Reproduction in Sheep & Goats Flashcards
What kind of estrous cycle do does and ewes have? How does the interestrus interval compare?
seasonally polyestrous, short-day breeders (August-March, peak at October-December)
- DOE = 20-21 days
- EWE = 16-17 days
- during transitional period or non-breeding season (luteal failure)
How long does estus last in does and ewes? What is their first ovulation like?
36 hours –> late in estrus, requires progesterone priming
silent estrus - due to no P4 priming
What is the ram/buck effect?
ewe/doe does not exhibit signs of estrus when the ram/buck is not present –> use teaser males prior to breeding season to stimulate cyclicity
How are teaser males used to induce cyclicity in does/ewes?
- no contact for 3-4 weeks prior
- induce fenceline contact with highly fertile or vasectomized males
- generally ovulation should occur within 6 days (silent)
When are does/ewes inseminated? What is considered the time of optimal insemination? What are 3 options?
behavioral signs of heat in the presence or with the odor of a buck/ram –> interest, tail flagging, vocalization, increased urination
mucous turns cloudy
- vaginal/cervical AI
- transcervical AI - NOT in sheep due to the folds in the cervix
- laparoscopic intrauterine AI - bypass vagina and cervix, able to use less semen
How long is gestation in goats/sheep? What is their placentation like?
5 months
synepitheliochorial, cotyledonary with concave caruncles
What is a normal breed difference in placentation? What 4 tests are used for pregnancy diagnosis?
caruncular melanosis –> black-faced sheep (Suffolk)
- interferon tau - day 13-15
- pregnancy-specfiic protein B - > day 25 in goats, day 30-70 in sheep
- estrone sulfate - >50 days (viable fetus)
- progesterone - >21 days in goats, >18 days in sheep (low in nonpregnant)
What are the sources of progesterone in does and ewes?
DOES - CL
EWES - CL until days 50-60, then placenta
What 3 types of imaging can be done to diagnose pregnancy in does/ewes?
- transrectal U/S - days 30-35, embryonic vesicle
- transabdominal U/S - days 45-70, embryonic vesicle, fetus, placentomes
- radiographs - >90 days, fetal skeletons
What is seen in this ultrasound of a goat’s uterus?
placentome
In what small ruminants is uterine prolapse most common? How is it treated?
sheep > goats –> genetic, do not use as breeding animals
- early/mild - only seen in recumbency, typically do not need treatment
- complete - clean exposed tissue, decrease size, and replace tissue gently, place paddle, harness, or modified Buhner suture
What is likely the cause of the odd appearance of this goat?
distended uterine lumen –> hydrometra (“cloudburst”
- pyometra would have some hyperechoic fibrin in the fluid
What are 3 signs of hydrometra? How is it treated?
- anestrus
- pregnancy-like - abdominal enlargement and elevated progesterone from persistent CL
- variable accumulation of fluid within uterus due to closed cervix
PGF2a - resume cycle and induce luteolysis
What are some possible causes of hydrometra?
- pseudopregnancy - cessation of luteolysis in absence of pregnancy
- early pregnancy loss
What are some noninfectious and infectious causes of infertility in female sheep and goats?
polled intersex syndrome, toxic Veratrum californicum
- Toxoplasmosis
- Q fever
- Chlamydiosis
- Campylobacteriosis (sheep > goats)
- Brucellosis
- Border disease
- Bluetongue virus
- Cache Valley disease
- Schmallenberg virus