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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. What is the function of the female?
contribute 1/2 chromosomes
care for young in uterus and after birth until weaning

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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)

24. Females also show external signs of "Heat"
aggressive behavior
swelling and/or color change of vulva

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

31. Any questions?