Female Reproductive System

Foetus =

= a young animal while in the body of its mother or in the egg in the later stages of development

Dsytocia =

= difficult or obstructed labour

Pseudopregnancy =

= development of signs of pregnancy without presence of foetus

Open pyometra =

= uterus fills with pus and bacteria but escapes through vagina

Closed pyometra =

= uterus fills with pus and bacteria and cervix remains closed (more dangerous as uterus can swell and burst)

Parturition =

= process of giving birth/ expulsion of foetus from uterus

Gestation =

= period of pregnancy

Colostrum =

= first milk, rich in antibodies essential for neonatal immunity

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) =

stimulates follicle development

Prolactin =

= responsible for milk production in mammals

Oxytocin =

= responsible for ‘let down’ of milk and contractions

Seasonally polyoestrous =

= animal only cycles at certain times of the year

Non-seasonally polyoestrous =

= cycles multiple times a year but not at certain times

Monoestrous =

= 1 cycle per year

Umbilical Artery =

= vessel carrying deoxygenated blood and waste from foetus to mother

Vestibule =

= portion of vagina that meets urethra

Fimbriae =

= finger like projections on distal end of oviduct which help to capture egg released from ovary

2 alternative names for ‘uterus horns’?

• oviduct

• fallopian tube

Corpus Luteum =

= structure that secretes progesterone to maintain the embryo during pregnancy

Suspensory Ligament =

= hold uterus in place in the body

Anoestrus =

• no ovarian activity

• all hormones are low

Proestrus =

• FSH increases (stimulates ovaries to produce eggs)

• ovaries secrete oestrogen

• bleeding caused by vasodilation

• oestrogen peaks - ovulation occurs - caused by LH

Oestrus =

• animal in season (can reproduce)

• corpus luteum produces progesterone to maintain a pregnancy

• of not, progesterone will drop towards the end

Dioestrus / Interoestrus =

• corpus luteum will start dying if no pregnancy

Where are reproductive hormones secreted from?

Anterior Pituitary Gland

What are the reproductive hormones also known as?

Gonadotrophins

What are the gonadtrophins?

• ICSH

• FSH

• LH

4 types of placentas?

• diffuse

• zonary

• cotyledonary

• discoidal

What type of placenta do horses have?

Diffuse

Which of the following is most characteristic of anoestrus?

A. The female is sexually receptive to males.
B. The female displays signs of vulval swelling and blood-stained discharge.
C. The reproductive system is relatively inactive, with low ovarian hormoneactivity.
D. The corpus luteum is actively producing high levels of progesterone.

Answer = C

Which statement best describes the corpus luteum during late dioestrus, in a non-pregnant animal?

A. It is fully active and producing increasing levels of progesterone.
B. It is regressing, with progesterone production declining.
C. It has developed into a mature ovarian follicle.
D. It has released an ovum in preparation for fertilisation.

Answer = B

What stage of the oestrous cycle is a mare experiencing if she is frequently urinating, squatting and ‘winking’ her vulva?

Oestrus

What stage of the oestrus cycle is a dog experiencing if she has a swollen vulva and blood-stained vaginal discharge?

Pro-oestrus

What structure within the mammary glands produce milk?

Alveoli epithelium

What type of blood does the umbilical artery carry?

Deoxygenated blood from foetus to placenta

What type of blood does the umbilical vein carry?

Oxygenated blood from placenta to foetus