Female reproductive physiology and endocrinology of cattle.
Maximizing reproductive efficiency is of major economic importance to dairy and beef producers. The development of new and improved methods of increasing reproductive performance depends on our understanding of the physiologic and endocrinologic mechanisms controlling the reproductive process. This article reviews the mechanisms associated with puberty, estrous cycles, pregnancy, parturition, and postpartum return to estrus.
Garverick
H A
HA
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
Smith
M F
MF
D000780:Anestrus / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology