Lecture 4

What lies beneath the rectum in all species, facilitating rectal palpations?

The female reproductive system.

What are the primary functions of the female reproductive system?

To produce ova, transport spermatozoa, provide an environment for fertilization, transport the conceptus, and endocrine activity.

What are the ovaries and where are they located

They are round dense structures which sit in an ovarian bursa and are found caudal to the kidneys (or floor of pelvis in cows)

What are the 3 layers of the ovaries

The tunica albuginea, ovarian cortex and ovarian medulla

What is the tunica albuginea in the ovaries?

The outer layer composed of a single layer of cuboidal germinal epithelial cells.

What does the ovarian cortex house?

Oocytes (not in mares), corpus luteum, and degenerating corpus albicans.

What does the ovarian medulla house

blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

What are the 5 different ovarian follicle stages

Primary follicles, secondary follicles, antral follicles, corpora lutea and corpora albicantia

What are corpora albicantia

The scar tissue resulting from the degeneration of corpus luteum after ovulation.

What is unique about the equine ovary?

The ovarian medulla and cortex are reversed, and ovulation occurs at the ovulation fossa.

What are the four layers of the oviduct?

Serosa, muscularis, submucosa, and mucosa.

What are the 3 components to the oviduct. Describe them

• Infundibulum

  • Finger like projections which captures the newly ovulated oocyte

• Ampulla

  • Merges with the isthmus at the ampullaryisthmic junction

• Isthmus

  • Connects to the uterine horn via the uterotubular junction

What is the serosa layer of the oviduct

A single layer of squamous cells

Describe the structure and primary function of the muscularis layer of the oviduct?

A double layer of smooth muscle with an outer longitudinal layer and an inner circular layer

To transport newly ovulated oocytes and spermatozoa to the site of fertilization.

What are the submucosal and mucosal layers of the oviduct

The submucosal layer is made of connective tissue that provides support and houses blood vessels and nerves, while the mucosal layer consists of secretory simple columnar epithelial cells that is both ciliated and non ciliated

What anatomical structures does the uterus connect?

The oviducts to the cervix.

What characterizes the endometrium in ruminants?

It has small, non-glandular areas called caruncles which are highly vascularised

What is the endometrial feature found in sows and mares

Endometrial folds

What is the three types of uterine horns

The three types of uterine horns are simplex, bicornuate, and duplex

What is the function of the uterus

Sperm transport

Luteolysis and control of cyclicity

Environment for pre-attachment embryo

Maternal contribution to the placenta

Expulsion of the fetus and fetal placenta

What is the role of the cervix

The cervix acts as a barrier between the uterus and vagina, regulating the passage of sperm and serving as a protective barrier during pregnancy.

What are the species specifics on cervix?

• Dog and cat = simple

• Cow = fornix vagina and has cervical rings

• Ewe = fornix vagine and cervical rings

• Pig = interdigitating prominences

• Horse = cervical folds and fornix vagina

What is the primary function of the vagina

copulatory organ and a site of expulsion of urine during micturition

What are the divides of the vagina into two parts?

Cranial vagina and caudal vagina (vestibule).

What is the role of the vulva?

The external genitalia of the female reproductive tract.

What is the cutaneous bridge

The region between the anus and the vulva

What is the vestibule in the vagina

The common site opening for both the vagina and urinary tract

What ligaments support the female reproductive tract?

Suspensory ligament, proper ligament, broad ligament, round ligament, and intercornual ligament.

What is the suspensory ligament

Suspends the ovaries to the side walls

What is the proper ligament

A ligament that connects the ovaries to the uterine horns

What is the broad ligament connect?

It is a sheath arising from the peritoneum and carries all structures of the reproductive tract.

What are the three components of the broad ligament and their function

There are three components: the mesosalpinx, which supports the oviducts; the mesovarium, which supports the ovaries; and the mesometrium, which supports the uterus.

What is the round ligament

A sheath ligament sitting within the broad ligament

What is the site of fertilisation

The ampulla of oviduct