FINAL EXAM: Breeding Systems

Question 1

What is a breeding system?

Answer 1

A process intended to result in pregnancy

Question 2

Breeding systems are often regulated by breed associations

Answer 2

• some systems may be prohibited
• some may be allowed under some circumstances
• failure to follow rules = no foal registry

Question 3

What is an assisted reproductive system?

Answer 3

• large human intervention

- allowable procedures may vary

Question 4

Who allows natural service system?

Answer 4

Allowed by all/most major registries

Question 5

What happens with assisted reproductive systems?

Answer 5

• semen is collected from stallion

- semen is placed in mare

Question 6

Types of semen

Answer 6

1. fresh: inseminate in a few hours; mare and stallion close proximity
2. cooled: use in 48 hours
3. Frozen: 72 hours

Question 7

Advantages of AI

Answer 7

1. can transport semen instead of horse
2. number of mares/stallion (>300/year)
3. health and safety for people and horses
4. ease of semen evaluation
5. flexibility/scheduling

Question 8

Disadvantages of AI

Answer 8

1. special equipment
2. special expertise
3. can breed many mares to same stallion -> narrows gene pool
4. can be inconvenient -> finding vet at right time

Question 9

Typical stallion management

Answer 9

1. training stallion to use dummy
2. semen divided and diluted (extended)
3. shipped or used

Question 10

Typical mare management

Answer 10

1. monitor follicular development
2. when ovulation is close -> order semen
3. mare is inseminated before ovulation

Question 11

Donor Mare (ET)

Answer 11

1. mare is bred, usually AI
2. embryo is collected (~7d post ovulation)
3. donor mare is “dam” for registry
   - some registries don’t allow ET
   - some control #foals/year

Question 12

Recipient Mare (ET)

Answer 12

1. mare’s stage of estrus is synchronized with donor mare
2. embryo is transferred or transplanted into recipient mare
3. success rate (live foal) ~85%
   - conditions of recipient mare
   - conditions of donor mare

Question 13

Advantages of ET

Answer 13

1. more foals per mare per year
2. mare can keep competing
3. mares who can’t carry a foal can still produce

Question 14

Disadvantages of ET

Answer 14

1. Expensive
2. Need skilled people
3. Registry restrictions

Question 15

Natural service systems (live cover)

Answer 15

Only system allowed by jockey club

1. Pasture mating
2. Hand mating

Question 16

Advantages of pasture mating

Answer 16

-low labor, facilities, skill needed, etc

Question 17

Disadvantages of pasture mating

Answer 17

1. safety for horses
2. hygiene lower
3. knowledge of breeding date
4. knowing if she’s pregnant
5. limits # mares bred

Question 18

Advantages of hand mating

Answer 18

1. know dates
2. safer for horses
3. individual mare/stallion matings
4. mare & stallion can live apart
5. foal safety
6. # mares bred to stallion more than pasture mating (still less than AI)

Question 19

Disadvantages of hand mating

Answer 19

1. less safe than AI
2. less hygienic than AI
3. fewer mares than Ai
4. must know reproductive status of mare
5. mare and stallion must be in same place