click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
vet. terminology
reproductive and genetic terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
abortion | premature expulsion of a fetus, either by nature or intent |
afterbirth | placenta and fetal membranes expelled from uterus in parturition |
albino | genetic trait causing lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and irises of the eye |
alter | to neuter a male animal |
artificial insemination | introduction of semen into the uterus by other than natural means |
billy goat | male goat |
bitch | female dog |
boar | male pig |
breed (n.) | group of related animals similar enough to produce similar offspring |
breed (v.) | to supervise the sexual propagation of animals |
brood | offspring from one hatching of a bird’s eggs |
broody | hen sitting on eggs |
buck | male deer, goat, rabbit, or kangaroo |
bull | male of various large mammals, especially cattle |
bullock | castrated bull or steer |
calf | bovine younger than one year |
capon | neutered rooster |
castration | removal of the testicles; neutering a male animal |
Cesarean section | removal of unborn young by surgical incision into the uterus |
chick | young bird, especially a chicken |
chromosome | bodies within the cell nucleus that store genetic information |
clutch | group of eggs laid at one time by a bird |
cob | male swan |
cock | male chicken older than one year |
cockerel | male chicken younger than one year |
colostrum | protein- and antibody-rich milk secreted by the mother after giving birth |
colt | male horse before maturity |
congenital | condition existing at birth but not hereditary |
cow | female of various large animals, especially cattle |
cur | mixed-breed dog of little value |
cygnet | young swan |
dam | female parent |
doe | adult female goat or deer |
drake | male duck |
duckling | young duck |
embryo | undeveloped fetus; the young in an early stage of development |
entire | unneutered |
estrus | time of reproductive cycle when the female is receptive to mating |
ewe | female sheep of breeding age |
fertilization | union of the sperm and egg |
fetus | unborn developing animal |
filly | female horse under four years old |
fledgling | young bird just learning to fly |
foal | young or newborn horse |
gander | male goose |
gelding | neutered male horse |
gene | part of chromosomes carrying hereditary information |
genitalia | part of the reproductive anatomy |
gestation period | time between conception and birth of an offspring |
gilt | young female pig |
gobbler | male turkey |
gosling | young goose |
gravid | pregnant; containing developing young |
heat | estrus condition |
heifer | young cow |
hereditary | transmissible from parent to offspring; genetically determined |
inguinal hernia | protrusion of tissue through inguinal canals of males |
jack | male donkey; jackass |
jenny | female donkey |
kid | young goat |
kitten | young cat |
lamb | young sheep |
litter | several offspring from one birth, especially in mammals |
mammary glands | glands of female mammals that secrete milk after parturition |
mare | female horse four years or older |
miscarriage | expulsion of underdeveloped fetus |
monestrous | having one estrus period per year |
mongrel | mixed-breed dog; a mutt |
nanny goat | female goat |
neonate | newborn animal |
nest | structure made or place chosen for breeding or laying eggs |
neuter | removal of the reproductive organs |
nuptial plumage | brilliant mating-season plumage exhibited by some birds, usually males |
oviparous | animals whose eggs develop outside the mother’s body |
ovoviviparous | animals whose eggs develop within the mother’s oviduct |
parturition | process of giving birth |
pen | female swan |
piglet | young pig |
placenta | organ within the gravid uterus, expelled after birthing |
polyestrous | having more than one estrous period per year |
pouch | fold of skin for carrying young on abdomen of female marsupial |
pregnancy | condition in which offspring develop in the female uterus |
prepuce | protective sheath covering the penis |
pullet | female chicken younger than one year |
pup | young dog or seal |
queen | mature, entire female cat used for breeding |
ram | male, entire, sexually mature sheep (about six months of age or older) |
rooster | male chicken |
shoat | pig under one year old |
sire | male parent of any quadruped, especially a horse |
sow | female pig |
spay | to remove the ovaries and uterus; to neuter a female animal |
squab | fledgling pigeon |
stag | male deer |
stallion | male horse |
steer | neutered bull |
stud | male horse used for breeding |
tom | male cat or turkey |
umbilical cord | vessel connecting the fetus to the placenta |
vagina | female passage for copulation and birthing |
viviparous | giving birth to live young developed in the uterus |
vixen | female fox |
wether | neutered ram or billy goat |
whelp (noun) | the young of a dog |
whelp (verb) | giving birth to, said especially of dogs |