Preliminary findings on some reproduction indices following administration of Diclair®HP-FSH to rabbit-does

Abstract

Preliminary study of some reproductive indices on administration of daily double dose of 25 IU Diclair®HP-FSH to 20 (16 Treated, 4 Control) crossbred adult rabbit-does weighing 1.24 ± 0.26 kg, was conducted. Does housed four per group in hutches were fed concentrates (20% CP) and water ad libitum. Parameters were evaluated 12 hours (h) post 2nd, 4th, 6th and 36 h post 6th injections (I). The differences between control and treated body weights (1.19±0.04 and 1.28±0.48 kg), control (3.52±0.26 g) and treated (3.74±4.21 g) whole genitalia were not significant (P>0.05). The differences between control and treated left (0.04±0.01 and 0.12±0.08 g) and right (0.04±0.01 and 0.14±0.08 g) ovarian weights were significant (P<0.05). The difference between control (7.26±1.14) and treated (8.26±2.37) vaginal lengths (cm) was not significant (P>0.05). The differences between control and treated number of follicles present on the left (24.74±6.02 and 44.88±14.26) and right (23.88±5.84 and 46.75±14.67) ovaries were significant (P<0.05). The differences in the average number of follicles between 12 h post 2nd I (33.00±6.93, 35.50±12.12), 12 h post 6th I (62.50±1.73, 65.00±3.46), as well as 36 h post 6th I (42.00±6.93, 47.00±8.08) on the left and right ovaries, respectively were significant (P<0.05). Histological evidence of ovulation was seen at 12 h post 6th I (left ovary) and both sides at 36 h post 6th I. The mean area for 2o, Graafian and ovulated follicles were 1.41 x 104 μm2, 2.37 x 105 μm2 and 1.21 x 105 μm2, respectively. We conclude that Diclair®HP-FSH induced follicle growth, with highest count and ovulation from 12 h post 6th I through 36 h post 6th I. These data will be useful in future superovulation studies with the rabbit.