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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 |