Female Reproductive Anatomy Part 2 Flashcards
histology of the oviduct
simple columnar ciliated epithelium
functions of the oviduct
A. Egg Collection
B. Site of Fertilization — end of ampulla
C. Maintains Early Embryo
1. First few days spent in oviduct
D. Embryo Transport
E. Gamete Transport
1. Moves egg down oviduct, primarily by cilia and smooth muscle
2. Moves sperm up oviduct, primarily by smooth muscle
three segments of the oviduct
infundibulum
ampulla
isthmus
infundibulum
a. Closest to ovary
b. Funnel shaped
c. Motile at ovulation
d. Has fimbria on edge — finger-like projections
e. Opening called the ostium
ampulla
a. Middle section
b. Relatively large diameter compared to isthmus
d. Inner lining has many fern –like mucosal folds with ciliated
epithelium
e. Fertilization occurs at this site
• Ampullary Isthmic Junction (AIJ) – site of fertilization
isthmus
a. Segment closest to uterus
b. The junction to uterus is called uterotubal junction (UTJ)
• UTJ may regulate the movement of embryo to the uterus
c. Isthmus has a thicker muscular wall and fewer mucosal folds
compared to ampulla
structure of the oviduct
three layers:
tunica serosa
tunica muscularis
tunica mucosa
tunica serosa in oviduct
a. Outermost layer
b. Connective tissue
tunica muscularis in oviduct
a. Middle layer
b. Two muscle layers
i. longitudinal muscle — outer layer
ii. circular muscle — inner layer
tunica mucosa in oviduct
a. Innermost layer
b. Two cell types
i. ciliated cells
ii. secretory cells
function of the ovary
- Produce female gametes (ova or egg)
- Produce & release hormones
• Steroids hormones: estrogen and progesterone
• Protein hormones: oxytocin, relaxin, inhibin
structure of the ovary
germinal epithelium tunica albuginea ovarian cortex medulla hilus
germinal epithelium
a. Outermost layer of ovary (cuboidal epithelial cells)
b. Is NOT the source of ova
tunica albuginea
a. Connective tissue layer under germinal epithelium
ovarian cortex
a. Houses oocytes/ developing follicles, which contain ova (except
in the mare)
b. Houses corpus luteum (CL) after ovulation
medulla
a. Central portion of ovary and composed of dense connective tissue b. Contains the following: 1) blood vessels 2) nerve supply 3) lymphatic system
hilus
a. Stalk of the ovary where nerves, lymphatics, and blood supply
enter ovary
what is the exception to mares in the ovary?
ovulation fossa
Ovulation fossa - THE ONLY LOCATION (site) of ovulation
a. In mares, cortex & medulla are reversed
b. Fossa provides path for ova to get through connective layer
c. Follicles but not the CL can be palpated
ovarian structures
follicle
corpus hemorrhagicum
corpus luteum
corpus albicans
follicle
a. Site of ova production
b. Source of hormones (estradiol, inhibin)
corpus hemorrhagicum
a. “Bloody body” - Also called developing CL
b. Forms at site of ovum release
c. Caused by bleeding when follicle ruptures
d. Short lived (2-3 days)
corpus luteum
a. “Yellow body”
b. Forms form corpus hemorrhagicum
c. Secretes high amounts of progesterone
corpus albicans
a. “White body”
b. Secretes minimal progesterone
oocytes present at birth
- Human = 400,000
- Gilt = 80,000
- Cow = 75,000
how are most oocytes lost in old cows
atresia
follicular development
primordial follicle primary follicle secondary follicle tertiary/antral follicle graafian follice
primordial follicle
- Microscopic
- Most immature stage
- Smallest follicle encountered in ovarian cortex
- Females are born with the life time supply of these follicles
- Single layer squamous cells
primary follicle
- Germ cell
2. Single layer of cuboidal granulosa cells
secondary follice
Develop from the primary follicle
- Germ cell
- At least 2 layers of granulosa cells
- Absence of antrum (cavity)
- Zona pellucida, a thick protein layer formed
a. Acellular coat around ovum
b. Made of 3 glycoproteins (ZP-1, ZP-2, ZP-3)
tertiary/antral follicle
- Germ cell
- Many layers of granulosa cells
- Two layers of theca cells
a. Theca interna (inner layer)
b. Theca externa (outer connective layer) - Antrum
a. Fluid-filled cavity
b. Liquor folliculi — high amounts of steroid hormones (mainly
estradiol)
graafian follicle
(well-developed antral follicle)
- Follicle that will ovulate
- Appear as blisters on ovarian surface
- Few follicles reach this stage
theca externa
- Loose fibrous outer layer
2. Contains capillaries
theca interna
- Under theca externa
- Responsible for androgen (steroid) production (Testosterone)
- Layer contains capillaries
granulosa cells
- Also called Stratum Granulosum
- Located under basement membrane
- Under influence of gonadotropin hormones produces estradiol
- Involves with maturation of oocyte
corona radiata
- Layer of granulosa cells directly surrounding oocyte
zona pellucida
- Non-cellular protein coat around the oocyte
2. Consists of three types of glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3
perivitelline space
- Space between zona pellucida and cell membrane of egg
vitelline membrane
- cell membrane of egg
oocyte
- The germ cell
2. Contains genetic material in germinal vesicle
antrum
- Fluid-filled space surrounding oocyte
cumulus mass
- Clump of oocytes held together by cumulus (granulosa) cells —in litterbearing animals
true or false
After ovulation, theca and remaining granulosa cells undergo luteinization to
form the corpus luteum
true
