Physiology of Reproduction in Domestic Animals ADSC 3400 -- Exam One

Parts of the female reproductive track

ovaries

oviducts

uterine body

uterine horns

cervix

vagina

external genitalia

Paired parts of the female track

ovaries

oviducts

uterine horns

General purpose of the ovaries

1. hormones

2. gametes originate in the ovaries

General location of the reproductive track

beneath the rectum

Peritoneum

Double-layered membrane surrounding the abdominal organs

Broad ligament

Part of the peritoneum that suspends the reproductive track

Parts of the broad ligament

mesovarium

mesosalpinx

mesometrium

Mesovarium

supports ovary

Mesosalpinx

supports the oviduct

Mesometurium

supports the uterus

What makes the ovaries different than the rest of the track?

it is not included in the tubular system

Lumen of the tubular system

the open cavity in the tube that allows for the movement of fluids and gametes

Mucosa of the tubular system

secretory function to prepare the lumen

Submucosa of the tubular system

supports the mucosa and the secretions

Muscularis in the tubular system

Circular smooth muscle layer -- squeezes in

Longitudinal smooth muscle layer -- shortens and lengthens

Serosa in the tubular system

squamous cells that help protect and prevents sticking

Order of tubular system from the inside out

1. lumen

2. mucosa

3. submucosa

4. muscularis

5. serosa

Animals repro tracks can be grouped together based on

diets

Site of fertilization

oviduct

First unpaired part of the reproductive track

uterine body

Description of a cows uterus

devolved horns (6-10 in.) but a small body (1-2 in)

Sections of the vagina

cranial -- repro function only

caudal -- urinary + repro function

Ovaries are not attached to the

tubular system

Oviducts in living picture of a cow

not visible due to them being within the broad ligament

Cervix of a pig

interdigitating prominences

Copulatory organ for a cow

vagina

Copulatory organ for a pig

cervix

Uterine horns of a pig

long -- 2 to 3 feet (due to litter bearing)

Cervix of a cow

rings (close cervix tightly)

Mare uterine horns

don't curve back as much (7-9 inches)

T shaped

Mare uterine body

well developed (7 inches long)

Cervix of the mare

has folds

Copulatory organ of the mare

vagina

Dog/cat uterine horns

well developed, Y shaped

Dog/cat cervix

not well defined

sphincter muscle

Progesterone function

maintains pregnancy

Estrogen function

opens the desire to mate + precursor of ovulation

Ovarian layers (inside --> outside)

medulla

cortex

tunica albuginea

Tunica albuginea

outer protective covering of the ovary

lies beneath the germinal epithelial layer

Ovarian cortex

similar to mucosa

houses the oocytes

Ovarian medulla

vasculature, nerves, and lymphatics

Difference of a mares ovary

the cortex is the inner most layer and the medulla outside of it

What allows the cortex outside access in the mare?

the ovulation fossa

Types of follicles

Primordial

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary (antral)

Parts of the luteal phase

corpora lutea

corpora albicans

Primordial follicles

contains oocyte (gametes) + does not respond to the outside environment

Primary follicles

single layer of cells and starts to listen to the environment

Secondary follicles

gains more layers of cells and responds to the environment a lot -- protects genetic material in a "bubble" to keep integrity

Zona pellucida

around the follicle in the secondary phase for protection

Tertiary follicle

can see on ovary

gains fluid and grows in size to prepare for ovulation

Antral follicle layers

theca externa, theca interna, granulosal cell layer

Theca externa

external protective layer

Theca interna

androgen production

pituitary LH

Granulosal cells of the follicle

increase when fluid is pumped in and more estrogen is produced

pituitary FSH

corpus hemorrhagicum

small protrusion of tissue and bleeding caused by ovulation

Ovulation occurs and the antral follicle turns into the

corpus luteum that produces progesterone

Corpus albicans (white body)

if pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum regresses to form a corpus albicans

Ovarian cyst

when the follicle will not give up and wont ovulate

animals will show clinical signs by having persistent signs of heat

Polycystic ovaries

Multiple follicular cysts and produce large amounts of estrogen

Ovarian tumors

mainly in horses -- tissues of the follicles because uncontrolled -- can become large enough to cause pain

Gonadal hypoplasia

small ovary (unilateral or bilateral)

Purpose of the oviduct

capture oocyte

site of fertilization

Structures of the oviduct

infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus

infundibulum

catches the oocyte

covered in fimbriae (helps move gamete)

Ampulla

large portion of the oviduct (50% +)

has a large diameter, mucosal folds, and ciliated epithelium

Isthmus

small diameter than the ampulla and more muscular

Where the ampulla and isthmus meet can be considered

the site of fertilization

Why can sperm and oocyte meet in the oviduct even though they are going in opposite directions?

Sperm has a tail and can move on its own

Functions of the uterus

movement of spermatozoa

control cyclicity by hormone production

suitable environment for pregnancy

Uterine types

duplex, bicornuate, simplex

Duplex cervix

two cervixes (rabbits and marsupials)

Bicornuate cervix

occurs in species with poor - highly developed uterine horns (cow, mare, bitch, sow, queen)

Simplex cervix

occurs in species with no uterine horns (primates)

Structures of the uterus

perimetrium -- serosa

myometrium -- muscularis

endometrium -- mucosa and submucosa

Uterine glands

responsive to hormones

secretes hormones

thickness and activity changes based of cyclicity

Functions of the cervix

lubrication

flushing system

barrier between inside and outside

Variations of the cervix

folds

rings

interdigitating prominences

Vagina purpose

copulatory organ (most species)

common passageway for urine

fetal expulsion

Fornix

the cervix protrudes into the anterior vagina, forming a crypt, or pocket

Gamete production in males vs females

males produce 35,000 - 200,000 gametes per second whereas females are born with all of there's

Basic male anatomy structures

testes

epididymis

ductus deferens

accessory sex glands

penis

Basic function of the testes

produce gametes and hormones

Basic function of the epididymis

finish and store spermatozoa

Basic function of the ductus deferens

transport

Basic function of the accessory sex glands

makes semen by packaging the spermatozoa

Basic function of the penis

copulation

Accessory sex glands of the bull

vesicular glands, prostate, bulbourethral glands (all 3)

ampulla

Accessory sex glands of the stallion

vesicular glands, prostate, bulbourethral glands (all 3)

ampulla

Testes of a bull

vertical

Testes of a stallion

horizontal

Testes of a boar

continued rotation -- the head of the epididymis is above the tail of the epididymis

Testes of a dog

horizontal

Testes of a tom

horizontal

Accessory sex glands of the boar

all 3 glands

no ampulla

Accessory sex glands of the dog

only have prostate

no ampulla

Accessory sex glands of the tom

prostate and bulbourethral glands (no vestibular)

no ampulla

Penis of the boar

fibroelastic

sigmoid flexure

Penis of the dog

vascular

bulbus gland -- copulatory lock

Penis of the tom

vascular

extends caudal

Bulbus glandis

an erectile tissue structure on the penis of the male dog