This glossary provides a comprehensive listing of terms used in cattle breeding technologies and throughout this book.

Where a word is bolded, it indicates that it is cross-referenced elsewhere in the glossary. AB ABV Artificial Breeding. Australian Breeding Value. A proven bull has ABVs for many traits, including milk, fat and protein production. For example, a bull with a high ABV value for milk will be expected to pass on genes for high milk production to his offspring. ad libitum = freely (so ad lib feeding means feeding to full appetite). Hormone produced by the small adrenal glands (situated near the kidneys) and released in response to fright, excitement or anger. It can slow down or stop the normal contractions of the uterus after AI, lowering conception rate. Artificial Insemination. Insertion of semen into the uterus by a technician. Different versions of the same gene. The building blocks of proteins, which are essential components of all living organisms. There are 20 different amino acids. The order in which these amino acids are strung together is specified by genes. Hormone which promotes the development of male sexual characteristics eg. testosterone. When the animal is not cycling. Part of the pituitary gland in the brain responsible for the release of hormones such as FSH and LH. Substances that kill bacteria. Substances in the blood (either normally present or stimulated by vaccination) which help to protect the animal from disease. Substances which stimulate the production of antibodies. Fluid filled cavity in the follicle which develops in the ovary as the follicle grows from a small primordial follicle to an antral follicle. Not sexual. Australian Selection Index. Combines protein, fat and milk volume into one value, using the formula ASI = 3 x protein + 1 x milk 0.03 x milk. See SI (Selection Index). Cross of a hybrid from the first generation with one of its parents. Present in nucleotides in DNA and RNA. Can be either adenine, guanine, cystine and thymine (in RNA thymine is replaced by uracil). Adenine pairs with thymine/ uracil and cystine pairs with guanine. Pairing of these bases is critical for the translation of genetic messages. Bovine Leukemia Adhesion Deficiency. Potentially fatal genetic disease of cattle. A fluid-filled cavity in an embryo that defines its development into a blastocyst. Embryo that has reached a particular stage of development. This stage is usually reached 67 days after fertilisation (78 days after heat in cows). At this stage the embryo usually contains over 100 cells. It is defined by the development of a fluidfilled cavity called a blastocoele. The blastocyst stage follows the morula stage in embryo development. Individual cells that make up the embryo.

ad lib. Adrenalin

AI Allele Amino acids

Androgen Anoestrus Anterior Pituitary Antibiotic Antibodies Antigens Antrum Asexual ASI Backcross Bases

BLAD Blastocoele Blastocyst

Blastomeres

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Cattle Breeding Technologies

Capacitation

Maturation of sperm. This process is necessary before the sperm is capable of fertilising the egg. It occurs naturally in the female genital tract but in IVF is induced with chemicals. An animal carrying a disease but showing no symptoms. In the case of genetic diseases the carrier has one recessive gene that is masked by a normal dominant gene. A major protein in milk. There are three different forms of this protein alpha, beta and kappa casein. The fourth milk protein is called beta-lactoglobulin. The basic structure of all living things. It consists of a nucleus containing genetic material surrounded by cytoplasm. The nucleus and cytoplasm together are called protoplasm, which is surrounded by a plasma membrane. Organism composed of two or more genetically different tissues from the same or different species. Thread-like structure within the nucleus of a cell that carries genes. Both chromosomes and genes are made up of DNA. Chromosomes are present in constant numbers in each species (e.g. 30 pairs in cattle, 23 pairs in humans). Controlled Intra-uterine Releasing Device. Device inserted into the vagina which releases progesterone into the cow. Heat is synchronised on removal. Division of the fertilised egg into smaller cells, or blastomeres. Genetically identical animals or plants. Cumulus Oocyte Complex. Oocyte surrounded by cumulus cell layers. Part of a gene within a chromosome which specifies the production of a protein. The arrangement of three adjacent nucleotides (triplet code) within a gene that determines a particular amino acid (part of a protein). Milk produced by the mother just before and after giving birth. It contains high levels of nutrients and antibodies which give immunity (protection against certain diseases) to the newborn. Fertilisation. The union of the egg and sperm A structure which develops from the corpus luteum if pregnancy is not established. The structure (yellow body) formed on the ovary after the release of the egg from the follicle. It secretes progesterone which is critical for the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy. Ear implant used to release progesterone into the cow. Heat is synchronised on removal. Growing embryos, tissues, etc. in the laboratory. Artificial medium (salt solution) for the development of embryos, tissues, etc. Cells surrounding the oocyte. They are required for fertilisation. Living substance of cells minus the nucleus. Fault or imperfection. The sugar present in nucleotides of DNA (the D of DNA). Process of change in cells, tissues or organs during development.

Carrier animal

Casein Cell

Chimera Chromosome

CIDR Cleavage Clone COC Coding segment Codon Colostrum

Conception corpus albicans corpus luteum pl. corpora lutea Crestar Culture Culture medium Cumulus cells Cytoplasm Defect Deoxyribose Differentiation

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Diploid

The normal number of chromosomes in cells after fertilisation (60 in cattle). After fertilisation the chromosomes from the sperm and the egg which each contain a haploid number (which is 30 in cattle), pair up to give 30 pairs or 60 chromosomes. DeoxyriboNucleic Acid. The basic unit of heredity. Genes consist of small pieces of DNA and can be thought of as links in a long chain of DNA, with the chain representing the chromosome. Each single chromosome consists of two strands of DNA which twist around each other to form a double helix. See Figure 1.3 in Chapter 1: Basic Genetics.

DNA

DNA Fingerprinting A process used to verify pedigrees or determine parentage of an animal. Dominant gene EBL EBV A gene for a particular trait that overrides the effect of an alternative recessive gene for that trait when both are present on the chromosome pair. Enzootic Bovine Leucosis. Disease of cattle causing an increased number of white blood cells (leucocytes). Estimated Breeding Value. Used to rank animals for a particular trait. ABVs (Australian Breeding Values) are EBVs specific to the dairy industry and the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS). If EBVs are calculated correctly they should be unbiased and should have a 50:50 chance of going up or down as more information is added. The beef industry uses EBVs for a number of growth traits, usually expressed in kg. See oocyte or ovum. Discharge of semen. Among the best for the trait desired e.g. milk, protein, meat. Stage of development after fertilisation of the egg, often referred to as a foetus following implantation. Embryo Multiplication and Transfer. A process whereby an embryo is multiplied many times, making many genetically identical embryos. Following transfer to recipients, a number of genetically identical individuals can result. This process is also called nuclear transfer or cloning. Produces hormones which travel in the blood and act on particular organs. A cell that has had its nucleus removed. Embryonic Stem cell. An undifferentiated cell within an embryo in the early stages of development which has the potential to develop into any tissue or cell type. Embryo Transfer. The process in which a female is treated so she sheds more eggs than usual, which are subsequently fertilised, flushed from the uterus and transferred to recipient females. The whole process is more correctly called Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer, or MOET. Prolific fertility. The capacity to produce a number of offspring. Process whereby the sperm penetrates the egg. The nuclei of each (called the pronuclei) fuse to form a zygote which develops into an embryo and then a new individual. Ability to produce offspring. Power of reproduction. Method of collecting embryos from the uterus. It is usually carried out seven days post-heat in cows (six days post-fertilisation). The stage of development following the embryo stage, with major organs beginning to form.
Cattle Breeding Technologies

Egg Ejaculate Elite Embryo EMT

Endocrine gland Enucleated cell ES cell ET

Fecundity Fertilisation

Fertility Flushing Foetus (Fetus)

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Follicle Follicle Aspiration FSH

Fluid-filled sac within the ovary containing a growing oocyte. Many thousands of follicles are present in each ovary. Method of collecting oocytes from follicles using a fine needle with suction. Follicle Stimulating Hormone. Hormone released from the brain (anterior pituitary) which stimulates growth of follicles in the ovary. Also plays a role in reproduction in the male. It can be injected into animals to cause superovulation in MOET. Reproductive cell. The female gamete is the egg (ovum or oocyte) and the male gamete is the sperm (spermatozoon). Special backing material used in the laboratory on which bands, representing specific genes, can be seen after PCR. Gel looks like a thin sheet of jelly. Genes consist of small pieces of DNA and can be thought of as links in a long chain of DNA, the whole of which is called the chromosome. Genes are responsible for the transfer of genetic information from parent to offspring. A single gene will often direct the production of a single protein. Single step in natural descent. The offspring of parents is considered a single step in descent (i.e. first generation). The way in which DNA determines the arrangement of amino acids in the production of proteins. The entire set of chromosomes (and genes) within a given species. Genetic make-up of an animal. The cells from which life starts. Female germ cells are ova (eggs) and male germ cells are spermatozoa (sperm). In cattle, these cells have 30 chromosomes (haploid) while all the other cells have 60 chromosomes (30 pairs of chromosomes; diploid). Pregnancy. Period from conception to birth. In the cow, it is approximately nine months. Cell or organ which secretes chemicals such as hormones. Sex gland. In the female it is the ovary and in the male the testis. Hormone produced in the brain (anterior pituitary) which acts on the gonads and is important for reproduction, e.g. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH) are the two most important gonadotrophins. One of the follicles within the ovary which grows larger than all the other follicles and releases the egg at ovulation. Cells surrounding the growing egg which help to control development of the follicle up to ovulation. Cell with a single set of chromosomes, e.g. gametes. In cattle the haploid number is 30. human Chorionic Gonadotrophin. Placental hormone of primates with similar actions to LH. Although it is produced in the placenta and not in the brain it is still called a gonadotrophin since it acts on the gonads. Oestrus. Time within the oestrous cycle when the female will mate the male, usually lasting one to two days and coinciding with ovulation.

Gamete Gel Gene

Generation Genetic code Genome Genotype Germ cells

Gestation Gland Gonad Gonadotrophin

Graafian follicle Granulosa cells Haploid cells hCG

Heat

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Heifer Hereditary (adj.) Heredity Heritability

A cow that has not produced a calf. Some farmers call cows with their first calf at foot first-calf heifers. Pertaining to a trait or factor passed from parents to offspring through the genes. The transfer of genetic traits or factors from parents to offspring. The degree to which a characteristic can be transmitted from parent to offspring e.g. milk production has a heritability of 25% which means that 25% of the variation in milk production in a herd is genetically controlled, and 75% is due to environmental factors. Heritability is expressed as a percentage. An animal is heterozygous for a certain characteristic when the two genes controlling that characteristic are different e.g. a heterozygous polled animal has one gene for polledness (P) and one gene for horns (p) i.e. Pp. Compare to homozygous where both genes are the same (PP or pp). In all cells except germ cells, chromosomes exist in pairs and the two members of each pair are homologous. An animal is homozygous for a certain characteristic when both genes controlling that characteristic are identical e.g. a homozygous polled animal has two genes for polledness i.e. PP. Compare to heterozygous (Pp). Chemicals which regulate and maintain various functions of the body. They are usually produced by endocrine glands and are carried in the blood to their site of action. Animal resulting from a cross between parents of very different genetic make-up. Hybrids (crossbreds) are usually more healthy and fertile than their parents, but if the parents are too dissimilar genetically their offspring will be sterile, e.g. crossing a horse and a donkey produces a sterile mule. An important controlling or master gland which lies at the base of the brain. It has a number of important functions concerned with hunger, thirst, body temperature, etc. It is important in reproduction since it secretes chemicals called releasing factors which direct the anterior pituitary gland (also in the brain) to secrete gonadotrophins, which act on the ovaries and testes. Protection against disease. Blood proteins in colostrum that pass on passive immunity to newborn calves. Process whereby the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. In cattle this occurs 30 to 35 days after fertilisation. Occuring in the uterus of the animal. Occuring outside the animal, that is in the laboratory. It literally means in glass although plastic is used today. Occuring inside the animal. The mating of closely related animals. Inability of an animal to breed often or as regularly as required. Compare with sterility. Recently discovered reproductive hormone. Its main function is thought to be the inhibition of FSH. In Vitro Culture. Culturing embryos or oocytes in a special salt solution in the laboratory.

Heterozygous

Homologous chromosomes Homozygous

Hormones

Hybrid

Hypothalamus

Immunity Immunoglobulin Implantation in utero in vitro in vivo Inbreeding Infertility Inhibin IVC

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IVF IVM JD Johnes disease

In Vitro Fertilisation. Fertilising oocytes in the laboratory to produce embryos. In Vitro Maturation. Maturation (ripening) of oocytes in a medium in the lab prior to IVF. Johnes Disease. Bacterial infection of the intestines. There is a long period between infection and symptoms, which dont usually appear until maturity and include severe diarrhoea, wasting and death. Young. Device used to aid in heat detection. It is placed onto the back of the animal a handspan in front of the tail-head. See prolactin. Lepto. A bacterial disease of dairy cows that can cause abortion, usually 6 months after gestation. It can be transmitted to people. Cells in the testes which are responsible for the production of testosterone. Luteinising Hormone. Gonadotrophic hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland (in the brain) which stimulates ovulation. A terminal disease which is sexually transmitted. The place at which a particular gene lies in a chromosome. Marker Assisted Selection. Selection for particular traits using laboratory techniques that could reveal whether the individual was likely to carry a good (or bad) gene. Belonging to the mother. The process of ripening an egg either inside (in vivo) or outside (in vitro) the animal so that it is ready for fertilisation. Process of cell division in the ovary and testis which produces gametes (ova and sperm). During this process cells split to contain only one of each pair of chromosomes, and all the germ cells are then haploid. Thin sheet of tissue covering organs, connecting parts, etc. Process involving an increase in cell numbers. Before each cell divides the chromosome number doubles so that each new cell has a complete set of chromosomes (i.e. 60 in cattle). Compare to meiosis. Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer. Sometimes referred to as simply Embryo Transfer (ET). Death. Stage of an embryo where it contains between 16 and 100 cells. A random change in a gene which can be good or bad. Important mutations are those that affect the individuals ability to cope in a particular environment, for better or worse. The basic structure of DNA and RNA. DNA and RNA consist of a sugar (Deoxyribose and Ribose respectively) and Nucleic Acids (the NA of DNA and RNA).

Juvenile KAMAR Lactogen Leptospirosis Leydig cells LH Life Locus (plural: Loci) MAS Maternal Maturation Meiosis

Membrane Mitosis

MOET Mortality Morula (plural: Morulae) Mutation

Nucleic acids

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Nucleotide

Building blocks of DNA and RNA that contain one of four different bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine) and a sugar. The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose (i.e. the D of DNA) and in RNA is ribose (i.e. the R of RNA). Central body present in all cells, except red blood cells. It contains the chromosomes and is therefore the control centre of the cell. Main oestrogen produced by the ovary. Hormone produced by the ovary responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics. It is responsible for the signs of heat. Heat. Reproductive cycle. It normally lasts 19 to 21 days in the cow. It is regulated by hormones from the brain (gonadotrophins) and from the ovaries (steroids). During the cycle progesterone is secreted from the corpus luteum and oestrogen is secreted from the follicles. Progeny or young. Ovum. Egg within the ovary. It carries the genes from the female to the offspring and contains a haploid number of chromosomes (30 in cattle). Oocyte Pick Up. An assisted breeding technique where oocytes are collected from follicles using a fine needle and suction. Embryos for transfer are then produced by in vitro maturation, fertilisation and culture. Part having some specific function in a living organism, e.g. heart. Release of an egg from the Graafian follicle in the ovary. In cattle it occurs 24 to 30 hours after the onset of oestrus, or 10 to 12 hours after the end of oestrus. Oocyte. Hormone from the posterior pituitary gland. It causes contractions of the uterus at and just after birth. It also plays a role in ovulation, sperm transport and control of the oestrous cycle. Small amounts are also secreted by the corpus luteum. The process of birth. Delivery. Belonging to the father. Polymerase Chain Reaction. A process whereby small pieces of DNA are multiplied in the laboratory. It is used in sexing embryos and identifying animals and is an extremely important tool in modern molecular biology. It can detect the presence or absence of pieces of a specific gene. Ancestral line of descent. Prostaglandin F2a. Type of prostaglandin. Physical appearance of an animal. It is determined by the interaction of genes (genotype) and the environment. Small endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain. It is controlled by the hypothalamus and secretes hormones. See anterior pituitary and posterior pituitary. Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin. A hormone present in the blood of pregnant mares between about 40 and 150 days of gestation. Sometimes used in superovulation in animals. Existence of several forms or variations within a species. Examples include blood groups in humans and different coat colour within breeds of cattle.
Cattle Breeding Technologies

Nucleus (plural: Nuclei) Oestradiol Oestrogen Oestrus (Estrus) Oestrous (Estrus) cycle

Offspring Oocyte OPU

Organ Ovulation Ovum (Pl: Ova) Oxytocin

Parturition Paternal PCR

Pedigree PGF2a Phenotype Pituitary

PMSG

Polymorphism

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Posterior Pituitary

Part of pituitary situated near the back of the head which stores the hormone oxytocin and produces another hormone called antidiuretic hormone. Compare to anterior pituitary. Young. Offspring. The process of testing a bulls potential by assessing the production of his daughters. Semen is collected from potentially elite young bulls at between 12 to 15 months of age and distributed to as many herds as possible. This minimises environmental effects so that an accurate genetic assessment of the bull under test can be obtained. When first progeny test results are obtained (at 56 years old for a dairy bull), the bull is given a proof or an Australian Breeding Value (ABV). Semen collected from bulls to be progeny tested. Hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary which helps control the oestrous cycle, prepares the uterus for the fertilised egg and helps to maintain pregnancy. Small amounts are also produced by the placenta. Devices containing progesterone can be used to synchronise heat in cattle, e.g. CIDR and Crestar. Lactogen. Hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland (in the brain) which is involved in mammary gland development and maintenance of the corpus luteum. The nucleus of the sperm or egg after the sperm penetrates the egg. The two pronuclei fuse to form the single nucleus of the new embryo. See progeny test. Hormone produced by the uterus which destroys the corpus luteum, causing the cow to cycle again. It can be injected into cows to synchronise heat. It will cause abortion if injected into cows in the first 3 months of pregnancy and will induce parturition if injected close to term. Essential component of all living organisms, made up of amino acids. Proteins are fundamental to the structure and function of all living things and control the basic chemistry of all cells. Nucleus and cytoplasm of a cell. A bull with a high ABV whose semen is used extensively for AI. See progeny test. Collected from proven bulls. Progeny test. From a line of animals that have been bred over many generations without the introduction of dissimilar individuals. A gene that does not have any effect where the corresponding dominant gene is also present. Refers to the cow receiving embryos in ET programs. Hormone from the uterus which helps prepare the animal for parturition. A measure of how closely the ABV estimates the true genetic merit of the animal. The sugar present in nucleotides of RNA (the R of RNA). RiboNucleic Acid. RNA converts the genetic message contained in DNA into the proteins which control the chemistry of all cells. White or creamy coloured fluid produced by the male testes containing seminal fluid and sperm.

Progeny Progeny test

Progeny test semen Progesterone

Prolactin Pronucleus (plural: Pronuclei) Proof Prostaglandin

Protein

Protoplasm Proven bull Proven semen PT Purebred Recessive gene Recipient Relaxin Reliability Ribose RNA Semen

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Seminal fluid

Contained in semen. Assists in the transport and protection of sperm and acts as a source of energy for sperm. It is produced by accessory male sex glands such as the prostate gland. Selection Index. Formula for combining the values of traits being selected for, e.g. ASI or Australian Selection Index, which combines protein, fat and milk volume into one value or index. See sibling. A process where measurements are made on the full and half sisters of a dairy bull so that his genetic qualities can be assessed by the time he is about 3 years old. Brother or sister. Group of genetically related animals which contain the same number of chromosomes and which are capable of interbreeding. Male gametes. They carry the genes from the male to the offspring and have a haploid number of chromosomes (30 in cattle).

SI

Sib Sib-testing Testing Sibling Species Sperm

Spermatozoa Male sperm cells. (singular: Spermatozoon) Sterility Steroid Superovulation Inability of the animal to breed. When there is limited inability to breed, the term infertility is used. Hormones secreted by the ovary and testis (gonads), e.g. progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone. Stimulation of multiple ovulations, as in MOET programs. This is done using the hormones Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and/or Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG). Inducing oestrus when required. Progesterone and/or prostaglandins are usually used. The fusion of the nuclei of the sperm and the egg. Often regarded as the true start of life. Male sex hormone (androgen) produced by the testis. A collection of cells forming structural materials in individuals. Retaining full developmental potential (that is undifferentiated). For example, a totipotent cell from an embryo has the potential to develop into a normal embryo (and then into a live animal), under the right conditions. Distinguishing characteristics. Foreign gene inserted into a cell (usually an embryo). Carrying extra or altered genes. Transvaginal Oocyte Recovery. Non-surgical method of collecting oocytes from living animals. These oocytes then undergo in vitro maturation, fertilisation and culture to produce embryos for transfer. Physical features of an animal e.g. stature, teat position. A disease mainly transmitted through mating. Proven bulls obtain ABVs for the inherited workability traits of milking speed, temperament and likeability. These traits are averaged over a number of effective daughters over a number of herds and expressed as percentages.

Synchronising heat Syngamy Testosterone Tissue Totipotent

Trait Transgene Transgenic TVR

Type Venereal disease Workability

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Cattle Breeding Technologies

Zona pellucida Zygote

Shell surrounding the oocyte and embryo. In cattle, embryos hatch out of this shell 78 days after fertilisation. Fertilised egg before it undergoes cleavage.

Glossary

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