Female Reproductive System Flashcards by Rebecca Murphy

Female reproductive system

Ovaries
Oviducts
Uterus
Cervix
Vagina
External genitalia
Associated glands
Mammary gland

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Major functions

Production of the female gametes (ova -> oogenesis)

Endocrine function –> production of sex hormones (mainly estrogens and progesterone)

Reception of male gametes (spermatozoa) and provision of a suitable environment for fertilization

Provision of a suitable environment for fetal development (uterus)

Nutrition of the newborn

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Ovaries: functions

Produce the female gametes

Produce sex hormones

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Ovaries

Cortex –> broad peripheral zone containing follicles in various stages of development

Medulla –> contains connective tissue, nerves, blood and lymph vessels

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Species differences

In mares, the cortex and medulla are reversed and cortical tissue is focused around the ovulation fossa

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Ovary- cortex

The surface (epithelial layer) is lined by a low cuboidal epithelium

Tunica albuginea: connective/fibrous tissue (stains blue in picture)

Under tunica albuginea –> numerous follicles that contain oocytes in different stages of development

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Follicular atresia

Majority of follicles do not ovulate–> degenerate

Oocyte, zona pellucida and follicular cells degenerate and are resorbed

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Follicular development

Folliculogenesis –> upon sexual maturity, one or more primordial follicles (present at birth) undergo maturation during each reproductive cycle

Follicular growth and maturation is dependent on follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) from the adenohypophysis (pituitary gland)

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Ovarian follicles

Ovarian follicle –> structure containing an oocyte surrounded by specialized epithelial cells -the size, content and wrapping of the follicle vary depending on the stage of development

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Primordial follicles

Primary oocyte in primary follicle enclosed by flattened, simple squamous follicular cells
Retained in resting stage since formation in the fetal ovary

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Primary follicles

A primary oocyte enclosed by a simple cuboidal layer of follicular cells
Starts forming after puberty (FSH, LH)

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Secondary Follicles

Oocyte enclosed by several layers
Oocyte completes meiosis I –> secondary oocyte (most species)
Follicular cells proliferate through mitosis and are called granulosa cells
Zona pellucida
Theca interna
Granulosa cells

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Zona pellucida

Thick glycoprotein layer located at the interface between the oocyte and the granulosa cells

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Theca interna cells

Large, pale staining, spindle-shaped cells that are steroid producing/metabolizing cells

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Granulosa cells

acquire receptors for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), important in the development of the follicle

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Tertiary follicles

Follicle becomes larger, small liquid filled areas appear between the granulosa cells (antrum)

The antrum enlarges, the oocyte is surrounded by a layer of follicular cells (corona radiata) and sits on an aggregate of granulosa cells (cumulus oophorus)

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Mature (graffian) follicle

Secondary oocyte detaches from the cumulus oophorus and floats free in the follicular fluid; now ready to ovulate
Follicular cells acquire leutinizing hormone receptors (LH) necessary for the development of the corpus luteum

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Corpus luteum

Ovulation -> blood into antrum -> corpus hemorrhagicum

Capillaries from storm invade and convert it into a temporary endocrine organ called the corpus luteum
CL is vital to maintaining pregnancy- secretes progesterone

Luteinization is the process by which the granulosa and theca cells transform into luteal (lutein) cells (hypertrophy and hyperplasia)

In response to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), lutein cells produce progesterone and estrogens

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Corpus albicans

Involution of the corpus luteum results in a fibrous scare called corpus albicans

The tunica albuginea of the ovary is

in the outer cortex below the surface epithelium

The transition from primordial follicle to primary follicle

starts at puberty

Oviduct

Muscular tube from ovary to uterus
3 sections: infundibulum with fimbriae
Ampulla
Isthmus

Oviduct functions

receive the ovum. Ovum is picked up by fimbriae
- ovum is picked up by fimbriae of the infundibulum and directed into oviduct lumen
Provide favorable environment for fertilization (ampulla)
- epithelial secretions promote capacitation of sperm
Transport zygote to uterus for implantation
- cilia assist transport

Oviduct parts

Tunica muscular - inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers
Serosa contains blood vessels and nerves
Broad ligament

Oviduct Mucosa

Epithelium is columnar with motile cilia on most cells | Non-ciliated cells -> have secretory granules in the cytoplasm; secretion provides nutrient to the ovum

The corpus luteum...

forms in the ovary under the influence of FSH

Uterus Functions

1. Sterile and inert environment for development of conceptus 2. Nutrient/oxygen/waste exchange via placenta 3. Muscles of uterus contribute to birth of offspring

Endometrium

Columnar epithelium with tubular glands Glandular mucosa divided into 2 zones 1. Functional zone -superficial layer that degenerates after pregnancy or estrus (hormonally dependent) 2. Basal zone -layer that remains after pregnancy or estrus

Myometrium

Smooth muscle - inner circle - outer longitudinal

Cervix

Thick-walled, muscular structure Endocervix- faces uterus Ectocervix-faces vagina

Cervix functions

Provides a seal that prevents organisms and substances entering from the cranial vagina Functions as a gatekeeper by holding the products of conception within the uterus until parturition

Endocervix

Epithelium -> simple columnar with mucus secreting cells Mucosa may have prominent primary, secondary, and tertiary folds Muscularis ->inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers (continuous with uterus and vagina) Serosa

Ectocervix

Lined by stratified squamous epithelium

Vagina

Fibro muscular tube with three layers: mucosa, muscular and serosa (cranial)/adventitia (caudal)

Vagina Mucosa

``` Numerous folds (rugae) separated by channels of variable depth Mostly stratified squamous epithelium and mucus producing cells ```

Vagina muscularis

Smooth muscles are arranged circularly (inner) and longitudinally (out)

Cyclical changes in vaginal epithelium

Height of epithelium and degree of keratinization vary with hormonal fluctuations during the estrus cycle Changes monitored by examining stained vaginal smears

Foetal membranes

Zygote--> embryo and foetal membranes | Foetal membrane = yolk sac, amnion, chorion, allantois

Foetal membranes functions

``` Viviparous animals- form the placenta Supply and storage of nutrients Respiratory exchange Excretion Mechanical protection Transfer of ImG/passive immunity In mammals, also hormone production ```

Placenta

Chorion, allantois, amnion

Chorion

Layer that contacts the mother, in most species fused with allantois (chorioallantois/allantochorion)

Allantois

Contains fetal urine and other fluids arising from the membrane itself

Amnion

Smooth translucent membrane that surrounds the fetus and holds amniotic fluid

Placental Barrier Types

Epitheliochorial: horse, pig, ruminant Endotheliochorial: carnivore Hemochorial: human

Placental types

Diffuse: horse, pig Cotyledonary: Ruminant Zonary: carnivore Discoid: human