Female Reproduction

What are the four primary functions of the female reproductive system?

Production and transportation of ova, spermatozoa transportation, fertilization, and fetus accommodation.

Which two duct systems are present during the undifferentiated prenatal stage of internal reproductive structures?

Wolffian duct and Müllerian duct.

Which prenatal duct system develops into the female internal reproductive organs?

Müllerian duct.

What type of epithelium forms the germinal epithelium on the surface of the ovary?

Simple cuboidal epithelium.

Which layer of dense irregular connective tissue lies immediately beneath the germinal epithelium of the ovary?

Tunica albuginea.

In the ovary, what are the primary components found within the cortex?

Ovarian follicles and connective tissue stroma.

What is the primary histological characteristic of the ovarian medulla?

Vascularized loose connective tissue.

How does the ovarian structure of a mare differ from other domestic species regarding the location of the cortex and medulla?

The medulla is located at the periphery and the cortical tissue is in the center.

Where does ovulation occur specifically in the mare?

Ovulation fossa.

Which cells in the ovary are derived from yolk sac endoderm?

Primordial germ cells.

At what developmental stage do females reach a fixed number of ova (oocyte-1)?

By birth.

In most domestic species, when is Meiosis-I completed during oogenesis?

Just before ovulation.

In which two species is Meiosis-I completed only after ovulation occurs?

Dog and mare.

What stage is the ovulated egg in the majority of domestic species (excluding the dog and mare)?

Secondary oocyte (oocyte-II).

When is Meiosis-II completed in oogenesis for all domestic species?

After sperm penetration.

Describe the histological structure of a primordial follicle.

A primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flat (squamous) follicular cells.

What characterizes the transition from a primordial follicle to a primary follicle?

The follicular cells become cuboidal and start to proliferate.

What is the defining feature of a secondary (maturing) follicle?

The presence of multiple layers of granulosa cells and the development of theca layers.

What is the fluid-filled cavity that appears within a tertiary follicle?

Antrum.

What is the name of the fluid found inside the antrum of a follicle?

Liquor folliculi.

Define 'corona radiata' in the context of the mature follicle.

The single layer of granulosa cells immediately surrounding the oocyte.

What is the zona pellucida?

A glycoprotein coat interposed between the oocyte and the corona radiata.

Which structure in the mature follicle is described as a 'hillock' of granulosa cells connecting the oocyte to the follicle wall?

Cumulus oophorus.

In the two-cell mechanism of estrogen secretion, which cells produce androgens under the influence of LH?

Theca interna cells.

In the two-cell mechanism of estrogen secretion, which enzyme in granulosa cells converts androgens to estrogens?

Aromatase.

Which hormone, secreted by granulosa cells, specifically down-regulates FSH secretion?

Inhibin.

What hormonal event triggers ovulation and the completion of Meiosis-I?

Inhibin.

What are 'induced ovulators'?

Species that require coital stimulation to induce an LH surge and ovulation (e.g., cat, rabbit)

From which two components of the ruptured follicle does the corpus luteum develop?

Granulosa cells and theca interna cells.

Which cells of the corpus luteum are larger and responsible for secreting the majority of progesterone?

Granulosa-lutein cells.

What is the term for the scar-like mass of connective tissue formed after the corpus luteum degenerates?

Corpus albicans.

Which hormone secreted by the uterus causes luteolysis (regression of the CL) in most domestic species?

PGF₂⍺

Follicular atresia

The degeneration of follicles at any stage of development due to lack of hormonal support (FSH).

Three distinct regions of the oviduct.

Infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus."

In which specific region of the oviduct does fertilization typically take place?

Ampulla.

What is the function of the fimbriae in the oviduct?

They are projections on the infundibulum that help receive the ovulated egg.

The histological lining of the oviduct consists of which two types of cells?

Ciliated columnar cells and secretory (peg) cells.

What are the three histological layers of the uterus?

Endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium

In the endometrium, which zone is superficial and undergoes degeneration during the estrus cycle?

Functional zone.

What is the function of the basal zone of the endometrium?

It is the deep layer that helps regenerate the functional zone.

Describe the arrangement of smooth muscle in the myometrium.

An inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer separated by a vascular layer (stratum vasculare).

What is a 'caruncle' in the bovine uterus?

A glandless, highly vascularized area of the endometrium that serves as the attachment site for the fetal placenta.

Which part of the female reproductive tract remains closed except during estrus, parturition, or uterine infection?

Cervix.

What type of epithelium lines the vagina?

Stratified squamous epithelium

In a vaginal smear during Estrus, which cell type is most predominant?

Keratinized (superficial) non-nucleated cells.

Which stage of the estrous cycle is characterized by a predominance of small parabasal (non-keratinized) cells in a vaginal smear?

Anestrus.

How does the vaginal epithelium change in a 'bitch' during Proestrus?

The number of large keratinized cells increases and RBCs may be present.

'Polyestrous' animals.

Animals that cycle continuously throughout the year (e.g., cow, sow).

What is the histological classification of the mammary gland?

Modified apocrine sweat gland (exocrine).

By which two modes is milk secreted from mammary alveolar cells?

Merocrine (for proteins) and apocrine (for fats).

What characterizes the histology of a resting (non-lactating) mammary gland?

Predominance of connective tissue with a few ducts and minimal secretory alveoli.

What characterizes the histology of a lactating mammary gland?

Glandular alveoli fill most of the structure and are composed of simple epithelium and myoepithelium.

Which hormone is responsible for the 'let down' reflex by stimulating myoepithelial cells in the mammary gland?

Oxytocin.

What is colostrum?

The first milk produced after parturition, rich in immunoglobulins (IgA) and Vitamin A.

Which hormone from the hypothalamus initiates the follicular phase by stimulating the pituitary gland?

GnRH.

Why can animals not cycle if they are under the influence of progesterone (e.g., during pregnancy or on contraceptives)?

Progesterone exerts negative feedback on FSH and LH secretion.

In the mammary gland, what are the smallest duct units that collect milk from the alveoli?

Intralobular ducts.

What is the function of 'peg cells' in the oviduct?

They provide nutrients to sperm and the early embryo through secretions.

During which phase of the uterine cycle do endometrial glands proliferate and increase in size under estrogen influence?

Proliferation phase.