Oestrous cycle Flashcards
What is oestrus?
When a female is receptive to courtship and copulation with a male.
What is the length of a sheep’s oestrous cycle?
17 days
What are the lengths of hogs, cattle and horses oestrous cycle?
21 days
What can interrupt oestrous cycles?
Pregnancy or anoestrus
What are gonads?
Primary sex organs
Male: Testis
Female: Ovary
What is a zygote?
Cell produced by fusion of sperm and ovum
What is another word for oestrous?
Heat
What is polyoestrous?
When an organism goes into heat several times a year, have more than one oestrous cycle in a season.
What are short-day breeders?
Sexually active in autumn/winter. e.g deer, sheep, goats and elk
What are long-day breeders?
Sexually active in spring/summer e.g. hamsters, horses and ferrets.
What is dioestrous?
Go into heat twice a year.
What is monooestrous?
Only have one oestrous cycle per year - usually spring time in order to aid survival of young e.g. bears, wolves and foxes.
What organisms don’t have an oestrous cycle?
Rabbits
What cycle does a female human have?
Menstrual cycle
What defines puberty in female animals?
Age at first oestrous
Age at first ovulation
Age at which pregnancy can be supported
