2. Female Reproduction

Question 1

List the 6 parts of the female reproductive tract.

Answer 1

Ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva

Question 2

What is the space between the rectum and the reproductive organs called?

Answer 2

The rectogenital pouch

Question 3

Why is it possible to manually palpate/ultrasound the cow and mare reproductive tracts?

Answer 3

The reproductive tract lies directly beneath the rectum which is large enough in the mare and cow to allow for insertion of human arm and ultrasound

Question 4

What is the function of the broad ligament?

Answer 4

Attaches the female reproductive tract to the abdominal wall

Question 5

What are the 4 layers of the female reproductive tract (outermost to innermost)?

Answer 5

• serosa
• muscularis
• submucosa
• mucosa

Question 6

Which layer of the female reproductive tract controls the environment of the lumen with secretory products?

Answer 6

mucosa

Question 7

What are the two layers that make up the muscularis (outermost to innermost)?

Answer 7

longitudinal
circular

Question 8

What layer of the female reproductive tract houses blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics?

Answer 8

submucosa

Question 9

Which layer of the female reproductive tract provides smooth muscle contraction?

Answer 9

muscularis

Question 10

Which layer of the female reproductive tract is made of single squamous cells?

Answer 10

serosa

Question 11

What are the two main functions of the ovary?

Answer 11

gamete and hormone production

Question 12

What is the dense outer layer of the ovary called?

Answer 12

tunica albuginea

Question 13

What type of cells make up the tunica albuginea?

Answer 13

single layer of cuboidal cells

Question 14

What part of the ovary houses the developing follicles and corpus luteum (except in mare)?

Answer 14

cortex

Question 15

What part of the ovary houses blood vessels, lymphatics, & nerves?

Answer 15

medulla

Question 16

What 2 hormones does the ovary produce?

Answer 16

estrogen and progesterone

Question 17

oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells; most immature follicle

Answer 17

primordial follicle

Question 18

oocyte surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal follicular cells

Answer 18

primary follicle

Question 19

oocyte with 3 or more cell layers but no antrum

Answer 19

secondary follicle

Question 20

oocyte that contains a fluid antrum

Answer 20

antral follicle

Question 21

What are the 3 distinct layers of follicle cells in an antral follicle (outermost to innermost)?

Answer 21

• theca externa
• theca interna
• granulosa cell layer

Question 22

which layer of the follicle produces estrogen, inhibin, and follicular fluid; have FSH receptors; and govern the maturation of the oocyte?

Answer 22

granulosa cell layer

Question 23

Which layer of the follicle produces androgens under the influence of LH?

Answer 23

theca interna

Question 24

Which layer of the follicle surrounds and supports the follicle?

Answer 24

theca externa

Question 25

How is the mare ovary different from other domestic species?

Answer 25

- the ovarian medulla is on the outside and the cortex is on the inside (reverse of other species) - ovulation in the mare only occurs at the ovulation fossa rather than in random locations of the ovaries as seen in other species

Question 26

What structure forms where the follicle was on the ovary after ovulation?

Answer 26

corpus hemorrhagicum --> corpus luteum --> corpus albicans

Question 27

What cell type do the theca interna and granulosa cells form after ovulation?

Answer 27

luteal cells

Question 28

What hormone do the luteal cells secrete?

Answer 28

progesterone

Question 29

What structure forms when theca interna cells and granulosa cells differentiate into luteal cells?

Answer 29

corpus luteum (CL)

Question 30

If pregnancy does not occur when the CL degenerates to form what structure?

Answer 30

corpus albicans (CA)

Question 31

What are the 3 sections of the oviduct?

Answer 31

- infundibulum - ampulla - isthmus

Question 32

What is the term for the opening into the oviduct?

Answer 32

ostium

Question 33

Where is the site of fertilization?

Answer 33

oviduct

Question 34

What is the term for the hollow, funnel-shaped opening that sweeps the surface of the ovary and captures the oocyte?

Answer 34

infundibulum

Question 35

What is the name of the site where the isthmus of the oviduct joins the uterus?

Answer 35

uterotubal junction

Question 36

What 3 things does the environment in the oviduct support?

Answer 36

- the free-floating, unfertilized oocyte - spermatozoal function - development of early embryo

Question 37

What type of uterus has two cervices?

Answer 37

duplex uterus

Question 38

What type of uterus consists of distinct uterine horns and a single cervix?

Answer 38

bicornate uterus

Question 39

Which ovarian structure produces estrogen?

Answer 39

granulosa cells

Question 40

What type of uterus consists of a large uterine body without uterine horns?

Answer 40

simplex uterus

Question 41

What type of uterus does a cow have?

Answer 41

bicornate uterus

Question 42

what is the term of destruction of a corpus luteum?

Answer 42

luteolysis

Question 43

What hormone does the endometrium produce to cause regression of the CL if not pregnant?

Answer 43

prostaglandin

Question 44

Where is luteinizing hormone produced?

Answer 44

anterior pituitary gland

Question 45

What 3 layers make up the uterus?

Answer 45

- perimetrium - myometrium - endometrium

Question 46

What is the name of the serous outer covering of the uterus that is continuous with the peritoneum?

Answer 46

perimetrium

Question 47

What is the name of the smooth muscle layer consisting of an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer?

Answer 47

myometrium

Question 48

What is the mucosal lining of the uterus called?

Answer 48

endometrium

Question 49

What is different about the endometrium in primates compared to domestic animals?

Answer 49

- in primates, layers of the endometrium are sloughed off if pregnancy does not occur (menstruation) - in domestic animals, secretory activity of uterine glands changes during cycle and endometrium is not sloughed

Question 50

Which species have caruncles?

Answer 50

ruminants; cow and ewe

Question 51

What are non-glandular protuberances of the uterine endometrium that will become the maternal portion of the placenta in ruminant species?

Answer 51

caruncles

Question 52

In non-ruminants, the endometrium has ________ that will provide surface for the development of the placenta.

Answer 52

endometrial folds

Question 53

Describe the general anatomy of the cervix.

Answer 53

Cervical canal that is surrounded by single or multiple folds or rings protruding into the cervical canal

Question 54

During estrus, the cervix of the _____ is characterized by the production of large amounts of mucus that provide lubrication for copulation.

Answer 54

cow

Question 55

the fornix vagina is made up of what type of cells?

Answer 55

columnar epithelial cells

Question 56

What is a cervical protrusion into the anterior vagina called?

Answer 56

fornix vagina

Question 57

Name two species that have a fornix vagina

Answer 57

cow and mare

Question 58

What is the purpose of the cervical mucus produced during estrus?

Answer 58

Provides lubrication and a flushing system to remove foreign material introduced during copulation

Question 59

What is the role of the cervix during pregnancy?

Answer 59

Isolates the uterus from the external environment during pregnancy by forming a barrier consisting of highly viscous mucus (due to the influence of progesterone)

Question 60

The anterior/cranial vagina is made up of what type of cells?

Answer 60

secretory columnar epithelium

Question 61

The vestibule/caudal vagina is made up of what type of cells?

Answer 61

stratified squamous epithelium that thickens dramatically during estrus due to influence of estrogen

Question 62

What portion of the vagina is common to the urinary and reproductive system?

Answer 62

vestibule aka caudal vagina

Question 63

What is the suburethral diverticulum?

Answer 63

An outpocketing of tissue located just beneath the urethra that forms a blind pouch with probably no functional significance

Question 64

What are the main functions of the oviduct?

Answer 64

- Transporting oocyte and spermatozoa to site of fertilization - Supports spermatozoa (storage reservoir for sperm) - Early embryo development - Embryo movement

Question 65

What is the copulatory organ in the female?

Answer 65

vagina

Question 66

What is the female homologue of the glans penis?

Answer 66

clitoris

Question 67

what are the two major hormones produced by the ovary and which ovarian structure produces each of these hormones?

Answer 67

estrogen - ovaries progesterone - CL