Female Reproductive Tract (ppt objectives)

Question 1

Describe the microscopic arrangement of the ovary

Answer 1

Ovaries

Structure:

• Cortex- peripheral zone containing follicles
  
  • surface lined by cuboidal epithelium
  • tunica albuginea is ct layer below
• Medulla-connective tissue, nerves, blood and lymph vessels

***in mares these layers are reversed and cortex is not outside

Function:

• produce female gametes
• produce sex hormones

Question 2

Understand the arrangement and function of cells that form an ovarian follicle

Answer 2

Follicles

1. Primordial follicles

• primary oocyte enclosed by simple squamous follicular cells
• arrested in meiosis I

2. Primary follicles
   * oocyte is larger than it was in primordial
3. Secondary follicles

• primary oocyte enclosed by several layers of follicular cells
• formation of granulosa cells

4. Tertiary follicles

• follicle becomes larger
• antrum full of liquor folliculi forms
• oocyte surrounded by corona radiata and sits on cumulus oophorus

5. Mature follicle

• oocyte floats free in folliculat fluid
• follicular cells acqire luteinizing hormone receptors (eventually required for development of corpus luteum)

Question 3

Describe follicular atresia

Answer 3

Most follicles degenerate b/c not fertilized

• whole follicle is resorbed
• basil lamina of granulosa cells is hyalinized (glassy membrane)
• theca interna cells blend back with the stroma
• in some animals, the theca interna cells persist as interstitial endocrine cells

Question 4

Describe the microanatomy and function of the corpus luteum

Answer 4

Corpus Luteum: temporary endocrine organ after ovulation

• blood flows into ruptured follicel forming corpus hemorrhagicum
• granulosa and theca cells become luteal cells which in response to FSH and LH produce progesterone and estrogen

***corpus luteum becomes corpus albicans ultimately

Question 5

Describe the microanatomy and function of the oviduct

Answer 5

Oviduct= uterine tube

• Origin: mullerian ducts
• Function:
  
  • recieve ovum from ovary
  • provide enviroonment for fertilization
  • transport zygote to uterus
• Structure:
  
  • fimbria- gets ovum from ovary
  • infundibulum-tube for fert and transport
  • ampulla- outlet to uterus
• Cells
  
  • mucosa- simple columnar or pseudostratified with motile cilia
  • ciliated cells most numerous on fimbriae

Question 6

Describe the microanatomy and function of the uterus

Answer 6

Uterus=

• Origin:
• Function: steril environment for development and muscles contribute to birth process
• Structure:
  
  • endometrium- glandular epithelium. hormone dependent
  • myometrium
  • stratum vasculare
  • perimetrium

Question 7

Describe the microanatomy and function of the vagina

Answer 7

Vagina = fibro-muscular tube with three layers

• Mucosa
• Muscularis
• Serosa (cranial) adventitia (caudal)

Question 8

Describe the morphologic changes in the vaginal epithelium during the estrus cycle

Answer 8

Proestrus

• early–all types of epithelial cells, erythrocytes and neutrophils are present
• late– less neutrophils and mostly intermediate/superficial cells

Estrus

• superficial/keratinized cells 90%
• no neutrophils. maybe erythrocytes

Diestrus–superficial cells abruptly decrease

• intermediate and parabasal cells increase
• neutrophils increase

Anestrus

• mostly parabasal and intermediate cells
• neutrophils and bacteria present

Question 9

Identify and Explain

Answer 9