1. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM CONSISTS OF THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS: PAIRED OVARIES, OVIDUCTS (FALLOPIAN TUBES) UTERUS Vagina and the external female reproductive organs MAMMARY GLANDS : FUNCTIONS: Generation of oocytes, and production of female sex hormones The place of fertilization and TRANSPORT of oocytes and, later, of blastula into the uterus Development of an embryo and a fetus Birth canals Infant feeding

2. 1 ) undifferentiated stage (the events of this stage are absolutely identical in individuals of both sexes); 2) specific stage (determines the development of the body of a male or female type, and depends on a set of sex chromosomes). The development of the female reproductive organs, like those in a male occurs in two stages:

3. OVARIES

4. On the utside the ovary is covered with a cuboidal epithelium, which is a derivative of the mesothelium. Under the epithelium lies a connective-tissue capsule - tunica albuginea. The cortex is located under the tunica albuginea. The medulla is localized deep in the ovary. The stroma of the organ is formed by a loose connective tissue.

5. The following structures are located in MEDULLA : - blood vessels - nerve fibers - - a small amount of smooth muscle cells and - - Hilus cells. Hilus cells have the structure similar to the structure of Leydig cells of the testes. (They secrete androgens). MEDULLA

6. THE CORTEX

7. The follicles various stages of development are the most numerous structures of an ovarian cortex. The growing follicles (probably their follicular cells and cells of the theca interna) synthesize and secrete estrogens. The corpus luteum, corpus albicans and atretic follicles are the main structural components of the cortex.

8. There are several types of follicles: primordial Unilaminar primary Secondary or antral Grafian or mature Multilaminar primary Different types of follicles have different structural features.

9. The primordial follicles It is nogrowing follicles. They have the smallest size and are located on the periphery of the organ under the tunica albuginea. A primary oocyte is located in the center of the follicle. The flat follicular cells lie around a primary oocyte in one layer.

10. The primary follicles These are "growing“ follicles which entered a maturation period. A primary follicle is larger than primordial one. It is composed of a primary oocyte, which is arrested in a prophase stage of meiosis I. A brilliant envelope surrounds a round oocyte (zona pellucida). Zona pellucida is formed by glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans. A follicular (granulosal) envelope is formed by follicular cells which have a cuboid shape and lie in one layer (in unilaminar follicles) or 2-4 layers (in multilaminar follicles).

11. The secondary or antral follicles A follicular epithelium of this kind of follicle is a multilayered -In the epithelium there are small cavities filled with fluid. - An outer tunic which is called “teca” is well developed on the periphery of the antral follicle. The teca has two layers: an inner (theca interna) and an outer (theca externa).

12. MATURE FOLLICLES A mature follicle has the largest size, contains a large cavity filled with fluid, which is synthesized by the granulosa cells. A Graafian follicle possesses a well-developed theca. The granulosa cells synthesize and secrete estrogen (17ß- estradiol) into the blood. In a mature follicle, an oocyte is located eccentrically, and is surrounded by zona pellucida and the corona radiata. The corona radiata contacts the granulosa via the cumulus oophorus. Mature

13. A FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CELL leaves the ovary at the beginning of a metaphase of the second meiotic division, Completion of meiosis occurs only after fertilization of an egg in the fallopian tube. However, fertilization is a very rare process. Many follicles get degenerated before completing their development. Degeneration of follicles which is associated with the death of oocyte and which results in a morphophysiological transformation of the components of follicular envelopes is called “atresia”. Atresia of follicles is accompanied by destruction of the oocyte and granulosa cells.

14. The corpus luteum is a supplementary endocrine gland. It is formed after ovulation from the follicular cells and the cells of the theca interna of a ruptured follicle, under the influence of LH. There are the corpus luteum of menstruation (2 cm) and the corpus luteum of pregnancy (up to 5 cm). A menstrual corpus luteum operates 12 -14 days. The corpus luteum of pregnancy exists for about 6 months. Progesterone is secreted by the lutein cells of the corpus luteum.

15. 1. In the first stage which is called “a stage of proliferation and vascularization” several events occure: The wall of the ovulated follicle restores its integrity. The granulosa cells and the cells of the theca interna actively proliferate. The capillaries grow out from the theca into a follicular epithelium. 2 Stage of the glandular metamorphosis:. The granulosa cells and cells of the inner theca differentiate into lutein cells. Accordingly, there are granulosa-lutein cells and theca-lutein cells. The development of the corpus luteum is divided into 4 stages: 3. A stage of the heyday. In this stage lutein cells synthesize and secrete hormone progesterone, as well as small amounts of estrogens and oxytocin. 4. The last stage is called “a stage of reverse development”. The lutein cells degenerate and are replaced by a connective tissue in the form of a scar which is called the corpus albicans.

16. The functioning of the ovaries is cyclic. It includes two phases (in case if average duration is 28 days). 1) In the follicular phase the development of primordial follicle into mature follicle occurs. The duration of this stage is approximately 10-14 days. The growth of a follicle is stimulated by the pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone. The ovulation, formation of the corpus luteum and its regression constitute the luteal phase of the follicular cycle. Ovulation occurs under the action of LH.

17. The uterus is a hollow muscular organ that provides the development of the fetus. The wall of the uterus is formed by three tunics: Mucosa (endometrium) Muscularis (myometrium) Serosa (perimetrium)

18. The mucous tunica (endometrium) is composed of epithelium and lamina propria. The epithelium is pseudostratified. It contains two types of cells which are arranged in two rows. The lamina propria is formed by loose connective tissue. The uterine glands are located in the endometrium. They are simple tubular, slightly branched. They secrete mucus and permeate the entire endometrium. The endometrium includes the basal and functional layers. However, there is no clear demarcation between them. epithelium lamina propria uterine glands myometrium perimetrium endometrium

19. The basal layer is located deep in the endometrium. It contains the bottoms of the uterine glands. During an ovarian-menstrual cycle, the structure of the basal layer is not changed. This layer is less sensitive to hormones. It is a source of recovery for the functional layer. The blood supply of this layer is carried out via straight arteries. The functional layer is superficial. It includes the epithelium and lamina propria to the bottoms of the uterine glands. It is sensitive to hormones. Depending on the concentration of estrogens and progesterone, the structure of the layer varies significantly: from a complete destruction to hypertrophy. The blood supply of this layer is carried out via helical arteries. The basal layer The functional layer

20. TUNICA MUSCULARIS (MYOMETRIUM)   It is the thickest tunica of the organ. It is formed by three layers of a smooth muscle tissue. A layer lying under the mucosa is called “the submucosa” (5A). The middle layer is the most powerful. It contains larger blood vessels and is therefore called “a vascular layer” (5B). The outer layer is respectively called “supra-vascular” (5B). The layers and bundles of the smooth-muscle cells are separated by the interlayers of a loose connective tissue.

21. The serous tunic (perimetrium) does not fully cover the uterus. It has a typical structure (a loose connective tissue and mesothelium).

22. A MENSTRUAL CYCLE The structure of the uterus and especially of the endometrium cyclically varies depending on the level of the female sex hormones. The totality of these changes is called a menstrual cycle.

23. The menstrual cycle is caused by cyclic changes in the level of estrogens and progesterone. The average cycle time is 28 days (from 21 to 35 days). The menstrual cycle consists of three phases: menstrual phase (phase of desquamation) proliferative (postmenstrual) secretory (premenstrual).

24. Menstrual Phase (from day 1 to 4) Menstruation, (uterine bleeding) occurs if fertilization does not occur. The corpus luteum becomes non- functional (about 14 days after ovulation), thus reducing the levels of progesterone and estrogens. A low level of estrogens and progesterone causes a spasm of the helical arteries in the functional layer of the endometrium. This event leads to necrotization and complete destruction of the functional layer of the endometrium. PROLIFERATIVE OR POSTMENSTRUAL PHASE (FROM DAY 5 TO 14) By the beginning of this phase, the endometrium consists of only basal layer (which contains the bottoms of the glands). Under the influence of estrogens the epithelium of the glands proliferates and covers the surface of the endometrium. Narrow, straight, functionally inactive glands are also formed. The lamina propria regenerates and helical arteries are formed in it.

25. SECRETORY (PREMENSTRUAL) PHASE FROM DAY 15 TU 28 The secretory phase starts after ovulation. The cells of the corpus luteum increase progesterone level. Progesterone couses the hypertrophy of the functional layer of the endometrium (the endometrial thickness gets increased by 2 times). The uterine glands become wider, sometimes start branch, and actively secrete mucus. The spiral arteries become more convoluted and extend closer to the surface of the uterus. During the secretory period, the growing follicles are absent inside the ovaries. Therefore the estrogen level is gradually reduced. At the end of the period the corpus luteum undergoes degeneration, that leads to a fall in the progesterone level. Reduction of the level of both hormones triggers the start of the menstrual period.

26. MAMMARY GLAND OR BREASTS (MAMMA)

27. The mammary gland is a derivative of the skin, refers to the skin glands, but their development and functioning are directly related to hormonal activity of the female reproductive system.

28. The mammary glands are compound tubuloalveolar glands that consist of 15 to 20 lobes, located around the nipple. Each lobe is drained by its own lactiferous duct leading directly to the nipple, where it opens onto its surface. Before reaching the nipple, each of the ducts is dilated to form a lactiferous sinus for milk storage and then narrows before passing through the nipple.

29. The alveoli of the lactating (active) mammary glands are composed of cuboidal secretory cells partially surrounded by a meshwork of myoepithelial cells. The secretions of the alveolar cells are of two kinds: lipids and proteins.

34. Requirements for getting an access to an examination in histology.

35. Under what conditions a student gets an access to an examination?  At the end of the academic year a student should have 35 rating points or more.  Each student should not have academic arrears (debts). 5 colloquiums and 3 writing works must be successful.  ).

36. The exam will be held in two stages: Stage 1 a computer test Stage 2 an oral part (question-answer work)

37. All the students who have got an access to the exam take a computer test. Each student will receive 34 questions on all the topics of the discipline. Only 45 seconds are given to one question. There is only one correct answer to each question. The test will be considered successful if you give correct answers to 18 questions or more.

38. Calculation of rating points based on the results of the test will be done on the following principle: The number of correct answers out of 34 The corresponding rating points 0-170 1816 19-2017 21-2218 23-2419 25-2620 27-2821 29-3022 31-3223 33-3424

39. The number of rating points determines the final grade by the following scale: The final grade “excellent (5)” can be obtained only after passing the oral part of the exam (question-answer work with the examiner). Total rating pointsYour final grade 0-50“2 - unsatisfactory” 51-70“3 – satisfactory” 71-85“4 - good” 86-100“5-excellent”

40. question-answer work with the examiner) Six rating points can be obtained in the second stage of the examination ( question-answer work with the examiner).  This stage of the examination stage is resorted to if a student has a theoretical chance to improve his final grade.  For example, if after the computer test, a student has 69 rating points (grade “3 – satisfactory”) he may go through the second stage of the exam, get extra points (from 0 to 6) to qualify for a grade “4 - good”.

41. In the second stage of the exam, each student receives:  One examination card with three theoretical questions,  Three slides for identification  One situational problem