Reproduction is a sequence of events beginning with development of the reproductive system in the embryo.  After the animal is born, it must grow and achieve puberty by acquiring the ability to produce fertile gametes.  This ability must be accompanied by reproductive behavior and copulation.  After copulation, the sperm and egg meet, fertilization occurs and development of the preattachment embryo follows.  The conceptus attaches to the uterus by a specialized organ called the placenta.  It allows the conceptus to grow and develop to term.  The fully developed fetus is born and the female giving birth to it must lactate to provide nourishment for the neonate.  During or after lactation the dam must reestablish cyclicity before she can become pregnant again.  Knowledge and understanding of the reproductive process will become increasingly important as the human population continues to grow and resources become increasingly scarce.