- How to detect if a cow is in estrus?
This can be visualized when the cow allows other animals in the herd to mount her while she is still standing (SUNUPTV). This can be aided by placing an artificial marker on the cow, which will indicate whether she has been ridden.
- Describe the steps involved when practicing artificial insemination. What is an advantage of artificial insemination? How can semen be stored or preserved?
The semen are obtained from the storage unit, which in this case is the nitrogen-holding tank. Remove the semen by using a straw. The straw used should be shaken to ensure that excess liquid nitrogen is removed. The semen are then quickly placed in a prepared thermos containing warm water for about 45 seconds. Prepare the artificial insemination gun and be ready to inseminate. The glove to be used should be lubricated. The A.I gun is wrapped in a clean dry paper towel and held close to the human body to be able to maintain the constant temperature (SUNUPTV). The tail of the cow is tied up to prevent it from interfering with the A.I process. The vulva of the cow is then cleaned to remove manure or any debris. Unwrapping of the gun is done and then it is inserted at 30 degrees angle into the cow’s vulva. This is done after inserting the left hand first. The left hand is used to locate the end of the gun to the cervix. The left hand is used to hold the cervix while the thread of the gun is inserted through it. Ensure that the thread of the gun is inserted about a quarter inch into the uterus. The plunger of the gun is then pressed depositing the semen in the uterus.
An advantage of artificial insemination is that it allows one to inseminate first calf cows with semen from a bull that produces calf of light birth weight, which contributes to reducing calving difficulty. Additionally growth rate of calves can be increased by using traits that are obtained from bulls that cannot be artificially purchased. Semen can be stored in a nitrogen tank (SUNUPTV).
- Primary structures of the female reproductive tract
These include the vulva, urethra, ovary, cervix, oviducts, and the vagina.
- Primary structures of the male reproductive tract of a bull
These include the testes, the scrotum, spermatic cord, and urethra.
- Two concepts that where interesting
One of the concepts that were intriguing was the fact that rapid change in temperature destroys semen. The second interesting concept was that nitrogen tank used in the preservation of semen could be used for a long time if there is proper maintenance (SUNUPTV).
Works Cited
SUNUPTV. “Artificial Insemination for Cattle.” Oklahoma State University. YouTube Web 16
Mar. 2010.
SUNUPTV. “Nitrogen Tank Handling.” Oklahoma State University. YouTube Web 16 Mar.
2010.
SUNUPTV. “Artificial Insemination for Cattle.” Oklahoma State University. YouTube Web 09
Apr. 2010.
