Female Reproductive Cyclicity

proestrus

Attracts males but does not accept breeding

Estrus

Attracts males and accepts breeding, estrogen dominant

Metestrus

Does not accept breeding

Diestrues

Does not accept breeding, progestrone dominant

Estradiol

In absence of progesterone, promotes signs of estrus and postive feedback for ovulation (LH surge)

Progesterone

Prepares that uterus for implantation, maintain the pregnancy, does not allow ovulation signs of estrus

Seasonal reproduction

during season has continuous estrous cycles, during off season is similar to puberty/silent ovulation, transitioning season is ovulation failure

Anestrus

progesterone does not allow ovulation (negative feedback), post partum allows time for uterine involution/ offspring

Lactatinal Anestrus

Suckling inhibits LH, and prolactin inhibits GnRH,

Corona Radiata

Multicellular layer of granulosa cells, hyaluroninc acid, outer protective layer of follicle

Zona Pellucide

Non cellular matrix of glycoproteins, prevents polyspermy, protective layer under corona radiata

AMH

Slows down primordial follicle activation, measurement of ovarian reserve, produced during primary and secondary follicular development

Estrogen

Theca cells converts cholesterol to androgen, granulosa cell converts androgen to estrogen

Inhibin

negative feeback on FSH secretion, produced by granulosa cells.

Gonadotropin Independent

Primordial to early secondary follicular development (secrete AMH), primordial follicle activation regulated by oocyte and pregranulosa cells,

Gonadotropin Dependent

Late secondary and tertiary, pre ovulatory follicular development, FSH and LH present

Corpus Hemorrhagicum

Blood vessels in follicle wall rupture and walls collapse, cells intermix, old basement membrane becomes connective tissue of CL,

Luteal Progestrone

Regulates secretions from endometrial glands, prevents ovulation, and prepares for implantation

Luteolysis

The process by which the corpus luteum degenerates and progesterone production decreases, leading to the resumption of the ovarian cycle, caused by PGF2a delivered by ovarian vien into the ovarian artery

Luteal Phase

active CL and progestrone, ends from luetolysis,

Follicular Phase

When FSH spikes and ovulation occurs, marks the beginning of the ovarian cycle and leads to the maturation of follicles.

Puberty

Becoming reproductively competent, dependent on hypothalamus production of GnRH, GnRH pulse frequency increases, leading to more FSH and LH, causing folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis

Prepubertal Period

Minimal GnRH release, low FSH/LH, minimal follicular waves or sperm production

Ampulla

Location of which fertilization occurs

Retrograde Flow

Transport of sperm after ejaculation when it occurs in vagina, some lost and leave vagina.

Cervial Mucus

Selective medium, becomes more fluid during ovulatory phase, forming privileged channels that allow good sperm to pass easier

Uterotubual Junction

Selection of abnormal sperm, preventing fertilization and ensuring only healthy sperm reach the egg.

Rapid Transport Phase

Same sperm cells reach oviduct in few minutes, typically does not result in fertilization

Sustained Transport Phase

Sperm reserviors in cervix and oviduct, sperm docking to epithelium, without docking sperm will die

Fimbria

Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes that help guide the egg from the ovary to the uterus.

Zygote genomic activation

Embryos own genes begin to transcribe after fertilization, switching from oocyte to zygotic control

Asynchronous Cleavage

If a marked blastomere is placed into interior of 8-cell embryo, progeny becomes part of inner cell mass, if blastomere is outside, progeny becomes part of trophectoderm.

Androgenote

A type of embryo that contains only paternal genetic material, resulting from the fertilization of an egg by two sperm or from parthenogenetic activation. No inner cell mass, normal placenta, fails during embryo development

Gynogenote

A type of embryo that contains only maternal genetic material, formed from the fertilization of an egg with two maternal genomes or through parthenogenetic activation. Normal fetus, small placenta, fails mid-pregnancy.

Dizygotic

Non identical twins, double ovulation, 2 distinct embryos, each derived from separate eggs fertilized by separate sperm.

Monozygotic

Identical twins, formed from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos, sharing the same genetic material.

Luteal Regression

The process by which the corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a decrease in progesterone production if pregnancy does not occur, usually around 14 days after ovulation, caused by PGF

Placenta

Fetal and maternal blood never mix, delivers nutrients/O2 to fetus, removes waste and CO2, and produces hoemones

Amnion

Filled with fluid to allow embryo to move, protects it from physical shock and keeps temp. stable

Yolk Sac

Provides early nutriens and forms first blood cells, shrinks as placenta takes over, embryo takes nutrients directly from maternal tissues until development of placenta

Allantois

A small, tube like pocket that grows out early gut and yolk sac, helps handle liquid waste and blood vessel formation. It forms part of umbilical cord and helps develop urinary bladder.

Chorion

Outermost membrane, fuses with allantois, attaches to uterus

Diffuse Placenta

A type of placenta where the chorion is distributed evenly over the surface of the uterus, allowing for more extensive nutrient absorption. It is commonly found in pigs and horses.

Zonary Placenta

A type of placenta characterized by a band-like region of attachment to the uterus, encircling the fetus. It enables efficient nutrient and gas exchange between the mother and fetus.

Discoid Placenta

A type of placenta characterized by a disc-shaped area of attachment to the uterus, facilitating efficient nutrient transfer. This type is seen in primates and rodents.

Cotyledonary Placenta

A type of placenta where localized regions of attachment, called caruncles, interact with the fetal chorion, forming specific areas for nutrient exchange. It is typically found in ruminants such as cattle and sheep.

PAG

pregnancy associated glycoprotein, marker for implantation, unknown function, and pregnancy giagnosis.

Hemochorial Placenta

A type of placenta where maternal blood is in direct contact with the chorion, allowing for efficient transfer of nutrients and gases. This type is found in humans and some primates, providing a high level of maternal-fetal exchange.

Endochorial Placenta

A type of placenta where the chorion is in direct contact with the maternal endometrial tissue, allowing for nutrient and gas exchange. It is found in some rodents and carnivores, facilitating efficient maternal-fetal nutrient transfer.

Epitheliochorial Placenta

A type of placenta where the chorion is in contact with the maternal epithelium, requiring several tissue layers to be crossed for nutrient and gas exchange. This type is typically seen in pigs and horses.

Erthroblastosis Fetalis

Human condition where antibodies cross placenta and affect fetal development

Neonatal isoerythrolysis

Cat and horse antibodies in colostrum absorbed and affect neonate

Cardiovascular adaptations to Pregnancy

increased blood volume, cardiac output, and changes in vascular resistance to support fetal development and maternal health.

Hematologic adaptations to Pregnancy

Plasma volume increase more then red blood cells, coagulation increases in clotting factors to prevent hemorrage.

Reanl adaptations to Pregnancy

Increased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, leading to enhanced clearance of wastes and maintenance of fluid balance.

Respiratory adaptations to Pregnancy

Mild hyperventilation and lower CO2

Gestational Diabetes

Occurs with mismatch with metabolic demand and pancreatic supply, beta cells suffer from stress, can’t create enough insulin to keep up, blood glucose rises, maternal insulin does not cross placenta

Placental Lactogen

Promotes fetal growth, stimulates mammary gland

Relaxin

Relaxes uterus and allows dialtion

Progesterone

CL vs placental production varies with species, “progesterone block” prevent myometrial contraction, provided by CL until mid/late and then provided by placenta.

Maternal Chnges before labor

nesting, tempetrue drops, panting or shivering, loss of appetite, etc…

Hormonal Changes of Labor

Activation of featal-maternal cortisol axis caused by fetal stress, estrogen causes myometrial contractions and increases oxytocin receptors in uterus.

Dystocia

A complication during labor characterized by difficult or abnormal delivery, which can be caused by factors such as fetal size, position, or maternal anatomy.

Puerperium

The period following childbirth during which the mother's body undergoes physiological changes to return to its prepregnancy state. This includes recovery from labor and delivery.