Reproductive Anatomy and Estrus Flashcards
Major male functions
- Produces sperm
- Introduces sperm into female repro trac
Testes
Production of sperm and testosterone
List the protecting and supporting structures:
- Scrotum
- Cremaster and tunica dartos muscles
- Spermatic chord
Secondary sex organs
Ducts that carry sperm out of testes and body
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Urethra
- Penis
Accessory sex glands (3)
-Add fluid to semen
- Bulbourethral glands
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate gland
Seminal vesicles:
Secrete fluid, energy substrates and buffers (prevent death in female repro tract)
Bulbourethral glands
Produce gel - forms a plug in female repro tract
1.5in in diameter
Prostate gland
Hot dog bun around urethra
- Fluid + salts to semen
- Provides most of the medium for transport
Rete testis
Collecting ducts for sperm
Spermatogenesis
FSH stimulates sperm production
Seminiferous tubule
Sperm formation
Cauda epididymis
Warehouse for sperm
Sperm maturation is approx. ___ days.
35
When penis is not stimulated,
- Retractor penis muscle is contracted and forms “s” shape
- long penis inside body
- prevents extension out of prepuce
When penis is stimulated,
- Retractor penis muscle is relaxed and “s” bend unfolds and penis extends
Fibroelastic penis
- During ejaculation, the penis twists and the free end forms a corkscrew shape
- Matches pattern of cervix
Boars ejaculate ________ml in volume.
150-250ml
Boars have a unique ______
Preputial pouch or diverticulum
*Accumulates urine and sloughed cells
*Odor
Ovaries
- Production of ova and hormones
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Relaxin
- Inhibin
- Activin
Gilts reach maturity at ______ months of age.
5-7
Oviduct
- Infundibulum —> catches follicles
- Ampulla
- Isthmus: ampulla isthmus junction = fertilization
Uterus
- Bicornate
- Horns: 4-5 feet long (site of implantation)
- Body: 2 inches
Cervix
- Site of semen deposition
- Prevents microbial contamination of uterus
- Vagina: vestibule to the tract
Estrous cycle
21 day cycle
Estrus “heat”
18–24 hours
*Older sows remain in heat longer than gilts
As estrus approaches ______ follicles form on each ovary.
6-10
The onset of estrus occurs…
Gradually
7 Signs of estrus
Gilts and sows generally exhibit clear signs:
-
Standing heat: gilts and sows will stand immobile when pressure is placed on their back if in estrus
- This can be standing for a boar to mount
- Or standing for “back pressure test”
- Red, swollen vulva, increased vaginal mucous
- Increased nervous activity (pacing, biting at bars)
- Desire to seek boar
- Loss of appetite
- Male-like behavior
- Change in vocalization
Boar + Back Pressure Stimulation, what % of estrus sows standing?
97%
Boar (hidden) + Back Pressure Stimulation, what % of estrus sows standing?
90%
No Boar + Back Pressure Stimulation, what % of estrus sows standing?
48%
Boar “courting sounds” + Back Pressure Stimulation, what % of estrus sows standing?
75%
Caput
Sperm become fertile
corpus
Storage of sperm
collected semen is evaluated for…
volume
concerntration
morality
morphology
feeding boars for reproductive success (4)
- minimize mature body weight
- low protien levels and overfeeding can significatly reduce libdo
- over - condition reduces the ability to mount
- 14% crude protein
Zinc in boars
testicular function and growth
vitamin E and Selenium
Sperm concentration and fertility
Vitamin C in boars
aids in offsetting the adverse affects of heat and stress (over 88 degrees)
omega 3- fatty acids in boars
improves semen characterisitics
epididymis
transport sperm from the seminiferous touble to the vas deferens
vas deferens
transport sperm from epididymis to urethra
urethra
transports sperm (+urine) out of the body
