Female reproduction

Question 1

Identify the major female reproductive organs

Answer 1

Ovaries, Fallopian tubes/oviducts, uterus, vagina, external genitalia, mammary glands

Question 2

List the major functions of the female reproductive tract

Answer 2

secrete sex steroids that support female reproductive tract development and function produce other hormones (relaxin, inhibin) source of female gametes site of male semen deposition, fertilization site of embryo implantation, development expulsion of fetus at term nourishment of newborn

Question 3

Which species have menstrual cycles and which have estrous cycles?

Answer 3

primates, humans- menstrual cycles all other species- estrous

Question 4

Describe the functions of the ovaries both in terms of germ cell and hormone production.

Answer 4

produce gametes (secondary oocytes that develop into mature ova) produce progesterone, estrogen, inhibin and relaxin

Question 5

Why is folliculogenesis in the horse unique?

Answer 5

reversed from normal Blood vessels in the periphery Oogenesis in central portion

Question 6

Describe with diagrams the two-cell theory by which granulosa and thecal cells make estrogen

Answer 6

Question 7

Describe what happens to a follicle following ovulation.

Answer 7

the secondary oocyte leaves the ovary and travels through the oviduct to the uterus; without the oocyte the follicle folds inward on itself, transforming into the corpus luteum, produces estrogen and progesterone

Question 8

Describe the LH surge, what it does, and what controls it

Answer 8

as estrogen levels rise, it stops inhibiting LH/GnRH and actually becomes stimulatory; leads to LH surge; promotes formation of corpus luteum; triggers ovulation

Question 9

List the major induced ovulators and describe induced ovulation

Answer 9

rabbit, felids, ferret, mink requires a stimulus to induce animal to ovulate (ex. cats-tactile)

Question 10

Describe the role of relaxin in the female.

Answer 10

produced by corpus luteum, relaxes uterus by inhibiting contraction of myometrium, at end of pregnancy, increases flexibility of pubic symphysis and dilates uterine cervix

Question 11

Describe the role of oxytocin in the female

Answer 11

causes myometrial contractions, results in expulsion of fetus, pitocin (oxytocin) used routinely in veterinary medicine for dystocia, short half-life

Question 12

Name some clinical problems associated with female reproduction

Answer 12

Infertility Abortion (bacterial, viral, hormonal causes) Dystocia Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia/Pyometra Vaginal Infections

Question 13

Ovary

Answer 13

critical source of hormones and major target of hormones; site of folliculogenesis; paired glands homologous to testes

Question 14

Oviduct

Answer 14

provide a route for sperm to reach ovum; transport secondary oocytes and fertilized ova from ovaries to uterus; infundibulum ends in fimbriae estrogen acts on it to stimulate oviductal development estrogen and progesterone regulate epithelial proliferation, epithelial secretory activity, ciliagenesis and ciliary beat in the oviduct

Question 15

Uterus

Answer 15

opens into the cervix and the vagina; oviducts open into the uterus; 3 layers- perimetrium/myometrium/endometrium estrogen act on it to stimulate epithelial proliferation (inhibited by progesterone) progesterone stimulates glandular secretion both prepare uterus for implantation

Question 16

Vagina

Answer 16

hormone target, part of female reproductive tract

Question 17

Mammary glands

Answer 17

nipple has openings of lactiferous ducts modified sweat gland that produces milk function is regulated by oxytocin and prolactin; variety of hormones are necessary for its development

Question 18

Menstrual cycle

Answer 18

seen in primates, humans

Question 19

Estrous cycle

Answer 19

seen in species other than primates, humans

Question 20

Wolffian duct

Answer 20

Develops into ovaries, oviduct, cranial 1/3 of vaginal

Question 21

Primordial follicle

Answer 21

several formed each month, how many develop into primary follicles varies by species

Question 22

Primary follicle

Answer 22

develop from primordial follicles; surrounded by granulosa cells, forms zona pellucida between granulosa cells and primary oocyte, stromal cells begin to organize into thecal layer

Question 23

Secondary follicle

Answer 23

develop from primary follicles; theca differentiates into theca interna secreting estrogens and theca externa; granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid in antrum

Question 24

Tertiary/ Graafian follicle

Answer 24

follicle just before being completely mature

Question 25

Oocyte

Answer 25

mature follicle released during ovulation

Question 26

Oogonia

Answer 26

during oogenesis, germ cells differentiate into oogonia and then proliferate extensively

Question 27

Atresia

Answer 27

degeneration of most germ cells before birth

Question 28

LH surge

Answer 28

occurs in induced ovulators after stimulus either during or after mating; causes giant surge in LH in the blood stream which stimulates ovulation

Question 29

Corpus luteum (plural:corpora lutea)

Answer 29

developed during ovulation; if oocyte is fertilized it will persist, if oocyte not fertilized it is transitory

Question 30

Progesterone

Answer 30

Secreted mainly by the corpus luteum, works with estrogens to prepare and maintain endometrium for implantation and mammary glands for milk production, inhibits many actions of estrogen, inhibits secretion of GnRH and LH

Question 31

Estrogen

Answer 31

promote development and maintenance of female reproductive structures and secondary sec characteristics, increases protein anabolism including building strong bones, lowers blood cholesterol, inhibits adipose deposition, inhibit release of GnRH, LH and FSH