Comparative Anatomy: Female Anatomy (Cram)

Reproductive strategy where the embryo (blastocyst) does not immediately implant in the uterus after sexual reproduction has created the zygote, but is maintained in a state of dormancy

Delayed implantation/embryonic diapause

What are the two types of embryonic diapause?

1. Facultative diapause
2. Obligate diapause

What type of embryonic diapause is this: A female copulates while still lactating for a previous litter, the sucking stimulus will cause the embryos to enter into diapause

Facultative diapause

Note: This is known to occur in rodents, insectivores, and marsupials

What type of embryonic diapause is this: Seasonal delayed implantation that allows mammals to time the birth of their offspring for favorable environmental conditions

Obliagte diapause

Note: This is known to occur in bears, mustelids, armadillos, and pinnipeds

What species is more prone to stump pyometras (pyometras occuring after ovariohysterectomy): Dogs or cats?

Dogs

What are the two functions of the ovaries?

1. Produce female germ cells (ova)
2. Produce female sex hormones (estrogens)

Fill in the blank: The ovaries are supported by the _______ portion of the ______ ligament of the uterus.

mesovarian, broad

The largest follicle, that will rupture shortly after the animal comes into heat

Tertiary follicle (also called graafian follicle or antral follicle)

Yellow body is the common name for what structure?

Corpus luteum

White bodyis the common name for what structure?

Corpus albicans

Plural of corpus

Corpora

Example: If there are two corpus hermmorhagicum, you should write in the medical record: "corpora hemorrhagicum"

Microscopic clusters of cells from which the follicles and ova develops. During each estrus cycle a number of these cords start to grow

Oovigerous cords

What do tertiary (graafian) follicles become if they don't mature?

Atretic follicle

Form in the space where the tertiary follicle ruptures

Corpus hemorrhagicum

Develops by replacing the corpora hemorrhagica. Produces the hormone of pregnancy, progesterone

Corpus luteum

Scar tissue replacement of the C.L.

Corpus albicans

Structure that catches the ovum as it is released and provide a passageway to the uterus. It also provides an environment for fertilization of the egg

Oviducts

Part of the oviduct that is the fan shaped end near the ovary

Infundibulum

Note: Commonly called the funnel

Part of the oviduct that is the wide first portion

Ampulla

Note: commonly called the jug

Part of the oviduct that is narrow

Isthmus

Part of the oviduct that is the entrance into the uterus

Tubouterine junction

Name the type of uterus, and give an exmaple of an animal with this type of uterus

A – Uterus duplex (rabbit, rodent)
B – Uterus bipartitus (cow, ewe)
C – Uterus bicornis (sow, dog, cat)
D – Uterus simplex (human)

Term for the horns of the uterus

Cornua

Term for the body of the uterus

Corpora

Term for the neck of the uterus

Cervix

Which species' cervix features longitudinal folds with prominent ridges? They also have a fornix, which is an indentation around cervix where it pokes back out into the vagina

Cow

True or false: The only form of lubriant during birth is the amniotic fluid

False. The cervix also produces lubricant, but the amniotic fluid is more important as a lubricant

Copulatory organ of female. It is the receptacle for semen

Vagina

Term to describe a female calf that is born as a twin with a male calf. The hormonal exposure to testosterone causes her to be sterile

Freemartin

Note: This is a cattle specific issue. Sheep and humans do not have this problem

How can you easily check if a heifer is a freemartin?

Preform a pencil check. Insert a pencil, eraser first, into the vagina. If it can't be fully inserted, she doesn't have a fully formed vagina. A fully formed cow vagina is 25–30cm long (approximatley pencil length)

Fill in the blank: The vagina extends from the _____ [most external aspect] to the _____ [most internal aspect].

hymen, cervix

Portion of female tract from lips of vulva to location of hymen

Vestibule

Fold of tissue which separates vagina from vestibule in embryonic development

Hymen

In which species is the hymen most likely to persist?

Mare

Structure located at the entrance of the vestibule between the lips of the vulva. Purpose is sexual excitement in the female

Clitoris

External portion of female genitalia

Vulva

What glands are located just inside the vulva?

Vestibular glands

Label 1–6 on this diagram of a mare's vulva

1 – Anus
2 – Dorsal commisure
3 – Labium (plural of labia)
4 – Vulvar opening
5 – Clitoris
6 – Ventral commisure

Do smaller or larger breeds tend to reach puberty earlier?

Smaller breeds tend to reach puberty earlier

If a female gets pregnant at puberty, what can be infered about her ability to rear the offspring?

She will have a higher chance of rejecting the offspring

Name some factors that will effect the time of puberty in the female?

Time of birth (born late = not enough time to hit puberty before breeding season), underfeeding, presence of male