1. Reproductive Technologies

2. Reproductive Technology
Any method of REPRODUCTION that is different from NATURAL methods

3. Artificial Insemination
Placing SPERM into the female reproductive tract by means other than natural mating.

4. EMBRYO transfers
The transfer of FERTILIZED egg(s) from a DONOR female to one or more RECIPIENT females

5. Cloning
The production of an exact GENETIC COPY of an organism

6. Hormones
A chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism.

7. Estrogen the source of estrogen is the ovary and the placenta
Major effects:
Female reproductive organ growth
Female secondary sex characteristics
Mammary gland duct growth

8. Progesterone
the source of progesterone is the corpus luteum and the placenta
Major effects:
Uterine growth
Maintenance of pregnancy
Alveoli growth in mammary gland

9. Testosterone the source of testosterone is the testicles
Major effects:
Libido -- sex drive
Accessory sex gland development
Males secondary sex characteristics
Spermatogenesis

10. Signs of Estrus (HEAT) in a Cow

11. Major indications of Estrus
1. Standing to be ridden
2. Riding others
3. Nervousness; restlessness
4. Clear, thin, wet sticky mucous flowing from the vulva

12. Minor indications of Estrus
1. Dirt or mud on flanks or back
2. Hair standing up on tail head
3. Bellowing
4. Holding up milk

13. The most important indication of estrus (heat) is standing to be
The most important indication of estrus (heat) is standing to be ridden.

15. Signs of Estrus (Heat)
Must observe 2-4 times daily, minutes each time, for effective heat detection
May also use chin-ball markers or kamar detectors. (Gomer Bulls, Androgenized cows)

16. Artificial Insemination
placing sperm into the female reproductive tract by means other than natural mating

17. Advantages of A.I. Wider selection and use of outstanding sires
Example - one bull if used for natural reproduction could have calves per year for 8-9 years = calves; one bull used to A.I. Could produce over 100,000 calves.

18. Advantages of A.I. Rapid Genetic and herd improvement
Rapid proof of the bull is available (EPD’s, TPI’s, etc.)
Can overcome physical barriers to mating
example - behavior or injuries
Danger of the bull is eliminated

19. Advantages of A.I. Disease is reduced
New crosses can be tried experimentally without purchasing a new sire
Improved herd management due to increased observation
Elimination of cost of purchasing and keeping a bull

20. Disadvantages of A.I. Skilled technicians are required
Closer supervision of female is required
May have increase in inbreeding
May be subject to certain abuses
Cost of initiating program (equipment, membership in breeding organizations, etc.)

21. Semen Collection Massage (bull)
Insert hand into rectum to massage the area or the prostate, seminal vesicles and cowpers gland. Causes sperm to pass through the urethra by gravity and drip from the prepuce

22. Artificial vagina (AV)
Semen Collection
Artificial vagina (AV)
As male mounts the female, the sheath is grasped and the penis is directed into the artificial vagina for ejaculation

29. Gloved hand method (boar)
Semen Collection
Gloved hand method (boar)
As boar mounts sow, gloved hand used to massage and strip fluid from prepuce. Glans penis is grasped and pulled to side of sow for collection

30. Semen Collection Electroejaculation
Electrode inserted into rectum to stimulate ejaculation; not widely used with boars or stallions

35. Synchronized Ovulation
the process of causing a herd of cows or heifers to come into estrus and ovulate at or near the same time

36. Methods of estrus synchronization
Prostoglandin F2a -- hormone which can be used to synchronize estrus
Brand Names -- Lutalyse, Esrumate, Bovilene, Synchro-Mate B
May use a 1 or 2 shot program to get all animals in estrus.
Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) -- feed additive that suppresses estrus -- followed by a shot of prostoglandin.

37. Time for insemination
Cows: Optimum time is hours after the beginning of estrus
A.M./P.M. rule -- Cows detected in estrus in the morning are bred that evening
Cows detected in estrus in the evening are bred the next morning.

38. Time for insemination
Ewes: Optimum time is 15 hours after the onset of estrus AI in sheep is not common in the U.S. because it is not practical.
Sows: Optimum insemination time is 30 hours after the onset of estrus
Mares: Optimum insemination time is mid to late estrus.

39. Equipment used for AI (artificial insemination)
AI Gun
Straw of semen
Sheath protector
O Ring
Thaw Thermos
Straw Cutter
AI Sleeve
Paper Towels

40. AI Equipment

41. Errors made in Artificial Insemination
Misplacement of insemination tube:
Placing semen in bladder
Placing semen posterior of Cervix
Allowing contamination to occur
Placing semen to far into uterine horn
Improper thawing of semen
Too hot or too cold

42. Embryo Transfer
The transfer of a fertilized egg(s) from a donor female to one or more recipient females.

43. Advantages of Embryo Transfer
1. average female may only have 5-8 offspring in a lifetime; ET will increase that number.
2. Improve genetics rapidly
3. the donor mother never experiences pregnancy
4. all the advantages of AI

44. Advantages of Embryo Transfer
5. Easier to import of species
6. Increased marketing opportunities
7. Embryos can be stored indefinitely

45. Embryo Transfer
Superovulation: The Drug induced ovulation of a more than normal number of eggs.
Synchronization: Donor and Recipient must be in same stage of estrous cycle for conception results.

46. Embryo Transfer
Condition: Only healthy cattle in good physical condition should be considered .
Insemination: Conducted shortly after detection of estrus and at 12-hour intervals for 3 inseminations. High quality semen is required.

47. Cloning

48. Cloning Making an exact genetic copy of an animal. Steps:
1. remove cells from donor (stop cell division)
2. an unfertilized egg is remove from recipient & nucleus is removed.

49. Cloning (Steps)
3. the donor cell and the empty egg cell are fused together.
4. the egg is then placed into a uterus of a female.

50. Cloning

51. Pregnancy Testing Three Types:
1. Rectal Palpation: inserting arm into rectum
2. Ultra-sound: The use of ultrasonic waves for diagnostic monitoring of a developing fetus.
3. Blood/urine test: analyzing of fluids for the hormonal detection.

52. Ultra-sound

53. Pregnancy Testing Advantages for pregnancy checking:
1. know when complications arise.
2. exacting the date of delivery
3. find out if you have to re-breed