Reproductive Problems

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Reproductive Problems

• 4-H Veterinary Science
• Extension Veterinary Medicine
• Texas AgriLife Extension Service
• College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical
  Sciences
• Texas AM System
• http//aevm.tamu.edu

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Objectives

• Recognize the economic importance of reproductive
  problems
• Describe infertility problems that affect the cow
• Describe infertility problems that affect the
  mare
• Describe infertility problems that affect the
  stallion
• Discuss the factors that cause dystocia
• Discuss the management of reproductive problems

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• Reproductive problems are common
• Recognize them
• Prevent
• Cull
• Problems include
• Ability to breed
• Ability to conceive
• Ability to maintain pregnancy

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• Male problems
• Decreased libido
• Abnormal sperm production
• Female problems
• Estrous cycle

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• Refresher
• Estrous entire cycle
• Estrus when in heat
• Anestrus not in heat

Species Length of Estrous Duration of Estrus
Cattle 21d 15 h
Pig 21 d 50 h
Sheep 17 d 30 h
Horse 21 d 7 d
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Infertility problems

• Infertility
• Definition
• A reduced ability or inability to produce
  offspring
• Male or female

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• Cow
• Cystic ovaries
• Reproductive tract adhesions
• Anestrus
• Hereditary reproductive defects
• Freemartin
• Improper nutrition
• Reproductive tract infections
• Metritis

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• Mare
• Seasonal breeders
• Improper nutrition
• Reproductive tract infections
• (Metritis)

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• Bulls
• Cause
• Poor semen quality
• Reason
• Poor nutrition
• Testicular diseases
• Injury or infection of penis
• Lameness

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• Stallions
• Cause
• Poor semen quality
• Reason
• Poor nutrition
• Testicular diseases

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Problems During Pregnancy

• Abortion
• Premature termination of pregnancy
• Result from
• Infections
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Plants
• Chemicals
• Drugs

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• Early pregnancy loss
• No sign
• Body reabsorbs
• Late pregnancy loss
• Expelled/dead fetus
• Do diagnostic

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Problems at Birth

• Dystocia
• Condition or difficult or impossible birth
• Caused by abnormal circumstance
• Size of birth canal
• Size of fetus
• Improper position of fetus

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• Can correct problems
• Call veterinarian to assist
• Reposition fetus
• Cesarean section

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Management of Reproductive Problems

• Key
• Careful observation
• Includes
• Awareness of repeat breeders
• Animals that dont breed
• Dystocia problems