Bovine Reproduction: Reproductive Systems of Animals

Question 1

What is the gestation period of a cow?

Answer 1

9 months (280-285 days)

Question 2

What is the gestation period of a mare/horse?

Answer 2

11 months (330-345 days)

Question 3

What is the gestation period of a sow/pig?

Answer 3

3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days (114-115 days)

Question 4

What is the gestation period of a ewe/sheep?

Answer 4

5 months (147-150 days, depending on the breed)

Question 5

What is the gestation period of a doe/goat?

Answer 5

5 months (150-153 days)

Question 6

What happens if a cow has twins with same sex?

Answer 6

It’s okay

Question 7

What happens if a cow has twins with different sexes?

Answer 7

The testosterone from the male twin will transfer to the female twin through the umbilical chord and make her sterile when born

Question 8

How many foals do mares breed?

Answer 8

Twins or quadruplets

Question 9

How many calves do cows breed?

Answer 9

One

Question 10

How many lambs do sheep breed?

Answer 10

One or two

Question 11

How many kids do goats breed?

Answer 11

Two

Question 12

How many piglets do pigs breed?

Answer 12

Eight to fourteen

Question 13

What function does the scrotum have?

Answer 13

Skin covered pouch that contains, protects and supports the testes. Its main function is to keep the temperature of the testes cooler than body temperature

Question 14

What function does the testes have?

Answer 14

Where the bull produces spermatozoa and the male sex hormone, testosterone

Question 15

What function does the epididymis have?

Answer 15

Stores and provides nutrition to the sperm until mating

Question 16

What function does the vas deferens have?

Answer 16

Transport the sperm from the epididymis to the uterus

Question 17

What function does the seminal vesicles have?

Answer 17

Secrete a clear fluid into the urethra

Question 18

What function does the prostate gland have?

Answer 18

Like the seminal vesicles, the prostate also secretes a clear fluid called plasma. This plasma activates the semen, nourishes it and provides volume to the sperm -it makes up 90% of fluid

Question 19

What function does the sigmoid flexure have?

Answer 19

It is the muscle controlling the movement of the penis

Question 20

What function does the penis have?

Answer 20

Deposits the semen into the reproductive tract and used to empty the bladder

Question 21

What function does the urethra have?

Answer 21

Carries both urine and genital products to the penis

Question 22

What function does the ovaries have?

Answer 22

There are two ovaries, one on each side of a cow’s abdomen. The ovaries have three main functions. These are:

1. Production of Ova (eggs)
2. Production of female sex hormone (oestrogen)
3. Production of the pregnancy hormone (progesterone)

Question 23

What function does the fallopian tubes (oviducts) have?

Answer 23

Carry the ova from the ovaries to the uterus

Question 24

What function does the uterus (womb) have?

Answer 24

Where the ova, if fertilised, attach itself to the wall and stays for the duration of the pregnancy. The walls have a rich blood supply to feed the calf all the nourishment needed for its development

Question 25

What function does the cervix have?

Answer 25

Is a muscular tube connecting the uterus to the vagina. When the cow is pregnant, the cervix is sealed closed to protect the foetus. It also helps to push the calf out during birth

Question 26

What function does the vagina have?

Answer 26

Is the connection between the cervix and the vulva

Question 27

What function does the vulva have?

Answer 27

Is the entrance to the female reproductive system. They are two muscular folds that the cow holds closed for protection but often swell when the cow is in heat

Question 28

What is the vulva?

Answer 28

This is the external part of the reproductive tract. The thickened folds of skin are sensitive to changes in oestrogen, swelling and redness can be useful in oestrus detection

Question 29

What is the vestibule?

Answer 29

The part of the reproductive tract that is shared with the urinary system. Openings from the urinary bladder and a blind sac called the sub-urethral diverticulum are located on its floor. Avoid passing the AI gun into these openings!

Question 30

What is the vagina?

Answer 30

This is located between the opening to the bladder and the cervix. It is the site of semen deposition during natural service. It is also a line of defense against invasion by bacteria as the epithelium secretes fluids to inhibit growth of undesirable bacteria.

Question 31

What is the cervix?

Answer 31

This is 4-5inches long, 1-2 inches wide and lies between the vagina and uterus. It is designed to restrict access to the uterus. The opening of the cervix protrudes back into the vagina and may deflect inseminating rods. The walls are thick and dense and may be manipulated rectally while passing the inseminating rod. The cervix provides a favorable environment for sperm survival. Secretions of the cervix are normally thick, but thin at oestrus to facilitate transfer of sperm. A thick plug forms in the canal of the cervix to prevent access to the pregnant uterus

Question 32

What is the uterus?

Answer 32

Consists of a body and 2 horns, it is attached to the broad ligament and is suspended within the pelvic cavity. The uterine body is the major site of semen deposition during AI. The uterine walls are composed of many muscle layers that aid in transport of sperm to the oviduct and expulsion of the calf.

Question 33

What is the oviduct?

Answer 33

These are approximately 10 inches long and lie between the tip of the uterine horn and the ovary. The egg is released from the ovary into the oviduct and fertilization occurs here within 12 hours of ovulation. The fertilized egg is then transported to the uterus; this takes 3-4 days