Female reproductive system (Lab 2)

Ovaries

Contain follicles and produce oocytes and hormone

Primordial follicles

Immature follicles present from birth to puberty

Primary follicles

Developing follicles stimulated by hormones

Secondary follicles

Further developed follicles before ovulation

Graafian follicle

Fully mature follicle ready for ovulation

Ovulation

Release of oocyte from the ovary

Corpus hemorrhagicum

"Bleeding body" formed immediately after ovulation

Corpus luteum

Hormone-secreting structure that maintains pregnancy if fertilization occurs

Corpus albicans

Scar tissue formed when corpus luteum degenerates

Oviduct (Fallopian tube)

Transports oocyte and sperm; site of fertilization

Ampullary-isthmic junction

Location where fertilization occurs

Utero-tubal junction

Sperm reservoir; filters defective sperm

Uterus

Supports embryo and fetus during pregnancy

Cervix

Thick muscular barrier between uterus and vagina

Vagina

Part of birth canal; protects uterus from bacteria

Vulva

External opening of reproductive and urinary tract

Cloaca

Common opening for reproductive, urinary, and digestive tracts in birds

Ova

Egg cells present in hens from birth

Infundibulum

Catches ovulated yolk; site of fertilization

Blastodisc

White spot on yolk containing female ovum

Blastoderm

Structure formed after fertilization that becomes the chick

Magnum

Adds most of the albumen (egg white)

Isthmus

Adds shell membranes and additional albumen

Shell gland (uterus)

Forms eggshell; egg remains here ~20 hours

Eggshell composition

Calcium carbonate; porous for gas exchange

Sperm storage tubules

Store sperm for 10-14+ days in hens

Unique feature of birds

Sperm remain viable at body temperature