3 - Female Reproductive Tract

Question 1

The female reproductive tract is made up of a series of interlinking…

Answer 1

Tissues and tubes found in the lower abdomen, separated from the rectum by the rectogenital pouch

Question 2

In the mare, the proximity of the rectum to the cervix allows for what?

Answer 2

Rectal palpations for pregnancy detection, identifying ovarian structures

Question 3

Major components of the female reproductive tract

Answer 3

Vulva, vagina, cervix, uterine horns, ovaries

Question 4

What is the broad ligament

Answer 4

Tissue holding the reproductive tract to the abdomen wall

Question 5

Three components of the broad ligament

Answer 5

Mesovarium, Mesosalpinx and mesometrium

Question 6

What is the mesovarium

Answer 6

Houses the vascular supply, lymphatic drainage and nerves for the ovary
Forms the ovarian stem (hilus)

Question 7

What is the mesosalpinx

Answer 7

Thin, transparent segment of the BL that supports the oviduct
Forms a pouch around the ovary (bursa)

Question 8

What is the mesometrium

Answer 8

Largest portion of BL, supports the uterine horns (suspended from the dorsal body wall)

Question 9

Hilus vs bursa

Answer 9

Hilus is part of the mesovarium, forms the ovarian stem

Bursa is part of the mesosalpinx, forms a pouch around the ovary

Question 10

What is the utero-ovarian ligament

Answer 10

Attaches the ovary and uterus, but is not part of the BL

Question 11

Seven primary ovarian structures

Answer 11

1. Primordial follicle
2. Primary follicle
3. Secondary follicle
4. Tertiary follicle
5. Antral follicle
6. Corpus luteum
7. Corpus albicans

Question 12

Two sections of the ovary are… How do they differ in mares

Answer 12

The cortex (outside) and the medulla (inside)

In mares, the medulla is the external part and the cortex is on the inside

Question 13

Antral follicle aka

Answer 13

Graafian follicle

Question 14

Components of a pre-ovulatory (antral) follicle…

Answer 14

Oocyte, corona radiata, cumulus oophorus, granulosa cells, basement membrane, theca interna, theca externa, antrum

slide 13***

Question 15

Four layers of the female tract “tubing”

Answer 15

Serosa, muscularis, submucosa, mucosa

Question 16

What is the serosa

Answer 16

Outer layer, single layer of flat cells that cover the female tract

Question 17

What is the muscularis

Answer 17

Double layer of smooth muscle (outer longitudinal and inner circular layers)
Allows tissues to contract

Question 18

What is the submucosa

Answer 18

Houses blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics
Supporting layer for the mucosa

Question 19

What is the mucosa

Answer 19

Secretory layer of epithelium in lumen of the reproductive tract
Properties and role varies for each segment in the tract

Question 20

Slide 15**

Answer 20

Tubing

Question 21

Five components of the oviduct

Answer 21

Infundibulum, ampulla, ampullary-isthmic junction, isthmus, uterotubal junction

Question 22

What is the infundibulum

Answer 22

Funnel shaped opening closes over the ovary
Forms “pocket” around the ovary
Has fimbriae

Question 23

What is the ampulla

Answer 23

“upper half” of the oviduct
larger diameter and ciliated mucosa to transport oocytes to point of fertilization

Question 24

What is the ampullary-isthmic junction

Answer 24

Site of fertilization

Question 25

What is the isthmus

Answer 25

"Lower half" of the oviduct attached to the uterus Small diameter tube that transports sperm to AIJ and transports embryos to the uterus

Question 26

What is the uterotubal junction

Answer 26

UTJ Junction of the uterus & oviduct Sperm reservoir

Question 27

Slide 17***

Answer 27

Oviduct

Question 28

Function of the oviduct

Answer 28

transport oocyte to uterus, site for fertilization

Question 29

What determines the role the uterus plays?

Answer 29

What stage of the female cycle we are in

Question 30

What rolls does the uterus have?

Answer 30

- Sperm transport to the oviduct - Maintain pre-implantation embryo - Maternal portion of placenta (transfer of nutrients to fetus) - Expulsion of fetus and fetal placenta

Question 31

Three layers of uterus tissue

Answer 31

Perimetrium Myometrium Endometrium

Question 32

What is the perimetrium

Answer 32

External layer that connects to the mesometrium of the BL

Question 33

What is the myometrium

Answer 33

Muscle layers of the uterus Facilitates uterine contractions (sperm transport post-coital, expulsion of fetus & placenta during parturition)

Question 34

What is the endometrium

Answer 34

Cells lining the uterine lumen Roles vary with female cycle - secretions that enhance sperm and embryo survival - Signals if pregnancy has been achieved - maternal portion of placenta & transfer of nutrients to fetus

Question 35

Slide 20

Answer 35

Uterus diagram

Question 36

What is a duplex uterus, e.g.

Answer 36

One with two cervices (marsupials, rabbits)

Question 37

Having a duplex uterus means what?

Answer 37

Female can produce offspring from different males

Question 38

What is a bicornuate uterus, e.g.?

Answer 38

Uterus with poorly developed uterine horns e.g. cow, mare Or highly developed uterine horns e.g. bitch, queen, sow

Question 39

Monotocous vs polytocous

Answer 39

Mono = one offspring (egg) at a time Poly = multiple offspring at a time

Question 40

What is a simplex uterus, e.g.

Answer 40

No uterine horns e.g. primate

Question 41

What are caruncles, in what animals are they found

Answer 41

Attachment site of placenta in ruminants (ewe, cow, goat)

Question 42

Instead of caruncles, sows have...

Answer 42

folds

Question 43

What is the cervix

Answer 43

Thick walled segment of female system that separates the internal tract from the external tract

Question 44

Two forms of cervical lumens, and examples

Answer 44

Single fold (bitch, queen) Multiple folds (sow, ewe, cow and mare)

Question 45

What is the role of the cervix in copulation

Answer 45

Cow, ewe, bitch and queen = reservoir/barrier to sperm transport Sow & mare = site of semen deposition

Question 46

What is the function of the cervix in pregnancy

Answer 46

Mucus plug conserves the sterile uterine environment

Question 47

Slides 28, 29

Answer 47

Cervix

Question 48

What is the vagina

Answer 48

Copulatory organ of the female Site of semen deposition (cow, ewe, bitch, queen) Slide 31 image

Question 49

What effects the secretions of the mucosa of the vagina? What is the role

Answer 49

Influenced by estrus cycle Lubricate and protect the vaginal wall

Question 50

Types of uteruses

Answer 50

- duplex - bicornuate (poorly or highly developed horns) - simplex