Usefulness of a simplified artificial insemination technique in the rabbit for teratology studies.

We describe usefulness of our simplified artificial insemination technique in rabbits for teratology studies. Our technique includes 1) semen collection from 2 or 3 bucks with a simple artificial vagina, 2) deposition of 0.5 microliters of the diluted semen mixture in the vagina with a glass pipette, and 3) injection of 25 U. of hCG through the auricular vein. Applying these techniques and procedures and keeping about 10 proven bucks would enable 2 operators to inseminate 10-15 does daily by only 1 hour work. This artificial insemination technique should be useful for rabbit teratology studies, especially for safety evaluation studies of toxicants, where a relatively large number of pregnant are needed to be prepared in a short period.