1. Female Reproductive System Jr/Sr Veterinary Science
Animal Reproduction
Female Reproductive System
Jr/Sr Veterinary Science

2. To create and support new life
Function
To create and support new life

3. Structures Ovary: Oviducts: Infundibulum:
Paired Primary Female Reproductive Organ
Produce eggs (ova or oocytes) & hormones
Oviducts:
AKA “Fallopian Tubes”
Carries egg from ovary to uterus
Site of fertilization
Infundibulum:
Funnel-like structure which “catches” a released egg & brings it to the oviduct

4. Structures Uterus/Uterine Horns: Cervix: Vagina:
Thick, muscular organ where fertilized egg develops into a fetus before birth
Cervix:
Prevents foreign material from entering uterus
Forms a mucus plug during pregnancy
Vagina:
Semen is deposited during copulation
Part of birth canal & urinary system

5. Structures Urethra: Vulva: Mammary Glands
Brings urine from the bladder to the vagina
Vulva:
External female genitalia
Contains clitoris, sensitive tissue stimulated during mating
Mammary Glands
Milk-producing glands in females
Called “udder” or “teats”

6. Species Differences Sow: Convoluted uterine horns, corkscrew cervix
Cow & Ewe: Prominent uterine horns.
Cervical Rings
Mare: Smooth cervix, “ovulation fossa”
“Folds”
Bitch: Slender uterine horns
Doe Rabbit: Two cervixes: Bicornate

7. Ovulation Female Gamete: egg, (ova or oocyte)
Follicle: site on ovary that contains an egg
Primary Follicle: earliest stage
Maturing Follicle: developing stage
Graafian Follicle: dominant & about to ovulate
Corpus Luteum: “scar,” forms after ovulation at old Graafian follicle site

8. Ovulation, con’t Oogenesis: Monotocous: Polytocous:
Development & production of eggs (ova)
Monotocous:
non-litter bearing species; 1 dominant follicle
Polytocous:
litter-bearing species; several follicles develop

9. Hormones GnRH: stimulates production of LH & FSH
FSH: stimulates follicle to develop & release of estrogen. Develops yolk and secretes estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen: brings on heat cycle, causes development of secondary sex characteristics, stimulates release of LH
LH: causes ovulation (release of egg from follicle) & development of corpus luteum

10. Hormones, con’t
Progesterone: secreted by the corpus luteum (CL); maintains pregnancy: Yellow body. Prevents FSH and LH production. Inhibits secretion of GnRH by blocking further ovarian activity.
Prostaglandin: secreted by uterus if animal is not pregnant; causes regression of CL

11. Estrous Cycle Proestrus: follicle matures to release egg
Estrus: egg is released by ovary, female is sexually receptive
Metestrus: period after ovulation, while CL is developing; will often bleed from the vulva (cows)
Diestrus: corpus luteum becomes active
Anestrus: not cycling

12. Variations in Estrous Cycles
Monoestrous: one estrus in a breeding season or year
Polyestrous: are in estrus more than once in a breeding season or year
Seasonal breeders: are in estrus only certain times of the year, by daylight
ex: sheep: fall (decreasing daylight)
horses: March – October (increasing daylight)

13. Signs of Estrus Cow: stands to be mounted, swollen vulva
Sow: stands to be mounted, grunting
Ewe: Seeking ram, enlarged vulva
Mare: “winking” of the vulva, frequent urination, raised tail, nervous behavior
Bitch:change in behavior, bloody discharge, acceptance of male
Cat: howling

14. Gestation
Conception: formation of an embryo, resulting from fertilization
Gestation: length of time from conception to birth
Gravid: animal is confirmed pregnant
Parturition: act of giving birth
Delivery: expulsion of a fetus

15. Gestation Lengths Horse: 11 months Cow: 9 months
Sow: 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 days
Dog: 63 days
Sheep & Goats: 5 months
Rabbit: 1 month
Cat: 2 months

16. Pregnancy Placenta: provides for exchange of nutrients, O2, and wastes
Ruminants:
Cotyledons: “buttons” that attach placenta to fetus
Caruncles: “buttons” that attach placenta on maternal side. (Remember “uncle” is part of your family)

17. Parturition Neonate: newborn fetus
Colostrum: first milk; contains antibodies
Muconium: first feces
Lactation: forming and secreting milk
Dystocia: difficult birth
Malpresentation: awkward position of fetus during delivery, depends on species

18. THE END!!!! 