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Introduction to Breeding

Animal Breeding

Pensacola Jr College

Where does breeding fit in life?

w First, animals meet basic survival needs

w Reproduction is next on the list, assures “immortality” of its genetic material

w Thus, must meet basic needs of animal first

Vertebrate Reproduction Overview

What is studied?

w Sperm / egg production:

•   Reproductive organs

•   Hormonal control / cycles

•   Secondary sex organs

w Fertilization:

•   Sperm / egg characteristics

•   Medium

•   Fertilization process

•   Genetics

What is studied? (cont’d)

w Embryo development:

•   Cell division

•   Differentiation

•   Placentation (mammals)

w Hatching / birth:

•   Shell / amnion characteristics

•   Triggers to hatching

•   Triggers to parturition

What is studied? (cont’d)

w Offspring development:

•   Cell division and specialization

•   Lactation (mammals)

•   Sexual maturation and mating

w Normal reproduction vs. problems with the system

w Modification of reproduction

Why study animal reproduction?

w Complete understanding of animals under your care

w Understand physiology to sustain captive population

w Control repro processes:

•   Increase reproductive potential

•   Control genetic traits

How do we investigate animal reproduction?

w Utilize the scientific method of investigation in research!!

Scientific Method

w Observations

w Form hypothesis

•   educated guess of results

w Design experiment

•   Experimental / control groups

w Collect data

w Analyze results

w Draw conclusions

What are zoos doing?

w   We will investigate this through daily relevant class abstracts, plus your semester assignments

w   WOWs:

•        National Zoo Genome Banking

•        CRES current examples