DAIRY PRODUCTION & MANAGEMENT

COURSE

Cow and Bull reproductive system

Male & Female Cattle reproductive anatomy
Cow reproductive anatomy

ovary
Ovary – the ovary is the primary female
reproductive organ.

Two important functions;

1. Ovulate an oocyte in each estrus cycle.
2. Produce estrogen from follicle.
3. Produce progesterone from the corpus
luteum.
Cow reproductive anatomy

Oviduct or Fallopian tube – it has a

tubes that extend from the uterine horns to
the ovaries and the site of fertilization.

Functions:
1. Transport sperm and oocytes
2. Acts to reduce sperm numbers to
prevent polyspermy.
3. Removes oocytes from the surface
of the ovary via the fimbria’s cilia
Cow reproductive anatomy

Parts of the oviduct:

1. Fimbria - ciliated structures on infundibulum that
massage the ovarian surface to catch/grab the
oocyte(s) from the ovary during ovulation.
2. Infundibulum - funnel shaped structure through
which oocytes pass to reach ampulla.
3. Ampullary-isthmic junction - site of fertilization and
cleavage of embryos.
4. Utero-tubal junction - This section controls the
number of sperm that enter the oviduct from the
uterus.
5. Isthmus - is the final segment of the oviduct that
connects to the uterine horns.
Cow reproductive anatomy

Uterus – the uterus function as the site of

embryological development.

From the oviduct the fertilized egg will move

toward the uterus within the next 3-4days.

Parts:
1. Uterine body - is fused between the end of the
cervix and the base of the uterine horns.
2. Uterine horns - are two elongated structures
that are located between the oviducts and the
uterine body.
Cow reproductive anatomy

Types uterus:
1. Bicornuate – two horns with a
small body in the cow, queen, and
bitch. The mare is in this classification
but she has very little uterine horn
area.

2. Simplex – large body with virtually

no uterine horns in humans and
primates.

3. Duplex – two cervical canals that

separates each horn into distinct
compartments. Rabbits and rodents.
Cow reproductive anatomy

Cervix – is the neck of the uterus that is

consist of thick wall or somewhat
cartilaginous with a very small opening
due to interlocking folds (annular ring).

Functions:
1. Site of semen deposition in the sow.
2. Sealed during pregnancy with a
“glue-like” substance to serve as barrier
to uterus.

At the time of pregnancy, it is filled with thick

mucous plugged to protect the developing fetus
from bacterial infection.
Cow reproductive anatomy

Vagina – this serve as the organ of

copulation during natural mating where
semen is deposited.
Vulva
Functions:
1. Copulatory organ in most species and birth canal.

Vulva – the passage of urine, the opening for mating

and serves as part of the birth canal. Exhibit redness
and sweeling during estrus.
Bull reproductive anatomy

Straight sided scrotum

- small testicles
- excessive fat

Pendulous scrotum
- well-defined neck
- ideal for
thermoregulation

Wedge-shaped scrotum
- smaller testicles
- excessive fat
 Bull reproductive anatomy Species Testicular orientation
Bull Vertical
Ram Vertical
Boar Oblique
Stallion Horizontal
Dog Oblique
Rabbit Vertical
Human Vertical
SCROTUM
Is an anatomical male reproductive structure out-pouched of skin from the
abdominal region and encloses the testes (protection and thermoregulation).
“cryptorchidism” when the testes failed to descend into the scrotum.
“bilateral cryptorchidism” when both testes fail to descend.
“unilateral cryptorchid” when a single testis has descended.
Bull reproductive anatomy

Basic components:
Primary
✔ Testicles

Secondary
✔ Epididymis
✔ Vas deferens
✔ Penis

Accessory
✔ Seminal vesicle
✔ Prostate gland
✔ Bulbourethral gland (Cowper’s gland)
Bull reproductive anatomy

Testicle - the primary male reproductive

organ.

Two vital functions:

1. For spermatogenesis
2. Producing the male hormone

Location of the testicles exterior to the body

cavity is essential for normal sperm
formation, which occurs only at 4 degrees
to 5 degrees below body temperature.
 Bull reproductive anatomy
Epididymis – is composed of a single,
tortuously coiled tubule that is directly
attached to one side of the testicle,
approximately 35 meters long – in coiled
condition is about 20cm long.

Functions
1. To storage, maturation and transport
sperm.

Three parts:
1. Head or caput epididymis – stores the semen until they are ready for maturation.
2. Body or corpus epididymis – where the sperm mature.
3. Tail or cauda epididymis – stores the mature sperm ready for ejaculation. Connected directly to vas deferens.
Bull reproductive anatomy

Vas deferens – is simply a continuation of the

epididymis extending from the tail of the
epididymis to the pelvic urethra.

Function:
1. to transport spermatozoa from the
epididymis to the urethra.

Spermatozoa are transported further along

the reproductive tract by contraction of the
smooth muscle tissue surrounding this tubule
during ejaculation.
Bull reproductive anatomy

Urethra
Penis – male organ of copulation.
Sigmoid flexure
Mainly responsible for urination and sexual
function.

A sigmoid flexure is an anatomical structure in which the

penis is held inside the sheath until the time of service

Urethra – is a common passageway for semen and

urine during reproduction and urination respectively
Bull reproductive anatomy

Accessory glands:

1. Seminal vesicles – are a pair of

sac-like glands that can be found within
the male pelvis.

The site of fructose synthesis and secretion,

which serves as the primary energy source for
ejaculated spermatozoa.

The largest of the accessory glands in the bull

they average 12 to 15 cm in length.
Bull reproductive anatomy

Accessory glands:

2. Prostate gland – is located at the neck

of the urinary bladder.

Secretes a slightly alkaline fluid, which is

largely responsible for the characteristic odor
of semen.

Relatively small in the bull, as compared to

other species measures 3 to 4.5 cm in width
and 1 to 1.5 cm in length.
Bull reproductive anatomy

Accessory glands:

3. Bulbourethral gland (Cowper’s gland) –

are paired glands lying on either side of
the urethra.

Produces clear secretion that often drips

from the penis during sexual excitement
prior to service. It flush and cleanse the
urethra for any urine residue that may be
harmful to sperm.

Weigh between 1 to 13 grams and

measure 2 to 3 cm in diameter.
End of Presentation

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