Small Ruminant - Male 1 Flashcards
What does the ductus deferens enlarge to form?
the ampulla
What are the accessory sex glands in the small ruminant?
Ampullas, seminal vesciles, prostate, and bulbourethral gland
What type of penis does the small ruminant have?
fibroelastic
What are the components of the small ruminant penis?
Sigmoid flexure, glans penis, and urethral process
What is spermatogenesis?
Germ cell division and differentiaion leading to haploid sperm cells
How long does spermatogenesis take in the small ruminant?
49 days
Where does the maturation and storage of sperm cells occur?
In the epididymis
How long does maturation of sperm cells take?
10-15 days
When does puberty occur on average in the buck?
4-5 months
When does puberty occur on average in the ram?
5-6 months
What are the sertoli cells stimulated by and what do they regulate?
They are stimulated by FSH and regulate spermatogenesis
What do the Leydig cells do?
secrete testosterone
What are the Leydig cells stimulated by?
LH
What factors impact semen production?
Age, photoperiod, temperature, nutrition, and disease
When is the biggest fertile time for a ram or buck?
Around age 2
What photoperiods can effect semen production?
Seasonal and temperate climates
Is heat good or bad for semen production?
bad
What are some negative production factors for semen production relating to nutrition?
Obestity, too thin
How does short day breeding work?
There is increased melatonin release from the pineal gland. The melatonin stimulates GnRH which thus stimulates LH release.
How does anestrus work in short day breeders?
Increased light stimulates an increased firing of retinal nerves. The retinal nerves stimulate an increase in excitation from cranial cervical ganglion. The excitation from the superior cervical ganglion increases the inhibition of the pineal gland. The inhibition results in decreased melatonin release which results in a decrease in GnRH secretion thus a decrease in FSH and LH
What are some things to consider during the breeding soundness exam?
Structural soundness, body condition, visual observation, and the reproductive tract
What structures should you examine during a BSE in the repro traact?
Testes (remember they vary by season), epididymis, extention of the penis and urethral process, and the accessory sex glands
What accessory sex glands can you palpate in the small ruminant?
bulbourethral gland
What should the ram scrotal circumference be at 8-14 months of age?
28-34 cm
What should the ram scrotal circumference be at >150 lbs?
30 cm
What should the ram scrotal circumference be at >250 lbs?
36 cm
There is a ______ correlation to sperm concentration and total sperm output.
positive
Libido is difficult to assess, but what is one way that you can do it?
Artificial vagina
What are the methods for semen collection in the small ruminant?
Artifical vagina, electroejaculator, and ram/buck ejaculator
What is required for semen ejaculation with an artifical vagina?
training and a mount animal
What is a benefit of using an artifical vagina for semen collection?
You get true ejaculate
What is a benefit to using an electroejaculator?
It can be done anywhere
What is a downside for any ejaculator?
There is a risk for rectal tears
What parameters should be evaluated during semen evaluation?
volume, color, motility, and concentration
What is the normal volume of ejaculate from one ejaculation?
1 mL
On gross evaluation, what should you see motility wise while evaluating semen motility?
swirling/vigor
Concentration is not routinely done in the field, when is it indicated?
In cases with frozen semen
_______ in semen morphology are associated with reduced fertility.
abnormals
What do you stain semen for to determine the morphology?
Eosin-nigrosin
How many cells do you want to evaluate during semen evaluation?
100 cells
What primary abnormalities occur to small ruminant semen?
Head defects, abnormal midpiece, and proximal cytoplasmic droplet
What secondary abnormalities occur to small ruminant semen?
Distal protoplasmic droplet, detached normal heads, and bent/coiled tails
In an exceptional potential breeder, what percent motility do you want? Normal morphoology?
> 70% motility and >90% normal morphology
In a satisfactory potential breeder, what is the criteria for percent motility? Normal morphology?
> 30% motility and >50% normal morphology
In an unsatisfactory breeder, what percent motility is found? Normal morphology?
Motility and morphology are < satisfactory potential breeders
Aside from motility and mortality defects, what else can make a small ruminants an unsatisfactory breeder?
infertility or subfertility and any potential other issues
The average number of rams per 100 ewes is ideally _/100 if they are exceptional males, and __/50 with satisfactory males.
1 and 35
What are some genetic disorders that small ruminant males can get?
Hermaphroditism, intersex, and hypospadia
What is hypospadia?
Lack of full development of the fetus
What anatomical structures can hermaphrodites or intersexes be abnormal in?
Gonads (testis, ovary, or testi-ovary combo), gonaducts, and external genitalia
What is a true hermaphrodite?
Bilateral ovotestes or unilateral with a single gonad on the other side - intra abdominal
What are the potential causes of true hermaphrodites?
Mixing of male and female embryos early or fertilization of 2nd polar body with X and Y sperm
Are male pseudohermaphrodites more common in goats or sheep?
goats
How do male pseudohermaphrodites typically present?
They contain testes (abdominally or descended), have a short penis, and a bulbous clitoris
Do male pseudohermaphrodites present as a female or a male at birth? What happens when they approach puberty?
Female appearance at birth. As they approach puberty they increase in size and masculinity
What makes a female pseudohermaphrodite a ‘female’?
They contain ovaries (abdominally or descended)
How do femal pseudohermaphrodites present at birth?
male
Is intersex more common in goats or sheep?
goats
What is ‘intersex’?
any variation in sex characteristics - chromosomes, gonads/genitalia, and hormones
What two conditions can increase incidence in the chance of being intersexing?
Twins and polled
What twin syndrome can lead to the intersex condition?
Freemartinism
Why is there an increased incidence with polled small ruminants and intersex?
There is a close associated with the polled dominant gene and recessive intersex - PPhh or Pphh
