Hormonal synchronization and artificial insemination in cattle, sheep and goats

The estrous cycle of cows, ewes and does can be synchronized to allow for fixed time artificial insemination or synchronized breeding. Artificial insemination entails inseminating the female animal by depositing semen into the uterine tract to achieve pregnancy. Synchronized breeding entails that male animals (bulls or rams) are used at a higher-than-normal male : female ratio to breed female animals that were synchronized using hormones.