Beef Cattle Reproduction

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Beef Cattle Reproduction

• ANSC 4403
• 2/9/04

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Class Overview

• Reproduction in the bull
• Reproduction in the cow
• Reproductive efficiency in beef cattle
• Artificial Insemination

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Reproduction in the bull

• Main role
• Anatomy
• Testicles, urethra, penis
• sheath
• Bull sperm
• Normal vs. abnormal shape
• Heparin-binding protein, FAA

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Reproduction in the cow

• Anatomy
• Physiology of reproduction
• Gestation
• Embryo and fetus
• Parturition

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Anatomy of the cow

• Internal reproductive organs
• Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterine horns, the
  uterus, the cervix, the vagina
• external portion is the vulva

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Physiology of Reproduction

• Puberty
• Estrous and Estrous Cycle
• Ovulation

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Gestation

• Period of pregnancy
• Length varies

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Embryo and Fetus

• Developing individual
• 50 fetal growth
• Heritability - .35

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Parturition

• Giving birth
• Signs of impending birth
• Colostrum

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Reproductive Efficiency

• Heretability of traits
• Factors affecting reproductive efficiency
• Bulls cows
• Calving heifers at two years of age
• Calving difficulty
• Death losses from birth to weaning

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Factors affecting Reproductive Efficiency

• Conception rate
• Bull
• cow
• Nutrition
• Herd health