Small Ruminant Reproduction: Female Anatomy

Which anatomical structure is unique to the ewe cervix compared to the doe cervix?

What is the typical length, in days, of the estrous cycle in a doe?

In small ruminants, fertilization typically occurs in which part of the reproductive tract?

What is the approximate gestation length in small ruminants, in days?

During which months would ewes in the Northern Hemisphere typically enter anestrus?

What is the approximate percentage of mature body weight at which female small ruminants reach puberty?

In small ruminants, descent of the testicles into the scrotum occurs when?

A client is concerned because their ewe has not passed the placenta 9 hours after lambing. What would you advise?

What is the typical volume of ejaculate in rams?

What triggers the parturition cascade in ewes?

Why is it important to increase the nutritional plane of ewes and does during late gestation?

Dominant male small ruminants will demonstrate the dominance effect, what does this mean?

Why is weight a better measurement tool than age when determining sexual maturity?

What anatomical structure in the male small ruminant is responsible for spraying the semen into the cranial vagina?

Which of the following is NOT a typical sign of stage 1 labor in ewes and does?

What triggers the end of diestrus?

Following the birthing process of an ewe, what is the acceptable window of time, in hours, in which the ewe is expected to discharge the placenta?

What unique property does the doe exhibit concerning gestation?

What two hormones are administered to induce parturition?

How long after the start of estrus will ovulation occur in the Doe?

What day does maternal recognition occur?

What anatomical difference makes trans-cervical AI in ruminants more difficult?

Why does weight have relevance when regarding small ruminant reproduction

Which hormone from the uterus lyses the CL?

Bucks and Rams exhibit different courtship behaviors among estrus females. However they have behaviors that are shared among each other. Which of the following apply to ONLY to Bucks?

Approximately how long are the ovaries of small ruminants?

Where does fertilization typically occur in small ruminants?

Caruncles are located on which side of the uterus?

What is the structure formed by the union of a caruncle and cotyledon called?

In the Northern Hemisphere, when would a ewe lamb typically experience anestrus?

Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy in does throughout the entire gestation period?

In what stage of the estrous cycle does the corpus luteum lyse in non-pregnant small ruminants?

During which stage of the estrous cycle are progesterone levels highest?

What is the typical appearance of small ruminant placentomes?

What is the typical ejaculate volume range of a ram?

What is the correct presentation, position, and posture for a normal delivery in small ruminants?

When is a ewe considered non CL dependent?

Approximately how many sperm cells should there be per cc ejaculate in Bucks during breeding season?

What anatomical feature in sheep and goats helps facilitate semen deposition directly into the cranial vagina during natural mating?

Which factor has the greatest influence on the timing of puberty in does and ewes?

A client is concerned that their ewe has still not displayed the passing of the placenta. How long after birth giving is considered normal before it would classify as a retained placenta?

Which statement accurately describes the seasonal breeding patterns of small ruminants in the Northern Hemisphere?

How does maternal recognition of pregnancy occur in small ruminants?

If a ewe requires induction of parturition, what steroid is administered?

A farm manager notices a group of rams mounting each other. What is the most likely cause of this behavior?

Why would a farmer increase the nutritional plane of their ewes and does in late gestation? (Select all that apply)

Why is it important to know that many small ruminants will consume the placenta after birthing?

What is the significance of the intercornual ligament in the uterus of small ruminants, and how does it compare to that of bovine species?

A client wants to use a yearling ram(14 months of age) for breeding. He brings the ram into your clinic, what would be the MINIMUM scrotal circumference that meets maturity?

How do the ovulation timings differ between ewes and does relative to the end of estrus?

What is the functional significance of the countercurrent exchange mechanism between the uterine vein and ovarian artery in small ruminants?

Following the fetal cortisol surge beginning the parturition cascade of a pregnant ewe, what occurs?

What is persistent frenulum, in regards to small ruminant reproduction? What are the implications if left untreated?

A farmer has a ewe that does not seem progressed in parturition. The water bag has been passed for 8 hours and the ewe is still displaying signs in labor. Which of the following would be least likely?

Upon physical exam of a Ram, which finding would be cause for concern for potential fertility issues?

A client wants to breed does during anestrus, what is the most accurate response that can be provided?

What statement made by a client would be most concerning regarding a ewe who is close to lambing?

If a producer has a ewe that aborted at day 49, but was bred back, however at day 51 the ewe is still displaying estrus cycling, what is most likely to occur?

An experienced shepherd reports that a ewe normally pregnancies reliably, and has had successful twin births in the past, however has been bred for 3 months, but only comes up to size for 1 lamb. What is one potential issue?

During a breeding soundness exam, a veterinarian notices that a ram has a scrotal circumference of 30 cm, is 7 months old, and is of a breed known for achieving early puberty. Semen evaluation reveals low sperm motility. Which additional physical exam finding would MOST strongly support a diagnosis of inadequate testicular cooling?

What is the typical shape of the uterus in small ruminants?

Where in the female reproductive tract of small ruminants does fertilization typically occur?

In ewes, approximately how long before the end of estrus does ovulation occur?

What is the primary function of the intercornual ligament in the small ruminant uterus?

Which of the following best describes the shape of caruncles in small ruminants?

What is the average length of the estrous cycle in ewes?

What is the term for the period of sexual inactivity in seasonally breeding small ruminants?

In male small ruminants, when does testicular descent into the scrotum typically occur?

What is the primary component of the small ruminant penis?

Approximately what percentage of sperm cells from an ejaculate typically penetrate the cervix in natural mating of small ruminants?

What is the typical gestation length in small ruminants?

Maternal recognition of pregnancy in small ruminants involves the concept of inhibiting the release of what?

After approximately how many days of gestation is a ewe considered non-CL dependent for pregnancy maintenance?

Which hormone is typically used to induce parturition in ewes when medically necessary?

During stage 1 of labor in ewes, which of the following behaviors is commonly observed?

What is the normal presentation, position, and posture for delivery in small ruminants?

A client is concerned about their ewe not passing the placenta. How long after parturition is considered within the normal timeframe for placental expulsion in ewes?

Why is weight a better indicator of puberty in small ruminants compared to age?

What is the significance of the urethral process in the penis of small ruminants?

Very Hard: Considering the seasonal breeding patterns of small ruminants in the Northern Hemisphere and the effect of heat stress on spermatogenesis, when would semen collected from a ram be MOST likely to exhibit the highest concentration of live, motile sperm?