Reproduction (Male + Female)

Puberty

Known as “sexual maturity”, it occurs at a young stage of growth

What are the common ages for livestock to hit puberty?

Cattle (6-9 months), Swine (4-6 months), Sheep/goats (4-6 months), Horses (9-12 months)

When should animals not be bred?

During puberty

Why should animals not be bred during puberty?

The skeleton is not matured enough which affects the tractions

Scrotum (Male)

Muscles in the lining of the sac

What is the purpose of the scrotum?

To raise and lower the testicles, keeping them 2-3 degrees colder than the body and protect gonads from injury

Testicles (Male)

Made up of miles of microscope tubes that produce sperm cells

What does the testicle produce?

Male hormones known as testosterone that cause secondary sex characteristics and develop sex drive in the male

Epididymis (Male)

A coiled tube along the outside of testicles that stores and matures unused sperm cells

How long does it take for cells to mature in Epididymis?

Usually 2 weeks

Vas Deferens (Male)

A long, muscular tube that leads from epididymis to the urethra and carries only sperm

What happens to the vas deferens during a vasectomy?

The tubes are severed and plugged in to prevent bleeding and act as a heat detector in the animal

Bladder

Holds urine produced from the kidneys

Seminal Vesicles (Male)

Two small tubular glands that produce a bulk of seminal fluids

What do the fluids in seminal vesicles contain?

Proteins, sugars, and salts

What is the purpose of the fluids in seminal vesicles?

To transport, protect, and nourish the sperm cell

Semen (Male)

A thick, white fluid containing sperm and other seminal fluids

Prostate (Male)

A gland located at the neck of the urinary bladder that produces (some) fluids in the semen and stimulates sperm mobility

Cowper’s gland (Male)

Produces seminal fluids that cleanse and neutralize acids in the urethra

Urethra

Carries urine from the bladder to the outside

What does the urethra carry during breeding? (Male)

Semen

Sigmoid Flexure (Male)

S-curve in penis on bulls, rams, and boars that holds length inside the body

What is the highest possible length a bull’s penis can reach to?

2 and a half feet long

Retractor Muscles (Male)

Holds penis up in body until breeding

Penis (Male)

Deposits semen within the female reproductive system

Which animal should have their penis cleaned prior to breeding?

Horses

Sheath (Male)

Protects and houses the penis

What animal could develop a urine pocket in their sheath?

Boars (genetic trait)

Rectum (Female)

The final section of the large intestine that leads to the anal canal and stores feces

Vulva (Female)

External opening of the tract, consisting of vulgar lips, that keeps out large particles of dirt

How do the vulvar lips indicate heat?

Swelling and a pink-ish color

Why is it important to keep females that show heat easily?

The more feminine, the easier it is to breed and develop a stronger reproductive system

Vagina/Birth Canal (Female)

Consists of walls made of many folds to expand and lining that secretes acids mucus

Blind Sac/Diverticulum (Female)

Has no function but may act as trapping bacteria

Cervix (Female)

Made up of spiral folds that are a gateway between the vagina and the uterus and secrete a high acid mucus that kills bacteria

What is the purpose of the cervix during pregnancy?

The formation of a plug that has to expand and dilate during birth

Body of the uterus (Female)

The beginning of the uterus before it spills into two horns

Horns of the uterus (Female)

Site of fetal development

Caruncles (Female)

Buttons that attach to the fetus inside of the walls of the horn’s uterus

What is the purpose of the lining located inside the horns of the uterus?

Engorges with blood during heat and pregnancy

Which animals contain longer uterus horns?

Litter type animals (Cat, rabbits, pigs, etc.) due to the birth of multiple babies

Singleton-type animals (Horses)

Contain shorter horns due to singular baby births

Oviducts (Female)

The primary site of fertilization that carries the ovum from the ovary to the uterus

How long are the oviducts?

Ranging from an 1/8 inch tube to almost one foot long

Infundibulum (Female)

Funnel-like tissues that catch ovum released from the ovary and guide them to the

Ovaries (Female)

Produces the ovum (eggs) and the female hormone known as estrogen