Enterprise: Animal Science Unit: Animal Reproduction A. The ability of producers to control reproduction is very important to quality management B. There.

Enterprise: Animal ScienceUnit: Animal Reproduction

A. The ability of producers to control reproduction is very important to quality management

B. There are many careers with ties to animal repro.1. AI and embryo transfer technicians

Factor Information needed

I. Intro

II. Repro Basics

A. Animals reproduce through sexual reproduction.1. Each parent contributes 1/2 of the offsprings genetics2. Each parent produces repro cells called gametes. They have 1/2 of parents genes.

a. male cell- spermb. female cell- egg

3. The fertilized egg is called a zygote4. The zygote divides by Mitosis

B. There are two types of cell division:

1. Mitosis- Cell divides and DNA is duplicated into each new cell

2. Meiosis- Cell divides and DNA is split into two parts.

III.

Repro

Systems

A. You should know the basic parts and functions of the reproductive tracts

B. The male reproductive tract

1. Testicles produce sperm and testosterone

a. size is important for fertility in animals

2. Scrotum protects testicles and cools them

C. Female tract is more complex1. Females produce eggs in a

controlled cycle, called the estrous cycle

2. Controlled by hormonesa. may also be seasonal breeders like

sheep and horses3. When a female ovulates she will go into heat (estrus)

a. this is the period when a female will allow mating

b. Length of heat period varies1). Mare: 5-6 days every 21 days

(page 124)

A. The reproductive phases include:1. Puberty- the age at which animals are

capable of reproduction.a. May not be the correct time to start breeding

them.

2. Fertilization- union of the sperm and egg

3. Gestation- the period of pregnancy

4. Parturition- the process of giving birth

5. Lactation- the production of milk

6. Incubation- the development of animals in egg laying species

7. Spawning- reproductive method used by fish

IV. Phases

V.A.I.

A. Artificial Insemination is used in dairy, beef, swine, horses, turkeys, etc.

B. Advantages of AI:1. High quality sire/ affordable 2. Progeny data can be used3. Can be specific for needs4. Do not have to keep males5. Less disease6. Use sires from around the world7. Sires can easily be replaced

C. Disadvantages of AI1. Time2. Facilities3. Technical skills

VI. Embryo Transfer

A. Embryo transfer benefits:1. Many offspring from superior dam2. Progeny testing of females3. No quarantine for import/4. Dual production system5. Twin offspring are possible6. Convert from grade to pure

B. There are disadvantages:1. Cost2. Facilities3. Technical skills

C. New in embryo transfer1. Can sex the embryo2. Cloning3. Can split the embryo

VII.Eval-uation

A. Performance Testing1. Based on their actual

measurements like weaning weight, etc.

B. Production RecordsC. Progeny TestingD. Visual Appraisal