EXAM 2: Reproductive Anatomy/Physiology- FEMALE Flashcards
gilts/sow reproductive tract
ovaries
oviducts
uterine horns
uterine body
cervix
vagina
vulva
made of connective tissue nerves and blood vessels, attaching near the point of the spine, and runs continuously with the innermost layer of the abdominal cavity
broad ligament
3 parts of the broad ligament
mesovarium
messoalpinx
mesomentrium
what does the mesovarium do
contains vessels, nerves, muscle fibers that extend to the ovaries and suspends the ovaries
part of the broad ligament
what does the messoalpinx do
stretches from ovary to the oviduct
what does the mesomentrium do
largest portion of the broad ligament
supports the uterus
why is the uterine horn large in swine compared to the uterine body
pigs are litter bearing species
what is unique about a pigs cervix
corkscrew shape
Contains 5 interdigitating pads which provide pressure points for locking the penis or AI catheters
gilt vs. sow broad ligament
gilt: thin, transparent
sow: lengthens, stretches, thickens
**contracts a little after birth but not back to original size
the ________ of gilts and sows is important because it is the source for both repro hormones and eggs
ovary
The ovary is responsive to
hormones released from other organs especially the pituitary gland
pituitary gland
located near base of brain
source of FSH and LH
why are FSH and LH important
responsible for initiating and stimulating the ovary to become active to begin reproduciton
Follicle stimulating hormone causes what to happen to a follicle
small sized follicle to grow into medium-sized follicle
these follicles appear as a small blisters on the ovary
**mimics estrogen
each follicle contains an egg and produces a lot of steroid hormones such as __________
estrogen
Luteinizing Hormone is important for
the continued growth of medium-sized follicles into large sized, which are responsible for releasing an egg at estrus
LH surge= heat
As the follicle grows, the ______ inside the follicle also begins to ________ as estrogen levels inside the follicle become very high
egg
mature
the elevation in follicular estrogen ultimately leads to _____________________ in the blood
estrogen levels
when blood concentrations of estrogen become high enough, the female shows
signs of estrus
The occurrence of peak levels of estrogen in the blood which originate from the large follicles on the ovary is followed closely by a _________ into the blood at the time of __________
surge of LH
estrus
ovulation of large follicles occurs about _______ hours after the LH surge. The eggs from all the large follicles from both ovaries will ovulate in about __________ hours
42hrs
3hrs
does timing of ovulation vary
yes, depending of age, genetics etc
Sows are observed to ovulate as early as 24hrs to as late as 60hrs after the onset estrus
Estrogen high, progesterone is
LOW
what do we look for to help us indicate that a female is in heat
standing heat— pressure on their back=they will lock up
the pregnancy hormone
progesterone
a sow comes into heat every _______ days
21
why is ovulation rate important
this number becomes the first limiting factors to litter size in pigs
sows develop hundreds of small follicles during an estrous cycle, but only ovulate around ____________ oocytes at estrus
10-20 (realistically 17-22)
do we want to breed before or after egg is released
before
sperm can survive ~24 hours in the tract
ovum can only survive ~8-12 hours in tract
when is abnormal ovulation seen
gilts in pubertal estrus – 1st heat cycle (low numbers)
summer months –heat stress (June-sept)
after excessive weight loss— lactation, diet, energy
within a few hours after ovulation, cells of the follicle begin to rapidly change and divide into a new type of cell, which over a few days will form a _______________, which produces______________
corpus luteum (CL or yellow body)
progesterone
after ovulation, the oocytes are moved into the oviduct by coordinated muscular contractions of a thin tissue called
fimbria
role of the fimbria
wraps around the ovary and, under the influence of estrogen induces muscular contractions which propel all the eggs into the funnel shape opening of the oviduct
oviduct
short, convoluted tube that connects the ovary to the uterus
propels eggs in one direction and sperm in the opposite
6-10 inches in length
what are the three parts of the oviduct
infundibulum (closest to ovary)
ampulla
isthmus
where does fertilization occur
ampulla
**most eggs reach this site within 30-60 min of ovulation
**eggs remain viable and fertilizable for 8-12 hours after ovulation
largest portion of the female repro tract and capable of considerable change in size from non-pregnant to pregnant
uterus (horns and body)
**bicornuate uterine structure
layers of the uterus
endometrium (inner most layer)
myometrium (middle)
perimetrium (outer layer)
endometrium
inner most layer of uterus
glandular tissue
Produces and secretes hormones, PGF2-alpha kills CL, tells pigs its time to farrow
secretes nutrients to embryos by direct attachement
myometrium
middle layer of uterus
comprised of smooth muscle cells
perimetrium
outer layer of uterus
move sperm, space embryos
thin layer of epithelial cells that envelop the uterus
provides shape to uterus
uterine horn size variation from non-preg to pregnant
non: 2-3 ft
preg: 4-6 ft
what is the site of fetal development in a pig
uterine horns
approximately one inch in diameter and about 6-8 in long, made of tough connective tissue, and contains limited amounts of glandular/muscle tissue
cervix
cervix’s primary function
serve as a locking mechanism for the penis
T/F the cervix will open and close under the influence of hormones
true
**will remain closed except at estrus and farrowing
dialates for boars penis
expands during farrowing due to fetal pressure
the primary source of mucus production
cervix
high estrogen/low progestrone= thin, watery mucus
low estrogen/ high progestrone= thick mucus, cervical plug
approximately 8-12 inches long and connects the cervix to the external genitalia
made of limited muscular and glandular tissue
vagina
What serves primarily as a copulatory organ for the boar and as a passage way to the outside
vagina
**welcome center
the ______ empties into the vagina on the floor of the vagina approximately 2 inches from external opening
bladder
T/F the vagina is acidic
true ~pH of 5.7
keeps out infection
immunoprotection function (IgA and prevents uterine contamination)
the external genitalia of the female pigs, composed of connective and fatty tissue
vulva
the vulva is endowed with blood vessels and in gilts, the vulva will __________________
swell and change colors near the time of estrus due to increased blood flow because of high estrogen
