Bovine and Small Ruminant Repro Flashcards
What type of breeders are bovine?
polyestrous
What type of ovulators are bovine?
monovulatory - one egg per estrus phase
After puberty, what is the cyclicity like in the bovine for the rest of its life?
routine normal cyclicity that continues throughout its life unless inhibited by disease or pregnancy
What is the length of the estrous cycle in the bovine?
21 days on average (range: 17-24 days)
What are the two centers in the hypothalamus for GnRH release?
surge center and tonic center
How does the surge center work in releasing GnRH?
it is what dictates the huge surge of GnRH that causes ovulation
How does the tonic center work in releasing GnRH?
it allows for a constant release of GnRH no matter where we are in the estrous cycle
When is the tonic center stimulated to begin GnRH release?
during puberty
What two hormones are released from the anterior pituitary that are involved in the estrous cycle?
FSH and LH
What is the role of FSH?
it is needed for the recruitment of follicles and the growth of follicles
What is the role of LH?
final maturation of the ovary for ovulation
What two cells are important in estrous?
granulosa cells and theca cells
What do granulosa cells and theca cells produce?
estrogen
How many folicular waves are there typically in a bovine estrous cycle?
two to three
What is progesterones role in the estrous cycle?
it is the gate keeper; it dictates what happens on the ovary, if present the ovary cannot ovulate
What decreases the level of progesterone in the estrous cycle?
natural luteolysis
If the estrous cycle is 18-19 days long, how many follicular waves will the bovine most likely have?
two
If the estrous cycle is 24 days long, how many folliclular waves will the bovine have?
three
During recruitment, what are hormone levels of FSH, LH, and estrogen like?
FSH is high for follicular growth, LH is limited because it is reserved for ovulation, and there are insignificant levels of recruitment
During selection, what are hormone levels of FSH, LH, and estrogen like?
there is not much FSH because follicles are growing, increased LG and more estrogen is being produced than in recruitment
What is inhibins role in selection?
it is involved to make sure that only one follicle is released during ovulation
In selection, what is inhibin released from?
the dominant follicle to suppress its cohorts
What are the hromone levels like during dominance?
inhibin levels keep increasing, there is an LH surge for ovulation, and increased estrogen
What are the two types of inhibin and what are their roles?
alpha and beta, alpha allows for litters and multiple dominant follicles, beta only allows for one dominant follicle