Animal Sci Cattle Lab Rotation

GnRH - Gonadotropin

Signals pituitary to release FSH and LH, starts cycle

FSH - Follicle stimulating hormone

Stimulates follicles, tells body to grow follicles to prepare for ovulation

LH - Luteinizing hormone

triggers ovulation

estrogen

causes heat behavior

progesterone

rises to end heat cycle to maintain pregnancy

prostaglandin - PGF2α

start menstruation if no pregnancy

day 0

estrus - standing heat, estrogen peaks

days 1-4

metestrus - ovulation

days 5-16

diestrus - progesterone peaks

days 17-20

proestrus - progesterone falls, menstruation occurs, and cycle begins again

cow

ewe

sow

mare

bulbourethal glands

secrete before sperm, flush urine residue and add lubricating mucus

prostate

Adds alkaline to ejaculate fluid to neutralize vaginal acidity to keep sperm alive

vesicular glands

makes up half of the ejaculate volume, adds sugars to give sperm energy to move and buffers the fluid to keep sperm alive.