Reproductive System Flashcards
What does the Male Reproductive System consist of?
- Testes
- Epididymis
- Vas Deferens / Deferent Duct
- Prostate Gland
- Urethra
- Penis
- Bulbo-urethral Gland (cats)
What does the Female Reproductive System consist of?
- Eggs (Ova)
- Ovaries
- Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Vagina
- Vestibule
- Vulva
What is the structure of the Testes?
- Oval pair
- Lies within scrotum
- Consists of coiled seminiferous tubules that contain two cells: Spermatogenic and Sertoli
What is the function of the Testes?
- Produce sperm
- Produces testosterone
- Produces fluid to help transport and aid survival of sperm
What is the structure and function of the Epididymis?
- Structure:
• Coiled - Function:
• Stores and matures sperm
What is the function of the Vas Deferens?
- Carries / transports sperm from epididymis to the urethra
What is the function of the Prostate Gland?
- Adds secretions to sperm as it passes along vas deferens which:
• Adds nutrients
• Increases volume of ejaculate
• Neutralise acid found in urethra
What is the function of the Urethra?
- Transports sperm and urine out of the body
What is the structure and function of the Ovaries?
- Structure:
• Pair, opposite sides of abdomen
• Made up of connective tissues, blood capillaries and muscle
• Held in place by a ligament - Function:
• Matures ova for fertilisation
• Secretes oestrogen
• Secretes progesterone
What is the structure and function of the Oviducts?
- Structure:
• Pair, one connected to each ovary
• Lined with ciliates columnar epithelium - Functions:
• Collects ova from ovaries
• Provides correct environment for survival of ova and sperm
• Transports fertilised / unfertilised ova to the uterus
What is the structure of the Uterus?
- Y shaped in cats and dogs
- Consists of two parts: Uterine horns and a central short body
- Lined with endometrium, thickens for nutrition to embryos
- Around is a thick muscle wall called myometrium, contracts during parturition
• Smooth muscle
• Contracts involuntary
What is the function of the Uterus?
- Holds fertilised ova until developed into full term foetuses
- Provides correct environment for survival of developing embryo
- Provides nutrients (placenta) to the foetuses
What is the structure and function of the Cervix?
- Structure:
• Thick walled
• Muscular structure - Function:
• The centre of the cervix (cervical canal) relaxes during parturition to allow foetus to be pushed through
What is the structure and function of the Vagina and the Vestibule?
- Structure:
• Together forms channel between cervix and vulva
• Shaped to fit the penis during mating - Function:
• Convey sperm from male into female
• Convey foetuses from uterus to outside world
• Convey urine from bladder to outside of body
• Produces acidic mucus to kill bacteria
What is the structure and function of the Vulva?
- Structure:
• External
• Labiae = two vertices lips joined top and bottom (vulval cleft in between)
• Clitoris = Small knob of eretile tissue - Function:
• Swells when in season to attract males
What is the Gestation and Implantation length of a Dog?
- Gestation: 63 days (9 weeks)
- Implantation: 8 days
What is the Gestation and Implantation length of a Cat?
- Gestation: 63 days (9 weeks)
- Implantation: 11 days
What is the Gestation and Implantation length of a Rabbit?
- Gestation: 31 days
- Implantation: 6 days
What is the Gestation and Implantation length of a Cow?
- Gestation: 280 days (9 months)
- Implantation: 30 days
What is the Gestation and Implantation length of a Pig?
- Gestation: 115 days
- Implantation: 13 days
Describe the Fertilisation process
1) Oocyte: Normal egg cell
2) Fertilisation: Sperm enters egg
3) Formation of pro-nuclei: Before genetic info from sperm and egg fuses
4) Fusion of pro-nuclei: Genetic info fuses
5) Cell division: First cleavage of cell
6) Two cell state: Division
7) Four cell state: Division
8) Eight cell state: Division
9) Blastocyte: Cavity appears
10) Implantation: Sticks to uterus tissue
What are the 4 stages in the Bitch Oestrus Cycle?
POMA
1) Pro-oestrus: 7 days
2) Oestrus: 7 days
3) Metoestrus: 55 days
4) Anoestrus: 4+ Months
Describe the Bitch’s Oestrus Cycle
- Stage 1: Developing an egg
• Behaviour changes
• Vulva swells
• Bloody discharge - Stage 2: Ovulation, egg releases
• Bitch allows mating
• Clear discharge - Stage 3: Potentially pregnant
• Progesterone surge, if not pregnant this only lasts a week - Stage 4: Natural self
• No eggs released
• No hormone activity
What are the stages in a Queen’s Oestrus Cycle?
1) Pro-oestrus: 2-3 days
2) Oestrus: 2-10 days
3a) Interoestrus: 3-14 days
3b) Pregnant: 9 weeks
4) Anoestrus: 4+ months
Describe the Queen’s Oestrus Cycle
- Stage 1: Egg developing
• Vulval discharge
• Won’t allow mating - Stage 2: Eggs developed
• Calling for mates
• Allows mating; penis scratches vagina which releases LH, causing ovulation - Stage 3a: Pause / rest
• Will repeat stages 1-3 until pregnant if summer - Stage 3b: Pregnant
• Progesterone levels high - Stage 4: Natural state
• No hormone activity
What is FSH?
- Increases to develop eggs for release
What is the function of Oestrogen?
- Thickens womb lining
- Creates more cervical mucus
- Prepares uterus for pregnancy
- Drops after egg is released
What is the function of LB?
- A surge causes ovulation
What is the function of Progesterone?
- High after ovulation to maintain a pregnancy
- Drops if not pregnant
What is the function of Spermatogenisis?
- Produces sperm
- Constant process
What is the function of Testosterone?
- Causes production and maturation of sperm
What is the function of oogensis?
- Production of egg cells
- Uses FSH, LH, Oestrogen and Progesterone
Describe the Bitch’s Parturition process
- Occurs in 3 stages
1) 24 hours before, bitch will be restless, pant and shiver. Progesterone levels drop
2) Oestrogen levels rise, causes uterine contractions and softening of cervix.
• Birth begins after cervix has dilated, pelvis and abdomen stretch / move
• Muscle around uterus contracts to start squeezing baby out
3) Contractions become longer and stronger
• Watersac containing puppy can be seen in vulva
• Bitch years watersac and licks puppy to encourage breathing
• Placenta passes after puppy is born, attached to puppy with umbilical cord
Describe the Lactation process:
- Prolactin starts process, triggers mammary gland to start milk production
- As puppies suckle, oxytocin is released which stimulates milk let-down
• Sight, sound, smell and feeling can also stimulate oxytocin
