Week 5: Reproduction Flashcards
HPG axis
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Gonads
Male Gonads
testis
Female Gonads
Ovary
HPG axis regulates…?
Germ cell development and maintenance
Fertilization
Pregnancy
Parturition
Puberty
Process of maturing
Development of secondary sex characteristics
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Releases Luteinizing hormone and Follicle-stimulating hormone
Luteinizing hormone
Signals the testes to produce testosterone
Follicle-stimulating hormone
Critical for sperm production
Anestrus
Reduced levels of GnRH
Proestrus
Follicles form and produce estrogen
Estrus
Estrogen peaks and brings the female into heat
Metestrus
CL is formed and progesterone secretion is initiated
Diestrus
Sustained release of progesterone by the CL
Short-day breeders
Sheep and goats
Stimulated to begin cycling as day length declines
Most fertile in the late summer and fall months of the year
Long-day breeders
Mares
Induced to cyclicity as day length extends
Most fertile in the spring months
Uterus
Assisting in sperm transport
Regulation of the corpus luteum
Site of implantation and pregnancy
Expulsion of fetus and fetal membranes
Oviducts
Transport of ova and sperm
Site of fertilization and early cleavage
Cervix
Facilitating sperm transport (sow and mare)
Prevention of uterine contamination
Ovaries
Production of oocytes
Production of estrogen and progesterone
Vagina
Copulatory organ
birth canal
Testis
produce sperm and testosterone
Epididymis
Coiled duct connected to each testis
Stores, transports, and facilitates the maturation of sperm cells
Scrotum
Contains and protects testes
Regulates temperature of testes
Penis
Copulatory organ
passageway for semen
Accessory glands
Add fluid and nutrition to sperm
Sperm + fluid from accessory glands = semen
Courtship
Behavior of animals leading up to copulation
Copulation
Behaviors involved in actual fertilization
Postcopulatory activities
Pregnancy, parturition, and care of young
Parity
Number of times a female has given birth
