Rabbit's Testicles Descended Late... Potential Problem?

[The Haven Rabbitry]

Hello All,

I had given up hope on my Californian buck whose testicles never descended. I was just about to get rid of him in exchange for another buck, but today, I checked him and to my suprise, his testicles were there! He is almost 7 months old. I checked them last at 6 months and 1 week old.

My question is, because it took so long (I'm assuming, as I even had a vet feel for them before and she also could not feel them) to descend, do you think he will be sterile, or do you think he'll still be able to reproduce?

I'm very excited but want to make sure he can still reproduce.

Thanks!

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Try breeding him and see. That's the only way to know for sure.

 

[The Haven Rabbitry]

Yeah, that's what I'm planning on doing. BUT if it was likely that he wouldn't I probably wouldn't have even tried. Do you know if that is a trait that could be sort of a precursor to undescending testicles? I certainly don't want to pass that on!



Thanks!

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Late-descending testicles could definitely be a genetic characteristic. In fact, it most likely is in this case. But it doesn't necessarily mean that the buck would be "dysfunctional". lol Just means that the line might mature later.

 

[The Haven Rabbitry]

Thanks!