What term is used to refer to the male parent of an animal?

The term used to refer to the male parent of an animal is "sire." In the context of animal breeding, the sire is specifically the father, as opposed to the dam, which is the term for the female parent. This terminology is commonly used in the livestock and equine industries, where understanding lineage and genetic contributions is important for breeding decisions.

The use of "sire" helps in identifying and managing breeding programs, as it allows for the tracking of desirable traits that may be passed from the male to his offspring. The other terms, such as "dam" and "offspring," refer to different parental roles or results of reproduction. "Parent" is a generic term that does not specify gender, making "sire" the precise choice in this context.