Reproductive Technologies

Question 1

Why do pregnancy diagnosis?

Answer 1

If pregnancy is present
Identify non-pregnant
Foetus viable
Litter size (feeding, pups, mares)
Due-date
Foetal sexing

Question 2

Methods of pregnancy diagnosis

Answer 2

Rectal Exam
Ultrasonography
Hormone Assays

Question 3

Rectal Exam

Answer 3

Ads- not much equipment
Disadvs- animal needs to be large enough
Detect- Horn enlargement, fluid, membrane slip, fetus, cotyledons, fremitus
Challenge- to be absolutely sure not pregnant/pregnant
Timing- cattle about 35 days, horse-20-30 days

Question 4

Ultrasonography

Answer 4

Cattle and horses- transrectally
Deer- probe in splint device
Alpacas/dog/cat- transabdominally (lower risk of injury)
Fluid on ultrasound- black

Question 5

When can you use ultrasonography in cattle?

Answer 5

28-30 days

Question 6

Measurements of age

Answer 6

Biparietal parameter
Can see entire embryo
Ruminants- can detect when cotyledons develop
Mare- how thick placenta
Crown-romp length

Question 7

What hormones can you detect in hormone assays?

Answer 7

Progesterone
Pregnancy-associated proteins
PMSG/ ECG (Equines)
Oestrone sulphate

Question 8

Pregnancy Diagnosis in small animals

Answer 8

Palpation (transabdominal, feel spheres ~1cm, need good BCS
Ultrasonography
(Radiography)

Question 9

Advantages of artificial insemination

Answer 9

Wider genetic pool
Known traits (selection control)
Sex semen
Less injury/risks
Biosecurity
Controllable
Trade between countries

Question 10

Disadvantages of artificial insemination

Answer 10

Oestrus detection/control (labour intensive)
Handling
Cost??
Human factor (process of freezing semen could damage, correct heat detection and correct insemination technique)

Question 11

AI allows to reproduce from superior males at a ………..

Answer 11

Much higher rate

Question 12

Storage of semen

Answer 12

Liquid nitrogen (flask)
1/2, 1/4ml straws
More common fresh in horse and Boars (harder to freeze)

Question 13

Timing in cattle

Answer 13

AM/PM rule
Oestrus on average 9-14 hours
Ovulation 12-18 hours after end of oestrus
Allow time for sperm maturation/movement

Question 14

Where to inseminate in:
Cattle
Sow
Horse

Answer 14

Cattle- into horn
Sow- part way into cervix (spiral shaped)
Horse- cervix

Question 15

AI in bitch

Answer 15

Transvaginal or cervical

Surgical insemination not allowed in UK (animal welfare legislation)

Question 16

Sex semen

Answer 16

X semen contain more DNA
Attract more dye
2 methods:
Flow cytometry (pass through electro-static field)
Sperm deactivation by laser (less harmful to sperm)
Inseminate deep into horn on side where ovulation occurred and corpus leuteum formed as contain even less semen

Question 17

MOET

Answer 17

Multiple Ovulation & Embryo Transfer

Stimulate females to super ovulate- produce multiple follicles and

Question 18

What kind of species is MOET good for?

Answer 18

Species with long gestation length and 1 or 2 offspring e.g. cattle, mare, camelids