sheep and goat fertility and repro

Question 1

7 reasons for poor conception rate

Answer 1

• season
• abnormalities of the repro tract
• fertilisation failure
• phyto-oestrogens
• stress
• male infertility
• functional factors

Question 2

what can cause fertilisation failure?

Answer 2

-chromosomal abnormalities
age
high environment temp for 14-47 d before

Question 3

what are phyto-oestrogens?

Answer 3

oestrogen like compounds in plants that alter cervical mucous and sperm stransport

Question 4

what are optimal ram:ewe ratios?

Answer 4

• synched ewes 1:15/20
• intensive 1:40
• extensive 1:80

Question 5

4 reasons for poor ovulation rates

Answer 5

BCS
breed
season
flushing

Question 6

what can very low or high BCS score do?

Answer 6

decrease ovulation
decrease conception rate
increase embryonic loss
decrease lamb birthweight
decrease colostrum production

Question 7

what can cause early embryonic death?

Answer 7

• asynchrony between embryonic development and time of p4 rise
• overfeeding (lower p4)
• too young - poor uterine development
• mineral deficiencies
• infectious

Question 8

causes of late foetal death

Answer 8

• overfeeding in early pregnancy
• underfeeding in late pregnancy
• low BCS
• chlamydia abortus
• toxoplasma
• campylobacter

Question 9

how is mothering ability established?

Answer 9

cervical and vaginal stimulation - norepinephrine - glutamate release from olfactory bulb - nictric oxide - affects neurones in olfactory bulb creating memories

Question 10

how can you decrease early embryo death?

Answer 10

increase plane of nutrition before tupping

Question 11

what is pregnancy toxaemia?

Answer 11

in late pregnancy when only just balancing energy intake and needs and a new stress is added - weather , moving , feed change etc

recumbent with CNS signs

treat by inducing abortion to decrease energy need, give IV/oral glucose

Question 12

3 ways to detect sheep pregnancy

Answer 12

1) non return to oestrus
2) plasma p4 after 15-18 d
3) transabdominal b mode ultrasound 45-50 d

Question 13

5 ways to PD goats

Answer 13

1) failure to return to oestrus after 21 d
2) milk / plasma p4 after 21d
3) oestrone sulphate in milk/plasma from 50 d
4) transabdominal b mode ultrasound from 30 d
5) abdominal palpation from 60-70 d

Question 14

9 ways to PD pigs

Answer 14

1) non return to oestrus
2) plasma p4 after 16-24 d
3) transrectal b mode US from 12 d
4) oestrone sulpate 24-28 d
5) vaginal biopsy 18-22 d
6) rectal palpation from d30
7) transabdominal b mode US from 24 d
8) a mode transabdominal US from 30 d
9) transrectal doppler US from 25 d

Question 15

6 steps to the male repro exam of sheep?

Answer 15

1) clinical history
2) physical exam
3) genital exam
4) semen evaluation
5) libido testing
6) other tests - blood, culture

Question 16

when should you do the male repro soundness exam?

Answer 16

6-8 pre mating so have time to rectify the problem

Question 17

3 main things to check on general physical of male

Answer 17

feet
teeth
BCS

Question 18

3 parts of genital exam of male

Answer 18

scrotal palpation (flexed bicep tone)
scrotal circumference (34cm)
penile exam

Question 19

how can you test male libido?

Answer 19

watch them mount

harness them

Question 20

what would you look for on male blood?

Answer 20

BVD

brucella

Question 21

what would you look for in a male preputial wash?

Answer 21

trichomonas fetus

campylobacter

Question 22

how can you collect semen for evaluation?

Answer 22

electoejaculation
artificial vagina
penile stimulation
intra-vaginal collection

Question 23

what are you evaluating semen for?

Answer 23

gross exam and concentration
sperm motility
sperm morphology