Female repro anatomy Flashcards
Fusion of what forms the body of the uterus and cervix?
Paramesonephric ducts.
The follicle secretes?
Oestradiol
The corpus luteum is a transient endocrine gland what does it secrete?
Progesterone.
The corpus leteum regresses to become what?
Corpus albicans
In most species follicles are primarily located on the outer surface. However in what species are they found in an ovulation fossa?
The horse.
What is the broad ligament formed from?
The peritoneum.
What does the broad ligament support?
Supports and suspends ovaries, oviduct,
uterus, cervix and anterior vagina.
What does the broad ligament contain?
Houses vascularsupply, lymphatic drainage and nerves
Where does the round ligament run?
Runs caudal from the tip of the uterine horn to the inguinal canal.
What are the three components of the broad ligament?
Mesovarium
. Houses blood and lymphatics supplying ovary
Mesosalpinx
. Supports oviducts and serves as bursa like pouch
surrounding ovary
Mesometrium
. Supports uterine horns and body of uterus
What are the three regions of the oviduct/fallopian tube?
Infundibulum (captures oocyte), ampulla and isthmus.
The uterine tube runs within the?
Mesopsalpinx.
The ovarian artery supplies the ovaries where does it come from?
Originates directly from the aorta.
What branch of the ovarian artery supplies the tip of the uterine horn and anastomoses with the uterine artery in the broad ligament?
Uterine branch.
What does the utero-ovarian countercurrent transport system do?
PGF2a is secreted by the endometrium where it passes into the ovarian vein. PGF2a then passes into the ovarian artery which is closely intertwined with the vein. This means high concentrations of PGF2a are delivered to the ovary.
What are the functions of the uterus?
Functions
— Production of prostaglandin to control cyclical activity
(except bitch)
— Sperm transport / storage (also a function of secretion)
— Environment for early embryo (also a function of
secretion)
— Contribution to the placenta
— Parturition
What are the three different types of uterus?
Duplex (seen in opossum)
— 2 cervical canals, separate uterine horns
Bicornuate
— 2 uterine horns, small uterine body
Simplex
— Single uterine body with remnants of uterine horns.
The uterine and vaginal arteries are branches of what?
The internal iliac artery.
Which species does not have a uterine artery?
Dogs and cats.
What are the vagina and cervix deriived from?
Vagina: Urogenital sinus.
Cervix: Fused paramesonephric ducts and cranial end of developing vagina.
What are the hormonal effects on the caudal vagina of oestrogen?
Causes squamous epithelium thickening which allows:
— Mechanical protection of vagina during copulation
— Block to microorganisms getting into submucosa
. Some species — can swab vagina and determine stage of cycle
What is the vestibule?
The vestibule is the portion of the vagina that is common to both the urinary system and the reproductive system.
What is the innervation of the ovaries?
Sympathetic from mesenteric plexus.
What is the innervation of the uterus, cervix and vagina?
PNS and SNS from pelvic plexus.
The follicle secretes?
Oestradiol.
Briefly outline the germ cell maturation process of the oocyte?
- )Oogonia proliferate via mitosis before meiosis starts.
- )Meiosis starts before birth meaning oocyte number is fixed before birth.
- ) Until puberty they are arrested in meiosis 1.
- )Meoiosis resumes for the chosen egg at each oestrus cycle.
- ) This primary oocyte undergo mitosis again.
- ) A secondary oocyte is formed (only one set of genetic material the rest is expelled as a polar body).
- ) This secondary oocyte is ovulated and arrested at meiosis 2 until fertilisation completes the process and a second polar body is released.
What initiates follicle recruitment?
FSH wave
How does follicle selection occur?
Initially there are a cohort of growing follicles that are dependent on FSH for support.
These produce inhibin and oestradiol which negatively feedback on the pituitary gland which suppresses FSH only meaning apart from the dominant follicle other follicles are inhibited.
The follicles become dependent on LH and some will start to undergo atresia but one will become dominant.
What inhibits follicle dominance and ovulation in the dairy cow follicular waves?
Progesterone.
What stimulates aromatase activity and what does aromatase do?
FSH and LH.
Helps convert testosterone to oestradiol.
Which two cell types are involved in oestradiol production and what is the process?
Theca interna cells and granulosal cells.
Theca cells have a LH receptor they convert cholesterol to testosterone. This testosterone passes to the granulosal cells with FSH receptors where the testosterone is converted to oestradiol.
Ovulation is initiated by what?
The LH surge (which is initiated by the oestradiol).
What is a luteotroph?
A hormone that supports the growth /function of corpus luteum.
In ruminants, sows and mares LH is the luteotrophic hormone. What is it in rodents?
Prolactin
Which luteal cells are responsible for the majority of the progesterone production?
Large luteal cells.
What is the key luteolytic hormone?
prostaglandin F2a
