Animal Reproduction Animal Science

Functions of the Male System

What is the function of the Male? produce large numbers of live sex cells (spermatozoa) contribute 1/2 chromosomes

What are the Male Reproductive Organs? Testicles - produce spermatozoa & male hormone Testosterone Scrotom - sack which carries testicles functions as a heat regulator Monorchid - one fertile testicle Cryptorchid - both testes remain in body cavity (sterile) Castration - removal of testicles lack sex drive gain weight quicker

What are the Male Reproductive Organs? Epididymis - tube connects to testes storage of spermatozoa (200 billion at a time) spermatozoa mature as they migrate through Vas Deferens - tube connects to epididymus if removed, can't reproduce = vasectomy

What are the Male Reproductive Organs? Urethra - begins at bladder and continues through penis Sigmoid Flexure - "S" shape in urethra allows for extension of penis outside of body for reproduction

Accessory Sex Glands prostate two seminal vesicles two cowpers glands

What is the function of the Accessory Sex Glands? provide medium for transporting sperm adds volume provides nutrients cleans & flushes urinary tract

Reproduction in Males After sexual maturity, sperm production is continuous Testosterone is responsible for: growth, development & activity of accessory glands survival of spermatozoa secondary sex characteristics:male voice, sex drive

Reproduction in Males Semen - collective term for all fluid ejaculated sperm and fluid from accessory glands

Reproduction in Females

What is the function of the female? Contribute 1/2 chromosomes Care for young in uterus and after birth until weaning

What are the Female Reproductive Organs? Vulva - exterior portion of reproductive tract provides visual signs of heat Vagina - between vulva & cervix Cows & Ewes: semen is deposited here Mares & Sows: semen is deposited in the cervix

What are the Female Reproductive Organs? Cervix - "Mouth of the womb“ opening into uterus at birth cervix stretches to allow baby to pass (most painful part) during pregnancy cervix becomes blocked with a mucous plug to prevent infection

What are the Female Reproductive Organs? Uterine Horns - two branches of uterus Fallopian Tube - uterine horn becomes a small tube lined with cilia which aid in egg migration

Ovaries located at end of fallopian tubes possesses large number of eggs in all stages of development this is all the eggs she will ever have, unlike the male’s reproductive gametes very few eggs reach maturity if not fertilized, the egg is reabsorbed by the body

Reproduction in Females Farm animals reach sexual maturity at 4 months (sow) to 24 months (mare), then -Female comes in heat (estrus) -Egg released by ovary -Egg travels down tube until fertilized by sperm Estrogen - female hormone which regulates estrus

What does "in heat" mean? Heat is the time when a female is receptive to the male and will allow breeding to take place Heat is actually divided into 4 phases of the cycle.

Estrous Cycle: *Proestrus: ovary is about to release an egg *Estrus: female receptivity *Metestrus: uterus prepares for pregnancy fertilized egg attaches to uterus *Diestrus: longest period of cycle inactive Estrous Cycles stop after conception, and begin soon after Parturition (birth)

Females also show external signs of "Heat" Aggressive behavior Swelling and/or color change of vulva Mucus Discharge

Conditions for Fertilization Anatomy of Male & Female must be compatible Female must be in Heat Egg must be mature

Artificial Insemination

Beef Terms A Mature Male is called a: Bull A Mature Female is called a: Cow The act of Giving Birth is called: Calving Gestation = 283 days A Castrated Male is called a: Steer An Immature Female is called a: Heifer

What do you call a mature male hog? Boar What do you call a mature female hog? Sow What do you call the act of giving birth? Farrowing What do you call a castrated male hog? Barrow What do you call an young female hog? Gilt What is the gestation for hogs? 114 days or 3 months, 3 weeks, & 3 days

Poultry Terms What do you call a mature male? Rooster What do you call a mature female? Hen What do you call a young female? Pullet What do you call a castrated male? Capon Chickens Hatch What is the incubation period? 21 days

What do you call a mature male horse? Stallion What do you call a mature female horse? Mare What do you call a castrated male horse? Gelding What do you call a young horse? foal or colt

What do you call an immature female horse? Filly What do you call the act of giving birth for horses? Foaling What is the gestation for a horse? 330 days