Factors Influencing the Number of Eggs Recovered from Rabbits Superovulated with FSH or PMSG: Analysis of Five Years of Data from 509 Rabbits

Abstract

To determine the best conditions for superovulation in rabbits, we analyzed the influence of age, season and hormone treatment on the numbers of eggs collected over five years from 509 rabbits aged 4–10 months using follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) or pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) hormone stimulation. The number of eggs recovered was significantly higher in younger rabbits in both treated groups (P < 0.01–0.05). The number of eggs collected from rabbits treated with FSH were significantly higher than from rabbits treated with PMSG at all ages (P < 0.01). Seasonal differences were not observed in either hormone treatment group as they were maintained under constant temperature, humidity and light cycle through the year. Thus, younger rabbits are more sensitive to hormonal superovulation treatment with both FSH and PMSG, and FSH offers a better regimen for egg collection.