Sheep & Goat Reproduction

Question 1

When does puberty usually occur in sheep and goats?

Answer 1

5-15 months (or >60% of adult body weight)

Question 2

T/F: Rams with big balls come into puberty faster than their small-balled counterparts

Answer 2

True

Bigger scrotal circumference = come into puberty faster

Question 3

T/F: Sheep and goats are both short-day breeders

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Approximately how long is the estrous cycle in sheep?

Answer 4

17 days

Question 5

Approximately how long is the estrous cycle in goat?

Answer 5

21 days

Question 6

T/F: In the sheep, production of P4 is dependent on CL

Answer 6

False

• In the goat, production of P4 is dependent on CL*
• There is placental production of P4 in the sheep*

Question 7

What is the length of gestation in sheep? What about goats? What about racoons?

Answer 7

• Sheep: ~147 days
• Goat: ~150 days
• Racoon: ~64 days

Question 8

Reproductive manipulation in small ruminants is approached from the standpoint of where the doe is in her cycle. In the transitional period, the Buck or Ram Effect is often utilized.

What is it?

Answer 8

Take the buck away for 30 days or so & then bring him back as the day gets shorter (starting to cycle) to result in an LH surge.

This can however be hard for the owner because they have to take him off the farm & bring him back at 30 days

Question 9

How long can this stay in the sheep or goat?

Answer 9

12-14 days

Question 10

What is the dose of Melengesterol Acetate (MGA) labeled for use in sheep and goats?

Answer 10

n/a

MGA is NOT LABELED for sheep/goats

Question 11

T/F: Progestin sponges may be used for manipulation of the cycle in sheep such as synchronization of estrus

Answer 11

True

Question 12

T/F: MRP in the ovine is characterized by the presence of Interferon tau (IFN-τ)

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What type of placentation is observed in sheep and goats?

Answer 13

Cotyledonary epitheliochorial placentation

Question 14

The fetal heartbeat can be detected on ultrasound in sheep and goats at ~day ____

Answer 14

~day 25

Question 15

Placentomes can be seen on transabdominal ultrasound in sheep and goats at ~day ____

Answer 15

~day 35

Question 16

Identify these structures

Answer 16

Placentomes

Question 17

In general, post-parturition, you would like the newborn lamb to be standing within ____minutes/hours and suckling within ____ minutes/hours

Answer 17

In general, post-parturition, you would like the newborn lamb to be standing within 30 minutes and suckling within 2 hours

Question 18

What are the two most common causes of dystocia in small ruminants?

Answer 18

• Fetal posture abnormalities
• Multiple fetuses trying to exit at the same time

Question 19

________ occurs due to failure of the cervix to completely dilate

Answer 19

ringwomb

Relatively common in the ewe

Question 20

What’s this?

Answer 20

Head Snare

Good job.

Question 21

The estrous cycle in goats is 21 days. The estrous cycle in sheep is:

Answer 21

17 days

Question 22

T/F: As a general rule, periparturient diseases are more common in sheep than in goats

Answer 22

True

(pregnancy toxemia, vaginal/uterine prolapse, RFM, metritis, pyometra, hypocalcemia)​

Question 23

T/F: Pregnancy toxemia is typically seen in the 1st trimester of pregnancy in sheep

Answer 23

False

Seen in final trimester

Question 24

T/F: Prostaglandin is most commonly used for induction of parturition in sheep

Answer 24

False

Prostaglandin not effective for SHEEP, but may use to abort before day 60. It IS effective for goats though (15 mg PGF + 15 mg Dexamethasone)

Question 25

T/F: Tail docking can cause vaginal prolapse in ewes

Answer 25

**True**

Question 26

The placenta in sheep and goats should be expelled by ~\_\_\_\_ hours

Answer 26

**6 hours** * *If \> 6 hours, we consider it retained* * *Treatment:* * *​**Wait and see if expel by 12 hours if animal seems well* * *Oxytocin or PGF_2a*

Question 27

Treatment for milk fever or hypocalcemia in sheep and goats involves:

Answer 27

**IV or oral calcium**

Question 28

The condition below can be seen if __________ is ingested between days 12-14 of gestation

Answer 28

***Veratrum californicum* (Skunk cabbage)** *Toxic agent is _alkaloid cyclopamine_*

Question 29

What is the toxic agent of Locoweed?

Answer 29

**Swainsonine**

Question 30

T/F: Subterranean clover and alfafas can cause subclinical reproductive impairment in sheep

Answer 30

**True!** *Subterranean clover and alfafas are estrogen-producing plants*

Question 31

Which of the following species has a false pregnancy termed "cloud burst"? * Mare * Sow * Doe * Cow * Bitch

Answer 31

**Doe​**

Question 32

Wow, look at this weak hairy lamb. He looks like his fetoplacental unit has been infected in the past, probably after oral transmission of some sort of pestivirus if I had to guess. I wonder what he has.

Answer 32

**Border Disease Virus (BDV)**

Question 33

Cache Valley Disease is transmitted by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Answer 33

**mosquitos**

Question 34

**Akabane Virus** are transmitted by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Answer 34

**Culicoides and mosquitos**

Question 35

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the most significant cause of abortion in sheep in North America, especially in Western USA

Answer 35

***Campylobacter*** * *C. jejuni*- sporadic abortion * *C. fetus fetus*- large outbreaks of abortion

Question 36

*Campylobacter* __________ causes sporadic abortion in sheep

Answer 36

***Campylobacter* *jejuni*** causes sporadic abortion in sheep

Question 37

*Campylobacter* __________ causes a large abortion outbreak in sheep

Answer 37

*Campylobacter* *fetus fetus* causes a large abortion outbreak in sheep

Question 38

These target lesions and hepatic necrosis are associated with what bacterial infection in sheep?

Answer 38

***Campylobacter*** *Outbreaks of Campylobacter are treated with TETRACYCLINES*

Question 39

T/F: *Chlamydophila abortus* is most commonly seen in sheep

Answer 39

**False!** * Chlamydophila abortus* occurs in sheep too, but is most commonly seen in GOATS * (Sheep go to camp. Goats eat clams.)*

Question 40

You are called to a goat farm that had an outbreak of abortion. Upon examination of a placenta of one of the does, you see lesions suggestive of a **necrotizing placentitis** on the cotyledonary and intercotyledonary areas. You take a look at the feed and see nice good quality hay. What is the most likely zoonotic causative agent?

Answer 40

***Chlamydophila abortus*** *Q fever (Coxiella burnetti) also causes necrotizing placentitis, but is more commonly subclinical*

Question 41

What zoonotic agent in sheep and goats causes placentitis of only the cotyledons (cotyledons will look white to yellow with small areas of focal necrosis) that looks kind of like a nasty pepperoni pizza?

Answer 41

***Toxoplasma gondii***