Lecture 14

Question 1

When is sexual behaviour developed?

1pt

Answer 1

“Sexual behaviour” only after puberty, but developed during infancy (play behaviour, social learning)

Question 2

How is sexual behaviour controlled?

4pt

Male vs Femals

Answer 2

Controlled by hormonal cycles

Females:
* FSH, estrogen, LH, progesterone. Fertile only at specific period (estrus)
* Receptivity needs to be signaled!

Males:
* Testosterone
* Always receptive

Question 3

What factors affect sexual behaviours?

6pt

Answer 3

Hormones
* Abnormal profiles, presence of males (cat, rabbits), ovarian cysts

Nutrition (too fat or too thin)
* Fitness/Survival - “Reproduction is a luxury“

Health
* eyes, nose, vagina, prepuce, penis, legs & hooves

Social and experience effects
* Group size: learning experiences
* Females-to-male ratio
* Social hierarchy (multi-sire scenario), age
* Quantity and quality of previous experiences

Environment
* Photoperiod/Season: In horses (long-day breeder), goats and sheep (short-day breeders) it is hard to induce cycle during seasonal anestrus.
* Facilities (small pens, distractors, flooring)
* Temperature

Stockmanship
* Chronic stress inhibits reproduction

Question 4

What are the 3 distinct phases in males?

3pt

Answer 4

1. Proceptive behaviours
2. Acceptive behaviours
3. Refractory period

All these behaviours are part of the LIBIDO evaluation for breeding individuals, along with breeding soundness exams (physical and semen evaluation)

Question 5

What are the male proceptive behaviours?

5pt

Answer 5

• Looking for an individual to engage in sexual activity
• Length depending on individual motivations and female cycle stage

Detection
* Flehmen sign – pheromones
* Investigate genital region, smelling.

Courtship
* Physical contact (kicks, headbutts, biting)
* Vocalizations
* Urination
* Salivation

Verification
* Mounting attempts

Question 6

What are the male acceptive behaviours?

1pt

Answer 6

Mating/Coital behaviour (Service)
* Mounting & clasping
* Intercourse & Ejaculation

• Ruminants: 1-3 secs
• Stallion: 20-60 secs
• Boar & Dog: 5-30min (50min)

Question 7

What is the males refractory period?

2pt

Cooliidge effect

Answer 7

A period immediately following ejaculation during which the male is unresponsive to further stimulation
* Absolute: right after intercourse
* Relative: after a few minutes, during which exists the Coolidge effect: by changing the sexual stimuli, the male exhibits a renewed sexual interest and can engage again in sexual activities.

Important measurement for male selection

Same female is a longer refractory period

Question 8

What are the 2 phases in females?

2pt

Answer 8

1. Proceptive behaviours
2. Acceptive behaviours

Question 9

What are the famale proceptive behaviours?

3pt

Answer 9

Showing receptivity and invitation

Pheromones (urine)

Behaviours
* Increase physical activity: walking, sniffing, flehmen, head-butting, chasing, mounting, chin-resting
* Postural changes (lordosis) - In horses: winking, tail raising, squatting and urinating.
* Decreased intake (milk yield)
* Vocalizations

Question 10

What are the female acceptive behaviours?

3pt

Answer 10

• Willingness to accept courtship and copulatory attempts
• Immobility: Most relevant sign of receptivity (in all species)
• Sign of standing heat – AI/bull protoco

Question 11

How is heat detected in females?

3pt

Answer 11

Visual
* Trained personnel to check behaviours/secretions
* 2x (~60-80%) & 3x (80-90%)

Activity monitors
* Accelerometers
* Podometers

Teasers
* Marker, Chin-ball
* Vasectomized; apron
* Androgenized females (cattle)

Except when there is estrus synchronization, important for AI programs