Avian Reproductive System🐣

Question 1

What is a Phallus?

Answer 1

1. A copulatory organ (penis-like) which fills with lymph during mating to allow semen to be deposited into the female

Question 2

What is a Papilae?

Answer 2

1. Organ in the wall of the cloaca that emits semen in the cloaca of the female

Question 3

What are androgens?

Answer 3

1. Male sex hormones produced by the testes

Question 4

What are the five sections within the oviduct? (Female)

Answer 4

1. Infundibulum
2. Magnum
3. Isthmus
4. Uterus
5. Cloaca

Question 5

What is the function of the Infundibulum?

Answer 5

1. Receives egg and where fermentation takes place

Question 6

What is the function of the magnum?

Answer 6

1. Secretes albumen

Question 7

What is the function of the Isthmus?

Answer 7

1. Adds the shell membrane

Question 8

What is the function of the uterus?

Answer 8

1. Secretes shell and pigment

Question 9

What is the function of the cloaca?

Answer 9

1. Where the egg and waste leave the body

Question 10

What does the male reproductive system consist of?

Answer 10

1. Testes- (located in the abdominal cavity)
2. Epididymis- (where sperm is stored)
3. Vas Deferens- (Transport sperm)
4. Papillae- (emits semen into cloaca)
5. Cloaca- (passageway)

Question 11

What does the avian egg consist of?

Answer 11

1. Albumen- (‘egg white’)
2. Shell- (gas exchange)
3. Inner and outer shell membrane- (protection against bacteria)
4. Yolk- (nutrients)
5. Chalaza- (stands that holds yolk)
6. Air cell- (gaseous exchange)

Question 12

What are incubation periods for certain types of avian species?

Answer 12

1. Pheasant - (23-24 days)
2. Duck- (28 days)
3. Chicken- (21 days)
4. Barn owl - (31 days)

Question 13

What can egg production be affected by?

Answer 13

1. Photoperiods
2. Diet
3. Moulting
4. Food availability
5. Temperature
6. Health

Question 14

Explain the function of the yolk

Answer 14

1. Provide nutrients for the developing embryo

Question 15

Explain the function of the albumen

Answer 15

1. Additional nutrition to support the growth of the embryo

Question 16

Describe how photoperiod affects egg production in chickens

Answer 16

1. Reduced daylight- reduces egg production
2. Increased daylight- increases egg production
3. Increased levels of hormones- stimulates egg released

Question 17

Explain one role of extraembryonic membranes in an egg

Answer 17

1. Yolk sac- used as a food source for the embryo
2. Amnion- forms a sac which protects the embryo

Question 18

How many functional ovaries does an adult female chicken have?

Answer 18

1. One

Question 19

Name the parts of the avian Oviduct

Answer 19

1. Infundibulum- receives egg where fertilisation takes place
2. Magnum- secretes albumen
3. Isthmus- adds the shell membrane
4. Uterus- secretes the shell and pigment
5. Cloaca- where the egg and waste leave the body

Question 20

Where is the site of fertilisation in a chicken?

Answer 20

1. Infundibulum

Question 21

Explain four factors that affect egg production in chickens

Answer 21

1. Availability of light (photoperiod)
2. Diet (poor nutrition)
3. Age (egg production may slow down with age)
4. Housing (temperature and health)

Question 22

What are the components within the avian egg and structure ?

Answer 22

1. Chalaza- (spiral strands that hold the yolk in place)
2. Inner and outer membrane- (made of proteins)
3. Yolk - (nutrition as the embryo forms)
4. Air cell- (A gap between the shell membranes)
5. Shell- (made of calcium and protects)
6. Albumen - (‘egg white’)

Question 23

What happens during the cloacal kiss?

Answer 23

1. The male and female both possess a cloaca
2. During cloacal copulation, the two are pressed together to allow the passing of sperm to the female tract

Question 24

What are the structures within the avian egg?

Answer 24

1. Chalaza- (spiral strands that hold the yolk in place)
2. Inner and outer membranes- (made of protein between the shell and albumen, effective defence against bacteria)
3. Yolk- (yellow part of the egg; provide food and nutrition as the embryo forms)
4. Air cell- (gap located between the shell membranes)
5. Shell- (made of calcium carbonate, designed to protect the developing chick, stops toxins from entering shell, semi permable to allow gas exchange)
6. Albumen- (known as ‘egg white’ and contains a variety of different proteins)

Question 25

What are the structures within the extra embryonic membrane?

Answer 25

1. Chorion- (surrounds the egg and allows for gaseous exchange) 2. Allantois- (develops a large circulatory system which allows for respiratory, excretory and digestive function) 3. Yolk sac- (used as a food source for the embryo but also the chicken after hatching) 4. Amnion- (forms a sac which protects the embryo and holds the amniotic fluid acting as a shock absorber)

Question 26

Name the part of the avian oviduct with their times

Answer 26

1. Infundibulum- (15 mins) 2. Magnum- (3 hrs) 3. Isthmus- (1 hr) 4. Uterus- (21hrs) 5. Cloaca- (1 min)

Question 27

Explain how the egg is formed through each stage of the oviduct

Answer 27

1. The yolk (ovum) is released from the ovary into the Infundibulum 2. The ovary spends 15 minutes in the Infundibulum, where it is fertilised by sperm if the female has mates 3. The fertilised (or unfertilised) ovum moves into the magnum, where the albumen is deposited and layered over the yolk in approximately 3 hours 4. Inner and outer shell membranes are then added in the isthmus where the egg stays around for an hour

Question 28

What is the role of the yolk?

Answer 28

1. Provides a food source for the developing embryo

Question 29

What is the role of the albumen?

Answer 29

1. Additional nutrition to support the growth of the embryo

Question 30

Describe how photoperiod affects egg production in chickens

Answer 30

1. Reduced daylight leads to reduced egg production 2. Increased daylight leads to increased egg production