Guidelines for the handling of rabbit bucks and semen

This paper contains recommendations for procedures to be used in applied reproduction trails performed with rabbit buks and/or semen. The factors influencing sperm production (environment, age, health status and feeding strategies) are described as well as the effects of semen handling (diluition, storage conditions, etc) on spermatozoa characteristics are given. Basics tools for analysing spermatozoa characteristics are given. Procedures, materials and methods to evaluate sperm metabolism are precisely defined in an appendix. The present guidelines have been discussed and approved by a panel of experts (see footenote) in the course of various meeting in the context of COST action 484 sponsored by EU.