Female Reproductive Tract

Broad Ligament suspends the female reproductive tract in the pelvic cavity has three portions

Ovary release ova- egg 50,000 - 150,000 potential eggs present at birth release hormones progesterone estrogen

Oviduct (fallopian tube) connect ovary to uterine horns

Oviduct three portions infundibulum ampulla isthmus

Oviduct ova remains in oviduct for 3-6 days 1/8 inch in diameter 20 cm. Long in a cow

Uterus passageway for sperm cells from cervix to oviduct produce histotroph - nourishes developing embryo until placenta forms expel fetus at parturition

Parturition birth

Uterus site of pregnancy

Cervix located between uterus and vagina forms a barrier between the internal and external environment thick walled, many ringed organ

Vagina point where urinary and reproductive tracts join receptacle for semen passageway for fetus

Vulva outer opening of reproductive tract

Clitoris sensory organ

Hormones estrogen progesterone FSH LH HCG

Estrogen produced by the follicle in non pregnant female and placenta in late pregnancy induce estrus - heat responsible for female contour

Estrogen develop duct system of mammary gland causes edema - retention of water increases muscle development

Progesterone hormone that keeps female out of heat relaxes uterus secretion of histotroph

FSH follicle stimulating hormone development of follicles on ovary ova are released from follicle

FSH indirectly responsible for estrogen production

LH Lutenizing hormone causes ovulation ova is released from the follicle

HCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin produced by the placenta of pregnant women early in pregnancy

HCG used on cows that are cystic - won’t ovulate causes ovulation

Ovulation release of ova from ovary follicle develops - blister on ovary follicle bursts - egg is released

Ovulation a hole is left where the ova was forms a C.L. (Corpus Luteum) - yellow body

C.L. produces progesterone if female becomes pregnant a new follicle does not burst and estrogen production is reduced

Gestation length of time from conception till birth cows - 281 days pigs - 114 days (3 mos, 3 weeks, 3 days) horses - 336 days

Gestation sheep - 148 days goats - 151 days