Page 162 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Small ova

Mature ovum

Magnum
Infundibulum

Isthmus Incomplete egg

Rudimentary right oviduct Uterus

Vagina
Cloaca
Figure 7.4: Reproductive system of a female chicken (hen)

Activity 7.1
Perfom the following tasks in groups:
1. Through library search, find out the similarities and/or differences in
reproductive systems of other farm animals with that of cattle and poultry and
their implication in breeding.
2. Summarise your responses and present them in class.

Reproductive cycles in relation to breeding in livestock

Reproductive cycle in farm animals refers to the physiological changes in the
reproductive organs from time of fertilisation of the ovum through gestation
to parturition. It relates to various developmental stages of the animal and its
physiological changes including growth, puberty or sexual maturity, oestrus cycle,
postpartum sexual activity and aging. These stages and changes are controlled by
genetic, environmental, physiological, hormonal, behavioural and psychosocial
factors.

Growth and maturity
A newly born animal is not capable of producing egg or sperm. It grows, increases

in size and develops various body organs and systems to an age when it is said to
be sexually mature. At this age, it is said to have reached puberty and under normal
health condition, it starts producing eggs (for females) or sperms (for males). Table
7.1 shows the age at puberty for some farm animals.

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Student’
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