Artificial insemination in rabbits

Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI) in rabbits can be a useful aid to colony management. In this review, simple non-invasive techniques for semen collection and AI are described. Conception rates following AI can be equivalent to, or better than, those achieved by natural mating, with the added advantage that contact between animals is avoided. Ovulation can be induced reliably by the administration of a gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue, buserelin, as an alternative to the use of a vasectomized buck or the injection of luteinizing hormone. The use of enzyme-linked immunoassay kits for progesterone assay can assist colony management by rapidly identifying non-pregnant animals for re-insemination. Frozen-thawed sperm have been inseminated but careful attention to the cryopreservation technique is required to ensure good conception rates.