Female Reproductive Systems and Diseases

ANSC 410

structures of the female reproductive system

• ovary

• follicle of the ovary

• oviduct (uterine tube)

• uterus

• cervix

• vagina

• urethral diverticulum

• vestibule

• vulva

• labia

what are the functions of the female reproductive tract?

• produce female sex hormones

• development of reproductive cells

• provides site for fertilization

• provides environment for fetal development

where is the ovary located?

medial to kidneys in the craniodorsal abdomen

what is the primary female reproductive organ?

ovary

function of ovary

produces an egg (ovum) and produces the hormones estrogen and progesterone

follicle of the ovary

• fluid filled structure on the ovary

• blister-like

• ruptures to release an egg into the oviduct (uterine tubes)

ovulation fossa

• indention in the ovary in the mare

• site of ovulation in the mare

oviduct (uterine tubes)

tube leading from the ovary to the uterus

function of oviduct?

collects eggs; location for fertilization

what are the 4 parts of the oviduct?

• infundibulum

• fimbria

• ampulla

• isthmus

infundibulum

• funnel-like

• catches the ovum

• located at the terminal end of the oviduct

fimbria

finger-like projections on the infundibulum

ampulla

• upper 1/3 of oviduct

• location for fertilization

isthmus

joins the uterine body

uterus

(womb) Y-shaped

function of uterus

site of implantation of the embryo

what are the 2 types of uterus?

• bicornuate

• bipartite

bicornuate uterus

2 distinct uterine horns; long uterine horns with smaller body

what animals have a bicornuate uterus?

dogs, cats, pigs

(true/false) bicornuate uterus can have fetus develop in both horns of the uterus

true

bipartite uterus

2 uterine horns separated by a fibrous layer; shorter uterine horns with larger body

what animals have a bipartite uterus?

ruminants - fetus only develops in 1 horn or in the body of the uterus

what are the 3 layers of the uterus?

• mesometrium (serosa)

• myometrium

• endometrium

mesometrium (serosa)

• protective outer layer of uterus

• broad ligament that suspends uterus and attaches to dorsal body wall

myometrium

• muscular layer of uterus

• responsible for contractions during parturition

endometrium

• inner mucosal layer of uterus

• thickens during pregnancy

what ligament is found in the uterus?

intercornual ligament

ruminant uterus vs mare uterus

suspensory ligament of the ovary

• connects the ovaries to the cranial aspect of the body cavity

• very vascular and contains many nerves

broad ligament of the uterus

• attaches the uterus to the body wall

• suspends the uterus in the dorsal abdomen

• also connects to the ovaries

the broad ligament prevents the uterus from _______ or _________ during pregnancy

falling; prolapsing

function of vagina

area of copulation

where is the most common location where semen is deposited in natural breeding?

in the vagina

urethral diverticulum

• urethral opening on the vaginal floor

• for urination

vestibule

caudal (posterior) to the urethral diverticulum

vulva

• exterior extension of the vagina

• enlarges during parturition and estrus

labia

lips of the vulva

stages of oogenesis

1. oogonia

2. primary oocyte

3. secondary oocyte

4. oocyte

5. ovum

steps of the estrous cycle

1. proestrus

2. estrus

3. metestrus

4. diestrus

5. anestrus

proestrus

before coming into heat (estrus)

influenced by FSH

what is the beginning of follicular growth?

proestrus

estrus

heat; receptive to the male; influenced by FSH

metestrus

occurs after ovulation; influenced by LH

when does the formation of Corpus Hemorrhagicum take place?

in metestrus

Corpus Hemorrhagicum

• blood clot

• last about 5 days

diestrus

resting phase/pregnancy; influenced by LH

when is Corpus Luteum completely formed?

diestrus

Corpus Luteum

• yellow body

• rich source of progesterone (maintains pregnancy)

anestrus

period of no activity

estrous cycle of cows?

polyestrous

list the hormones of the female reproductive tract

• estrogen

• progesterone

• follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

• luteinizing hormone (LH)

• prostaglandin

estrogen

starts estrus; production is stimulated by FSH

where is estrogen produced?

ovary

progesterone

rest or pregnancy; production stimulated by LH

where is progesterone produced?

ovary

follicle stimulating hormone

increases follicular growth; causes the ovary to produce estrogen; superovulation

where is FSH produced?

pituitary gland

luteinizing hormone

causes ovulation

where is LH produced?

pituitary gland

prostaglandin

luteolytic (destroys Corpus Luteum); decreases FSH production; signals uterine contraction and menstruation

where is prostaglandin produced?

uterus

what is a free martin?

when a female calf is born as a twin with a male

over 90% of the time, the female is infertile due to…

the influence of male hormones in utero

clinical effects of free martin?

• female possesses masculine behavior and non-functioning ovaries

• female reproductive organs may be smaller than normal

• genetic female with male characteristics

what is the most common cause of non-inflammatory infertility in cattle?

Free Martin

research shows that free martin can occur in what animal?

goats

is uterine neoplasia common in cows?

not as common as in other species

how can uterine neoplasia be identified?

rectal palpation, ultrasound or slaughter

what are the most common types of uterine neoplasia?

leiomyosarcoma and lymphosarcoma

clinical signs of uterine neoplasia

• anestrus

• abnormal heat cycles

• male-like behavior

• vaginal discharge

• chronic weight loss

brucelloses

(aka Bang’s disease) contagious, zoonotic, bacterial disease

caused by the bacteria Brucella abortus

clinical signs of Brucellosis

• late gestation abortions/stillbirths

• retained placenta

• infertility

• weak calves

• reduced milk production

transmission of brucellosis

• contact with aborted fetus, afterbirth

• ingestion

• cuts in mucous membranes

diagnoses for Brucellosis

blood test or milk sample

prevention for Brucellosis

• test and slaughter

• vaccinate heifer calves under 12 mo.

  • modified live vaccine — humans can get the disease from the vaccine

Campylobacteriosis (Vibrosis)

Campylobacter fetus; bacterial, venereal disease

clinical signs of Vibrosis

• infertility

• repeated breeding

• prolonged calving season

transmission of Vibrosis

asymptomatic bulls

prevention of Vibrosis

• vaccination

• using virgin bulls on virgin heifers

• screen bulls before introducing into the herd

trichomoniasis

protozoal disease; Trichomonas fetus

clinical signs of Trichomoniasis

• infertility due to inflammation of the repro tract

• repeated breeding

• prolonged calving season

transmission of Trichomoniasis

• asymptomatic bulls

• natural breeding (makes this more of a problem with beef cattle)

prevention of Trichomoniasis

testing and vaccinating