III.

Puberty
Puberty can be defined as the moment when the reproductive system enters into function for the
first time.
Question: Do you think that if animals are bred at puberty, most of them will have difficulties
with parturition?
It involves a series of functional, physical and behavioural changes.
Puberty appears under the influence of increased secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones
( that is FSH and LH);
Function: these gonadotropins trigger the maturation of gametes in the gonads and cause an
increased synthesis of sex-specific hormones.
Under the influence of male or female sex hormones, the growth of the genitals is strongly
stimulated and they become functional; at the same time, various extra-genital secondary sexual
characteristics develop and the male or female takes on the morphological characteristics and
behaviour of their sex.
In general, males have a more developed musculoskeletal system which they use in the fight for
living space, for the conquest of the partner and for the defense of the offspring. Testosterone is
the main hormone that conditions the development of the muscles. In females, the pelvis is wider
and this characteristic is very important for parturition.
Among the secondary sexual characteristics of domestic animals, we should particularly mention:
the crest in the Rooster, the beard in the goat, the significant development of the neck in the bull,
the boar's tusks.
Question: What other secondary sexual characteristics do you know?
At the time of puberty in the female, the udder develops under the action of estrogen,
progesterone and prolactin. Estrogens more particularly induce the differentiation of the
excretory channels of the mammary gland. The udder, however, acquires its specific functional
activity only at the end of gestation. In various species, such as goats, milk secretion can be
triggered experimentally by injecting estrogen.
III.1 Mechanisms triggering puberty
A) In males
LH stimulates the maturation of Leydig cells which produce testosterone, which in turn
induces the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, the development of
Sertoli cells and seminiferous ducts leading to spermatogenesis.
FSH increases the effects of LH
B) In the female
As in the male, there is production of the hypothalamic-pituitary hormones FSH and LH.
FSH stimulates the onset of maturation of the follicles, which release estrogen. These in turn
promote the development of female primary and secondary sexual characteristics.
The combined effects of FSH and LH successively cause ovulation and the formation of the
corpus luteum which then produces progesterone. Hence, puberty is the result of a process
started from the fetal or even embryonic stage.
III.2 Manifestations of puberty and age of appearance of puberty
Puberty is manifested by histophysiological, morphological and behavioural changes, notably
with the production of gametes (sperm and ova) and the appearance of the sexual reflex. The
most easily identifiable changes are in the genital tract and behaviourally.
Question: Sexual maturity
The age of onset of puberty is variable depending on internal (genetic) and external
(environment) factors.
Question: example of genetic factors
The age of puberty in some domestic animals
Horse 12-18 months
Cattle 8-15 months
Sheep/goat 5-10 months
Pig 5-8 months
Dog 7-11 months
Rabbit (Small breeds) 3.5- 5 months
(Medium breeds) 4-6 months
(Large breeds) 5-8 months

III.3 Importance of puberty in animal production

Puberty is an important element of gestation in reproductive management; hence constitute an
important event for reproduction to occur. A good puberty management helps to prevent early
mating and hence early gestation.
Recommended mating age (sexual maturity) in some domestic animals
Horse 36 months
Cattle 20-24 months
Sheep/goat 12-18 months
Pig 7-9 months
Rabbit 6-8 months

III.4 The sexual cycle (oestral cycle and menstrual cycle)

The sexual cycle characterizes a period of histological, morphological, physiological and
behavioural changes in the reproductive system of the female. That is heat appears in the normal
female in regular cycles.
Two types of cycles can be distinguished: the estral cycle and the menstrual cycle.
The estral cycle is characterized by the periodic appearance of oestrus behaviour or acceptance of
the male.
For the menstrual cycle, the cyclic activity of the ovaries is manifested by the periodic
appearance of uterine bleeding or menstruation. Oestrus and menstruation respectively
characterize the start of the estral cycle and menstrual cycle.
III.4.1. Phases of the estral cycle
There are four phases in the estral cycle: proestrus, oestrus, metoestrus and dioestrus.
The major characteristics of each phase are as follows.
 Proestrus or follicular phase or preparation of oestrus.
The main phenomena of this phase include:
- the growth of follicles in the ovaries;
- the level of estrogen increases in the blood while the concentration of progesterone
decreases
 Oestrus or rut or heat phase This phase is characterized by the completion of follicular
growth and the formation of Degraaf follicles.
- the level of FSH is at its peak in the blood;
- hypersecretion;
- hyperplasia (increase in size of organ due to increased number of cells);
- hyperesthesia (peristaltic contractions of the oviduct and antiperistaltic of the uterus)
- Opening of the cervix.
- Ovulation takes place during or at the end of the oestrus in species with spontaneous
ovulation;
- Behaviorally, the female searches for and accepts the male for mating (acceptance phase
of the male).
The oestrus phase is of great practical importance in animal production, since it is relatively
detectable by simple observation.
- The vulva and vagina become congested with blood
- Mounting other animals
 Metoestrus or postoestrus
In the ovary, there is formation and functioning of the corpus luteum. The uterus is in a pro-
gravid state characterized by:
- hyperplasia;
- hypertrophy;
- Reduction and cessation of contractions;
- Closure of the cervix
 Dioestrus or anoestrus
This phase of sexual rest evolves in two possible directions depending on whether or not
fertilization has taken place:
a) If no fertilization occurs, the yellow body becomes a yellow body of the cycle (cyclic yellow
body) and therefore regresses for a new sexual cycle to restart. To this, is added the regression of
hyperplasia, hypersecretion, hypertrophy observed;
b) If fertilization occurs, the yellow body is maintained and becomes a gestation body called a
gravid yellow body (Corpus luteum gravidi), which remains in place for the duration of
gestation. In this case, the phenomena of hyperplasia, hypertrophy, especially in the uterus are
accentuated.
The oestrus cycle differs from the menstrual cycle by the fact that:
- the female has no bleeding because the uterine lining is reabsorbed by the uterus.
 - the female is also much more sensitive to the environment (light, temperature) which
triggers phases of sexual activity.
- the behaviour of the female during such a phase is much more pronounced than for a
female having a menstrual cycle.
Ovulation???????
Some reproductive characteristics
Species/Criteria Cow Ewe Sow Mare
Length of 18 – 24 (average 16 – 18 19 - 22 (average 18 - 24
oestrus cycles 21) (average 17) 21)
(days)
Length of 12-18 hours 29 hours 18 - 48 4 - 9 days
Oestrus
Time of 11 hours after Late oestrus 35 - 45 hours 36 - 48 hours before
ovulation oestrus after start of end of oestrus
oestrus
Length of 9 months (282 5 months (148 3 months 3 11 months (335
Pregnancy days) days) weeks 3 days days)
( 115 days)

III.4.2. Types of estral cycles

This is classified depending on the number of cycles per year:
- Polyoestrus: animals with a continuous estral cycle, without interruption during the year (cow,
pigs, rodents, rabbits ...);
Seasonal polyestrus
In this species, cycles occur during a certain time of the year
 Long day breeders: cycles when day length increases e.g mare
 Short day breeders: begin cycles when day length decreases e.g goat and sheep
- Bioestrus 2 cycles per year (Dogs)
- Monoestrus 1 cycle per year; (Wolves, foxes)
- Seasonal cycles (breeding season). The sexual cycles are concentrated at one time, in a given
season of the year. This is common in wildlife.
IV. Coupling
The entry into function of the reproductive system induces a certain number of behavioural
manifestations called sexual behaviour or sexual ritual. Sexual behaviour presents particularities
specific to the different species, but with fundamental characteristics which can be summarized in
the following order:
- Sexual impulse (libido) or sexual excitement or sexual appetite
- Mutual search for partners using different characteristics: visual, auditory and olfactory signals.
- Formation of the couple and the matrimonial regime or sex ratio under which there is:
• couple formed once for a life time male / female e.g. pigeon
• couple formed during sexual season with separation afterwards (seasonal couple); GIVE
THREE EXAMPLES
• several partners changing from one moment to another and at random meetings; GIVE ONE
EXAMPLE
• one male for all the females of a given territory, demarcated using urine, droppings ... harem,
polygamy. GIVE TWO EXAMPLES
- Phase of exchange of information and mutual tactile excitement: caresses, olfactory: scent,
emission, odorous bodies, pheromone).
- Behaviour of sexual displays or courtship.
- Synchronization of behaviour and adoption of reciprocal postures favouring mating
- Sexual act or coitus or mating.
For mating to be successful in males, a certain number of phases are involved: erection,
intromission and ejaculation
Erection characterizes the change in shape, volume, consistency, rigidity and hardness of the
penis in order to promote its intromission in the vagina
The intromission is the act of introducing the penis into the vagina. It is characterized by the
number of times and the duration.
The number of times: once and several times (back and forth movements)
Duration: few seconds; few minutes up to 30 minutes or more with long retention of the penis in
the vagina (boar and dog)
Ejaculation characterizes the pressurized and jerky expulsion of semen out of the male genital
tract into the female genital tract.