Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
CONTENT
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Anatomy of Male Reproductive System
The basic components of the male reproductive system are:
• Scrotum
• Spermatic Cord
• Testis
• Duct system
• Accessory sex gland
• Penis and muscle
The reproductive tract of the bull consists of the testicles, secondary sex
organs, and three accessory sex glands. These organs work in concert for
formation, maturation and transport of spermatozoa, which are eventually
deposited in the female reproductive tract. The secondary sex organs are
the epididymis, vas deferens and penis. The three accessory sex glands
include the seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral gland (Cowper's
gland).
Anatomy of Female Reproductive System
The basic components of the female reproductive system are:
• Two ovaries
• Two fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Cervix
• Vagina
• Vulva
The vestibule lies between the vagina & vulva. It is highly sensitive due to
nerve innervations.
Vagina lies within the pelvis between the cranially to the cervix & caudally
to the vulva. It generally acts as the birth canal for delivery of the foetus &
the act of breeding or service (for the penis of male during copulation).
The cervix is a unique structure within the reproductive tract. It is 4 to 5
inches long and 1 to 2 inches in diameter and lies between the vagina and
uterus. This structure is designed to restrict access to the uterus.
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Uterus consists of a body, a neck (cervix) & two horns. The uterine wall
consists of lining of mucous membrane & outer serous layer of perimetrium
and are suspended & supported by the mesometrium.
Fallopian tubes consist of ampulla, isthmus and infundibulum.
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Pelvic Bone and Biometry
Pelvic bones include the hip bone, sacrum and coccyx. It forms the base of
spine as well as the socket of the hip joint.
Pelvic bone comprises 3 bones:
• Ilium
• Pubis
• Ischium
Oestrous cycle
An oestrous cycle is a period of time in a female, between two subsequent
heats or oestrus. The average duration of oestrous cycle is 21 days.
Estrus Cycle
Estrus cycle can also be defined as the rhythmic changes that occur in the
reproductive system of a female animal starting from one estrus phase to
another. The normal duration of estrus cycle is 21 days in cow.
➢ Oestrous cycle has four stages
1. Proestrus 3-4 days
2. Oestrous 12-24 hrs
3. Metestrus 3-5 days
4. Dioestrus 11-13 days
Luteal Phase: 14-18 days
Follicular phase: 4-6 days
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Oestrus sign in cows and Buffaloes
[Link]. Heat Signs Cows Buffaloes
Very Little Excitements
1 Excitements
Clear
Very
2 Bellowing/crying Pertinent Little
Signs
Mounting to Other Not present
3 Increased
animals
Stand to be mounted Very Not clear
4
by other animals common
Licking of other Not clear
5 Increased
animals
6 Swelling of Vulvae Present Present
Transparent mucus
Very Lesser than cows
7 discharges form
common
vagina
Redness/pinkish of Very Lesser than cows
8
Vaginal Mucosa common
9 Milk production Decreased Decreased
Very Very common with
10 Frequent urination present of white mark
common
Very Lesser
11 Moving of tail
common
12 Off fed Common Common
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Folliculogenesis
Folliculogenesis is the term which means the maturation of the ovarian
follicle. It describes the progression of number of small follicles into large
preovulatory follicles that occurs in part during the reproductive cycle.
Fertilization
Fertilization occurs when a sperm fuses with the female act during
intercourse and further forms an egg that gets implanted in uterus of the
female.
Gestation
The period from fertilization to parturition is known as gestation period. Or
the condition of female when developing young is present the uterus. This
usually of 279- 287 days for cow and 281-334 days for buffalo.
Parturition
It is the physiologic process by which the pregnant uterus delivers the fully
grown fetus and placenta from the maternal organism on the completion of
the normal pregnancy period.
➢ Stages of Parturition
Dilation of birth canal (2-6 hrs)
Expulsion of foetus (0.5 – 1hrs)
Expulsion of membranes (6 – 12 hrs)
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Pregnancy Diagnosis
• It helps in identification of non-pregnant animals which can be treated
or rebred at the earliest
• It is required for certifying the animals for sale purpose.
• It helps in good and economic management
• It reduces economic loss in breeding Programme using expensive
hormonal techniques.
• It helps to prevent lapse of one season for breeding in seasonal
breeders.
➢ Methods of Pregnancy Diagnosis
Ultrasonography
Abdominal ballottement
Chemical Test with BaCl2
EPF
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is the process of collecting sperm cells from a male
animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a
female.
History and Development
Artificial insemination is a technique in which semen with living sperms is
collected from the male and introduced into female reproductive tract at
proper time with the help of instruments.
• The first scientific research in A.I of domestic animals was performed
on dogs in 1780 by the Italian Scientist, Lazanno.
• In 1936, Brownell was inseminating cows in the Cornell herd.
• In 1938, A.I Cooperative was established in New Jersey, modelled
after Danish System.
Advantages
Increase the usefulness of superior sire to an extraordinary degree.
Services of superior sire are greatly extended.
It helps in better record keeping.
Old, heavy and injured sires can be used.
There is no need of maintenance of breeding bull for a herd, hence the
cost of maintenance of breeding bull is saved.
Increases the rate of conception.
Disadvantages
Requires well trained operations and special equipments.
Requires more time than natural services.
Lack of understanding of A.I.
Markets for bulls will be reduced.
Necessities the knowledge of the structure and function of
reproduction.
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Infertility
Infertility is when dairy cattle do not become pregnant. It is temporary
disturbance in reproductive function.
Causes of Infertility
Infertility causes in farm animals due to various factors such as:
• Nutrition
• Physiological disturbance
• Infections
• Disease of genital organs
• Anatomical cause
• Faulty AI technique.
Treatment of Infertility
• Inseminate at appropriate time of heat.
• Provide proper nutrition right from birth of the animal.
• Provide adequate quantities of mineral mixture.
• Animals with anatomical condition may not conceive.
• Consult of veterinarian if a regularly cycling animal has not
conceived even after 3 inseminations to identify the problem.
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Semen
Semen is a complex substance created by the male reproductive organs.
The fluid is made mostly of water, plasma, and mucus. It also contains 5 to
25 calories, and is made up of small amounts of essential nutrients.
Semen Collection
There are various methods of collection of semen have been devised from
time to time. The older unsatisfactory methods have gradually replaced by
the new modern techniques.
• Use of artificial vagina
• By electro-stimulation method
The ideal method of semen collection is the use of artificial vagina which is
safe for sire and the collector also.
➢ Parts of Artificial Vagina
• Heavy hard rubber 2 inch lose, open at both ends with nostle for
air and water in and outlet.
• Semen receiving cone or rubber cone.
• Semen collection tube made of glass or plastic graduate in cc.
➢ Semen Collection Method
The cow or dummy is secured in service create. The artificial vagina
assembled is held at 45º angle from the direction of penis, and the
thrust is that angle. The artificial vagina is held with the left hand by a
right-handed person; and when the bull mounts the cow, the sheath of
the bull will be graphed by the operator, directing the gland penis into
the artificial vagina and then bull gives a thrust to ejaculate.
The operator should evince care so as not to touch the exposed part of
the penis. After the bull dismounts, the artificial vagina is taken off
from penis and the air vent is opened to release the pressure from
jacket.
The water from the jacket is also drained by opening the nostle.
This allows the ejaculated to flow from the cone to the semen
collection tube. The semen collection tube is detached from the cone,
plugged with cotton wool and taken to the laboratory for examination.
The rubber cone and the semen collection tube can be protected from
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
external contamination or heat or higher, by the covering with an
insulation bag with zip.
Semen Evaluation
Semen from the bull is evaluated for its volume, sperm cell concentration,
motility, viability, morphology and ability to withstand freezing and
thawing procedures. The quality semen from a single bull can change over
time.
Semen Processing
Bovine semen is examined in lab and then it is processed for further use.
Quality and motility of semen is observed by the experts veterinarian
doctors then it is loaded in different bags for performing the A.I
Semen Storage
The sperm quality of bovine semen is not affected by long term storage at -
196℃. Semen is stored in liquid nitrogen refrigerator tank to maintain its
fertility rate and motility of semen. Level of liquid nitrogen should be
regularly checked.
Selection of Bulls for Semen Production
• Bulls should be physically examined by a qualified veterinarian to
ensure that bulls do not show any clinical symptom of disease.
• The size of testis is correlated with sperm production of the and age of
puberty of off-springs.
• It is important to take measurement of scrotal circumference.
• Healthy and high yielding bulls’ semen are necessary to store.
Management of Bulls for Semen Production
• Identification of bull.
• Regular health check-up by the labours or attendant.
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Introduction
Mastitis is the inflammatory condition of the mammary gland and udder
tissues. It usually occurs as an immune response to bacterial invasion of
the teat canal by variety of bacterial sources present on the farm, and can
also occur as result of chemical, mechanical, or thermal injury to the cow’s
udder. It manifests the changes in the milk colour and consistency.
➢ Some important points to be remembered:
Milk yield reduces abruptly and results in heavy economic losses.
High yielding dairy cows are more commonly affected than lower
yielders.
Exotic and cross breed cows are more prone to mastitis than Indian
Zebu Cows.
Causes of Mastitis
• A large number of species of microorganism have been implicated as
causes of mastitis. They are bacteria, fungus, Mycoplasma and virus.
• The most important bacterial organism causing mastitis are
Staphylococcous aureus; Mycobacterium bovis; [Link];
Pseudomonas pyocyaneus.
• Infection reaches to the mammary gland through the teat canal.
Symptoms of Mastitis
• Udder are swelling as a hard mass.
• Swollen udder with hot and pain while touching it.
• Animal will not allow touching the udder and kick while touching it.
• Swollen and reddening of teats.
• Milk mixed with blood.
• Milk mixed with yellow or brown fluid with flakes or clots with foul
smelling.
• Reduction in milk yields
• Increase in body temperature.
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Dairy Cattle Reproduction Notes
Management
➢ Treatment
The milk from infected teat should be milked out daily three
times and disposed safely outside.
NSAID are widely used for the treatment of mastitis.
Aspirin like drugs which reduces the inflammation and pain
associated with mastitis.
It can be treated by intramammary or systemic antibiotics or a
combination of both.
➢ Prevention
Hygienic teat management
Prompt identification and treatment of clinical mastitis cases
Dry cow management and therapy
Culling chronically affected cows
Regular testing and maintenance of the milking machine
Good record keeping
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