Animal reproduction exam 1

Reproductive Physiology

The study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of the reproductive system

Andrology

Branch of repro physiology that deals with the study and treatment of male animals and humans

Gynecology

Deals with repro functions in women

Theriogenology

Branch of veterinary medicine that focuses on repro systems in animals

Obstetrics

Branch of repro physiology, vet medicine, and human medicine that specializes in the female before, during and after pregnancy

Aristotle

Generation of animals.

Conversion of blood by seminal fluid to create a fetus.

Proposed that a fetus came from menstrual blood

Fallopius

Described the oviducts

Coiter

Discovered the corpus luteum

Regnier de Graaf

Described the antral follicle. Killed rabbits and 1/2 hr after copulation. Discovered the number of scars on an ovaries corresponded to the number of embryos in the uterus.

Leeuwenhoek

Developed a simple microscope. Observed semen and discovered it had moving particles he named animalcules.

Spallanzani

Performed the first AI in a dog

Dumas

Discovered follicles contained ova.

Using rabbits he demonstrated that sperm were the fertilizing agents.

Sir Walter Heape

Transferred embryos in rabbits.

Serosa

Single cell layer of squamous cells that cover the outer surface of the tract.

Muscularis

Double layer of smooth muscle.

Outer longitudinal layer and inner circular layer.

Provides the ability to contract.

Transport of secretory products, gametes, embryos and expulsion of the fetus and membranes.

Submucosa

Laters of varying thickness.

Houses blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics.

Support tissue for mucosal layer.

Mucosa

Secretory layer of epithelium.

Each part of the tract is lined with a different type of epithelium.

Oviduct

Ciliated and non-ciliated columnar.

Produce fluid and move materials along oviduct.

Posterior vagina

Stratified squamous.

Provides protection during copulation.

Peritoneum

Membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.

Completely surrounds and covers the tract.

Broad ligament

The peritoneum eventually fuses to form a double layered connective tissue sheet that supports and suspends the tract.

Mesovarian

Supports the ovaries. Forms the hilus of the ovary.

Uterine-Ovarian ligament

Supportive ligament. Attaches the ovary to the uterus. Not a part of the broad ligament.

Mesosalpinx

Thin portion of the broad ligament that supports the oviduct.

Also forms a pouch that surrounds the ovary.

Mesometrium

Supports the uterine horns and body of the uterus.

Ovary

Dense structure. Produces female gametes and hormones.

Tunica albuguinea

Outer surface of the ovary. Connective tissue. Single layer of cuboidal cells.

Ovarian cortex

Houses the oocytes and follicles. Site of formation of the corpus hemorrhagicum, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans.

Corpus hemorrhagicum

Protrusion of tissue and ruptured blood vessels following ovulation.

Corpus luteum

Large structure that produces progesterone that is essential for pregnancy.

Yellow body.

Corpus albicans

White, scar like structures, CL in degeneration.

Connective tissue replacing secretory tissue.

Ovarian medulla

Central part of the ovary.

Houses vasculature, nerves and lymphatics.

Dense connective tissue.

Mare

Medulla and cortex are reversed. Cortex inside, medulla outside.

Ovulation occurs at one location-ovulation fossa.

Follicles can be palpated.

Folliculogenesis

The process of follicle development and maturation.

4 types of follicles

Primordial

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

Primordial follicle

Microscopic, most immature.

Locate surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.

Primary follicle

Oocyte surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal cells or follicular cells.

Do not divide - mature and degenerate.

Secondary follicle

Microscopic. 2 or more layers of follicular cells.

Characterized by being surrounded by a relatively thick translucent layer called the sons pellucida.

Tertiary or Antral follicle

Characterized by a fluid-filled cavity called the antrum.

When it becomes a dominant preovulatory follicle it can be called a Graafian follicle.

3 layers of antral follicle

Theca externa

Theca interna

Granulosal cell layer

Theca externa

Composed of loose connective tissue.

Completely surrounds and supports the follicle.

Theca internal

Just beneath the externa.

Responsible for the production of androgens under the influence of LH

Granulosa cells

Produce a variety of materials and have FSH receptors.

Estrogen

Inhibin

Follicular fluid

Infundibulum

Terminal end, funnel shaped opening.

Forms a pocket around the ovary.

Captures the ovulated oocyte.

Fimbriae

Fingerlike projections.

Increase surface area. Cause the infundibulum to slip over the entire ovary near ovulation.

Ampulla

Thick portion of the oviduct.

Occupies half of more of the oviduct length and is large in diameter.

Many fernlike mucosal folds with ciliated epithelium.

Ampullary-Isthmic junction

Site of fertilization.

Isthmus

Smaller in diameter. Thicker muscular wall than the ampulla with fewer folds.

Connected to the uterus. Uterotubal junction.

Uterus

Organ of pregnancy.

Connects oviduct to cervix.

Has 2 horns (cornua) in most mammals.

3 types- duplex, bicornuate, simplex.

Duplex uterus

Has two cervical canals that separate each uterine horn into distinct compartments.

Two types of duplex uterus

-single vaginal canal opening to the exterior that bifurcated into two vaginas and two cervices. Opossum

-two uterine horns and two crevices connected to a single vaginal canal. Rabbit

Bicornuate uterus

Uteri open into the vagina through a single cervical canal.

Two uterine horns and a small uterine body.

Horn length is dependent on the degree of fusion of the paramesonephric ducts.

Simplex uterus

Single uterine body without horns.

Small rudiments of a uterine horn may be present.

Fusion of the paramesonephric ducts is almost complete.

Primates and humans.

Perimetrium

Serosal layer.

Continuous with the mesosalpinx.

Thin and almost transparent.

Myometrium

Longitudinal and circular muscle layer.

Provides motility.

Expulsion of fetus and membranes during parturition.

Endometrium

Mucosa and submucosa.

Mucosa secretes materials into the lumen that enhance embryo development and sperm viability.

Sloughed to the exterior in primates.

Functionality of the glands change as a function of the estrous cycle.

Cervix

Thick walled, non-compliant, barrier to sperm transport.

Isolated uterus from external environment during pregnancy.

Highly viscous mucus.

Cow and Ewe cervix

Several of the rings form interlocking finger-like projections

Sow cervix

Rings interdigitate in a very intimate fashion.

Requires a penile adaption in the boar.

Corkscrew or spiral twist in the glans penis so it locks into the cervix.

Mares cervix

Loose folds of mucosa that protrude into the vagina.

Soft during estrus.

During copulation, the penis presses against the cervix and semen enters the uterus during ejaculation.

Functions of the cervix

Mucus flows from the cervix toward the exterior and lubricates the vagina during copulation.

Flushes out foreign material introduced during copulation.

Isolation of the conceptus within the uterus from the external environment.

Cervical seal of pregnancy.

Vagina

Serve as the copulatory organ.

Site for expulsion of urine during micturition.

Passive birth canal during parturition.

Cervix protrudes into this area forming a crypt (fornix)(absent in sow).

Caudal vagina

Belongs to both urinary and repro systems.

Protection during copulation.

Prevent microorganisma from getting to the vasculature in the submucosa.

Suburethral diverticulum

Blind pouch in the floor of the vestibule. Function unknown

Vestibular glands

Housed in the submucosa, caudal portion.

Secrete mucous-like material during estrus.

Vulva

External portion of the female repro tract.

Consist of 2 labia.

Form a closure to minimize entrance of foreign material.

Mostly adipose tissue, small amount of muscle - constrictor vulvae.

Perineum

Region that surrounds the vulva and anus and covers the pelvic outlet.

Bridge of skin between the anus and dorsal commissure.

Can tear during parturition.

Ventral commissure

Houses the clitoral fossa that contains the clitoris.

Female homolog to the penis.

Composed of erectile tissue and covered with squamous epithelium.

Well supplied with sensory nerve endings.