Reproduction of livestock Female reproductive system Male reproductive system Oestrous signs Parturition

1. Reproduction
of
Livestock
Dr. P. Ravikanth Reddy
MVSc, PhD
Guest Faculty
KBR College of Agriculture and Horticulture
Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University
Dr. YSR Horticulture University

2.  Infertility.
 Millions of rupees loss annually.
 Due to lack of good breeding stock and technologies.
Production vs. Productivity

3. Female reproductive tract
Male reproductive tract

4. Parameter EXOTIC/CROSS BRED INDIGENOUS COW BUFFALOES
Age at puberty 12-15 months (1 year) 24 months (2 years)
24-30 months (2 – 2.5
years)
Age at first mating 18-20 months 30 months 30-36 months
Oestrus cycle length 17-24 days 17-24 days 21 days
Duration of estrus 12-18 hours 12-18 hours 12-18 hours
Time of ovulation 12 – 16 hours after the end of estrus
Optimum time of
insemination
Mid heat/towards the end of heat
Gestation period 270-290 days (9 months) 270-290 days (9 months) 300-320 days (10 months)
Dry period 2 months 3 months 3-4 months
Calving to first heat 1-2 months 1-2 months 1-2 months
Calving to first service 3-4 months
3-4 months 3-4 months
Birth weight 25-35 kg 20-25 kg 30-40 kg
Important Reproductive Details

5. Calving First heat First service 3 months pregnant Start drying Calving
Lactation length ? days
Intercalving period ? days
Service period ? days
? days ? days
? days ? days
? days
1 2 3 4 5 6
Pregnancy period ? days

6. Calving First heat First service 3 months pregnant Start drying Calving
Lactation length 10 months
Intercalving period 12 months
Service period 90 days (3 months)
2 months 1 month 3 months 2 months
4 months
1 2 3 4 5 6
Pregnancy period 270 days (9 months)
FOR EXOTIC COWS

7. Calving First heat First service 3 months pregnant Start drying Calving
Lactation length 10 months
Intercalving period 13 months
Service period 90 days (3 months)
2 months 1 month 3 months 3 months
4 months
1 2 3 4 5 6
Pregnancy period 270 days (9 months)
FOR INDIGENOUS COWS

8. Calving First heat First service 3 months pregnant Start drying Calving
Lactation length 10 months
Intercalving period 14 months
Service period 90 days (3 months)
2 months 1 month 3 months 4 months
4 months
1 2 3 4 5 6
Pregnancy period 270 days (9 months)
FOR BUFFALOES

9.  Potential of the sire and milk production of dam
 Good health
 Free from genetic abnormalities
Selection of Heifer

10.  Milk production
 Age at first calving – < 3 years
 Interval between 2 successive calvings – 12 to 15 months
 No physical deformities
 Good dairy confirmation
 20% of the stock should be replaced every year
Selection of Cow

12.  Drop in milk production
 Swelling and reddening of vulva
 Frequently bellows
 Mounting other cows
 Mucous secretions from vagina
 Extends for 14 to 16 hours.
 Should inseminate same or next day morning
Signs of oestrous

16.  Leaving herd and seek isolation
 Distress and loss of appetite
 Distension of udder and teats
 Relaxation of pelvic ligament
 Raised tail
 Enlarged vulva
 Followed by expulsion of placenta – Removed immediately.
Signs of parturition

20.  Difficult breeders
 Anoestrous and repeat breeding
 Delayed age at first calving
 Silent ovulation
 Sexually activated at lower day length and lower temperature
 Over feeding, under feeding, protein and vitamin deficiency,
imbalance of minerals
 Difficult in oestrous detection – Therefore, bull is better than AI.
Reproduction in Buffaloes

21.  Bellowing percent low
 Discharges percent low
 Oedematous and swollen vulva
 Frequent urination (Spurting urination)
 Off feed
 Majority of buffaloes comes into heat from 6 pm to 6 am
 Teaser bull (Vasectomized) – Better to use.
Heat detection in Buffaloes

22.  Seasonally polyestrous
 Summer – Mar to April
 Autumn – June to July
 Post-monsoon – Sept-Oct
 Estrous cycle – 17 days
 Heat period – 27 hours
 Ovulation occurs after 12 hours before the end of heat period
Heat detection in Sheep

23.  Flushing – 2 to 3 weeks before mating – 250 g grain/day
 Tagging – shearing dock (tail hair)
 Eyeing – around eyes
 Ringing – neck, belly and sheath
Preparation of breeding

24.  Teaser
 Wet paint on brisket region of Ram
 Vulvar swelling, frequent urination, restlessness, and reduced
appetite.
Detection of estrous

26.  Flock mating – Breeding rams left in the flock during mating season
through out day and night.
 Pen mating – Only during night period.
 Hand mating – Mating individually one by one with ram (individual).
Mating

27.  Separate housing
 Crutching – 7-10 days prior to lambing to avoid dung suckling
 Extra feed during last trimester
 4-6 days before – soft, clean bedding
 150 days gestation period
Care of pregnant ewes
 Crutching means removal of wool around the tail region.

28.  Leaves the flock
 Restless and distended udder
 Maiden ewes in poor condition and small-framed ewes mated to big
rams – causes dystokia
 Clean and fresh drinking water
 Good quality hay and concentrates
 Immediately after birth
Care at lambing
 –Nose and mouth are free of mucous membranes and mucoid fluid.
 Licked by mother.
 Will seek for teats to suckle

29.  Foster mother
 Rub milk on the rump of lamb
 Protect from adverse environmental conditions
 Artificial colostrum
 Bottle feeding
Orphan rearing

30.  Does mated at 12-15 months.
 Bucks at 18-24 months.
 1 buck for 25 to 30 does.
 Continous breeders
 2 Kiddings for 18 months.
 Sexually active in spring and winter seasons.
Goat breeding

31.  Similar to sheep.
Estrous symptoms in Goat
 Sunken area around tail region.
 Heavy breathing
 Restlessness
 Worried look
 Display affection to keeper.
Signs before kidding

32.  Breeds year round
 Maturation period in
Boar - 10 months
Sow - 12 months (Gilt)
 Gestation period – 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)
 Number of piglets in a litter – 6-12
 Act of parturition – Farrowing.
Swine (Pig)

33.  Increased respiratory rate
 Restlessness
 Nesting behavior
 Other common signs
Signs of farrowing

34.  Breeds year round
 Maturation period in
Hen - 20 weeks
Cock - 24 weeks
 Gestation period – 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)
 300 to 320 eggs per year
 16 hours of light for sexual stimulation
 Egg incubation is for 21 days.
Poultry