Rabbits

The reproductive organs of the rabbit female are seen as primitive. The fixing of the gender of the rabbit occurs during the embryonic phase, on the 16th day after conception. The ovaries develop from a mass of cells that are located near the testicles. The development of the ovaries is accompanied by the degeneration of the male testicles. The development of egg cells occurs approximately from the 21st day and will continue until birth, around the 30th day.

The first follicle, the "bags" in which the eggs (ova) mature, develops 13 days after birth. (See the accompanying photo on which the follicles containing the eggs can be seen at various stages of development) The development of the ovary starts around the 21st day after birth and continues until the 30th day. The first eggs do not begin to develop until 13 days after birth. The ovaries, ellipse shaped bodies of approximately 1.5 cm, are found at the end of each uterus, just below the kidneys.

The age at which the rabbit is capable of (sexual) reproduction is related to the breed and size of the rabbit; small to medium-sized rabbits between 4 and 6 months of age; larger species only mature between 5 and 8 months. In general, a rabbit is considered adult when it has reached 75 to 80% of its final weight. Female rabbits do not have a period of heat. Unlike other pets such as cats and dogs. Female rabbits are constantly able to mate and have a reflex ovulation. This means that ovulation is only caused if there is stimulation through sexual intercourse, during which ovulation takes place 9 to 13 hours after mating.

Yet there is a certain cycle. The presence of estrogen influences the dimension and the color of the vaginal opening. Most females are receptive to a male and to mate if the opening is red/purple, and refuse if it is pale and small. Yet this is not a clear sign, some females mate at all times.