Reproductive System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology

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Introduction to 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 and have a good grasp of the role of hormones in this process. Pathology and disease are common within the reproductive system and can not only lead to a sick animal but also lead to loss of production. In this section we hope to cover all the main processes in the domestic animals. This will lay a foundation to aid in the understanding of more potentially quite complex pathologies.

Puberty

Puberty is the process of aquiring reproductive capability, and age at onset of puberty varies from between species. There are several factors involved in triggering the onset of puberty, including body size, nutritional factors, day length, genetic factors and environmental and social factors. The onset depends on the ability of specific hypothalamic neurons to produce GnRH in sufficient quantities to both promote and support gametogenesis.

• Overview of Puberty
• Endocrine Events of Puberty
• Differences in the Male and Female Hypothalamus

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Female Reproductive Tract

• The Ovary

• The Oviduct

• The Uterus

• The Cervix

• The Vagina and External Genitalia

• 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

• Maintaining Pregnancy

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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

Test yourself - Reproduction System flashcards

• Reproductive System Flashcards

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)