Reproduction Refresher Flashcards
Key components of the male reproductive tract and their main functions
- Scrotum - cools testes
- Testis - Produce sperm and sex hormones
- Epididymis - mature and store sperm
- Ductus (vas) deferens - transport sperm
- Accessory sex glands - produce seminal plasma
- Penis - copulatory organ
Position of testes
Scrotal: primates, domestic mammals
Extrascrotally: birds, marine mammals, elephant
Key components of the female reproductive tract and their main function
- Ovary - produce oocytes and sex hormones
- Oviduct - transports oocyte (site or fertilisation)
- Uterus - Supports development of the embryo and the fetus
- Cervix - Protects the uterine environment
- Vagina and vestibule - copulatory organ, expels the fetus
Types of uteri - Duplex
2 cervixes, no body, horns completely separate
e.g. rat, mouse, rabbit
Types of uteri - Bicornuate
1 cervix, small body
e.g. pig
Types of uteri - Bipartite
1 cervix, prominent uterine body
e.g. cat, dog, ewe
Types of uteri - Simplex
1 cervix, prominent body, no horns
e.g. primates
What are the 2 types of reproduction hormones
- Gonadotrophins (Gn)
2. Steroid hormones
Gonadotrophins (Gn)
- FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) - stimulates follicular growth in females and sertoli cells in males
- LH (Luteinizing hormone) - induces ovulation of mature follicles and formation of corpus luteum
- Controlled by gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)
Stages of the oestrus cycle
- Proestrus: immediately precedes oestrus
- Oestrus: generally when females allow males to copulate, behavioural changes include sexual receptivity and mating
- Metoestrus: period between ovulation and formation of functional CL, transition from estrogen dominance to progesterone dominance
- Dioestrus: longest stage of the cycle, fully functional CL, high P4, ends when CL is destroyed - luteolysis
Which stages of the oestrus cycle are referred to as the luteal phase?
Metoestrus + Dioestrus
Phases of follicular growth
- Primordial follicles: formed before birth, oocytes arrested at first meiotic division
- Primary follicles: oocytes surrounded by single layer of follicular cells
- Secondary follicles: oocytes surrounded by more layers of follicular cells and zona pelucida surrounds oocyte
- Tertiary (antral) follicles: contain a fluid filled cavity (antrum), blister-like structure
Follicular cells layers
- Theca externa: surrounds and supports the follicle
- Theca interna: surrounds and supports the follicle
- Granulosa: responds to FSH to produce oestrogen, inhibin and follicular fluid
- Cumulus oophorus: promotes oocyte maturation and ovulation
Tubular vs interstitial components of testes
Tubular
- Seminiferous tubules
- Sertoli cells
- Developing germ cells
Interstitial
- Blood vessels
- Connective tissue
- Lymphatics
- Nerves
- Leydig cells
What are the two main phases of the oestrous cycle?
- Follicular phase (shorter)
- Luteolysis to ovulation
- Follicles are present
- Dominated by oestrogen - Luteal phase (longer phase)
- Begins after ovulation
- Ovulation to Luteolysis
- Corpera lutea are present
- Dominated by progesterone
