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Questions and Answers
What defines the pattern of hormone secretion as 'episodic'?
What defines the pattern of hormone secretion as 'episodic'?
What role does receptor density play in hormone action?
What role does receptor density play in hormone action?
Which hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation?
Which hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation?
What factor does NOT contribute to the defeminisation of the hypothalamus in males?
What factor does NOT contribute to the defeminisation of the hypothalamus in males?
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Which of the following is NOT a reason for true anoestrus in females?
Which of the following is NOT a reason for true anoestrus in females?
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The process of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis involves which of the following hormones?
The process of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis involves which of the following hormones?
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How does body fat influence GnRH production?
How does body fat influence GnRH production?
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What effect does environmental timing have on the onset of puberty?
What effect does environmental timing have on the onset of puberty?
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What is the main function of inhibin in the reproductive system?
What is the main function of inhibin in the reproductive system?
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Which type of hormone typically has a fast response in the body?
Which type of hormone typically has a fast response in the body?
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Which component of the female reproductive tract specifically supports the oviduct?
Which component of the female reproductive tract specifically supports the oviduct?
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What structure serves as the primary site of fertilization in the female reproductive tract?
What structure serves as the primary site of fertilization in the female reproductive tract?
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Which type of ovarian follicle is characterized by an antrum filled with follicular fluid?
Which type of ovarian follicle is characterized by an antrum filled with follicular fluid?
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Which barrier is responsible for preventing contamination of the uterus, located closest to the vagina?
Which barrier is responsible for preventing contamination of the uterus, located closest to the vagina?
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In the mare, where does ovulation occur?
In the mare, where does ovulation occur?
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Which accessory sex gland is specifically present in the bull and stallion but not in the dog?
Which accessory sex gland is specifically present in the bull and stallion but not in the dog?
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Which layer of the uterus is primarily involved in supporting pregnancy?
Which layer of the uterus is primarily involved in supporting pregnancy?
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What is the primary function of the cervix during pregnancy?
What is the primary function of the cervix during pregnancy?
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Which muscle contributes to the movement of ejaculate along the ductus deferens?
Which muscle contributes to the movement of ejaculate along the ductus deferens?
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What role do the broad ligaments play in the female reproductive system?
What role do the broad ligaments play in the female reproductive system?
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Which statement about the sigmoid flexure is correct?
Which statement about the sigmoid flexure is correct?
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Which reproductive system is characterized by the presence of interdigitating prominences?
Which reproductive system is characterized by the presence of interdigitating prominences?
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Which organ of the female reproductive system is described as the organ of copulation?
Which organ of the female reproductive system is described as the organ of copulation?
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Which hormone is primarily produced by the anterior pituitary?
Which hormone is primarily produced by the anterior pituitary?
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Study Notes
Female Reproductive Tract
- Major structures include ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina, vestibule, vulva, and clitoris.
- Uterus develops from fusion of paramesonephric ducts and urogenital sinus.
- Broad ligaments support ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, and anterior vagina. They contain blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves. Components include mesovarium, mesosalpinx, and mesometrium.
- Mesovarium attaches to and supports the ovary, forming a hilus.
- Mesosalpinx supports the oviduct and surrounds the ovary, orienting the infundibulum during ovulation.
- Mesometrium supports the uterus (horns and body).
- Ovarian follicle types: primordial (immature), primary, secondary, antral/tertiary (with an antrum), and antral/Graafian (mature).
- Fertilization occurs at the ampullary-isthmus junction of the oviduct.
- Oviduct parts: infundibulum (catches ova), ampulla (ciliated epithelium), isthmus (connects to uterus).
- Three physical barriers preventing uterine contamination (cranial to caudal): cervix, vestibulo-vaginal sphincter, vulval lips.
- Ovaries produce gametes and hormones.
- Oviducts transport gametes, are the site of fertilization and pre-attachment embryo development.
- Uterus transports sperm, supports pregnancy, expels the fetus, and produces hormones.
- Cervix is a protective barrier, secretes mucus during oestrus, and creates a cervical plug during pregnancy.
- Vagina, vestibule, and vulva are organs of copulation.
Specific Animal Reproductive Systems
- Mare: Bean/kidney-shaped ovaries, ovulation from inside, no caruncles, soft cervix, endometrial folds, long body, short horns.
- Cow: Ovulation from inside, convex caruncles, long horns, short body, cervical rings.
- Ewe: Ovulation from inside, concave caruncles (may be pigmented), long body, long horns, cervical rings.
- Sow: No vaginal fornix, no caruncles, ovulation from inside, endometrial folds, interdigitating prominences.
- Bitch: Ovulation from inside, vaginal canal angled, long vagina, placental scars (pigment), smooth cervix, no rings or folds.
Male Reproductive Tract
- Scrotum: Thermoregulation, consists of skin, tunica dartos, scrotal fascia, parietal vaginal tunic.
- Testis: Paired organ producing spermatozoa, testosterone, and fluid. Composed of testicular capsule, parenchyma (tubular and interstitial compartments), mediastinum, and rete tubules.
- Excurrent Duct System: Efferent ducts, epididymal duct (final maturation/storage), ductus deferens (delivers sperm to urethra).
- Accessory Sex Glands: Bull (ampullae, prostate, seminal vesicle, bulbourethral), Stallion (same), Boar (prostate, seminal vesicle, bulbourethral), Dog (prostate), Tom (prostate, bulbourethral).
- Penis: Copulatory organ, fibroelastic (boars, bulls, rams: sigmoid flexure, no diameter increase on erection), musculo-cavernous (stallions, dogs: diameter increase on erection).
- Muscles for erection, protrusion, emission, and ejaculation: retractor penis, bulbospongiosus, urethralis, ischiocavernosus (pumps blood to corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum)
Hormonal Control of Reproduction
- Hormones: Important traits - act in small quantities, bind to specific receptors, short half-lives, feedback regulation (positive/negative), influence each other.
- Hormone Secretion Patterns: Episodic (sudden bursts), basal (low amplitude pulses), sustained (elevated level).
- Hormone Action Determinants: Secretion pattern/duration, half-life, receptor density, receptor-hormone affinity.
- Steroid Hormones: Estrogen (female behavior, receptivity, secondary sex characteristics), Progesterone (behavior, pregnancy maintenance), Testosterone (male behavior, secondary sex characteristics, spermatogenesis, anabolic effects). Metabolized by liver, excreted in urine and feces.
- Protein Hormones: Inhibin (inhibits FSH release), Luteinizing hormone (triggers ovulation), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (stimulates follicle release), Activin, Human chorionic gonadotropin, Equine chorionic gonadotropin. Operate quickly.
Reproductive Axis
- Male: Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Testicular (HPT) axis.
- Female: Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis.
- Key Hormones: GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone), FSH (Follicle-stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinizing Hormone).
- Hypothalamus Differences: Female hypothalamus has surge and tonic centers, male has only tonic center.
- Defeminization: Testosterone elimination of surge center in males, results from postnatal exposure to androgens.
Reproductive Cycle Disruptions and Anoestrus
- Oestrous Cycle: Period between oestrus events.
- Anoestrus: Lack of ovarian activity (no ovulatory follicles/functional corpus luteum). Causes include pregnancy, nursing, season, nutrition, stress, reproductive problems. Types: gestational, seasonal, postpartum, silent ovulation.
- Apparent Anoestrus: Difficulty detecting pregnancy or oestrus.
- True Anoestrus: Ovarian inactivity. Possible solutions include improving nutrition, removing offspring, eliminating stress, considering seasonal effects.
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Description
This quiz covers the major structures and functions of the female reproductive tract, including the ovaries, oviducts, and uterus. It also delves into the supporting ligaments and ovarian follicle types. Test your knowledge on the anatomy and fertilization process within the female reproductive system.
