Reproductive System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology

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Overview of the Reproductive system

Reproduction is the complex set of biological processes that result in the formation of a new organism. It is crucial, especially in our production animals, that we understand how these processes occur normally. Pathology and disease are common within the reproductive system and can not only lead to a sick animal but also lead to lose of production. In this section we hope to cover all the main processes in the most common of domestic animals so that a foundation is laid to aid in understanding of more potentially quite complex pathologies.

• Overview of Reproductive Hormones

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Puberty

• Overview of Puberty
• Differences in the Male and Female Hypothalamus
• Defining Puberty
• Endocrine Events of Puberty
• Factors Influencing the Onset of Puberty

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Female Reproductive Tract

• The Ovary

• The Oviduct

• The Uterus

• The Cervix

• The Vagina

• Oestrous Cycle

• Seasonality of Reproduction

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Male Reproductive Tract

• The Testes and Epididymis

• Accessory Sex Glands

• The Penis

• Spermatogenesis and Spermiation

• Useful Terms

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Reproductive Behaviour

• Overview of Reproductive Behaviour
• Nervous Pathway Eliciting Reproductive Motor Behaviour

Male

• Pre-copulatory Behaviour

• Copulatory Behaviour

• Post-Copulatory Behaviour

Female

• Oestrus Behaviour and Methods of Oestrus Detection

• Attractivity Behaviour

• Proceptivity Behaviour

• Receptivity Behaviour

• Maternal Behaviour

• Nursing Behaviour

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Fertilisation, Implantation and Early Embryonic Development

• Sperm in the Female Tract

• Fertilisation

• Embryonic Development of the Blastocyst

• Implantation

• Sexual Differentiation

• Internal and External Genitalia Development

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Gestation

• Reference Table of Gestation Lengths in Various Species

• Diagnosis of Pregnancy

• Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy

• Litter Sizes

• Placenta

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Parturition

• Normal Parturition

• Endocrine Control of Parturition

• Pharmacological Manipulation of Parturition

• Risks in Parturition

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The Puerperium

• Overview of the Puerperium

• Myometrial Contraction and Expulsion of Lochia

• Involution & Endometrial Repair

• Resumption of Ovarian Function: for more information see 'Species Differences in the Puerperium' below.

• Elimination of Bacterial Contamination of the Reproductive Tract

• Factors Influencing the Puerperium

• Species Differences in the Puerperium

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Lactation

• Overview of Lactation

• The Mammary Gland

• Endocrine Control

• Milk Composition and Biosynthesis

• Involution

• Links to Associated Pathology

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Reproductive Technologies

• Semen Collection

• Artificial Insemination

• Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer

• In Vitro Fertilization

• In Vitro Maturation

• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

• Embryo Sexing

• Semen Sexing

• Embryo Splitting

• Nuclear Transplantation:Cloning

• Transgenic Animals

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Camelids (LLamas & Alpacas)

• Female Anatomy
• Male Anatomy
• Breeding Cycle
• Mating
• Pregnancy Diagnosis
• Parturition
• Lactation & Care of the Newborn

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Small Domestic Mammals

• Reference Table of Reproductive Characteristics for Small Domestic Mammals
• Guinea Pig
• Ferret
• Chinchilla
• Chipmunk
• Mouse
• Hamster
• Rabbit
• Rat
• Gerbil

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Exotics

• Avian Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

• Reptile Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

• Amphibian Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

• Fish Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

References

• P.L Senger: Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition,2nd Edition
• David E. Noakes,Timothy J. Parkinson,Gary C. W. England,Geoffrey H. Arthur: Arthur's Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics
• Bairbre O'Malley:Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species
• Dyce, Sack and Wensing: Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy, 3rd Edition
• Konig and Liebich: Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals, 3rd Edition
• Victoria Aspinall, Melanie Cappello: Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology
• Gina Bromage: Llamas and Alpacas: A Guide to Management
• R.J. Roberts,Lydia Brown: Aquaculture for Veterinarians - Fish Husbandry and Medicine (Pergamon Veterinary Handbook)
• B.Young, J.W Heath: Wheater's Functional Histology, A Text and Colour Atlas

Creators of Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology Pages

• Amy Cartmel (RVC)
• Lois Wilkie (RVC)