Animal reproduction and genetics

Ovary

Primary reproductive organ, location= abdominal cavity, controlled by pituitary

Oviducts

Links ovaries to the uterus. Has:

Fimbrae, infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus (Oocytes transport, fertilisation and embryo transport

Fimbrae

Capture the egg from the ovary after ovulation

Infundibulum

Directs egg to the oviduct where fertilisation can occur

Ampulla

Site for the maturation of gametes and early embryonic development

Isthmus

Crucial sperm reservoir, storing viable sperm and facilitating their capacitation before release for fertilisation

Duplex uterus

Separate horns, no corpus, double cervix

Biocornuate uterus

Short corpus, long horns (bi=2)

Bipartite uterus

Larger corpus, short horns with septum

Simple uterus

No significant horns

Myometrium

Longitudinal muscle and circular muscle

Endometrium

Gland-rich connective tissue layer, epithelium

Caruncles

Attachment points for the placenta (ruminants), lines the epithelium

Uterus

Sperm transport, regulation of corpus luteum, initiation of implantation, gestation and parturition

Cervix

Physical barrier, thick folds/ ribbed, fibrous, muscular wall, mucus secretion and sperm transport regulator

Vagina

Copulation organ, sperm receptacle and separation of seminal fluid from sperm, barrier function mostly for bacteria

Vestibulum

Glands producing clear secretion, urethral exit

Labia major

More developed than minor, swelling subject to endocrine changes, gland rich and secretion endocrine-dependent

Clitoris

Embryonic homologous of the penis, erectile, for pleasure

Female gametes

Primordial→ primary oocytes

-tertiary follicles

LH receptors developed

Stimulates androgen production: testosterone

FSH and testosterone= aromatase enzyme

Graafian follicle→ primary oocyte mounted

Follicular phase

Antral/ tertiary follicles constantly produced, antral→ Graafian follicles (due to LH and FSH), oestrogens→ LH peak→ ovulation

Luteal phase

Increased progesterone production by the corpus luteum, progesterone→ negative FB on GnRH → reduced LH and FSH→ no new maturation/ ovulation if progesterone is high

Pro-oestrus

Follicle development, vaginal thickening, uterine vascularisation

Oestrus

Heat, receptivity, ovulation

Met-oestrus

Formation of corpus luteum

Di-oestrus

Inactivity between cycles during breeding season

An-oestrus

Inactivity between breeding seasons

Transport in the oviduct dependent on?

-frequency and power of contraction of the oviduct

-direction/ speed of oviduct fluid (by cilia)

-secretion activity of oviduct epithelium

-ovarian fluid characteristics

Testes

Primary reproductive organ

Function: gamete production and androgen production

Epididymis

Links efferent ducts to vas deferens

Caput (head), corpus (body), cauda (tail)

Maturation and storage of spermatozoids

Vas deferens

End part= ampulla

Secretions from penis?

Composition: sugars, enzymes, proteins, peptides, minerals, anti-microbial, hormones → nutrition, protection, transport in the female tract and flushing

The penis

Made up of glans, corpus penis and crura: suspension ligaments

Morphology: cavernous material surrounded by connective tissue capsule (tunica albuginea), erectionb by dilation of arteries