Reproductive Physiology Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards covering the male reproductive system, female reproductive tract, and historical/embryological aspects of reproduction, based on lecture notes.

According to the lecture, what are the three functional groups describing the anatomy of the male reproductive system?

Production of sperm, transport of sperm, and transfer of sperm into the female.

What is the function of the retractor penis muscle?

This muscle relaxes to allow the penis to extend for erection and contracts to draw it back, keeping it protected and contained when not in use.

What are the three main parts of the penis?

Root, body, and glans penis.

Name three common sperm abnormalities.

Two tails, two heads, or a coiled tail.

Identify some impairments of the penis.

Cuts, warts, hair rings

How is spermatozoa transferred from the male (bull) to the female (cow)?

By the process of intromission, which requires erection of the penis and ejaculation of sperm.

What is the 'S' shaped bend in the body of the penis called?

The sigmoid flexure.

What are the main components of the female reproductive tract?

Ovaries, oviducts (Fallopian tubes), uterus, cervix, vagina, and external genitalia (vulva).

Name two functions of the rectogenital pouch.

Diagnose ovarian status, diagnose pregnancy, manipulate the tract for AI, recover embryos, or identify reproductive tract abnormalities.

What are the four distinct concentric layers that characterize the tubular components of the female reproductive tract?

Serosa (outer), muscularis, submucosa, and mucosa (inner).

Where are the cellular machinery for oogenesis and steroid production found in the female tract?

In the ovary.

What is the role of the infundibulum and fimbriae in the uterine tube?

The infundibulum is the funnel-shaped end that, with its fimbriae (finger-like projections), collects the ovum on ovulation.

Where does fertilization primarily occur in the uterine tube?

In the ampulla, the region adjacent to the infundibulum.

What are the two main components of the uterus?

A body and two horns.

Where is the cervix located?

Between the body of the uterus cranially and the vagina caudally.

What is a main function of the cervix?

Acts as a barrier separating the external genitalia from the internal genitalia.

Define Andrology.

A branch of reproductive physiology that deals specifically with the study and treatment of male animals, including humans.

Define Gynecology.

A branch of reproductive physiology and medicine that deals specifically with reproductive issues in women.

Define Theriogenology.

A branch of veterinary medicine that focuses on the reproductive system in animals.

Define Obstetrics.

A branch of reproductive physiology, veterinary medicine, and/or human medicine that specializes in the female before, during, and after parturition.

According to the notes, when did the study of reproductive physiology begin?

With Aristotle, around 2350 years ago.

What was Aristotle's belief about the origin of the fetus?

He believed the fetus arose from menstrual blood.

What did Aristotle believe initiated the conversion of menstrual blood to a fetus?

Seminal fluid deposited in the female during copulation.

What was Aristotle's belief about the function of the testes?

That they were simply pendular weights that kept the transport ducts (ductus deferens) from becoming kinked or plugged with seminal fluid.

Who discovered the oviducts?

Fallopius.

Who discovered the corpus luteum and when?

Coiter, in 1573.

Who described the antral follicle, also known as the Graafian follicle?

Regnier de Graaf.

Who developed a simple microscope and discovered 'animalcules' (spermatozoa) in semen?

Van Leeuwenhoek.

When did van Leeuwenhoek publish his observations on 'animalcules'?

1677.

Who is considered the 'Father of modern Artificial Insemination'?

An Italian priest named Spallanzani.

When was the fertilization process accurately described, and what marked the beginning of modern reproductive physiology?

Dumas demonstrated in 1825 that spermatozoa were the fertilizing agent, which marked the beginning of modern reproductive physiology.

What significant advancement occurred in reproductive physiology during the 1940s and 1950s?

Understanding spermatozoa physiology and cellular function in test-tube environments led to successful Artificial Insemination (AI) in several species.

What major discovery in reproductive physiology occurred in the 1960s?

The understanding that prostaglandin F2α regulated the length of the estrus cycle and caused destruction of the corpus luteum, allowing manipulation of estrous cycles and control of ovulation.

Why is improving reproductive rate a major goal in food animal production?

Because even a 3% increase would result in millions more beef calves, pigs, and gallons of milk per year.

What are the global challenges related to reproduction listed in the notes?

Decrease the rate of human population growth, increase reproduction efficiency in food-producing animals, and educate the public about managing reproductive function in all species.

When is the sex of an embryo determined?

At the time of fertilization.

Define embryogenesis.

The formation and growth of an embryo.

Define differentiation in the context of development.

The development of structure and function that is more specialized than the original cells or tissue.

Name the three primary embryonic germ layers and their general positions.

Endoderm (inner), Mesoderm (middle), and Ectoderm (outside).

What organs/systems are derived from the ectoderm?

Nervous system, skin, hair, nails, sweat glands (including mammary glands), hypothalamus, both lobes of the pituitary, oral cavity, nasal cavity, reproductive tract (portions of the vagina and vestibule), penis, and clitoris.

What organs/systems are derived from the mesoderm?

Muscle, skeleton, cardiovascular, and reproductive system (gonads, uterus, cervix, part of vagina, epididymis, ductus deferens, accessory sex glands), and urinary system.

What organs/systems are derived from the endoderm?

Digestive system (including liver and pancreas), respiratory system, and most glands.

What key reproductive system developments occur in the 1st trimester of embryological development?

Migration of primordial germ cells from the yolk sac, development of sex cords in the gonad and paramesonephric ducts, sex becomes evident from structures, and development of male ducts/testes or female ducts/ovaries.

What key reproductive system developments occur in the 2nd trimester of embryological development?

Formation of the broad ligament and testicular descent in the bull and ram.

What key reproductive system developments occur in the 3rd trimester of embryological development?

Testicular descent in the boar and colt.