Reproductive and Genetic Terminology

abortion

premature expulsion of a fetus, either by nature or intent

afterbirth

placenta and fetal membranes expelled from uterus in parturition

albino

genetic trait causing lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and irises of the eye

alter

to neuter a male animal or spay a female animal

artificial insemination

introduction of semen into the uterus by other than natural means

billy goat

male goat

bitch

female dog

boar

male pig

breed (n.)

group of related animals similar enough to produce similar ospring

breed (v.)

to supervise the sexual propagation of animals

brood

offspring from one hatching of a bird’s eggs

broody

hen sitting on eggs

buck

male deer, goat, rabbit, or kangaroo

bull

male of various large mammals, especially cattle

bullock

castrated bull or steer

calf

bovine younger than one year

capon

neutered rooster

castration

removal of the testicles; neutering a male animal

cesarean section

removal of unborn young by surgical incision into the uterus

chick

young bird, especially a chicken

chromosome

bodies within the cell nucleus that store genetic information

clutch

group of eggs laid at one time by a bird

cob

male swan

cock

male chicken older than one year

cockerel

male chicken younger than one year

colostrum

protein- and antibody-rich milk secreted by the mother after giving birth

colt

male horse before maturity

congenital

condition existing at birth but not hereditary

cow

female of various large animals, especially cattle

cygnet

young swan

dam

female parent

doe

adult female goat or deer

drake

male duck

duckling

young duck

embryo

undeveloped fetus; the young in an early stage of development

estrus

time of reproductive cycle when the female is receptive to mating

ewe

female sheep of breeding age

fertilization

union of the sperm and egg

fetus

unborn developing animal

filly

female horse under four years old

fledgling

young bird just learning to fly

foal

young or newborn horse

gander

male goose

gelding

neutered male horse

gene

part of chromosomes carrying hereditary information

genitalia

part of the reproductive anatomy

gestation period

time between conception and birth of an offspring

gilt

young female pig

gobbler

male turkey

gosling

young goose

gravid

pregnant; containing developing young

heat

estrus condition

heifer

young cow

hereditary

transmissible from parent to offspring; genetically determined

inguinal hernia

protrusion of tissue through inguinal canals of males

jack

male donkey; jackass

jenny

female donkey

kid

young goat

kitten

young cat

lamb

young sheep

litter

several offspring from one birth, especially in mammals

mammary glands

glands of female mammals that secrete milk after parturition

mare

female horse four years or older

miscarriage

expulsion of underdeveloped fetus

monestrous

having one estrus period per year

mongrel

mixed-breed dog; a mutt

nanny goat

female goat

neonate

newborn animal

nest

structure made or place chosen for breeding or laying eggs

neuter

removal of the reproductive organs

nuptial plumage

brilliant mating-season plumage exhibited by some birds, usually males

oviparous

animals whose eggs develop outside the mother’s body

ovoviviparous

animals whose eggs develop within the mother’s oviduct

parturition

process of giving birth

pen

female swan

piglet

young pig

placenta

organ within the gravid uterus, expelled after birthing

polyestrous

having more than one estrous period per year

pouch

fold of skin for carrying young on abdomen of female marsupial

pregnancy

condition in which offspring develop in the female uterus

prepuce

protective sheath covering the penis

pullet

female chicken younger than one year

pup

young dog or seal

queen

mature female cat used for breeding

ram

sexually mature male sheep (about six months of age or older)

rooster

male chicken

shoat

pig under one year old

sire

male parent of any quadruped, especially a horse

sow

female pig

spay

to remove the ovaries and uterus; to neuter a female animal

squab

fledgling pigeon

stag

male deer

stallion

male horse

steer

neutered bull

stud

male horse used for breeding

tom

male cat or turkey

umbilical cord

vessel connecting the fetus to the placenta

vagina

female passage for copulation and birthing

viviparous

giving birth to live young developed in the uterus

vixen

female fox