animal repro anatomy

Ovary

Female

Contains thousands of growing follicles

• each follicle contains ovum (egg)

Received rich supply of blood vessels & nerves

Follicles

Female

Grows in response to hormones called GONADOTROPINS

either dies (atretic) or ovulate and release egg

Each one contains an ovum (egg)

Corpus Luteum (Corpora Lutea)

Female (on ovary)

AKA CL

forms from tissue left over after a follicle has ovulated

Produces several pregnancy hormones

Produces Progesterone primarily

Corpus Albicans (corpora albicanria)

Female (on ovary)

AKA CA

scar tissue left behind after CL dies or regresses

Avascular, non-functional tissue

Oviduct

Female

Funnel shaped organ

Has specialized end near ovary called fimbria that picks up ovulated eggs

Anterior: ampulla

Posterior: isthmus

Fertilization & early embryonic development takes place in oviduct for most animals

Uterus

Female

Maintains pregnancy

Releases hormones that regresses luteal tissue

Glandular inner lining surrounded by 2 layers of muscle

Longitudinal & circular layers

Cervix

Female

Thick, muscular organ

Isolates uterus fro, external environment during pregnancy

Site for semen deposition in some animals

Vagina

Female

Part of birth canal

Protect uterus from bacteria

Site of semen deposition in most animals

Vulva

Female

External genitalia of vagina

Involved w/ recognition of receptivity & producing pheromones

Testicles

Male

Series of seminiferous tubules

Produces spermatozoa

Produces hormones (testosterone, androgens, etc)

Epididymis

Male

Continuation of tubules in testicle

Specialized for maturation & storage of spermatozoa

Immature sperm enter epididymis

& During passage thru epidemics they become mature

Vas deferens

Male

Muscular tube w/ small diameter

Passage for spermatozoa from epididymis to urethra during ejaculation

Secondary sex glands

Male

Seminal vesicles, prostate, & bulbourethral glands

Produce & secrete most liquid portion of semen

Composition of each is specialized

Penis

Male

Deposit semen to female repro tract

Central canal is urethra

Urethra is common exit for repro & urinary systems

Sheath

Male

Pouch where penis remains when not in use

Sometimes invoked w/ pheromone production

Semen

Male

“Suspension” (sperm cells in seminal fluid)

1. Concentrated sperm leaves epididymis

2. Then travels thru vas deferens to urethra

3. Secondary sex glands secrete fluids into urethra that mix w/ sperm (seminal vesicles = largest amount