Equine Science Exam 2

Amnion

placental membrane immediately surrounding the foal

Anemia

low red blood cell count, reduced hemoglobin levels or reduced volume of packed red blood cells

Anestrus

period in the sexual cycle when the ovaries and uterus are less active and a mare

Binocular Fixation

the ability to focus both eyes on a single object

cerebrum

portion of the brain concerned with conscious thought, perceptions and learned skills

cervix

oval shaped mass in the female reproductive tract whose opening connects the uterus with the vagina

colic

pain in the abdomen

colostrom

first milk produced by a mare following foaling. Contains globulins to provide the newborn foal with temporary immunity against disease

Corpus Luteum

ovarian follicle after discharge of the ovum; secrets the hormone progesterone

Diestrus

the quiescent period between one estrus period and the next; also called inestrus

Estrogens

general term for female sex hormones

Estrus

aka heat, recurrent period of varying length, mare produces secretion from the genital tract, becomes sexually receptive to the stallion and ovulate

Flehmen reaction 

a unique behavior where the horse extends its head and curls its upper lip while drawing air into the nasal cavity; usually expressed by a stallion attempting to detect an estrus mare

flight distance

the social (reactive) distance at which an animal will start to flee from an approaching intruder

foal heat

a mares first heat after foaling

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the development of ovarian follicles in the female and sperm production in the male

gestation

the full period of a pregnancy, from fertilization of the egg by the spermatozoon until birth

342 days 

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

hormone released from the hypothalamus of the brain that triggers the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland

Hormone

any molecule produced by an organ or tissue usually in very small quantities, that has a specific regulatory effect on the activity of another organ or tissue

Human Chorionic Gondaotropin (HCG)

hormone produced by the placenta that can stimulate ovulation 

Hypothalamus

the part of the brain concerned with operation of much of the autonomic nervous system, the production of specific hormones that are subsequently stored in and released by the pituitary gland and the regulation of body temperature, sleep cycles and food/water intake

oviducts

uterine or fallopian tubes

ovulation

release of an egg from an ovary

oxytocin

hormone formed in the hypothalamic region of the brain and stored in the pituitary glands; stimulates contraction of the uterus and milk ejection from the mammary glands

parturition

the act of giving birth

Pheromone

specific chemical secreted as a mean of communication among other indviduals of a species. Signaling pheromones trigger a specific behavior

polyestrous

having more than a single estrous cycle per year

Progesterone

hormone secretes by the corpus luteum, adrenal cortex and placenta, whose primary function is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy 

testosterone

principal male sex hormone produced in the testes

uterus

organ in the female where in the fertilized egg implants and develops through embryonic and fetal stages until birth

vice

potentially dangerous behavior shown by an animal 

vomeronasal organ

secondary olfactory sensory organ involved with the detection of non-volatile chemicals

Describe the mares estrous cycle

21 day estrous cycle

estrus is 5-7 days where the mare is receptive to the stallion 

diestrus is 14-16 days

What are the sources of energy in horses diets?

carbohydrates, fats, proteins 

What is anaerobic metabolism?

happens with oxygen, converts carbs, fats and proteins, produces CO2, H2O, ATP, energy used for a long duration activity 

What is aerobic metabolism?

happens without oxygen, converts carbohydrates, uses glycolysis, produces lactate and ATP, used for short or high intensity activity 

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED)

fatal, lacks the enzyme necessary to store sugar

Hyperelastistosis Cutis (HC/HERDA)

lack of adhesion within the dermis due to a collagen defect

Common signs of HC/HERDA

Pressure on skin causes distinct folds in the skin, extreme tearing of the skin, usually cannot be ridden, not healing normally from wounds, skin may peel off 

signs of GBED

abortion, stillbirths, foal with seizures, respiratory and cardiac failure, sudden death

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP)

muscular disease, skeletal muscle Na channel defect

can be managed by limiting K intake

signs of HYPP

uncontrolled muscle twitching or profound muscle weakness, and in severe cases, may lead to collapse and or death

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSMI)

affects the glycogen synthase enzyme-stores abnormal amounts of muscle glycogen, tying up with muscling damage

Signs of PSSMI

skin twitching, stiffness, painful muscles, muscle weakness & atrophy, reluctant to engage hind quarters 

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH)

triggered when exposed to anesthesia, extreme exercise or stress

Myosin-Heavy Chain Myopathy

the immune system attacks the horses skeletal muscle

Your horses diet should be ____% forage based

50%

What is the main role of fats?

long term energy and coat condition

main role of minerals

bone formation, muscle formation

main role of carbohydrates

immediate energy source

main role of protein

structural component of tissues and enzymes

When does a broodmare need the most energy in her diet?

late gestation and early lactation

function of leydig cells

testosterone production

function of vas defernes

mix and suspend secretions from accessory sex glands

function of seminiferous tubules

sperm production

function of the tail of the epididymis

site of storage

function of the body of the epididymis

site of maturation

function of pelvic urethra

transport semen

what is a shaping behavior?

Reinforcing each successive approximation of desired responses

positive reinforcement

reward training

negative reinforcement 

Aversive stimuli that the horse will work to avoid

alternate response 

When punished for making the wrong response, trainer should make sure that the desired response is available

Contingent reinforcement

Must be given with relation to response

Where is most of the fiber digested in a horses digestive system?

cecum and large colon

what is the function of the cervix?

control entry of material into the uterus, mucus production and tone