Prospects for Controlling Reproductive Processes in Cattle, Sheep, and Swine from Recent Findings in Reproduction

Abstract

Recent advances in understanding of physiological mechanisms controlling reproduction have led to procedures which may be adaptable to commercial management of reproduction in cattle, swine, and sheep. Procedures which may be useful for altering age at puberty, controlling time of estrus and ovulation, detecting estrus, diagnosing pregnancy, controlling time of parturition and reducing the period of postpartum or seasonal anestrus were reviewed. Examples are cited as to how such procedures may improve reproductive efficiency, and factors which may affect responses to such treatment are identified.