STOCKSCH 397B Lecture Notes - Flehmen Response, Agonistic Behaviour, Incest
21 Apr 2014
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Sheep: ewe cycle during the fall, estrus 30-36 hours. Begin fighting (head clashes) before ewes in estrus sexual contests winner breeds most ewes: courtship, ram sniff ewe"s genitalia and may urinate (flehmen response, can discriminate between estrus and non-estrus ewe. Ram kicks ewe as he orients himself behind ewe: after intromission and dismount, ram may sniff ewe"s vulva, appear depressed, and stand near ewe with head down, clinical problems. Before 5-6 years old, live in bachelor herds. 85% mares in foal to stallion of band: other 15% bred by bachelor stallion or stallion from another band, incest unusual in bands, mares leave bands when sexually mature. Stolen by a stallion or herd stallion replaced by young stallion: mare, sexually receptive for 4-6 days. Ovulate while still showing signs of sexual receptivity. Foal heat 5-18 days after foaling, they will come into sexual receptivity: clinical problems, seasonal breeders transitional periods with irregular cycles.
