Download or read book Comparison of Long term CIDR based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus and Ovulation Prior to Fixed time Artificial Insemination in Postpartum Beef Cows written by Neal Timothy Martin and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 79 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Comparison of Long term CIDR based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus in Postpartum Beef Cows written by Justin Michael Nash and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination are two of the most important management practices available to producers to increase reproductive performance in a beef cow-calf operation. Unfortunately, a small number of producers utilize these practices due to increased labor requirements. The use of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) reduces the amount of time and labor required to detect estrus, leading to decreased input requirements. The following experiments were performed in order to compare the use of long-term controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert-based estrus synchronization protocols prior to FTAI in estrous-cycling and anestrous postpartum beef cows. In experiments 1 and 2, two long-term CIDR-based estrus synchronization protocols were compared on the basis of physiological characteristics, including serum steroid hormone concentrations, estrous response, and follicular dynamics, as well as pregnancy rates resulting from FTAI. From these intensive trials, it was determined that both protocols yielded comparable pregnancy rates and similar physiological responses when used in postpartum beef cows. In experiment 3, the use of either a long- or short-term CIDR-based estrus synchronization protocol was compared prior to FTAI in a large-scale field trial. Results indicated that pregnancy rate resulting from FTAI was similar for both protocols. These data provide preliminary support for the use of long-term CIDR-based estrus synchronization protocols prior to FTAI in postpartum beef cows.

Download or read book Evaluation of Long term CIDR based Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Primiparous Two year old Beef Cows written by Jillian Mae Abel and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Development and comparison of strategies designed to enhance reproductive management of primiparous two-year-old beef cows coincide with the recent increase in heifer retention and the significant number of younger age females that are now entering the U.S. cow herd. Reproductive management of primiparous two-year-old cows presents a unique challenge in managing a beef herd, since this age group of females typically experiences the highest incidence of reproductive failure. Strategic management of replacement beef heifers and primiparous cows is necessary to ensure their continued long-term reproductive success, which provides the opportunity for beef producers to increase retention rates, reduce input costs, and ultimately enhance production efficiency. Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) are important management tools available to producers that facilitate genetic improvement and enhance reproductive efficiency. A list of recommended protocols may be used to facilitate fixed-time AI (FTAI) in beef cows and heifers, and we now know that specific protocols perform better among various age classes of females. Short-term controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-based protocols are currently the preferred method to synchronize estrus prior to FTAI in postpartum beef cows. Alternatively, long-term CIDR-based protocols have been used with greater success in beef heifers. Progestin-based estrus synchronization protocols offer the potential to induce estrous cyclicity in anestrous postpartum cows and advance conception date. Experiment 1 was designed to compare the 14-d CIDR-PG (14-d) and 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR (7-d) protocols on the basis of estrous response, pregnancy rates after fixed-time AI (FTAI), and final pregnancy in primiparous two-year-old cows. Cows assigned to 14-d (n = 355) received a CIDR insert on Day 0 with removal on Day 14. Cows assigned to 7-d (n = 349) received GnRH and CIDR inserts on Day 23. On Day 30 CIDRs were removed from 7-d cows and PGF2[alpha] was administered to all cows in each treatment. On Day 33, 66 and 72 h after PGF2[alpha], GnRH was administered concurrent with FTAI. Estrous response at FTAI was higher for 7-d compared to 14-d cows (74% vs 43%, respectively; P

Download or read book Comparison of Controlled Internal Drug Release CIDR based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus and Facilitate Artificial Insemination AI in Postpartum Beef Cows written by Dallas James Wilson and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 79 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Artificial insemination (AI) and estrous synchronization are reproductive technologies that enable beef producers to efficiently improve herd genetics. The recent development of protocols designed to synchronize estrus and ovulation enable producers to utilize fixed-time AI (FTAI), thus reducing time and labor required to detect estrus. The 7-d Select Synch and CO-Synch + CIDR protocols provide an efficient and effective means to synchronize estrus in postpartum beef cows. Recently a 5-d Select Synch and CO-Synch + CIDR protocol was developed. To date, however, the literature is devoid of information comparing the 7-d and 5-d protocols on the basis of their practical application in the field. Experiment 1 was designed to fully characterize and compare the 7-d and 5-d Select Synch + CIDR protocols. There were no differences between treatments for estrous response, interval to estrus, or the variance for interval to estrus. Additionally, response to GnRH and follicle size at GnRH did not differ between the two treatments, nor were there any differences in synchronized conception or pregnancy rates resulting from AI. Experiment 2 was designed to compare pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time AI following administration of the 7-d and 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocols with FTAI at 66 and72 h. There was no effect of treatment, technician, sire, or location on FTAI pregnancy rates. The results from these experiments indicate that the 7-d and 5-d Select Synch and CO-Synch + CIDR protocols performed comparably on the basis of synchronizing estrus and facilitating pregnancy resulting from FTAI, respectively.

Download or read book Comparison of CIDR based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus in Beef Heifers written by Nicole Renee Leitman and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) are reproductive management techniques that allow beef producers to enhance the reproductive efficiency and genetic composition of their cow herd. However, U.S. beef producers have been reluctant to adopt these reproductive management tools, largely due to time and labor. Recent research to synchronize estrus, therefore, has focused on the development of estrus synchronization protocols that facilitate fixed-time AI (FTAI). Although protocols have been developed that allow the successful use of FTAI in beef cows, the same degree of success in beef heifers has not been realized. Additionally, no published research has focused on characterizing the physiological responses to long- and short-term CIDR-based protocols in beef heifers. Experiment 1 evaluated ovulatory response to GnRH and synchrony of estrus and ovulation after PGF2[alpha] (PG) in beef heifers. The CIDR Select and Select Synch + CIDR protocols were evaluated among estrous cycling and prepubertal beef heifers and the CIDR-PG and Select Synch protocols were evaluated among estrous cycling beef heifers. A reduced variance for the intervals to estrus and ovulation was detected for estrous cycling heifers treated with the CIDR Select protocol in comparison to the other 3 treatments. The combined results of the estrous cycling and prepubertal heifers revealed an increased ovulatory response to GnRH for heifers treated with the CIDR Select protocol compared to the Select Synch + CIDR protocol, which ultimately resulted in a reduced variance for interval to estrus and ovulation after PG. Furthermore, no differences within treatment were detected in the variance for interval to estrus or ovulation among estrous cycling and prepubertal heifers treated with the CIDR Select protocol. These results suggest that the CIDR Select protocol may facilitate FTAI more effectively in mixed groups of estrous cycling and prepubertal beef heifers. Experiments 2 and 3 evaluated modifications to the CIDR Select protocol. Estrous cycling beef heifers were used in Exp. 2. The hypothesis tested was that reducing the interval from CIDR removal to GnRH administration by 2 d would facilitate an improvement in the synchrony of estrus after PG. Although a larger number of heifers that were assigned to the 28 d protocol were on d 5 and 6 at the time GnRH was administered, response to GnRH was not improved and synchrony of estrus was not enhanced following PG. In Exp. 3, a second modification to the CIDR Select protocol was evaluated using estrous cycling and prepubertal beef heifers. The hypotheses tested were: 1) reducing the interval from CIDR removal to GnRH may facilitate an improvement in the synchrony of estrus after PG, and 2) the addition of GnRH following CIDR removal is required to improve the synchrony of estrus after PG. Although no difference in estrous response was detected, mean intervals to estrus and variance for interval to estrus differed based on the interaction of treatment length, GnRH, and estrous cyclicity status. The results from Exp. 3 clearly suggest that further evaluation of long-term CIDR-based protocols is required.

Download or read book Comparison of Long term Progestin based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus in Beef Heifers written by Daniel A. Mallory and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 89 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Experiment 1 evaluated two long-term progestin-based and controlled internal drug release estrus synchronization protocols to determine their potential to facilitate fixed-time artificial insemination in estrous cycling and prepubertal beef heifers. Conception to AI, AI pregnancy, and final pregnancy rates did not differ between treatments. Experiment 2 compared two long-term progestin-based estrus synchronization protocols to evaluate their potential to facilitate fixed-time artificial insemination in estrous cycling and prepubertal beef heifers. Estrous response after PG was greater among CIDR treated heifers compared to MGA treated heifers. Conception to AI, AI pregnancy, and final pregnancy rates did not differ between treatments. In summary, the long-term CIDR protocol compared favorably with the MGA protocol. Experiment 3 was conducted to compare pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time AI after administration of either one of two long-term CIDR-based protocols. CIDR-GnRH-PG and CIDR-PG treated heifers were fixed-time inseminated at 72 or 66 hr after PG, respectively. Fixed-time AI pregnancy rates tended to be higher among CIDR-PG compared to CIDR-GnRH-PG treated heifers. Final pregnancy rates did not differ between treatments. In summary, both long-term progestin-based protocols were effective in synchronizing estrus prior to fixed-time AI in beef heifers.

Download or read book Comparison of Progestin Based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus and Ovulation in Beef Cows written by Daniel Joseph Schafer and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Management of Dairy Herds written by E. V. Ellington and published by . This book was released on 1917 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Timing GnRH Administration with Split time Artificial Insemination Following Administration of CIDR based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus and Ovulation in Beef Heifers and Cows written by Brianne Elizabeth Bishop and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 75 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Historically, adoption of AI within beef herds has increased due to improvements in methods to synchronize estrous and expanded use of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) where all females are inseminated at a predetermined fixed time. Because pregnancy rates are higher among females that exhibit estrus prior to AI, split-time AI was developed as an alternative breeding strategy whereby insemination is delayed 20 to 24 hours (h) for females that fail to express estrus prior to a predetermined fixed time. Three experiments were designed to test hypotheses related to the timing and use of GnRH in breeding programs involving STAI based on results from previously published studies. Estrus was synchronized for heifers in experiment 1 with the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol, and for cows in experiment 2 using the 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol. Females in each treatment that exhibited estrus by 66 h were inseminated at 66 h, whereas AI was delayed 24 h (90 h after PGF2?) for females failing to exhibit estrus by 66 h. Females in treatment 1 received GnRH 66 h after PGF2? irrespective of estrus expression; however, in treatment 2, GnRH was administered coincident with delayed AI only to females not detected in estrus at 66 h. GnRH administered to estrus females at 66 h did not affect AI pregnancy rate; however delaying GnRH to 90 h for non-estrous females at 66 h improved estrous response for cows but not for heifers, with no effect on AI pregnancy rate. A third experiment evaluated pregnancy rates of heifers that failed to exhibit estrus by 90 h after PGF2? following treatment with the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol. Treatments were compared on the basis of whether or not GnRH was administered concurrent with AI, 90 h after PG. There was no effect of treatment on AI pregnancy rate. Collectively, these results indicate: 1) GnRH is not required among females that exhibit estrus prior to AI; 2) delayed administration of GnRH increases total estrous response in cows when STAI is practiced; and 3) GnRH is not required when STAI is practiced in conjunction with the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol in heifers.

Download or read book Bovine Theriogenology An Issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America Food Animal Practice E Book written by Robert L. Larson and published by Elsevier Health Sciences. This book was released on 2016-07-10 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice focuses on Bovine Theriogenology. Article topics include: Reproductive systems for North American Beef Cattle Herds, Reproductive systems for North American Dairy Cattle Herds, Beef Heifer Development, Dairy Heifer Development, Evaluation of data obtained at pregnancy detection of beef herds ,Synchronization and AI Strategies in Beef Herds, Synchronization and AI Strategies in Dairy Herds, Embryo Transfer, Management of reproductive disease in dairy cattle, Venereal Diseases of Cattle, Diagnosis and Control of Neosporosis, Management and Breeding Soundness Examination of Yearling Bulls, and more!

Download or read book Management of Bulls An Issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America Food Animal Practice E Book written by Lee Jones and published by Elsevier Health Sciences. This book was released on 2024-01-29 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, guest editors Drs. Lee Jones and Joseph C. Dalton bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Management of Bulls. Top experts in the field offer current discussions of assessing the reproductive potential of bulls, diagnosing disease or causes of infertility, and determining appropriate course of treatment or prognosis for recovery of injured bulls. This issue also provides up-to-date information regarding the contribution of sires to success or failure of reproductive programs in beef and dairy herds, and foundational material for success with AI (semen storage, handling, and site of deposition). Contains 13 relevant, practice-oriented topics including semen quality and field fertility (beef and dairy); physical evaluation of the breeding bull; nutrition and development; medical and surgical management of conditions of the penis and prepuce; management of lameness in breeding bulls; genomics and bull fertility; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on management of bulls, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

Download or read book A Comparison of Co Synch CIDR and ECP CIDR as Estrus Synchronization Techniques for Timed Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers written by Morgan J. Roberts and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study was conducted as an estrus synchronization technique comparison. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different estrus synchronization protocols for use in beef heifers. Two CIDR based protocols were utilized in this study, Co-Synch + CIDR (progesterone, gonadotrophin releasing hormone, and prostaglandin) and ECP + CIDR (Estradiol Cypionate, progesterone, prostaglandin, and gonadotrophin releasing hormone). 65 heifers were located on the same farm, however, were separated into three groups for handling ease (Group 1=21, Group 2-23, and Group 3=21). 42 heifers (Group 1=21, Group 2=11, and Group 3=10 were synchronized using the Co-Synch + CIDR technique. Heifers were administered a 2.0 ml injection of GnRH at the time of CIDR insertion. The CIDR implants remained in the heifers for 7 days. A 5.0 ml injection of PGF was administered at the time of CIDR removal. Removal was followed by TAI 52 hours later. At the time of AI heifers received another injection of GnRH. 23 heifers (Group 2=12 and Group 3=11) received the ECP + CIDR protocol. Each heifer received a 0.5 ml injection of ECP at time of CIDR insertion. CIDR remained in heifers for 7 days. All heifers were administered a 5.0 ml shot of PGF at time of CIDR removal. 52 hours after removal, heifers were TAI and were given an injection of GnRH. Conception rates of 57.1%, 18.2 % and 60.0% were achieved with the Co-Synch + CIDR protocol after time artificial insemination. ECP + CIDR resulted in conception rates of 33.3% and 90.9% after timed artificial insemination.

Download or read book Animal Agriculture written by Fuller W. Bazer and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2019-10-25 with total page 558 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Animal Agriculture: Sustainability, Challenges and Innovations discusses the land-based production of high-quality protein by livestock and poultry and how it plays an important role in improving human nutrition, growth and health. With exponential growth of the global population and marked rises in meat consumption per capita, demands for animal-source protein are expected to increase 72% between 2013 and 2050. This raises concerns about the sustainability and environmental impacts of animal agriculture. An attractive solution to meeting increasing needs for animal products and mitigating undesirable effects of agricultural practices is to enhance the efficiency of animal growth, reproduction, and lactation. Currently, there is no resource that offers specific knowledge of both animal science and technology, including biotechnology for the sustainability of animal agriculture for the expanding global demand of food in the face of diminishing resources. This book fills that gap, giving readers all the necessary information on important issues facing modern animal agriculture, namely its sustainability, challenges and innovative solutions. Integrates new knowledge in animal breeding, biotechnology, nutrition, reproduction and management Addresses the urgent issue of sustainability in modern animal agriculture Provides practical solutions on how to solve the current and future problems that face animal agriculture worldwide

Download or read book Synchronization and Ovarian Development in Dairy Cows and Heifers written by Rebecca L. J. Coral Escalante and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reproductive management is an important factor for improving reproductive efficiency in the dairy industry. Reproductive efficiency affects the profitability of the dairy herd by decreasing days not pregnant and increasing milk produced in a cow's lifetime. There are many reproductive programs used to synchronize the estrous cycle. Prostaglandin F2[alpha] (PGF2[alpha])-based programs synchronize estrus before artificial insemination (AI) after observed estrus. Some disadvantages to PGF2[alpha]-based reproductive programs are time requirements necessary for estrus detection (2 to 3 times/d for about 30 min) and lack of estrus activity observed in dairy cows (only about 40% will show estrus). An advantage to PGF2[alpha]-based reproductive programs is acceptable conception rates (about 45 to 60%) that can surpass timed AI (TAI). Reproductive programs that employ TAI are achieved by synchronization of ovulation with a series of PGF2[alpha] and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) injections followed by insemination 16 h later. Some of the advantages to synchronization of ovulation followed by TAI are: no estrus detection and acceptable conception rates (40 to 50%). Many reproductive programs include a presynchronization step. The advantage to presynchronization is a tightened synchrony by getting more cows and heifers in the same stage of the estrous cycle before estrous synchronization and AI or TAI. There are a variety of presynchronization methods used in cattle. One of the most common programs is two injections of PGF2[alpha] 14 d apart 12 d before initiation of Ovsynch (d 0 GnRH, 7 d, PGF2[alpha], 56 h, GnRH, 16 h, TAI) (Moreira et al., 2001). Another is double Ovsynch where the Ovsynch program is administered 7 d before another Ovsynch program (Giordano et al., 2012). Long-term progestogens can also be used as a means to presynchronize the estrous cycle and has been successful in beef cows and heifers. Long term progestogens, such as a CIDR (controlled internal drug release) for 14 d, will suppress estrus, inhibit ovulation, and induce the development of a persistent dominant follicle that can ovulate after CIDR removal (Ahmad et al., 1995; Revah and Butler, 1996; Roche et al., 1999). Ovulation of the dominant follicle allows for cows and heifers to be late in the luteal stage of the estrous cycle before PGF2[alpha] and AI or PGF2[alpha], 56 h, GnRH, 16 h, TAI. Presynchronization has shown to decrease the days to pregnancy. This is an advantage because it will directly affect the number of days a cow is not pregnant and the amount of milk she will produce in her lifetime. The objective of this research was to evaluate pregnancies per AI, ovarian follicular and luteal development of postpartum dairy cows and dairy heifers in response to long term progestin-based programs (14dCIDR) compared with PGF2[alpha]-based programs. Experiment 1 (Chapter 2) evaluated the use of a 14dCIDR-PGF2[alpha] program to a PGF2[alpha]-alone program for synchronizing dairy heifers before AI. Heifers were examined by real-time ultrasonography during treatment to assess the ovarian response. Heifers were also monitored for estrus following presynchronization and treatment of PGF2[alpha] to assess ovulation response. The 14dCIDR-PGF2[alpha] system resulted in more heifers with a larger CL at the time of PGF2[alpha]. This is ideal because of the greater luteolytic effects of PGF2[alpha] has on a more mature CL. The 14dCIDR-PGF2[alpha] heifers were AI and became pregnant sooner compared with the PGF2[alpha]-alone heifers. Experiment 2 (Chapter 3) evaluated the use of a 14dCIDR_TAI program compared with a PGF2[alpha]-based program in grazing dairy cows. The 14dCIDR_TAI program employed synchronization of ovulation before TAI and the PGF2[alpha]-based program employed synchronization of estrus with AI after observed estrus. The evaluation of reproductive efficiency for each program was examined. Cows assigned to the 14dCIDR_TAI program were AI early in the breeding season and were all AI by the end the breeding season compared with the PGF2[alpha]-based program. The PGF2[alpha]-based program had a greater first service conception rate (FSCR) compared with the 14dCIDR_TAI program but did not achieve a greater number of pregnancies after two inseminations. Experiment 3 (Chapter 4) evaluated the use of a 14dCIDR_TAI program compared with another common TAI program (Presynch-Oysynch56) in postpartum lactating dairy cows. Follicular dynamics and luteal development were monitored in both programs. Each program was evaluated for effectiveness to presynchronize the estrous cycle and establish pregnancy. The 14dCIDR_TAI and the Presynch-Ovsynch56 programs were comparable in their effectiveness to presynchronize the estrous cycle and establish pregnancy in cows that were cycling. Non-cycling cows treated with the Presynch-Ovsynch56 program had lesser conception rate compared with those that were cycling. There was no difference in conception rate with non-cycling or cycling cows treated with the 14dCIDR_TAI. Experiment 4 (Chapter 5) evaluated the use of the 14dCIDR_TAI program with or without PGF2[alpha] at CIDR removal. It is possible for cows to still have a CL after the end of the 14dCIDR treatment either due to longer estrous cycles or the cow was early in her estrous cycle when the CIDR was inserted. The addition of PGF2[alpha] may help improve the synchrony and conception rates after presynchronization of the estrous cycle before TAI. The addition of the PGF2[alpha] at CIDR removal demonstrated an increase in the number of cows that showed estrus after presynchronization but conception rates were comparable. Overall, the use of the 14dCIDR as means to presynchronize the estrous cycle has been demonstrated as an effective way to enhance the synchrony and decrease the interval to pregnancy in dairy cows and heifers.

Download or read book Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants VII written by M. C. Lucy and published by Nottingham University Press. This book was released on 2011-02-01 with total page 637 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The combined work of eminent scientists in the field, this compilation contains the latest information on ruminant nutrition from the eighth annual International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium. With discussions on how to improve reproduction by applying nutrition and physiology, this collection spotlights the recent advances regarding the ruminant genome and includes chapters about specific animals, including the dairy buffalo, camel, and reindeer.

Download or read book Bovine Reproduction written by Richard M. Hopper and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-08-18 with total page 2206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bovine Reproduction is a comprehensive, current reference providing information on all aspects of reproduction in the bull and cow. Offering fundamental knowledge on evaluating and restoring fertility in the bovine patient, the book also places information in the context of herd health where appropriate for a truly global view of bovine theriogenology. Printed in full color throughout, the book includes 83 chapters and more than 550 images, making it the most exhaustive reference available on this topic. Each section covers anatomy and physiology, breeding management, and reproductive surgery, as well as obstetrics and pregnancy wastage in the cow. Bovine Reproduction is a welcome resource for bovine practitioners, theriogenologists, and animal scientists, as well as veterinary students and residents with an interest in the cow.

Download or read book Current Therapy in Large Animal Theriogenology E Book written by Robert S. Youngquist and published by Elsevier Health Sciences. This book was released on 2006-11-23 with total page 1088 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An essential resource for both students and practitioners, this comprehensive text provides practical, up-to-date information about normal reproduction and reproductive disorders in horses, cattle, small ruminants, swine, llamas, and other livestock. Featuring contributions from experts in the field, each section is devoted to a different large animal species and begins with a review of the clinically relevant aspects of the reproductive anatomy and physiology of both males and females. Key topics include the evaluation of breeding soundness, pregnancy diagnosis, diagnosis and treatment of infertility, abortion, obstetrics, surgery of the reproductive tract, care of neonates, and the latest reproductive technology. Includes coverage of all large animal species. All sections provide a review of clinically pertinent reproductive physiology and anatomy of males and females of each species. Complete coverage of the most current reproductive technology, including embryo transfer, estrous synchronization, and artificial insemination. A new section on alternative farming that addresses reproduction in bison, elk, and deer. New to the equine section: stallion management, infertility, and breeding soundness evaluation. New to the bovine section: estrous cycle synchronization, reproductive biotechnology, ultrasonographic determination of fetal gender, heifer development, and diagnosis of abortion. New to the porcine section: artificial insemination, boar/stud management, diseases of postpartum period, and infectious disease control. New to the llama section: infectious disease and nutrition.