Physiology of Animal Reproduction Book Study Questions

The female tract is a series of tubes. Each tube is organized in concentric layers called the:

• serosa (outer)

• muscularis

• submucosa

• mucosa (inner)

The reproductive tract is surrounded by the ______ that is continuous with the broad ligament

peritoneum

Components of the broad ligament are the:

• mesovarium

• mesosalpinx

• mesometrium

The primary ovarian structures are:

• primary follicles

• secondary follicles

• antral follicles

• corpora lutea

• corpora albicantia

The oviduct consists of the:

• infundibulum

• ampulla

• isthmus

The unique names of the components of the uterus are:

• serosa= perimetrium

• muscularis= myometrium

• mucosa + submucosa= endometrium

The primary functions of the uterus are:

• sperm transport

• luteolysis and control of cyclicity

• environment for preattachment embryo

• maternal contribution to the placenta

• expulsion of the fetus and fetal placenta

The cervix provides:

lubrication, a flushing system, and a barrier during pregnancy

The basic components of the male reproductive system are the:

• spermatic cord

• scrotum

• testis

• excurrent duct system

• accessory sex glands

• penis and muscles for protrusion, erection, and ejaculation

The functions of the spermatic cords are to:

• provide vascular, lymphatic, and neural connection to the body

• provide a heat exchanger

• house the cremaster muscle

The scortum is a:

• thermosensor

• swamp cooler

• protective sac

The testes are the primary reproductive organs in the male. Their functions are to produce

• spermatozoa

• hormones and proteins

• fluids

The testis consists of:

• testicular capsule

• parenchyma

• mediastinum

• rete tubules

The testicular parenchyma consists of:

• seminiferous tubules

• interstitial cells of Leydig

• capillaries

• lymphatic vessels

• connective tissue

The tubular compartment consists of:

• seminiferous epithelium

• Sertoli cells

• developing germ cells

• peritubular cells

The blood-testis barrier

prevents immunologic destruction of developing germ cells

The excurrent duct system consists of

• efferent ducts

• the epididymal duct

• the ductus deferens

Seminal plasma is produced by the

• epididymis

• ampulla

• vesicular glands (seminal vesicles)

• prostate gland

• bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands)

The penis consists of

• a base

• a shaft

• the glans penis

Muscles associated with the pelvic urethra and the penis are

• urethralis

• bulbospongiosus

• ischiocavernosus

• retractor penis

Neural control requires

• simple neural reflexes

• neuroendocrine reflexes

Thy hypothalamus is the

neural control center for reproductive hormones

The hypothalamo-hypopyseal portal system

allows minute quantities of releasing hormones to act on the anterior pituitary before they are diluted by the general circulation

The posterior lobe of the pituitary does not have a portal system.

Neurohormones are deposited directly into capillaries in the posterior lobe of the pituitary.

Negative feedback is the

suppression of GnRH neurons

Positive feedback is the

stimulation of GnRH neurons

High progesterone=

lower GnRH= lower FSH and LH= incomplete follicular development

Higher E2 (estradiol)=

higher GnRH (surge)= LH surge= ovulation

Reproductive hormones:

• act in minute quantities

• have short half-lives

• bind to specific receptors

• regulate intracellular biochemical reactions

Hormones can be classified by:

• source

• mode of action

• biochemical classification

Reproductive hormones originate from:

• hypothalamus

• pituitary

• gonads

• uterus

• placenta

Reproductive hormones can cause:

• release of other hormones (releasing hormone)

• stimulatin of gonads (gonadotropins)

• sexual promotion (steroids)

• pregnancy maintenance

• luteolysis (destruction of the CL)

Biochemical classifications include

• peptides

• glycoproteins

• steroids

• prostaglandins

Hormone action requires

the presence of specific receptors on target cells

Protein hormones

bind to plasma membrane receptors

Steroid hormones have ____ types of receptors

two

“strength” of hormone action depends on:

• pattern and duration of secretion

• half-life

• receptor density

• receptor-hormone affinity

Hormonal potency is influenced by

• receptor density

• hormone receptor affinity

Hormones disappear from the body because:

they are metabolized and then eliminated in the urine and feces

Hormones can be detected in:

Blood, saliva, milk, urine, lymph, tears, and feces using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology

The hypothalamus is inherently ________

“Female”. Testosterone defeminizes the hypothalamus during embryogenesis and “eliminates” the GnRH surge center in the male.

The female hypothalamus contains a ___________

“surge center and a tonic center”. The male hypothalamus does not appear to have a surge center

The female must reach a ______ before puberty can be achieved

threshold body size

Certain _________ or __________ factors influence the onset of puberty in the female

external or social

______ influences age at puberty

genetics (breed)

Even though the neurons in the surge center in prepubertal females are sensitive to estradiol…

they cannot secrete much GnRH because estradiol is too low

In the male, the onset of puberty is brought about because of

decreased hypothalamic sensitivity to negative feedback by testosterone/ estradiol

In the prepubertal female, the surge center is quite sensitive to the positive feedback of estradiol. But,

the surge center cannot release “ovulatory quantities” of GnRH because the ovary cannot secrete high levels of estradiol

Hypothalamic neurons that regulate GnRH secretion detect __________ changes in blood glucose and fatty acids

moment-to-moment

Kisspeptin neurons may act ______

directly on GnRH hormones

Small groups of gilts housed together have______

delayed onset of puberty

presence of males ________

hastens the onset of puberty

metabolic status for _______ is not well understood

puberty in the male