Ovulation Archives | School Portal NG

Reproduction is the process that gives rise to young in farm animals; it is the ability of animals to birth young. This process starts when the animal is sexually matured. Time of sexual maturity varies between animals, in cattle it takes up to 15 months, in goat and sheep about 6 months, poultry about 18 weeks etc. The following terms are associated with reproduction in farm animals. OESTRUS CYCLE This is the interval from the end of one heat period to the beginning of another. It is under the influence of hormone called oestrogen.It is the sexual cycle that occurs in all female animals if the animal is not pregnant. The period varies among farm animals: Cow – 20 – 21 days Ewe – 17 – 21 days Sow – 14 – 28 days Doe (goat) – 17 – 21 days Doe (rabbit) - spontaneous OVULATION This is rupturing of ovarian wall to release egg into the fallopian tube in farm animals; a process is controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). It varies among farm animals Cow > 10 – 14 hours Ewe > 20 – 24 hours Sow > 24 – 36 hours Doe (goat) > 12 – 36 hours Doe (rabbit) > spontaneous HEAT PERIOD This is the period in which female animals have the urge to copulate or accept the male animal. The female show signs of readiness to mate. It is controlled by oestrogen. It varies among farm animals Cow > 5 – 24 hours Ewe > 35 – 36 hours Sow > 40 – 48 hours Doe (goat) > 40 – 50 hours Doe (rabbit) >spontaneous SIGNS OF HEAT IN FARM ANIMALS Restlessness Mucus secretion by the cervix Swollen and reddened vulva Loss of appetite and frequent urination Viscous secretion comes from the vagina and these arouse and excite the males Abnormal body temperature Grunting Frequent urination Standing still to be mounted on In summary, ovulation (release of eggs) then heat period (receptivity to mating) then oestrus period (preparatory period for next ovulation)/pregnancy if there is successful mating that leads to fertilization. EVALUATION Differentiate between oestrus cycle and heat period. List the duration of ovulation in cow, pig, goat and rabbit. MATING This is also called coitus or copulation (sexual intercourse). This is the act in which the penis of the male animal is inserted into the vaginal of the female animal leading to introduction of sperm into the vagina. Mating could be natural or artificial. NATURAL MATING It occurs when a male after identifying a female on heat, mates with the female animal. Examples of natural mating include: FLOCK MATING This is a deliberate act in which the male and female animal are allowed to move together ADVANTAGES FLOCK MATING All animals have freedom to participate in sexual intercourse The farmer is saved the labor and cost of monitoring breeding All female may be mated because the number of males are widely spread DISADVANTAGES FLOCK MATING A female may be mated by more than one male thereby paternity become a difficult thing to determine Two female may be on heat at the same time, thereby leading to the mating of only one of them. PEN MATING This form of mating occurs in pigs and poultry. A male is given a specific number of female depending on the strength of the breed. About 1 male to 20 females on heat ADVANTAGES PEN MATING In poultry female eggs can be produced There is tendency of servicing female on heat DISADVANTAGES PEN MATING The spread of venereal diseases may be rampant Deformed male may not be able to mate STUD MATING A male (stud)with proven qualities is kept in a room in this type. Any female that is on heat is led to it for mating and thereafter the female is removed. ADVANTAGES STUD MATING The paternity of the offspring can be identified It is a good system of upgrading the breed because only male with both proven quality is used. DISADVANTAGES STUD MATING The spread of venereal diseases may be rampant. It takes a lot of expertise to practice. ARTIFICIAL MATING This is called artificial insemination, which involves the act of inserting the spermatozoa artificially into the vagina of female animals on heat. The sperm is collected from a male animal with desired characters with the aid of an artificial vagina, massage method, etc. Sperm collected is stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. ADVANTAGES ARTIFICIAL MATING The semen can be used over a long time even after the death of the male animal. It is more economical as it reduces the cost of feeding and managing male animals. DISADVANTAGES ARTIFICIAL MATING It requires expertise which may not be readily available. Difficulty in detecting female animals on heat may limit success. EVALUATION Explain briefly the term artificial mating. Mention two advantages and two disadvantages of artificial mating State two ways of collecting semen from male animals. Differentiate between ovulation, heat period and oestrus cycle List five sign of heat in animals. FERTILIZATION This is the fusion of the male and female sex cells spermatozoa and ovum respectively. This process occurs in the Fallopian tube or oviduct. IMPLANTATION This is the attachment of zygote (fertilized egg) to the wall of the uterus after fertilization. The zygote develops into a foetus and continues to grow till time of parturition. GESTATION PERIOD This is a period between fertilization of an ovum to the birth of young ones, conception and birth. During gestation, female animals do not come on heat. It is under the control of hormone called progesterone (Pregnancy hormone). FEATURES OF GESTATION PERIOD There is swelling of abdomen There is swelling of adder There is increase in body weight SPECIES NAME OF FEMALE GESTATION PERIOD Horse Cattle Mare Cow 336 days 283 days Goat Doe 150 days Sheep Ewe 150 days Pig Sow 114 days Rabbit Chicken Doe Hen 31days 21 days PARTURITION This is the act of giving birth in farm animals. It marks the end of pregnancy and the beginning of lactation. The act of parturition for each animal is unique. Cow – Calving Sow – Farrowing Ewe – Lambing Goat (Doe) – Kidding Rabbit (Doe) – Kindling Poultry – hatching SIGNS OF APPROACHING PARTURITION Mammary glands enlarge and begin to secrete milk substance Vulva swells and become soft There may be thick mucus discharge The animal become restless lies down and get up frequently The animal urinate frequently Loss of appetite The animal tries to build a nest and beds e.g. in rabbit EVALUATION Write short note on: i) Gestation ii) Parturition State five signs of parturition in farm animals. What name is given to parturition ina) Sheepb) Cattlec) Pig LACTATION This is the period during which the female releases milk from its udder immediately after parturition and thereafter. Lactation is under the control of hormone called oxytocin, it can be increased by injecting animal with oxytocin. Lactation is also be stimulated by the presence of the young ones, presence of a milker, the use of hand to rub the udder and the use of machine to milk the cow. The milk from goat is the best and richest of all the animals. Milk collected from animals is made fit for consumption via a process known as pasteurization. COLOSTRUM This is the milk produced immediately after parturition within the first five days of milk production is essentially colostrum. It is yellowish-white milk. It is important for the new born animals to take colostrum because It contain some anti-biotic against diseases to which the mother has been exposed. It enables the new born to get immunity against diseases It is rich in protein especially albumin and globulins It is rich in vitamins. It is highly digestible and has a laxative effect which helps the young ones to expel the feaces. GENERAL EVALUATION What is reproduction in farm animals? What is implantation? Lists five signs of approaching parturition Why is colostrum important for the new born animals? WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT The interval from the end of a heat period to the beginning of another is ____ ovulation B.anaestrusC.oestrus cycle D. implantation The following are influence by oestrogen hormone except A. lactation B. ovulation C.oestrusD. heat Natural mating predisposes animals to ____ diseases A. cholera B. venereal C. malaria D.dounch A male animal with desirable characters kept mainly for mating is called a ____ A.dounchB. stud C. bull C. heifer The gestation period of a pig is A. 150 days B. 114 days C. 32 days D. 280 days THEORY Write short note on the development of an embryo. Describe the right positioning of a lamb prior to expulsion. See also RESPIRATORY SYSTEM ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FARM ANIMALS FARM MECHANIZATION FARM POWER SIMPLE FARM TOOLS

REPRODUCTION IN FARM ANIMALS

HUMAN REPRODUCTION