Lifecycles Flashcards
What are the reproductive life cycles of animals?
Fetal –> Neonatal –> Prepubertal –>
Adolescence –> Adult –> Senescence
How is the female reproductive tract formed? (what stops it from becoming a male?)
- No TDF
- Ovaries develop
- No AMH (anti Mullerian hormone)
- Paramesonephric ducts become oviducts, uterus, cervix and part of vagina
- complete female tract
How is the male reproductive tract formed? (what stops it from becoming a female?)
- TDF
- Testes develop
- Sertoli cells secrete anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)
- a.) Degeneration of paramesonephric duct
b. ) AMH causes leydig cells to differentiate (causes 5 onwards) - a.) Testosterone (causes 6a)
b. ) Dihydrotestosterone (causes 6b) - a.) Development of male duct system
b. ) Development of penis, scrotum and accessory sex glands
What causes and infertile female twin in cattle?
- both female and male gonads
- female twin exposed to anti-mullerian hormone in blood supply of male twin which is shared preventing or altering the development of the female tract
How do eggs change throughout life?
- all eggs and number female has is determined by time of birth
- already lost half of eggs by puberty
- got none by menopause
What happens to reproductive activity in infancy?
- in vegetative period - mostly controlled by metabolic hormones
- repro hormone activity is dominated by negative feedback of sex steroids on pituitary keeping the animal in the same repro state (pre puberty)
What happens immediately before puberty happens?
- Peaks of Gn’s gradually increase closer to puberty
- follicles develop and secrete low levels of E2 but ovulation doesn’t occur
- low level spermatogenesis may occur
What is JIVET and why is it used?
Juvenile In Vitro Embryo Transfer
It is used to increase the rate of genetic gain by decreasing generation interval
- cause ovulation and collect ova
- initiate spermatogenesis and collect sperm by testicular biopsy or castration
What significant events happen during puberty of an animal?
Physiological maturation: - easing of neg feedback - development of pos feedback in female Physical Maturation - Growth spurt (influence of steroids) - development of sex organs - production of gametes Behavioural maturation - sexual behaviour and receptivity
What are indicators of puberty in males?
- behavioural traits - mounting and ejaculation
- first ejaculation (voluntary or spontaneous)
- Spermatozoa present in urine and/or ejaculate
- Ejaculate contains threshold numbers of spermatozoa
- male capable of coitus and ejaculating sufficient good quality spermatozoa to result in fertilisation
What are indicators of puberty in females?
- Commencement of cycling - first oestrus
- First ovulation (can be silent)
- Physical maturation to support pregnancy without neg effects on mother
- capable of ovulation of ova which can be fertilised and carried to full term
What initiates puberty (brain)?
Pineal gland and melatonin
- pineal gland secretes melatonin which stimulates GnRH secretion
- manipulation of melatonin levels can cause precocious puberty
What triggers puberty?
neg feedback: both sexes - escape from powerful neg feedback because of change in sensitivity of hypothalamus and pituitary
pos feedback: in female –> rise in oestrogen levels able to trigger pre-ovulatory LH surge
What factors affect puberty?
Age/body weight Nutrition Season Genetic factors Social factors
How does weight and age affect puberty onset?
Generally most animals reach puberty at 1/2 - 2/3 of adult body weight