Abstract
PREVIOUS attempts1 to obtain young from domestic rabbits by insemination with epididymal spermatozoa from hares (Lepus timidus ainu or Lepus europœus) have proved unsuccessful. The possibility, however, that fertilization and a limited amount of embryonic development may have occurred has not so far been investigated. Recently2, it was found that in rabbits inseminated with epididymal spermatozoa from the eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), 37 per cent of the eggs were fertilized but degeneration occurred at all stages before or at biastulation. The experiment described here was undertaken to determine whether fertilization occurred in rabbits inseminated with hare spermatozoa and, if so, at what stage development ceased.
References
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ADAMS, C. An Attempt to cross the Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Hare (Lepus europæus). Nature 180, 853 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/180853a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/180853a0
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