Changes

Female animals regularly enter a phase where they are sexually active and receptive to males; this is known as the [[Oestrous Cycle - Anatomy & Physiology|oestrous cycle]]. Some animals are able to reproduce all year round, but many have an anoestrus phase which requires a [[Seasonality of Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology|seasonal response]] for cycling to begin. In some species [[Reproductive Behaviour - Oestrus Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|detection of seasonal cycling]] can be crucial to productivity.  

Female animals regularly enter a phase where they are sexually active and receptive to males; this is known as the [[Oestrous Cycle - Anatomy & Physiology|oestrous cycle]]. Some animals are able to reproduce all year round, but many have an anoestrus phase which requires a [[Seasonality of Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology|seasonal response]] for cycling to begin. In some species [[Reproductive Behaviour - Oestrus Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|detection of seasonal cycling]] can be crucial to productivity.  

Female animals have various [[Reproductive Behaviour - Overview of Reproductive Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|behavioural]] and chemical signals which increase their [[Attractivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|attractiveness]] to males and others which signal their [[Reproductive Behaviour - Proceptivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|acceptance]] of attention from the male. Further cues indicate that the female is [[Reproductive Behaviour - Receptivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|receptive]] to mating. Other reproductive female behaviours include [[Maternal Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|maternal]] and  [[Reproductive Behaviour - Nursing Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|nursing]] behaviour. In  [[Reproductive Behaviour - Nervous Pathway Eliciting Reproductive Motor Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|neurological terms]] sensory information from behavioural and chemical cues are processed by the hypothalamus, which induces the appropriate mating response via specific peptides which activate neurons in the midbrain and brainstem.

Female animals have various [[Reproductive Behaviour - Overview of Reproductive Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|behavioural]] and chemical signals which increase their [[Attractivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|attractiveness]] to males and others which signal their [[Reproductive Behaviour - Proceptivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|acceptance]] of attention from the male. Further cues indicate that the female is [[Reproductive Behaviour - Receptivity Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|receptive]] to mating. Other reproductive female behaviours include [[Maternal Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|maternal]] and  [[Reproductive Behaviour - Nursing Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|nursing]] behaviour. In  [[Nervous Pathway Eliciting Reproductive Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|neurological terms]] sensory information from behavioural and chemical cues are processed by the hypothalamus, which induces the appropriate mating response via specific peptides which activate neurons in the midbrain and brainstem.

== Male Reproductive Tract and Reproductive Behaviour==

== Male Reproductive Tract and Reproductive Behaviour==

The anatomy of the male reproductive tract includes the [[Penis - Anatomy & Physiology|penis]], the [[Testes and Epididymis - Anatomy & Physiology|testes]], the [[Testes and Epididymis - Anatomy & Physiology|epididymis]] and the [[Accessory Sex Glands - Anatomy & Physiology|accessory sex glands]]. Males of different species are often referred to by specific [[Useful Terms for Male Animals - Anatomy & Physiology|names]] which reflect their repoductive status. Males differ from females in the [[Spermatogenesis and Spermiation - Anatomy & Physiology|production of sperm]] which takes place from puberty onwards - unlike females where ova are produced prior to birth. The [[Spermatogenesis and Spermiation - Anatomy & Physiology|hormones]] controlling sperm production, or spermatogenesis are luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).  

The anatomy of the male reproductive tract includes the [[Penis - Anatomy & Physiology|penis]], the [[Testes and Epididymis - Anatomy & Physiology|testes]], the [[Testes and Epididymis - Anatomy & Physiology|epididymis]] and the [[Accessory Sex Glands - Anatomy & Physiology|accessory sex glands]]. Males of different species are often referred to by specific [[Useful Terms for Male Animals - Anatomy & Physiology|names]] which reflect their repoductive status. Males differ from females in the [[Spermatogenesis and Spermiation - Anatomy & Physiology|production of sperm]] which takes place from puberty onwards - unlike females where ova are produced prior to birth. The [[Spermatogenesis and Spermiation - Anatomy & Physiology|hormones]] controlling sperm production, or spermatogenesis are luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).  

The [[Reproductive Behaviour - Nervous Pathway Eliciting Reproductive Motor Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|neurological pathways]] that control reproductive behaviour are similar to the female, but the response is male specific and includes [[Reproductive Behaviour - Pre-copulatory Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|pre-copulatory]], [[Copulatory Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|copulatory]] and [[Reproductive Behaviour - Post-Copulatory Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|post-copulatory]] behaviour.

The [[Nervous Pathway Eliciting Reproductive Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|neurological pathways]] that control reproductive behaviour are similar to the female, but the response is male specific and includes [[Reproductive Behaviour - Pre-copulatory Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|pre-copulatory]], [[Copulatory Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|copulatory]] and [[Reproductive Behaviour - Post-Copulatory Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology|post-copulatory]] behaviour.

== Fertilisation, Implantation and Early Embryonic Development ==

== Fertilisation, Implantation and Early Embryonic Development ==