Enterprise: Animal Science Unit: Animal Reproduction A. The ability of producers to control reproduction is very important to quality management B. There are many careers with ties to animal repro. 1. AI and embryo transfer technicians Factor Information needed I. Intro

II. Repro Basics A. Animals reproduce through sexual reproduction. 1. Each parent contributes 1/2 of the offsprings genetics 2. Each parent produces repro cells called gametes. They have 1/2 of parents genes. a. male cell- sperm b. female cell- egg 3. The fertilized egg is called a zygote 4. The zygote divides by Mitosis

B. There are two types of cell division: 1. Mitosis- Cell divides and DNA is duplicated into each new cell 2. Meiosis- Cell divides and DNA is split into two parts. III. Repro Systems A. You should know the basic parts and functions of the reproductive tracts

B. The male reproductive tract 1. Testicles produce sperm and testosterone a. size is important for fertility in animals 2. Scrotum protects testicles and cools them

C. Female tract is more complex 1. Females produce eggs in a controlled cycle, called the estrous cycle

2. Controlled by hormones a. may also be seasonal breeders like sheep and horses 3. When a female ovulates she will go into heat (estrus) a. this is the period when a female will allow mating b. Length of heat period varies 1). Mare: 5-6 days every 21 days (page 124)

A.The reproductive phases include: 1.Puberty- the age at which animals are capable of reproduction. a.May not be the correct time to start breeding them. 2.Fertilization- union of the sperm and egg 3.Gestation- the period of pregnancy 4.Parturition- the process of giving birth 5.Lactation- the production of milk 6.Incubation- the development of animals in egg laying species 7.Spawning- reproductive method used by fish IV. Phases

V. A.I. A. Artificial Insemination is used in dairy, beef, swine, horses, turkeys, etc. B. Advantages of AI: 1. High quality sire/ affordable 2. Progeny data can be used 3. Can be specific for needs 4. Do not have to keep males 5. Less disease 6. Use sires from around the world 7. Sires can easily be replaced

C. Disadvantages of AI 1. Time 2. Facilities 3. Technical skills VI. Embryo Transfer A. Embryo transfer benefits: 1. Many offspring from superior dam 2. Progeny testing of females 3. No quarantine for import/ 4. Dual production system 5. Twin offspring are possible 6. Convert from grade to pure

B. There are disadvantages: 1. Cost 2. Facilities 3. Technical skills C. New in embryo transfer 1. Can sex the embryo 2. Cloning 3. Can split the embryo VII. Eval- uation A.Performance Testing 1. Based on their actual measurements like weaning weight, etc.

B. Production Records C. Progeny Testing D. Visual Appraisal