By: Anthony Watson Equine Management and Production Animal Reproduction By: Anthony Watson Equine Management and Production

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

What is the function of the Male? produce large numbers of live sex cells/gametes (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 (libido) 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

Male Accessory Sex Glands Prostate 2 Seminal Vesicles 2 Cowper’s glands

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

Artificial Insemination Required Equipment A.I. Rod Semen Straw Lube Genetic Diversity Select the bulls you want to use based on EPDs Compared to Natural Mating

Artificial Insemination vs.. Natural Mating Pros - More Genetic Diversity - Don’t Have To Maintain A Stallion - More Controlled Breeding Season - More Cost Effective - More Hygienic - Easier To Determine foaling Date Cons - More Equipment Required - Heat Watch Required - Experienced A.I. Technician - More Labor Intensive More Time Consuming Cannot use in all breeds

Take out a Piece of Paper Quiz 1. What are the main structures of the Male Reproductive Tract? List at least 4 2. What are the advantages of Artificial Insemination? List at least 3

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 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 Site of fertilization 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 very few eggs reach maturity if not fertilized, the egg is reabsorbed by the body

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 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

Beef (Bovine) Terms Cow Calving Steer Heifer A Mature Male is called a: Bull A Mature Female is called a: Cow The act of Giving Birth is called: Calving A Castrated Male is called a: Steer An Immature Female is called a: Heifer

Pig (Porcine) Terms 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

Poultry (Ovine) 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

Horse (Equine) Terms 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

Any questions?