Assessing Cattle Conformation for Reproductive Ability

Thick crest over the neck = Indicator of high testosterone levels Short neck = Good indicator of libido Long neck = Not a desirable trait in bulls Thin crest over the neck = Not a desirable trait in bulls

Short neck = More masculine in conformation, with big shoulders Long neck = Desirable trait in cows, about half the length of her body Too short of neck = Loss of femininity, poorer milking ability Too long of neck = Not a desirable trait in cows

Football-shaped scrotum = Desirable trait in bulls Small scrotal circumference = Not a desirable trait in bulls Large scrotal circumference = Indicator of high hormone levels Rounded scrotum = Not a desirable trait in bulls

<p>Abscesses or swellings in the jaw = Impede the animal from eating properly, affecting weight gain Teeth worn down to the gums = Affect body condition, pregnancy status, and production Undershot or overshot jaw = Genetic defect that can be passed on to offspring Lesions or injuries in the jaw = Impede the animal from eating properly, affecting weight gain</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Evenly set jaw = Desirable trait in bovines Undershot jaw = Genetic defect that can be passed on to offspring Overshot jaw = Genetic defect that can be passed on to offspring Crooked jaw = Not a desirable trait in bovines</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Good teeth condition = Essential for grazing and breaking down foodstuffs into smaller particles Worn down teeth = Affect body condition, pregnancy status, and production Sharp teeth = Desirable trait in bovines for grazing Broken teeth = Not a desirable trait in bovines</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Broad and wide = Good fertility and masculinity Flat and bony = Poor fertility and masculinity Curly hair = Good fertility and masculinity Refined = Feminine characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Broad and wide = Masculine characteristics Refined = Feminine characteristics Curly hair = Good fertility and masculinity Flat and bony = Poor fertility and masculinity</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bulged out = More prone to eye injury and cancer eye Well-set = Less prone to eye injury and cancer eye Partial pigmentation = More prone to eye injury and cancer eye Good pigmentation = Less prone to eye injury and cancer eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lashes parallel to the ground = More prone to sun glare and UV light Lashes parallel to the side of the face = Less prone to sun glare and UV light Bulged out = More prone to eye injury and cancer eye Well-set = Less prone to eye injury and cancer eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Good pigmentation = Reduced fly-related issues Partial pigmentation = Increased fly-related issues Well-set = Less prone to eye injury and cancer eye Bulged out = More prone to eye injury and cancer eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Feminine and refined = Good reproductive ability in cows Masculine and broad = Good fertility and masculinity in bulls Curly forehead = Good fertility and masculinity in bulls Flat and bony = Poor fertility and masculinity in bulls</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Testosterone = Responsible for development and maintenance of the male reproductive tract FSH = Essential for normal sperm formation LH = Increases muscular and skeletal growth GnRH = Major factor in the normal sex drive and behavior of the male</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hypothalamus = Located at the base of the brain Pituitary gland = Located within the head of the animal Ovary = Located within the reproductive tract Vulva = Located outside the reproductive tract</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Estrogen = Ovary Progesterone = Ovary Oxytocin = Posterior pituitary gland GnRH = Hypothalamus</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Regulates the reproductive process = Hypothalamus Produces ovarian hormones = Ovary Sends and receives neural signals = Hypothalamus Receives sperm during mating = Vagina</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Heavily muscled shoulders = Testosterone Normal sex drive and behavior = Testosterone Crest = Testosterone Increased muscular and skeletal growth = Testosterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Anterior pituitary = Release oxytocin Posterior pituitary = Secrete FSH and LH</p> Signup and view all the answers