HANDOUT
Topic # 3116
GOATS: BREEDING
Created by Lora Sommers
GLOSSARY of terms from www.msue.msu.edu/agriscience
Anestrous -- Condition a female enters when she is without an estrous cycle or heat
period.
Breeding Soundness Evaluation -- A systematic evaluation of semen and physical
characteristics of the male.
Conception rate -- The rate or percentage of animals becoming pregnant.
Estrogen -- A hormone produced by the ovaries of the female which influences the
development of secondary female characteristics.
F1 -- The first offspring from two genetically different parents.
Fertility Tested -- A test to determine if a male animal is fertile.
Flushed -- Giving an animal extra feed and care prior to breeding.
Grade animal -- An animal having non-purebred ancestors.
Heterosis -- Obvious vigor or capacity for growth often shown by crossbred animals.
Hybrid vigor -- The extra growth capacity contributed to hybrid animals because of the
crossbreeding factor.
Lactation -- The secretion and production of milk.
Ovulation -- A discharge of eggs from the ovary.
Parturition -- Giving birth to young.
Placenta -- The vascular organ in mammals that unites the fetus to the uterus.
Progeny -- Offspring of animals.
Puberty -- The age at which an animal reaches sexual maturity.
Progesterone -- A hormone produced by the ovaries that prepares and maintains the
female reproductive tract in pregnancy.
Standing Heat -- A period during estrus (heat period) in which the female will stand and
accept the male.
Speculum -- A round, sturdy tube.
Testosterone -- A hormone located in the testes of bulls.