AVS 353 Equine Reproduction

Video Archive

Welcome!
The purpose of this page is to provide links to videos of lectures and movies used in class. The videos are grouped according to subject. Lecture videos are labelled by date of the lecture.

Aristotle and Equine Reproduction
...in which we grade Aristotle on his knowledge of equine reproduction.
2025-01-22_lecture
2022-01-19 Lecture
2021-01-27 Lecture

Basic Mammalian Reproduction
...in which we discuss basic mammalian reproduction and hormones.

2025-02-12_lecture
2025-02-05 Lecture
2024-01-31 Lecture
2022-01-26 Lecture
2021-02-03 Lecture

...and then we focus on seasonality, reproductive behavior, production of gametes, meiosis, follicles, sperm production and ovulation and the estrous cycle.

2024-02-07 Lecture
2022-02-02 Lecture
2021-02-10 Lecture

... and finally we focus on fertilization, early embryonic development, parturition, lactation, and hormonal control

2025-02-19 Lecture
2024-02-21 Lecture
2024-02-14 Lecture
2022-02-09 Lecture
2021-02-17 Lecture

Reproductive Anatomy
Estrous cycle review and Reproductive Anatomy: Pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries, uterus, follicle, CL, counter current exchange mechanism for systemic distribution of prostaglandin, uterine glands, myometrium, cervix, changes with cycle, etc.

2025-02-26_lecture
2024-02-28_Lecture
2022-03-02 Lecture
2021-02-24 Lecture
2021-03-03 Lecture

Reproductive Seasonality
Reproductive Seasonality: a review of imposed breeding seasons and reproductive patterns through the year. Understanding seasonal changes in the mare is the key to making good breeding management decisions.

2025-03-05_lecture
2022-02-16 Lecture
2021-03-10 Lecture

Estrous Cycle
Estrous Cycle: a review of the changes between estrus and diestrus of equine behavior, ovarian dynamics (follicular growth, ovulation, CL maintenance and luteolysis), gonadotropins (FSH and LH), ovarian steroids (estrogen and progesterone), inhibin, and prostaglandin F 2 alpha.

2025-03-12_lecture
2024-03-08 Lecture
2022-23-17 Lecture
2021-03-17 Lecture

Endocrinology of Pregnancy
Endocrinology of Pregnancy. The three luteal responses, the role of progestogens and estrogens from the ovary and fetoplacental unit (fetal gonads and placenta) in supporting pregnancy. Appearance of equine chorionic gonadotropin to drive second and third luteal responses. Development of the fetus and fetal movement.

2025-03-26 Lecture
2024-03-27 Lecture
2024-03-20 Lecture
2022-03-09 Lecture
2022-03-23 Lecture
2022-03-30 Lecture
2021-03-31 Lecture

The embryonic vesicle, its mobility. Early embryology related to appearance on ultrasound. Allantois and yolk sac. Formation of the three walled placenta.
2024-03-07

2021-04-07

This video explains key concepts in early embryology. The inner cell mass or embryonic disk consists of two layers of cells (epiblast and hypoplast, epi meaning "upon", and hypo meaning "under"), like two slices of bread. Cells of the epiblast multiply and form a new middle layer, to create a sandwich. The three layers are called ectoderm (from the epiblast - this will become the skin and nervous tissue), mesoderm (the middle layer, which will becomes bone, muscle, connective tissue and the cardiovascular system), and endoderm (the gut and related structures such as liver). The endoderm migrates and spreads under the chorion, forming an inner wall of the blastocyst, creating the yolk sack. The mesoderm then migrates between the ectoderm (chorion) and endoderm creating a middle layer, serving as a robust system of blood vessels for the placenta. The three layers of the placenta represent the three layers of the embryonic disc (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm).

The migration of endoderm and formation of the mesoderm coincides with invagination of the embryo, gastrulation, to enclose the endoderm as a tube with openings at either end (to become anus and mouth), and creates an opening in the central portion connecting the gut to the yolk sac, at the site which will become the umbilicus.

Video on Basic Embryology.

Pregnancy and Foaling

2024-04-10 Lecture Management through pregnancy.
2022-04-13 Lecture Management through pregnancy and videos of fetal positioning.
2021-04-14 Some preparation for the following videos.

Click here to see a video by Dr Ginther on movements of the fetus during pregnancy. (This video is copyrighted and is shown here for students in AVS 353 at the University of Maine.)

Click here to see a good foaling video (also copyrighted)

Click here to see a foal born at night at the Witter Center

Click here to see an induced foaling at the Witter Center

2021-04-21 The timing of key events during pregnancy and parturition, and early life of the foal.

The Stallion
2021-04-28 The reproductive biology of the stallion, breeding soundness evaluation, and breeding management

Drug Use in Equine Reproduction

Nutrition on the Breeding Farm

Assisted Equine Reproduction