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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL REPRODUCTION TOPIC TEST
MARKING GUIDELINE
15 APRIL 2025

MARKS: 100 DURATION : 2 HOURS

This marking guideline consists of 9 pages.

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Agricultural sciences NSC 15 April 2025

SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1.
1.1.1. D ✓✓
1.1.2. A ✓✓
1.1.3. C ✓✓
1.1.4. A ✓✓
1.1.5. D ✓✓
1.1.6. A ✓✓
1.1.7. C ✓✓ (7x 2) (14)

1.2.
1.2.1. B only ✓✓
1.2.2. None ✓✓
1.2.3. B only ✓✓
1.2.4. A only ✓✓ (4x 2) (8)

1.3.
1.3.1. Freemartin ✓✓
1.3.2. Oxytocin ✓✓
1.3.3. Embryo transfer/ transplantation / ET ✓✓ (3 x2) (6)

1.4.
1.4.1. Acrosome ✓
1.4.2. Mummification ✓ (2 x1) (2)
TOTAL SECTION A: 30

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SECTION B
QUESTION 2

2.1. Reproductive canal of a farm animal

2.1.1. Process in part D
• Spermatogenesis✓ (1)
2.1.2 Identify parts A, B and E

• Label A – Seminal vesicles/vesicular glands✓

• Label B – Vas deferens/sperm duct✓
• Label E – Scrotum/scrotal sac✓ (3)
2.1.3 TWO congenital defects of part D
• Cryptorchidism ✓– the condition whereby the testes remain in the
abdominal cavity and do not descend into the scrotum✓
• Hypoplasia✓ – the condition whereby the testes are
underdeveloped✓ (4)
2.1.4 TWO functions of part C (epididymis)
• Storage of semen✓
• Maturation of sperms ✓
• Secretion of buffer✓
• Transportation of semen ✓
• Concentration of semen ✓ (Any 2) (2)

2.2 The female reproductive tract

2.2.1 Structure where semen will be deposited:

a) Under natural mating conditions - G ✓ (1)

b) With AI - F/E✓ (1)

2.2.2 Name of the structure that:
a) Captures the ripe follicle after ovulation - A✓- (infundibulum) ✓ (2)
b) Serves as a site for fertilisation - B✓- oviduct/fallopian tube✓ (2)

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2.2.3 Concept of ovulation:

• Process whereby the membrane containing the ripe follicle bursts with
the help of LH ✓and
• the ripe ovum is released into the infundibulum✓ (2)
2.3 Graph of Oestrogen/Progesterone levels in a cow over 22 days
2.3.1 Day cow will mate with a bull

• Day 4–6 ✓ (1)

2.3.2 Motivation
• Highest level of oestrogen✓
• Cow will be on heat✓ (2)
2.3.3 Day of ovulation
• Day 4-5✓ (1)
2.3.4 Stage when progesterone is highest
• Met- oestrus✓ (1)
2.3.5 Whether cow became pregnant

• Cow did not become pregnant ✓ (1)

Motivation

• Progesterone levels declined/decreased✓

• After day 16✓ (2)
2.4 Mating
2.4.1 Stages of mating in their chronological order
• A bull shows interest in cow✓
• Bull stands on his rear leg, rests on the rear end of the cow✓
• A bull gains intromission into the vagina✓
• Semen is released into the vagina✓ (4)
2.4.2 Hormone regulating mating behaviour in bulls

• Testosterone✓ (1)

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2.5 Technique used by farmers

2.5.1 Identification of the technique
Artificial Insemination/AI ✓ (1)
2.5.2 TWO characteristics of good, quality semen

•
Colour - whitish to yellowish/milky/opaque✓
•
Sticky✓
•
Less than 15 % dead sperm cells/less mortality rate✓
•
80% of sperm cells showing forward movement/mobility/
motility/viability✓
• Less than 20 % deformation/normal morphology✓
• Characteristic odour✓
• Healthy/disease free semen✓
• pH - 6,4 to 6,9/slightly acidic✓
• Concentration - 1,1 to 4,5 billion sperm cells per ml✓ (2)
• Volume - 4 to 8ml ✓ (Any 2)
2.5.3 Apparatus held by the hand A:
Pistolette/insemination gun ✓ (1)
(35)

QUESTION 3
3.1 Diagram on ET:
3.1.1 Identification of the reproductive technique:
Embryo transplant/ embryo transfer / ET✓ (1)
3.1.2 Definition of superovulation:
The treatment of a cow with hormones✓ so that it releases multiple ova
at the same time✓ (2)
3.1.3 Identification of :
Cow A – Donor /superior cow ✓ (1)
COW B – Recipient /inferior cow ✓ (1)
3.1.4 The calf is not related to cow B because the egg cell that formed it comes
from Cow A; the calf is therefore genetically related to Cow A✓✓ (2)

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3.2 Cloning:
3.2.1 TWO aims of cloning:
• To produce a large number of genetically identical animals✓
• To produce offsprings from high quality animals✓
• To preserve and extend proven superior genetics✓
• To achieve high quality meat and dairy products✓
• To increase the number of endangered species ✓ (any 2) (2)
3.2.2 TWO disadvantages of cloning:
• Conception rates are low✓
• It is expensive/no guarantees for success✓
• It is a very scientific/complex procedure✓
• Expert knowledge/skills requires/veterinarian✓
• It is time consuming/labour intensive✓
• Diseases can be transmitted✓
• Abortions may occur✓ (any 2) (2)
3.2.3 TWO types of cloning:

• Reproductive cloning ✓ (1)

• Therapeutic cloning ✓ (1)

3.3 Fertilization:
3.3.1 Definition of fertilization:
Fertilization is the process whereby the egg cell (female gamete)
fuses with the sperm cell (male gamete) to form a zygote✓ (1)
3.3.2 Types of twins formed at B and C:
B – momozygotic/ identical twins ✓ (1)
C – dizygotic/fraternal twins ✓ (1)
3.3.3 Comparison of the genetic composition of the twins:
B - genetically identical /same ✓ (1)
C – genetically non-identical / different ✓ (1)

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3.4
3.4.1 Stage of giving birth depicted in the diagram:
Ejection of the foetus/delivery stage ✓ (1)
3.4.2 TWO other stages of giving birth in a cow:

• Preparatory stage ✓ (1)

• Ejection/expulsion of the placenta✓ (1)
3.4.3 Hormone responsible for the onset :of the process above:
Oxytocin ✓ (1)
3.4.4 Term commonly used for difficult birth:
Dystocia ✓ (1)
3.4.5 TWO reasons for difficult birth in heifers:

(2)
3.4.6 Milk produced by the cow in the first three days after calving:
Colostrum ✓ (1)
3.4.7 TWO importance of the milk identified in 3.4.6 above:

(2)

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3.5 Graph:
3.5.1 Drawing of bar graph:
A bar graph on the duration (in days) of the different stages in the
oestrus cycle in various female farm animals

(6)
3.5.2 Longest stage of the oestrus cycle:
Di-oestrus✓ (1)
3.5.3 Stage of the oestrus cycle that is not mentioned:
Oestrus✓ (1)
(35)
TOTAL SECTION B : 70
GRAND TOTAL : 100

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