Investment in growth by pregnant wild rabbits in relation to litter size and sex of the offspring.

Oryctolagus cuniculus growth during gestation fitted a linear model. Mean weight increase was 8.2 g day^-1(SD 0.378). Growth of females during gestation was not directly related to litter size. Growth of large litters occurred at the expense of non-foetal growth of the mother. There was no reduction in the birth weight of neonates with increased litter size. Birth weight differed significantly between males and females although there was no difference in fat content. Sex ratio at birth was not significantly different from 1:1. The effect on these results of density changes and competition for food was minimized.-from Author