Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals

Schematic of Bovine Reproductive Cycle

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• To learn the different structures and nomenclatures for the parts of the female reproductive system.
• To learn the basic functions for the different parts of the  tract and how they work together.

Overall functions for the female reproductive tract:

• Control activity of organs (hormonal)

 
• Transport sperm
• Produce oocyte
• Facilitate fertilization
• Provide environment for embryo and fetus
• Give birth to fetus
• Recycle to become pregnant again
• Provide Nutrients to young

Ovaries:

Germinal Epithelium
 
 
 

Tunica Albuginea
 
 
 
 

Cortex
 
 
 

Medulla
 
 
 
 

Ovarian functions:

• Produce estrogens

 
• Contains oocyte
• Produce progesterone

 

 
 
 
 
 

Structures within the ovary:

Primary oocyte
 


 
 
 
 
 Primary follicle
 
 
 
 

Proliferating primary
 
 
 

Secondary follicle
 
 
 
 

Tertiary follicle

Tertiary follicle (Second View)
 


 





Corpus hemorrhagicum
 





 

 Corpus luteum
 






 
 
 

Corpus albicans

 
 
 
 

Ovarian Changes During the Estrous Cycle:

Oviducts:

Oviductal functions:

• Transport sperm to site of fertilization

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Reduce sperm numbers to prevent polyspermy

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Remove oocyte from surface of ovary

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Transport oocyte to site of fertilization

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Provide proper environment for oocyte, sperm & fertilization

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

• Transport & facilitate development of early embryo

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Components of the uterus:

• Horns

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

• Body

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Female Tract Types

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

• Layers in wall of uterus

 

 


 

• Outer - perimetrium

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Middle - myometrium

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

• Inner - endometrium

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Functions of uterus:

• Transport sperm - when female is in heat

 

 
 
 
 
 

• Muscle contractions
 
 
• Sperm motility
 
 
• Absorption and phagocytosis
 
 
• Partially prepares sperm for fertilization
 
 
 
• Provides environment for embryo

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

• Supports development of fetus

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

• At birth expels fetus

 

 
 
 
 
 

• Recovers from pregnancy

 

 
 
 
 
 

• Makes the corpus luteum regress

 

 
 
 
 
 

Bovine Cervix

Porcine Cervix

Functions of the Cervix:

Transport sperm
Long strands of mucus
 
 
 
 
• Stallion & Boar ejaculate through the cervix
 
 
 
 
 
 
• Barrier to sperm
 
 
 
• Reservior for sperm
 
 
 
 
• Blocking bacterial invasion during pregnancy
 
 
• Birth Canal
 
 
 
 

Functions of Vagina:

• Copulatory organ
 
 
 
• Birth Canal
 

Functions of Vestibule:

• Common duct for urine & reproduction
 
 
 
• Vestibular glands may contribute to lubrication during estrus
 

Functions of Clitoris:

• May control a response to copulation in female
 
 

Illustrated Notes

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