Natural Service Pasture mating – Male is allowed to roam freely with the females Hand mating – Female is brought to the male for service

Artificial Insemination (AI) Semen from a male animal is manually inserted into a female animal

Embryo Transfer (ET) Breeding technique where embryos from one female are collected and transferred into the reproductive tract of the other females Superovulation – Production of multiple eggs during a single ovulation and is induced with the FSH and prostaglandin

Embryo Flushing and Recovery Procedure

The Livestock Industry Nearly three-fourths of all calves born in U.S. dairy herds are conceived through AI or ET Only 5% of beef calves are produced through AI or ET Most AI is done in-house with fresh semen for the swine industry Until recently AI was not a viable option for sheep producers. Now a new spiral catheter is used to inseminate Over 90% of commercial turkeys are produced using AI

Semen Quality Cryopreservation – technique for freezing semen Motility – sperm’s ability to move independently Morphology – size and shape of the sperm

Cow Estrous Cycle

Sow Estrous Cycle

Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) Producers who understand EPDs will be able to choose genetically superior animals, which will help predict the offspring’s desired qualities Used to compare individual animals to other individuals of the same breed, as well as to the breed average

Pregnancy Testing Methods Rectal Palpation – gloved hand is inserted into the rectum to palpate the uterus through the rectum wall Rectal Doppler Technique – probe that is inserted into the rectum and measures the heartbeat of the fetus or fetuses

Fetal Sizes Fetal Sizes by age in days