Accessory sperm – spermatozoa who are supplementary to each other for the purpose of successful ovum fertilization.
Acrosome – the caplike structure covering the anterior portion of the head of a spermatozoon; contains enzymes necessary for the penetration of the ovum.
Anesthesia/anesthetic – a substance that produces physical insensibility to pain or other sensation.
Anterior – situated at or directed toward the front; opposite of posterior.
Aseptic – sterile.
Artificial insemination – the implanting of live spermatozoa into the genital tract of the female.
Capacitation – the process by which spermatozoa become capable of penetrating and ultimately fertilizing an ovum.
Caruncles – fleshy masses by which the placenta attaches to the uterine wall.
Caudal – situated more toward the end or tail.
Cervix – the narrow caudal end of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
Cleavage – the early successive splitting of a fertilized ovum into smaller cells.
Corpa lutea/corpus luteum – a progesterone secreting yellow mass formed from the wall of an ovarian follicle that has matured and discharged its ovum.
Embryo – no longer an ovum or zygote; the cleaved, fertilized ovum in early stages of development prior to becoming a fetus.
Embryo transfer – collection of fertilized ova from one female before they become implanted and transfer to another female to complete the gestation.
Estrus – period of sexual receptivity of the doe (also called ‘heat’).
Estrous – the time from the beginning of one estrus period to another, normally 18-21 days in goats.
Fertility – the capacity to conceive or to induce conception.
Fertilization – or conception; when the spermatozoa unite or fuse with the ovum creating a zygote.
Follicle – the ovum and its encasing cells.
Fornix – the overshoot; the annular recess around the outside of the cervix.
Gestation – from the time of fertilization of the ovum until birth.
Implantation – the attachment and embedding of the fertilized ovum within the uterus.
Intra uterine – within the uterus.
Laparoscope – an instrument used for the visual inspection of the female reproductive organs and sex glands.
Lumen – the cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ.
Opaque – neither solid in color nor translucent or transparent.
Hormone – a chemical transmitter substance produced by cells of the body and transported by the bloodstream to the cells and organs on which it has a specific regulatory effect.
Morphology – the normal anatomical structure of the spermatozoon.
Motility – the ability to move spontaneously; used to predict the probable fertility of the ejaculate, subjective estimates based on the degree of wave motion observed under the microscope.
Os – the mouth or opening of the cervix.
Ova/ovum – an egg; the female reproductive cell.
Ovary – the sex glands of the female where the ova are formed.
Oviduct – a passage through which the ova leave the maternal body.
Ovulation – the discharge of the ovum from the ovary.
Plasma – the fluid portion of the blood.
Posterior – directed toward or situated at the back; opposite of anterior.
Postmortem – performed or occurring after death.
Prepubescent – the period before puberty.
Progesterone – a hormone secreted by the corpus luteum which fosters uterine preparation for pregnancy, placental growth and ultimately is required to sustain pregnancy.
Prostaglandin – a fatty acid which affects the action of certain hormones, causes regression of the corpus luteum, stimulates uterine contraction and ultimately is a major contributor to fetal abortion.
Puberty – the time when the capability of sexual reproduction is attained.
Rut – the period of increased sexual and testicular activity, especially spermatogenesis, in the male.
Spermatogenesis – the development of mature spermatozoa.
Spermatozoa/spermatozoon – a semen cell; the male reproductive cell.
Superovulation – production of more than one ovum at ovulation.
Serum – the clear portion of the blood plasma which remains after the solid elements have been separated out by clotting.
Testes/testicle/testis – the egg shaped sex gland, normally situated in the scrotum of the male which produce spermatozoa.
Traverse – to pass or move over, along, or through.
Uterine horn – one of the pair of tubular extensions from the uterine body.
Uterus – the hollow muscular organ of the female where fertilized ova become embedded and are nourished during gestation.
Ultrasonography – an imaging technique in which deep structures of the body are visualized by recording the reflections of ultrasonic waves directed into the tissues.
Vagina – the canal in the female from the external genitalia (vulva) to the cervix.
Vaginal speculum – an instrument for opening the vaginal cavity to permit visual inspection.
Vestibule – a space or cavity at the entrance to another structure.
Viable – live vs dead; to maintain an independent existence.
Viscous – sticky or gummy.
Zona pellucida – the transparent, secreted layer surrounding the ovum.
Zygote – the fertilized ovum until first cleavage, prior to becoming an embryo.

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