Reproduction pt. 2

Dystocia

Abnormal or difficult birth

Red bag delivery

They other half of the placenta is delivered before the foal, foal is not getting oxygen

Fescue toxicosis

Plant that can contain a fungus that can produce alkaloid toxins when consumed and cause issues in parturition

Kentucky 31

type of fescue

Prolonged gestation

Enlarged foal

Thickened placenta

Agalactia

What issues can fescue cause in horses

Agalactia

No milk production

Summer slump

Problems in cattle caused by fescue, includes aborting fetuses and lack of appetite

Agalactia

Thickened placenta

Aborted fetuses

Poor appetite

Symptoms of summer slump

Move livestock to a fescue free lot (horses 60 days before foaling)

Test pasture

Dilute planting of red/white clovers

Consider endophyte free strains

Keep pastures short to avoid seed heads

How can you prevent fescue related diseases

Fertilization

The joining of the male and female gametes

Amnion

Amniotic sac (white bag)

True

Parturition is initiated by the fetus (T/F)

Relaxing of pelvic ligaments

Vulva swells

Waxing up

Signs of parturition

Diving position

What is the position for birth

Pasture management

What is the best way to limit fescue toxicosis

Nutrition

effective (blank) is essential to successful reproduction

Moderate

(blank) body condition is ideal for breeding in females

False

Environment does not affect reproduction (T/F)

Older

Anatomical defects in reproduction tracts are higher in (blank) animals

endocrine system

An imbalance in the (blank) can cause issues in reproduction

Prevent disease

What is on of the best ways to keep a herd healthy

Over-condition

Overweight

Increased dystocia due to increased fat

Not a huge issue, weight can be dropped easily

Flushing

Increasing the level of nutrition ~30 days before breeding

Increases rate of ovulation

What does flushing do

Under-conditioned

To thin

If life is threatened animals will not breed

Females must have a certain level of body fat to carry

2

How many estrous cycles to cattle have to get bred if we have a calf every 12 mo.

First-calf heifers

Cows that are giving their first calf (2 yrs old)

Lactation

Growth

Uterine involution

3 critical needs in nutrition for first-time heifers

Keep them separated from the main herd

How can you ensure first-calf heifers get the nutrient they need

Uterine involution

A time of recuperation after birth for the uterus

65%

What percent of expected mature weight at breeding do first-time heifers need to be

13-15 mo.

What age are first time heifers usually bred

Energy

Dietary component that is usually limiting

Protein

Second limiting factor in nutrition

Max use of sires

Greater selection

Use of deceased, incapacitated, or dangerous sires

Reduction of disease

Improved management

Advantages of AI

Increased labor, management and facilities

Can accentuate poor genetics

Disadvantages of AI

Use of hormones for synchronization of estrus cycles

Sex semen

Lactational anestrous cows

Future of AI

Artificial vagina

Used to collect semen (not from boars)

Requires female or dummy for mounting

Electroejaculator

Causes electrical stimulation to trigger ejaculation

Number of semen per ejaculate decreases

Why can semen not be collected to frequently

Volume

Sperm concentration

Motility of sperm

Abnormalities

What is evaluated in sperm

12-24 hours

What is the fertile life of ovum

24 hr

Fertile life of sperm

In the uterus

Where is semen deposited in cows and mares

Cervix

Where is semen deposited in sows

Superovulation

Hormone treatment to induce multiple ovulations

Multiple births

Increased number of offspring, not cost effective

Decreased gestation length and birth weights

Increased calf loss and placental retention

Downsides to multiple births

Increased reproduction

Decreased time for proof

Extended reproductive life of dams

Transport of exotic breeds

Embryo transfer advantages

Costly

Offspring are not inherently genetically better

Success rate is variable

Embryo transfer disadvantages

FSH

What is commonly used to induce superovulation in cattle

PMSG

Product that contains mostly FSH and little LH, obtained from pregnant mares

hCG

Contains mostly LH little FSH

Used with FSH or PMSG, obtained from pregnant women

Prostaglandins

Used to synchronize estrous cycles of donor and recipient cows

PGF2a

Prostaglandin that triggers regression of the CL

Healthy, cyclic animals of superior genetic makeup

Selection criteria for ET animals

Synchronization

Requirement for ET animals, their estrous cycles must be synced in order for embryo to stay viable

Freezing embryos

Future of ET, success rate is low; involves freezing for embryos for preservation

Cloning and micromanipulation of embryos

Very early embryos are split in half to form identical twins

Sexing embryos

Determining sex of embryos before copulation, would allow for greater selection