Large Animal Reproduction

This course covers the reproductive management of cattle, horses, swine and small ruminants. Emphasis is placed on the herd or flock as a unit rather than on the individual animal. Reproductive pathology of males and females is reviewed. Clinical use of artificial reproductive techniques is introduced. There are 20 hours of lecture and 12 three hour laboratories. The laboratories include hands-on practical experience for students in evaluating the male and the female reproductive status: OB 1 - obstetrics, OB 2-fetotomy, BULL - bull breeding soundness examination, STALLION- stallion breeding soundness examination, MARE 1 - palpation of the genital tract per rectum of mares, MARE 2- mare breeding soundness examination, SHEEP-ultrasound examination of ewes for pregnancy and ram breeding soundness examination, SWINE-heat detection, artificial insemination of sows and boar breeding soundness examination, COW 1 - physical exam of the bovine genital tract, COW 2-estrus cycle of cow, COW 3- abnormalities of genital tract, COW 4-bovine pregnancy. All COW labs emphasize palpation of the genital tract and students travel to local dairies for palpation of cows in COW labs 2-4. Grades are based on laboratory formative assessments and two summative assessments. This course is a prerequisite for the senior clinical rotations-Large Animal Clinical Reproduction VCSN7745, VCSN7145 and Food Animal Reproduction VCSN7725 and VCSN7125. 5 Credit Hours