Semen characteristics and fertility of rabbits subjected to exhaustive use

Abstract

Up to 26 ejaculations were obtained from male rabbits within a period of 8 hours. During the next 20 days, further ejaculates were collected to establish the pattern of restoration of normal values. Repeated ejaculation resulted in a marked and progressive decline in the 3 semen characters examined; sperm density returned only slowly (3 weeks) to the initial level whereas fructose and volume, in particular, responded much faster. No significant effect of ejaculate order on fertility, litter size or sex ratio was demonstrated.