Effects of septal lesions on maternal behavior and lactation in the rabbit

Neonatal cannibalism in cage-bred wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

“…Its intensity was similar to that described in domestic breeds (Hafez et al 1966, Cruz andBeyer 1972) and in wild cottontail rabbits in captivity (Smith 1974).…”

“…In our study there was a highly significant incidence of cannibalism when the rabbits did not introduce hair into the nest box (table 1). This association between cannibalism and poor nest quality, measured in terms of the quantity of hair with which it is lined, has also been observed in domestic rabbits (Sawin and Crary 1954, Denenberg et al 1960, Cruz and Beyer 1972 and in wild cottontail rabbits kept in captivity (Smith 1974). It is a secondary manifestation of the failure of maternal behaviour in parturition most likely influenced by environmental factors (Sawin and Crary 1954) or of the handling that, as in other causes of neonatal mortality associated with poor nest quality, is due to the response of the mother (Delaveau 1979).…”

“…It is a secondary manifestation of the failure of maternal behaviour in parturition most likely influenced by environmental factors (Sawin and Crary 1954) or of the handling that, as in other causes of neonatal mortality associated with poor nest quality, is due to the response of the mother (Delaveau 1979). This argument is confirmed by Cruz and Beyer (1972), which verifies that lesions on the medial part of the septum cause, in a high proportion of domestic rabbits, the incidence of cannibalism associated in most cases with the absence of nest construction and with the absence of hair in its lining. This is due to the fact that the septum is a forebrain structure that is rich in oestrogen receptor-α-inmunoreactive neurons, known to be involved in the control of the reproductive function (González-Mariscal 2001).…”

“…Nevertheless, cannibalism in domestic breeds has been described to be more frequent in hyper-excitable or stressed primiparous rabbits (Cruz and Beyer 1972, Harkness and Wagner 1989, Easson 2001, to the extent that half of cannibalism is practiced by primiparous females (Delaevau 1979). It is likely that in our case the level of stress experienced by the rabbits, that probably was very high due to the fact that they were wild animals, equally affected both primiparous and multiparous rabbits, resulting in similar levels of cannibalism in both groups of rabbits.…”

“…In the rabbit, maternal behaviour and reproductive success are often impaired by the stress originating from the keeping system and handling, and lead to alterations in the nest-making behaviour and kits losses (Cruz and Beyer 1972, Harkness and Wagner 1989, Emeash and Karousa 1994, Easson 2001, Baumann et al 2005. An adequate development of maternal behaviour during peripartum is characterised, among other factors, by the absence or reduced incidence of disorders such as cannibalism, which is defined as the doe's consumption of all or part of the body of at least one neonate from her litter (Denenberg et al 1960).…”