Animal Reproduction - Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards generated from the provided lecture notes on animal reproduction, focusing on vocabulary related to endocrinology, the estrous cycle, pregnancy diagnosis, parturition, and assisted reproductive technologies.

Hormones

Hormones that travel through the body carrying instructions for reproduction, crucial for coordinating events from egg and sperm maturation to parturition and lactation.

GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)

Hormone produced in the hypothalamus that directs the pituitary gland to release important hormones.

Hormones

Hormones that travel through the body carrying instructions for reproduction, crucial for coordinating events from egg and sperm maturation to parturition and lactation.

GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)

Hormone produced in the hypothalamus that directs the pituitary gland to release important hormones.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

Gonadotropins released by the pituitary gland; FSH aids follicle development in females and Sertoli cell function in males, while LH is key for ovulation in females and testosterone production in males.

Estrogens (E2)

Hormones mainly produced by ovarian follicles in females, responsible for estrus signs and female reproductive tract development; can generate positive feedback in females.

Progesterone (P4)

Hormone mainly produced by the corpus luteum, essential for maintaining gestation, inhibiting ovulation, and preparing the uterus.

Testosterone

Main male sex hormone produced in the testicles, also found in females as a precursor to estrogens.

Prolactin (PRL)

Hormone produced in the adenohypophysis, crucial for milk production (lactogenesis) and mammary gland development.

Oxytocin

Hormone secreted by the neurohypophysis and corpus luteum, known for causing uterine contractions during parturition and milk ejection.

Inhibin

Hormone produced by granulosa cells in females and Sertoli cells in males, primarily functioning to inhibit FSH release.

PGF2a (Prostaglandin F2 alpha)

Hormone secreted by the uterus, luteolytic (causes corpus luteum regression) and uterotonic (provokes uterine contractions), responsible for initiating a new cycle or parturition.

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) and eCG (Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Hormones secreted by the chorion (placental part) when an embryo is present; hCG is luteotrophic (maintains CL), and eCG creates accessory corpora lutea in the mare.

Estrous Cycle

Series of physiological changes in most female mammals that reproduce sexually, preparing them for conception.

Proestrus

Phase prior to estrus, characterized by increased estrogens, preparing the female's body for ovulation.

Estrus

Phase of "heat" or sexual receptivity, marked by a peak in estrogen leading to LH and FSH surges and ovulation in most species.

Metaestrus

Phase after ovulation, where the follicle transforms into the corpus luteum (CL), producing progesterone; estradiol, LH, and FSH levels decrease.

Diestrus

Longest phase of the estrous cycle in domestic animals, where the CL is maximally active, secreting high levels of progesterone; luteolysis occurs at the end if no gestation.

Anestrus

Period of reproductive inactivity in some species, where ovaries are at rest and no cyclic activity occurs; can be seasonal or due to lactation.

Pseudogestation

Physiological state in females, typically dogs or cats, showing physical and behavioral signs of gestation without actual pregnancy, primarily due to progesterone.

Abdominal Palpation

Method of pregnancy diagnosis involving manual examination of the abdomen to feel the uterus or developing fetuses.

Rectal Palpation

Method of pregnancy diagnosis involving manual examination by inserting a hand into the animal's rectum to palpate reproductive structures.

Ecography (Ultrasound)

Pregnancy diagnosis technique using high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of internal body structures.

Mode B Ultrasound

Ultrasound mode providing a 2D image showing structures in shades of brightness (white, black, and gray).

Doppler Mode Ultrasound

Ultrasound mode detecting blood movement and flow.

Radiography

Pregnancy diagnosis technique using X-rays to visualize the fetal skeleton once ossification has begun.

PAG (Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins)

Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins, used in ruminants to diagnose pregnancy from day 30; can give false positives in intensive systems.

eCG (Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Equine chorionic gonadotropin, detectable from day 40 of gestation in mares; does not indicate fetal viability.

Progesterone (P4)

Hormone measured in blood or milk to indicate pregnancy; not completely reliable in species with prolonged diestrus or pseudogestation.

Estradiol

Hormone detectable in blood from day 25 in sows to indicate pregnancy.

Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy

The process where the embryo signals its presence to the mother to prevent luteolysis and maintain pregnancy.

Critical Period

Crucial period when the conceptus must signal the mother to prevent luteolysis, generally occurring between days 15 and 18 post-mating or insemination.

IFN-tau (Interferon tau)

Interferon tau, secreted by the trophoblast cells to block oxytocin receptors in the endometrium, preventing PG secretion and luteolysis in ruminants.

Conceptus Migration

Phenomenon in mares where the conceptus migrates and touches the entire uterine endometrium during the first 30 days of gestation to inhibit PG formation.

Takeover

The point at which the placenta takes over progesterone production from the corpus luteum to maintain pregnancy.

Dystocia

Difficult or complicated birth where natural process is interrupted requiring intervention.

Assisted Vaginal Birth

Assisted vaginal birth where the position of the fetus is manually corrected.

Controlled Vaginal Birth

Assisted vaginal birth with the mother under anesthesia allowing for complete control over the birthing process.

Fetotomy

A procedure where the dead fetus is cut into sections inside the uterus to facilitate removal without a C-section.

Cesarean Section

Surgical procedure to remove the fetus directly from the uterus.

Colostrum

The colostrum is the first milk produced by the mother and it is rich in antibodies/immunoglobulins.

Puerperium

Postpartum period where the reproductive system returns to its non-pregnant state.

Uterine Involution

Process of the uterus returning to its normal size and function.

Metritis

Postpartum uterine infection occurring before 21 days often characterized by fever and malodorous discharge.

Endometritis

Postpartum inflammation of the uterine lining occurring after 21 days.

Pyometra

Accumulation of pus in the uterus in the presence of a corpus luteum.

MMA (Metritis-Mamitis-Agalactia)

A condition affecting postpartum sows characterized by metritis, mastitis, and agalactia.

ART (Assisted Reproductive Technologies)

Assisted reproductive technologies that allow manipulation of the reproductive process.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Technique of introducing semen directly into the female reproductive tract.

Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET)

Superovulation, insemination, and embryo collection for transfer to recipient females.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Fertilization and early embryonic development occur outside the body.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Method where a sperm is injected directly into an egg for in vitro fertilization.

Transgenesis

Process where the genetic material of an organism is changed by adding a gene from another organism for research purposes.

Flushing

Process of washing/flushing the uterus to recover embryos.

Ovum Pick Up (OPU)

Collection of oocytes from live animals guided by transvaginal ultrasound.

Capacitation

The process by which sperm gain the ability to fertilize an egg.

Swim-Up

A method used for a quality check where sperm actively swim to the top layer of the sample and are collected.

Percoll (Density gradient)

A technique used during a quality check involving the use of different densities to separate the sperm best sperm.

GnRH Pumps

Hormones released in pulsatile form to induce estrus, with fewer side effects but high cost.

Male Effect

Practice of separating males and females, then reintroducing males to synchronize estrus.

Vitrification

Procedure for a fast cool-down, used to create a non-crystalline solid from a liquid.

Non-Penetrating Cryoprotectants

Used to protect the cell's outer layer to prevent outer wrinkling, acts externally.

Penetrating Cryoprotectants

Used to reduce cell water loss and protect the interior, enters the cell.

Ovarian stimulation

Treatment with hormones given to stimulate the ovarian follicle and induce ovulation.

Freezing

A procedure to cool and solidify a liquid, typically used for a slow process.

Ovarian Cyst

Enlarged, non-ovulatory ovarian follicle; can lead to anestrus.