housing
synchronization
2,22
2,16
synchronization
2,81
2,56
Table 3 Results of reproduction of observed does
Group
Group
1
2
The number of does in the group
PMSG
Common housing
Monitored indicators:
Number of inseminated / does mating
Success of mating / insemination (in %)
Number of kitted does
Conceptual rate (in %)
significances
Not prove
Group
3
Natural matting
160
160
100
103
102
102
100
65
106
78
73,58
49
Total number of pups born (live and dead born)
per litter
64,38
63,73
46,23
Total number of pups born per pareted doe
(group 3)
Total number of pups born on 1 performed
insemination of / pareted doe
3,12
2,94
2,86
2,01
1,87
1,32
synchronizing
estrus
was
used
PMSG
administration. The use of synchronization
of estrus and artificial insemination in small scale
breed condition increased the production of pups
for breeding.
4. Conclusions
A result of the common housing 30 minutes
before insemination of does demonstrate that the
alternative method of bio stimulation of estrus
synchronization provides fairly reliable results in
synchronization estrus of does. There were
statistically significant differences in receptive of
observed does between estrus synchronization
method by intramuscular injection of the
substance based PMSG and an alternative method
- common housing. The best results of
reproduction does dwarf breed rabbits were
observed in group 1, where for the purpose of
Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by VEGA
1/0493/12 and KEGA 035SPU-4/2012.
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