[Evaluation by celioscopy of the corpus luteum and embryos. Influence on litter size in the rabbit]

Twenty-one does were laparoscopized on d 12 of gestation and immediately killed after observation in order to estimate the ovulation rate and number of embryos. The accuracy was very high: 91% and 98% respectively, for ovulation rate and number of embryos. To measure the effect of coelioscopy on fetal survival rate 40 does were laparoscopized on d 12 of gestation. The coelioscopy did not show a significant effect on litter size and birth, or on the current or the subsequent gestation.