The Role of Hormones in the Regulation of animal reproduction and behaviour

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Hormones are chemical messagesof the body and control the animals growth and development its physiology and behaviour. Hormones are produced by specialised glands
which make up the endrocrine systemand are sent in the blood to control different parts of the body.
The pitruitary gland at the base of the brain is the controlcentre for the endrocrine system.
Hormones have a major effect on
Growth
Development
Shape of the Animal
Metabolic rate
Blood pressure
Digestion
Behaviour
Reproduction (the oestrus cycle and pregnancy)
Milk Production
Hormones involoved in reproduction of animals include

Endocrine
gland
Anterior
Pituitary

Hormone

Function

FSH
Stimulates growth and development of the follicles in the ovary
(Follicle Stimulating
Hormone)
LH
Causes mature follicles to rupture. The ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum
(Luteinising Hormone)
Prolactin

Maintains lactation

Posterior
Pituitary

Oxytocin

Stimulates the letdown of milk. Also stimulates muscular contraction of the uterus at birth

Ovaries

Oestrogen
Progesterone
Relaxin

Stimulation of oestrus or heat so that the female will accept the male. Also promotes growth of the uterus and mammary glands
Produced by the corpus luteum. Maintains pregnancy and stimulates the development of the wall of the uterus. Prevents oestrus and
ovulation by inhibiting FSH production
Causes pelvic ligaments to relax at birth

Interaction of hormones in the female reproduction:

Female reproductive organs work in repetitive cycles called oestrous cycles

Length of time of cycle differs between species and the female will accept the male for only a limited period of time during each cycle - at this time, the female is said

to be in oestrus (on heat)

Example length of oestrus cycle for a cow is 21 days and the heat period lasts for 18 hours
Ovulation occurs just after the heat period this is important for A.I. because heat detection by the manager can be followed by successful insemination of the animal
The male reproductive system
The male sex gland = testes (these produce one main hormone testosterone)
Production of testosterone is constant after puberty and is responsible for:
- Development of the sexual organs and glands
- Later stages of sperm production (spermatogenesis)
- Regulating libido
- Typical behaviour of male animals (i.e. makes them more aggressive and difficult to handle as they tend to fight and have a need to determine their dominance. This is one
of the reasons farmers tend to castrate non-breeding animals)
- Increasing production of muscle and bone (which means the animal can grow faster and have greater strength compared to females and castrated males) males with
testes have thicker bones and heavier neck, forequarters and head compared to castrated males (whether for sheep and steer for cattle.)
- Body composition differences between castrated and entire males entire males are leaner compared to castrated males therefore meat from mature entire males tends to
become tough due to a lack of intramuscular fat
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