Equine - Anatomy and Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
What type of uterus does the horse have?
bicornuate or Y-shaped
What is the role of the broad liagament in the horse?
It suspends structures within the abdominal cavity
What is contained within the broad ligament?
arteries, veins, nerves, and lymphatics
What does the mesovarium support?
the ovaries
What does the mesosalpinx support?
the oviducts
What does the mesometrium support?
the uterus/cervix
How many folds are within the cervix?
5-10 longitudinal folds
What is the cervix made up of?
muscle
How large is the cervix?
6-7cm in length
The cervix cannot and should not every be ________.
retracted
What separates the vagina and the vestibulum?
transverse folds
Where should 2/3 of the vulva be located?
below the pelvic brim
What direction is the vulva oriented in?
vertical or near vertical orientation
What is the clitoris made up of?
a fossa and 3 sinuses (medial and lateral)
What are the three barriers to the internal reproductive tract?
vulva, intact vestibulovaginal sphincter, and cervix
What do the three barriers of the internal reproductive tract protect it from?
fecal contamination, windsucking, and bacterial ascension of the cranial repro tract
What is the shape of the equine ovary?
it is kidney bean shaped
Where does ovulation occur?
at the ventral ovulation fossa
Where is the medulla located in the equine ovary? The cortex?
the medulla is on the outside, the cortex is on the inside
When does puberty occur in a mare?
12-24 months - average is 15 months
When does a mare reach maturity?
by 3 years of age
How would you classify a non-pregnant mare’s estrous cycle?
long day, seasonally poly estrus
What are the phases of seasonality in the mare?
vernal transition (spring), breeding season, autumn transition, and winter anestrus
Winter anestrus is due to ____ days.
short
What are the reproductive hormones like during winter anestrus?
low levels of LH, estrogen, and progesterone
If there are follicles, what size are they during winter anestrus?
less than 5-10 mm in diameter
What type of firmness is the reproductive tract during winter anestrus?
flaccidity
How long is vernal transition?
1-2 months - average 55-60 days
What estrus behavior occurs during vernal transition?
erratic estrus behavior
When does vernal transition naturally occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
from february to april
a.
increased daylight
b.
recognized by retinal photoreceptors
c.
pineal gland
d.
decreased melatonin secretion
e.
hypothalamus