Question

Give an account of male reproductive system of rabbits. Draw a labelled diagram of it.

Answer 1

Hint: Rabbits have two branches of the male reproductive system. They are- reproductive organs and accessory glands.

Complete answer:
- Rabbits are small mammals of the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha. Oryctolagus Cuniculus comprises the European rabbit genus and its relatives, the world's 305 domestic rabbit breeds. Sylvilagus contains 13 wild rabbit species, including seven varieties of cottontail.
- In rabbits, there are two branches of the male reproductive system. They are- reproductive organs and accessory glands. The main organ or male gonad is a testis that is present in the scrotum. The scrotum is a pouch that comes from the lower abdominal wall. Scrotum covers the testicles and serves as a thermo regulator. Tests are the main sex organs. There is a germinal epithelial cell that contains sperm.
- Seminiferous tubules are made up of spermatogonia. There are interstitial cells or Leydig cells that secrete the testosterone hormone. Vas deferens is a long tube like a framework responsible for carrying sperm.
- Vasa efferentia is a pair of ducts originating from the rete testis and joining the epididymis. A pair of tubular structures produced by cauda epididymis is called vasa deferentia. Epididymis is paired systems that are strongly coiled ducts found at the back of each testis. It is divided in the three zones.
- Caput epididymis is the higher, larger head that absorbs vasa efferentia. The sperm undergo physiological maturation by obtaining increased motility and fertilising ability. Corpus epididymis is a centre broader leg.
- Cauda epididymis is the lower duct or tail. Sperms stay in the tail for a brief amount of time and then reach the vas deferens. The urethra is a portion that stretches to form the penis. Urethra carries urine and semen. Penis is a copulatory organ used for the insemination or deposition of sperm in the female genital tract. The urethra passes by the length of the penis.

Fig: Diagram of male reproductive system of rabbit

Note: In rabbits, the sexes are different. Male reproductive organs include a set of epididymis, a set of vasa deferentia, urethra, a set of testes, penis, and some of the accessory glands.