What is the term used for the process of giving birth in animals?

The term used for the process of giving birth in animals is parturition. This encompasses the series of events that occur during the actual act of delivering offspring. It includes various stages such as the onset of labor, the delivery of the young, and the expulsion of the placenta. Understanding this concept is crucial in animal science as it relates to reproduction and management practices in breeding.

The other terms relate to different stages of reproduction. Gestation refers to the period of development of the embryo or fetus inside the mother, conception is the initial stage where the sperm fertilizes the egg, and fertilization is the specific process of the sperm joining the egg to form a zygote. Each term describes a distinct aspect of reproductive biology, but parturition is specifically focused on the birthing process itself.