Lecture 19: Female Reproductive System

Question 1

5 major functions of the female reproductive system

Answer 1

1. Exocrine - production of the female gametes
2. Endocrine - production of female sex hormones
3. Reception of male gametes and provision of a suitable environment for fertilization
4. Provision of a suitable environment for fetal development
5. Nutrition of the newborn

Question 2

Two major functions of the ovaries

Answer 2

1. Produce the female gametes

2. Produce the sex hormones

Question 3

Two basic structures of ovaries

Answer 3

1. Cortex - broad peripheral zone containing follicles in various stages of development
2. Medulla - contains connective tissue, nerves, blood, and lymph vessels

Question 4

Ovary cortex is lined by

Answer 4

Low cuboidal epithelium

Question 5

Underneath the epithelium of the ovarian cortex is

Answer 5

A layer of connective tissue called the tunica albuginea

Question 6

Folliculogenesis

Answer 6

Continuous process throughout reproductive life whereby primordial follicles undergo maturation during each reproductive cycle

Question 7

Follicular growth and maturation is dependent on

Answer 7

Follicular stimulating hormone from the adenohypophysis

Question 8

Luteinizing hormone is important for

Answer 8

estrogen synthesis and ovulation

Question 9

Primordial follicle primary oocyte

Answer 9

• Enclosed by flattened simple squamous follicular cells that rest on the basal lamina
• Retained in a resting stage from the time they formed in the fetal ovary

Question 10

Primary follicle primary oocyte

Answer 10

Enclosed by a simple cuboidal layer of follicular cells

Oocyte is larger than that found in a primordial follicle

Question 11

Secondary follicle primary oocyte

Answer 11

Enclosed by several layers of follicular cells

Follicular cells proliferate through mitosis and are called granulosa cells

Question 12

When follicular cells proliferate through mitosis, they are called

Answer 12

granulosa cells

Question 13

Zona pellucida

Answer 13

Glycoprotein layer loacted at the interphase between the oocyte and granulosa cells

Question 14

Theca cells

Answer 14

Large, pale staining spindle-shaped cells that have the morphology of steroid producing/metabolizing cells

Question 15

Granulosa cells

Answer 15

Acquire receptors for follicle stimulating hormone

Question 16

(Tertiary follicles) As follicle becomes larger, what appears?

Answer 16

Small liquid-filled areas appear between the granulosa cells (Antrum)

Question 17

Fluid inside antrum of tertiary follicles is called

Answer 17

liquor folliculi

Question 18

Majority of follicles degenerate through

Answer 18

atresia

Question 19

In follicular atresia, the oocyte, zona pellucida, and follicular cells

Answer 19

degenerate and are absorbed

Question 20

During follicular atresia, the basal lamina of the granula cells

Answer 20

becomes hyalinized (glassy membrane)

Question 21

In follicular atresia, the theca interna cells

Answer 21

blend back in with the stroma

Question 22

During follicular atresia in the queen, bitch, and rodents, the theca interna cells

Answer 22

may persists as interstitial endocrine cells

Question 23

Describe the development of the corpus luteum

Answer 23

1. After ovulation, the blood flows into the antrum and thre ruptured follicle becomes the corpus hemorrhagicum
2. Capillaries from the stroma invade the collapsed follicle and convert it into a temporary endocrine organ called the corpus luteum

Question 24

Luteinization

Answer 24

The process by which the granulosa and theca cells transform into luteal cells (hypertrophy and hyperplasia)

Question 25

In response to FSH and LH, granulosa lutein cells produce

Answer 25

progesterone and estrogens

Question 26

In response to LH, theca lutein cells produce

Answer 26

progesterone

Question 27

Yellow pigment (lutein) of the corpus luteum appears in what species?

Where does it not appear?

Answer 27

• Carnivores, mares, cows

- Sows, ewes, and goats

Question 28

Involution of the corpus luteum results in

Answer 28

A fibrous scar called corpus albicans

Question 29

Oviduct

Answer 29

A muscular tube derived from the mullerian ducts

On one end it opens into the uterine cavity and at the other into the peritoneal cavity

Question 30

5 functions of the oviduct

Answer 30

1. Receive ovum - very active during ovulation; ovum is picked up by the fimbriae and directed into the oviduct
2. Cilia assist the transport
3. Epithelial secretions promote capacitation of sperm
4. Provide a favorable microenvironment for fertilization (ampulla)
5. Transport the zygote to the uterus for implantation

Question 31

Mucosa epithelium of the oviduct

Answer 31

Simple columnar or psuedostratified columnar, with motile cilia on most cells

Question 32

Non-ciliated cells on the oviduct have secretory granules in the cytoplasm because…

Answer 32

Provides nutrients to the ovum

Question 33

Three functions of the uterus

Answer 33

1. Provides a sterile environment for the development