Explanation: GnRH is Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone. GnRH is the harmone which stimulates the synthesis and secretion of the two gonadotropins—luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)—by the anterior pituitary gland.

Explanation: The average duration of standing heat is 15 to 18 hours, but heat duration may vary from 8 to 30 hours among cows. An estrous cow usually stands to be mounted 20 to 55 times during her estrous period. Each mount lasts three to seven seconds.

Explanation: Traditionally, the cow that stands still and allows others to mount her is in “standing heat.” Standing is the primary sign of estrus. Ovulation occurs at approximately 24 to 32 hours after the onset of standing estrus in dairy cows.

Explanation: This group of hormones is responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics. Usually formed in the ovaries, estrogen is also made by the placenta during pregnancy to help maintain a healthy pregnancy. Progesterone hormone is made by the ovaries and by the placenta during pregnancy.

Explanation: Parturition, also called birth or childbirth, process of bringing forth a child from the uterus, or womb. The prior development of the child in the uterus is described in the article human embryology. The process and series of changes which take place in a woman’s organs and tissues as a result of the developing fetus are discussed in the article pregnancy.

Explanation: The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine structure involved in ovulation and early pregnancy. During ovulation, the primary follicle leads to the formation of the secondary follicle and subsequently the mature vesicular follicle. At ovulation, the follicle ruptures expelling the ovum into the fallopian tube.

Explanation: This is because a gallon of milk weighs about 8.6 pounds, give or take, based upon whether it is whole milk (heavier) or skim (lighter). But for our purposes, 8.6 and 11.63 are accurate enough.

Explanation: The esophageal groove is a curved muscle that lies in the throat of the calf. When a calf drinks water from a trough or eats meal and grains, the esophageal groove stays curved to direct these foods to the rumen for digestion. It is also a pathway in young cows to direct milk into the abomasums.

Explanation: Milk fever, postparturient hypocalcemia, or parturient paresis is a disease, primarily in dairy cattle, but also seen in beef cattle, characterized by reduced blood calcium levels.

Explanation: Parturient paresis, also called milk fever, in cattle, a disorder characterized by abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). It occurs in cows most commonly within three days after they have calved, at a time when the cow’s production of milk has put a severe strain on its calcium stores.

Explanation: The required dietary energy concentration is a function of the energy requirement and the feed intake rate. The cow ration should contain about 39 percent of calcium.

Explanation: Having a diet with too much potassium in the weeks before calving can make the cows weak and make them downer cows. It can make them susceptible to milk fever, hence affecting the ability to mobilize bone calcium. The critical time is 4-6 weeks before calving.

Explanation: Another supplement that might be useful to people who consume the ketogenic diet is Niacin. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that also functions as a hormone in the body.

Explanation: Bovine digital dermatitis is an infectious condition of the foot caused by bacteria called Treponemes. Infections typically result in ulcers and/or warts.

Explanation: Footrot is a subacute or acute necrotic infection that originates in the interdigital skin, leading to cellulitis in the digital region.