reproduction in domestic animals

What is reproduction?

the biological process by which animals produce offspring to continue their species

what is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

sexual reproduction involves two parents and genetic variation

what is the term for a female dog?

bitch

what is the term for a female cat?

queen

what is the name for a female parent

dam

what is the name for a male parent?

sire

what is th oestrus cycle?

the recurring reproductive cycle ion females

what is polyoestrus?

multiple heat cycles per year (eg cats)

what is monoestrous?

one cycle per season/year (e.g dogs)

what does seasonally polyoestrous mean?

animals that have multiple oestrus cycles

what are the two categories of seasonally polyestrous animals?

short day breeders and long day breeders

what are long day breeders?

animals that cycle as day length increase (spring/summer) e.g horses and cats

what are short day breeders?

animals that cycle as day length decreases (autumn/winter) e.g sheep

why do animals evolve seasonal breeding patterns?

to ensure that offspring are born in optimal conditions

what is an induced ovulation?

a species where ovulation is triggered by mating rather than a hormonal cycle e.g cats

why is light important in seasonal breeders?

light affects the pineal gland

which animals are continuous breeders?

animals that cycle all year round without seasonal limits e.g humans

what are the four stages of the canine oestrus cycle?

1. proestrus

2. oestrus

3. diestrus

4. anestrus

what happens during the first stage of the canine oestrus cycle and what is it called?

proestrus lasts 9 days

what is the second stage of oestrus in canines called and what happens?

oestrus lasts 9 days

what is the third stage of oestrus called and what happens?

diestrus lasts approx 2 months. the female is no longer receptive

what is pyometra

a serious uterine infection mainly affecting unsprayed female dogs

what is the last stage of the canine oestrus called and what happens?

anestrus lasts 4 to 5 months approx and is a period of reproductive inactivity. hormone levels are low and the body recovers

List the four stages of canine oestrus in order with a sentence to describe each

1. proestrus - swelling

2. oestrus - receptive

ovulation

3. diestrus - no mating

high progesterone

4. anestrus - rest and recovery

what hormone trigger ovulation?

Luteinising Hormone (LH) it causes the ovary to release an egg

what is induced ovulation?

what ovulation only occurs after mating (e.g cats and ferrets)

what is embryonic dispause?

a reproductive strategy where the embryo pauses development before implanting

what species can undergo embryonic dispause?

bears

what is selective embryonic resorption?

when the mothers body reabsorbs the embryo or foetus early in pregnancy due to stress

why is selective resorption useful in the wild?

it helps the female avoid wasting energy or risking her life to carry offspring that won't survive

what is the difference between embryonic diapause and selective resorption?

diapause is a delay in implantation ( holding off pregnancy) and resorption is the ending of the pregnancy early by naturally aborting the non viable embryo

how do male animals detect females in heat?

using scent (pheromones)

what is a tie in canine mating?

a natural part of dog mating where the male and female remain locked together due to swelling of the penis (bulbus glandis - i.e the dogs red rocket)

what is gestation?

the period between conception and parturition

what is the average gestation time for dogs

cats and rabbits?

cats - 63-65 days

rabbits - 31 days

what are signs of pregnancy in dogs and cats?

enlarged abdomen

what is dystocia

difficulty giving birth

give 2 dog and 2 cat examples of breeds that suffer dystocia

bulldogs

what is colostrum and why is it vital?

the first milk

what is neutering?

surgical sterilisation - removing reproductive organs to prevent breeding

what is the difference between spaying and castration?

spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus in females

give three benefits of neutering

1. prevents unwanted litters

2. reduces roaming and aggression

3. lowers risks of cancers (eg mammary and testicular)

what are three risks of neutering?

1. weight gain

2. hormonal imbalances

3. surgical complications

when is the ideal time to neuter ?

generally 6 months

why is breeding in young or old animal unethical ?

it increases risk of birth defects

what is wrong with overbreeding females?

leads to exhaustion

what is the ethical concern with C sections in breeding?

some breeds (e.g bulldogs) can't give birth naturally and rely on C sections which raises welfare concerns about the purposeful continuation of such traits

why is neutering considered ethical by animal welfare groups?

it prevents overpopulation

what is back to back breeding and why is it discouraged?

breeding a female in every heat cycle without rest

what are hormone levels important in life stage care?

hormone affects behaviour

what changes occur in neutered animals?

• reduced hormone driven behaviour

• increase risk of weight gain

• decreased risk of reproductive diseases

why do elderly animals need special reproductive consideration?

older animals face greater risk in pregnant

what is a phantom pregnancy?

a false pregnancy where a female shows signs (nesting

why is timing important in mating?

mating outside the optimal window reduces fertility and increases complication s