The Embryo Development of a Rabbit

Rabbits are herbivorous with a very high breeding rate and large number of offspring produced. Even though the estrus of the female is always active, rabbits are seasonal breeders and usually reproduce around late spring or early summer. Following mating, female ovarian follicles remain active for a couple of weeks if they are not fertilized.

  1. Pregnancy

    • Pregnancy begins in a female rabbit when an egg is fertilized by the sperm of a male rabbit. The fertilized egg divides into cells and begins to travel down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. After about four days, the dividing egg -- which becomes the embryo -- reaches the uterus. During these four days, the uterus has been preparing for the reception of the embryo. After 8 days, the embryo is attached to the wall of the uterus and the uterus begins to produce new cells which eventually become the placenta through which the nutrients of the mother are passed on to the embryo.

    Early

    • In the early stages of rabbit embryo development, the embryo develops three cell layers: an outer one called the ectoderm, an inner one called the endoderm, and a middle one called the mesoderm. This is the beginning of the basic form of the rabbit. The outer layer, the ectoderm, starts developing into skin tissue and nerve endings. The middle layer, the mesoderm, develops into bones and muscles; the inner layer, the endoderm, develops into internal organs and glands.

    Middle

    • After these three layers have formed, a small impression develops in one of the layers, which sinks through the embryo and meets up with a similar impression from the other side. This process is called gastrulation and is the beginning of the digestive tract. The anus forms first and then a groove forms along one side of the embryo and a rod of cartilage develops. This is called the notochord and is the beginning of the backbone.

    End

    • The first organs to develop are the brain, heart and eyes. The backbone forms properly and the skin and outer tissue develops, all within the nutrient-giving placenta. Eventually the embryo develops into a fetus and is given birth.