MODULE 12 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 1

(OVIDUCT, OVARIES AND MAMMARY GLAND)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the lining epithelium of the ovary, oviduct, and mammary gland.
2. Discuss the functions of the cells that make up the ovary, oviduct, and mammary
gland.

DISCUSSION:

OVIDUCT

The oviduct is also called the fallopian tube. It serves as site of fertilization and
conduit for the movement of the sperm and the zygote as well. It is divided into four
parts: the infundibulum, the ampulla, the isthmus and the intramural portion.

The infundibulum is a funnel-shaped opening with fingerlike extensions called

fimbriae; the ampulla is the longest and widest part where fertilization normally occurs;
the isthmus is the narrowest part and nearest to the uterus; and, the intramural portion
passes through the wall of the uterus and opens into the uterine cavity.

The mucosa is thrown into longitudinal folds which are numerous in the ampulla,
least and shortest in the isthmus and absent in the intramural part. On cross-section,
these folds appear as labyrinth. The lining epithelium is simple columnar epithelium
composed of ciliated columnar cells, which ciliary movements sweep fluid towards the
uterus; and the secretory peg cells which are non-ciliated, darkly stained and with its
apex bulging into the lumen. The peg cells secretes glycoproteins of the nutritive mucus
that covers the epithelium. From the influence of estrogen in the follicular growth phase,
the cilia elongates and both columnar and peg cells become hypertrophied while the
opposite happens in the late luteal phase.
The secretion covering the mucosa is both nutritive and protective in functions for
both the oocyte and the sperm, including “capacitation factors” that will activate the
spermatozoa and make them capable of fertilizing the oocyte.

The lamina propria consists of a loose connective tissue, while the muscularis is
composed of well-defined smooth muscles arranged as a thicker circular or spiral layers
and a thinner longitudinal layer. The outer wall called serosa, is made of loose
connective tissue and covered by a mesothelium.
OVARY

The ovarian surface is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium called surface

epithelium or germinal epithelium. Underneath this lies is a thin connective tissue, the
tunica albuginea. It has two parts: the cortex and the medulla. The cortex is the
outermost region of highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles of
different stages of development. While the medulla, is the central part of the ovary that
contains loose connective tissues and blood vessels. The ovarian follicles composed of
an oocyte surrounded by layer or layers of epithelial cells depending on the stage of
development are found. Atretic follicles that resulted from degeneration or atresia are
also seen.

STAGES OF FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT

1. Primordial follicle
The primary oocyte is surrounded by a single layer of flat cells called
follicular cells. It lies immediately under the tunica albuginea.

2. Primary follicle
The primary oocyte is surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells and
called unilaminar primary follicle; or several layers of follicular cells and
called multilaminar primary follicle or simply growing follicle. These
structures are found in the follicle:

a) Zona pelucida
This is a homogenous eosinophilic layer found between the
oocyte and granulosa cells, the cuboidal shaped cells with a
central darkly stained nucleus.

b) Theca folliculi
This is the stroma outside the follicle.

c) Membrana granulosa limitans or the basement membrane

This structure separates the the granulosa cells from the
theca folli folliculi.

3. Secondary follicle or Antral follicle

The primary oocyte and its zona pellucida is surrounded by layers of
granulosa cells called cumulus oophorus. At one side a cavity called
antrum is formed grows in size due to the accumulation of fluid, the anrum
folliculi, secreted by the granulosa cells. The theca folliculi differentiates
into theca interna closest to the basement membrane, which is vascular
and glandular (estrogen) in function; and theca externa farthest to the
membrane, which provide structural support.
 4. Mature or Graafian follicle
As meiosis continues, the primary oocyte transforms into a secondary
oocyte and a polar body enclosed in the zona pellucida. The granulosa cells
immediately outside the zona pellucida also transform into corona radiata, while
the remaining cumulus oophorus provide attachment to the granulosa cells
surrounding the antrum.

After ovulation, blood clots in the antrum is due to the collapse of the Graafian
follicle and loss of vascular integrity in the theca interna. The follicle is aptly termed as
corpus hemorrhagicum. Later, the granulosa and theca interna cells undergo
luteinization, the inner granulosa cells become large, pale and start to acquire the
properties of being an endocrine cells. These are called granulosa lutein cells. The
theca interna cells become smaller and darkly stained. When there is pregnancy, the
follicle is called corpus luteum of pregnancy and will be the source of progesterone and
androstenedione. But in the absence of pregnancy, the corpus luteum will degenerate
and assumes an acidophilic, homogenous acellular scarred area. This is now called
corpus albicans, where the cells are phagocytosed by macrophages and later invaded
by fibroblasts and produce a scar of dense connective tissue called.

MAMMARY GLAND

The mammary glands of the breasts develop as invaginations of surface

ectoderm along two ventral lines called the milk lines. The manner of secretion of the
mammary glands resemble as highly modified apocrine sweat glands, where the
product serve as nutritive milk for newborns. They have the compound tubuloalveolar
morphology. Each mammary gland consists of about 15-25 lobes separated from each
other by a dense connective tissue with plenty of adipose tissue and contained its own
excretory lactiferous ducts. Each lobe consists of many lobules called terminal duct
lobular units (TDLU) composed of several small, branching ducts and the secretory
alveoli. The histologic features of the mammary glands varies according to sex, age,
and physiologic status.

Before puberty, the mammary glands in both sexes are only lactiferous sinuses
near the nipple. For girls undergoing puberty, the estrogen hormone causes the breasts
to grow as a result of adipocyte accumulation and elongation of the duct system. The
mammary glands of non-pregnant adult women are inactive consisting of few ducts,
lobules and undeveloped alveoli. The breasts are composed largely of connective tissue
and considerable fat. The lactiferous sinuses are lined by stratified cuboidal epithelium,
while the lactiferous ducts and terminal ducts are lined by simple cuboidal epithelium
with many myoepithelial cells.
In the premenstrual phase of the reproductive cycle, connective tissue of the
breast becomes somewhat edematous, making the breasts slightly larger. The areola
contains sebaceous glands, sensory nerves and more melanin than elsewhere on the
breast that darkens during pregnancy. The connective tissue of the nipple has plenty of
smooth muscle fibers that produce nipple erection when they contract.

During pregnancy, the mammary glands become active, with the duct system
growing rapidly and the secretory units of each lobule becoming much larger and more
extensively branched. These changes are due to the synergistic action of several
hormones mainly estrogen and others like progesterone, prolactin, and the placental
lactogen in preparation for lactation. The connective tissue within lobules is infiltrated by
lymphocytes and plasma cells, the latter become more numerous late in pregnancy.
The glandular alveoli and ducts become dilated due to the accumulation of breastmilk
called colostrum. The fluid is rich in proteins, leukocytes and antibodies called
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) which are synthesized by plasma cells. Thus, the breast-fed
newborn acquires passive immunity. Following child birth or parturition, the alveoli of
mammary glands start active milk production as stimulated by prolactin. So that during
lactation, the lobules are greatly enlarged and the lumens of both the numerous
glandular alveoli and the excretory ducts are filled with milk. When weaning (the breast-
feeding is stopped), the duct system of the gland returns to its general appearance and
in its inactive state by undergoing apoptosis, autophagy, or sloughing where the dead
cells and debris were removed by macrophages.

As consequence of menopausal changes, the loss of fibroblasts, collagen, and

elastic fibers in the stroma of the breast brings reduction in the size of the mammary
glands.
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________

LABORATORY EXERCISE 12.4

Direction: Draw and label a histologic section of the fallopian tube. (5 Pts.)
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________

LABORATORY EXERCISE 12.5

Direction: Draw and label a histologic section of the ovary. (5 Pts.)
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________

LABORATORY EXERCISE 12.6

Direction: Draw and label a histologic section of an inactive mammary gland and
active mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. (10 Pts.)