Courses:
NRM 320 - Introduction to Animal Sciences - Introduction to the various disciplines that form the study of animal science. Topics include: animal nutrition, physiology of reproduction and lactation, genetics and animal breeding, animal behavior, environmental physiology, animal health and welfare. Information is presented as it applies to traditional and non-traditional livestock species with emphasis on applications pertinent to Alaska.

Research Interests: Applied animal reproduction, physiology/behavioral interactions, management of domestic and non-traditional ruminant livestock species

Current Research Programs:
Reproductive biology of reindeer and musk ox and management of reproduction in these species in farmed settings

Examples of Research Support:
"Reproductive management of diversified livestock; Estrous synchronization among reindeer cows" USDA New Crop Opportunities $79,200, 2003-2006

"Reproductive management of diversified livestock;Reindeer Bull Management: The effects of Depo-Provera on testosterone production, sexual behavior, antler development, and fertility in young reindeer bulls", USDA New Crop Opportunities $68,000, 2002-2005

"Reproductive management of diversified livestock; Endocrinology of gestation and estrous cyclicity in reindeer cows", USDA New Crop Opportunities $90,000, 2001-2004

"Reproductive management of farmed muskoxen; Ovarian activity and estrus synchronization", USDA National Research Initiative $74,999, 2000-2002

"Early pregnancy detection in dairy cattle", USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education $1000, 2000

"Reproductive management of dairy and beef cattle at high latitude in Alaskan agriculture", USDA Hatch Project $90,000, 2000-2004

Examples of Publications:
Lopez, H. and M.P. Shipka. 2003. Association of flooring surface to estrous behavior in lactating dairy cows as determined by radiotelemetric estrous detection. Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Dairy Cattle Housing. 5: 265-273.

Shipka, M.P., J. E. Rowell and S.P. Ford. 2002. Reindeer bull introduction affects the onset of the breeding season. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 72: 27-35.

Shipka, M.P., J.E. Rowell and M.C. Sousa. 2002. An overview of research in reproductive management of arctic ungulates. Proceedings of the Northwest Reproductive Sciences Symposium 4:13.

Lopez, H., T.D. Bunch and M.P. Shipka. 2002. Estrogen concentrations in milk at estrus and ovulation in dairy cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 72: 37-46.

Shipka, M.P., M.C. Sousa and J.E. Rowell. 2002. Characterization of estrous behavior in muskox cows. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 53: 387-389.

Shipka, M.P., G.L. Finstad, T.F. Nichols and S.P. Ford. 2001. Bull introduction hastens the onset of the breeding season in reindeer cows. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 52:429-432.

Lopez, H., T.D. Bunch, K.E. Panter and M.P. Shipka. 2000. Estrogen concentrations in milk and plasma in relation to estrus and ovulation in dairy cows. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 51:367-370.

Shipka, M.P. 2000. A note on silent ovulation identified by using radiotelemetry for estrous detection. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 66: 153-159.

Shipka, M.P. and L.C. Ellis. 1999. Effects of bull exposure on postpartum reproductive physiology of dairy cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 54: 237 - 244.

Wolfe, M.L., M.P. Shipka and J.F. Kimball. 1999. Unique patterns of reproduction within the Antelope Island bison herd. Great Basin Naturalist 59: 105 - 111.

Shipka, M.P. and L.C. Ellis. 1998. No effect of bull exposure on estrous behavior in high-producing dairy cows. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 57:1-7.

Shipka, M.P. and L.C. Ellis. 1996. Bull presence suppresses postpartum ovarian reactivation in dairy cattle. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 47:225-228.

Stevenson, J.S., Y. Kobayashi, M.P. Shipka, and K.C. Rauchholz. 1996. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone preceding prostaglandin F2a-induced luteolysis alters pregnancy rates in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 79:402.

Shipka, M.P. and C.W. Arave. 1995. Influence of extended manager lock-up on cow behavior and production factors in dairy cattle management. Proceddings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 46:84-87.

Shipka, M.P. and S.P. Ford. 1991. Relationship of circulating estrogen and progesterone concentrations during late pregnancy and the onset of maternal behavior in the ewe. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 31:91.