REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 Typesof Reproduction
A.Asexual reproduction
Does not require the sex organs to
facilitate the perpetuation of the specie
or organism
B.Sexual reproduction
Male and female sex organs involved in
the process of reproduction
The union of sex cells, ovum and sperm
cell are involved
Female reproductive system
The female reproductive system
includes: the pair of ovaries and the
reproductive duct system
1.Ovaries 4. Cervix
2.Oviduct/fallopian 5. Vagina
tube 6. Vulva
3.Uterus 7. clitoris
1.Ovaries – primary sex organs of
females
Production of egg cells or ova
Production of hormones: estrogen and
progesterone
2. Oviduct/fallopian tube/horn of uterus
Duct that connects the ovary and uterus
Site of fertilization
*infundibulum-funnel shaped fimbriated
membrane that catches the ova during
ovulation
3.Uterus (womb)
 Site of implantation
 Where the fetus mature and develops
Types of uterus
1.Bicornuate – horns are folded
convulated while the body is short or
not prominent
2.Bipartite – prominent uterine body and
a septum that separates the two horns
4. Cervix (os uteri) – considered as the neck
of the uterus.
 Closes when the animal gets pregnant
 Acts as sperm receptacle
5. Vagina – primary organ of copulation
 Where the sperm is deposited
6. Vulva– outer portion of the reproductive
system
 Cloaca in poultry
 Homologous to the scrotum of males
7. Clitoris
– it is a small rudimentary organ
homologous to the glans penis in males
Male reproductive system
1.Testicles – primary organ of the males
reproductive system
Inpoultry it is located within the body
cavity while in livestock it islocated
outside together with the scrotum
Scrotum – protects the testes,
thermoregulator
The cremaster and tunica dartos are the
thermoregulatory muscle of the testes
6-9˚C than the body temperature
 Functions of the testes
1. Production of sperm cell (seminiferous tubules)
2. Production of hormone testosterone (leydig cell)

Related terms:
 Bilateral
cryptorchid – both testes failed to
descend to the scrotal sac (sterile)
 Unilateral cryptorchid – one of the testes failed
to descend to the scrotal sac (capable of
fertilization)
2. Duct system
a) Epididymis – site of sperm storage and
maturation
b) Vas deferens- found at the tail of epididymis
which is enlarge to form the ampula
 Carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
c) Urethra – it is where spermatozoa and
accessory fluids are mixed
 Has a loop called sigmoid flexure
d) Penis – organ of copulation
3. Male accessory glands
a) Seminal vesicles – secrete food for the sperm
(seminal fructose, ascorbic acid, citric acid,
acid soluble phosphorus and ergothinine)
b) Prostategland – unpaired, produces alkaline
secretion that fives the characteristic odor of
semen
c) Cowper’s gland or bulbo-urethral gland –
paired, produces sialoprotein(tapioca) that
adds volume to the ejaculate
 Gel-like
fraction blocks the cervix to prevent
backflow during copulation.
4. Semen – consist of the sperm cell and the
secretions from the accessory glands
 Vasectomy – in vasectomized animals the
vas deferens is severed. thus make it sterile
without loosing libido
 vasectomized animals is used as teaser
bulls/boars
 Castration – removal of the testes in
livestock
 Caponization – removal of testes in poultry
Age of animal when sperm is produced
a.Boar – 117 days
b.Bull – 224 days
c.Buck – 110days
d.Ram – 147 days
Lifespan of spermatozoa in the
female reproductive tract
Mammals – 24 hrs.
Poultry – 14 days
Avian Female Reproduction
System
Ride side atrophies – ovary on the
right side will atrophy leaving left
side ovary of the bird productive.
Ova produced by birds is larger than
most mammals.
Avian embryo develops inside the
egg and receives nourishment for
embryonic development until hatch.
Organs Responsible for Egg Formation
a.Ovary – this organ forms the ovum
(yolk) when fully formed ovulation will
occur (stimulated by LH)
b.Oviduct
1. Infundibulum - (funnel) site of
fertilization in birds. It picks-up the ovum
from the ovary.
2. Magnum – Secretes albumen
3. Isthmus
- Shell membrane (surrounds the
albumen and yolk)
c.Uterus – Shell gland these portion
secretes CaCO3, Which is the main
component of the egg shell.
d.Cloaca – rotates the egg 180
degrees before the egg is laid.
e.Vagina – Expels the egg from the
Uterus. With the help of Oxytocin,
causes contraction of the uterus.
 Avian Male reproductive System
The two testicles of bird is located inside
the abdominal cavity, along the backbone
and near the front end of the kidneys
Vas deference – site of sperm maturation
and storage in avian species
Pappilae – small projection in the cloacal
wall that serves as the copulatory organ
Caponization – process of removing the
testicles by making an incision on one
side of the back of the cock.
Puberty and Estrus Cycle
Terms:
Graafian follicle – matured follicle ready
for ovulation
Puberty – sexual maturity of animals
Corpus luteum – yellow bodied filled with
lutein cells
Corpus hemorrhagicum – reddish mass
after ovulation
Corpus albicans – formed after regression
of corpus luteum
Types of Estrous Cycle
1.Monoestrus – animals that comes in
heat only once a year (Deer and Fox)
2.Polyestrus - Animals that comes in
heat all throughout the year (Swine
Cattle)
3.Reflex ovulators – ovulates at
copulation (Rabbit)
Hormones involve in Estrous Cycle
Folliclestimulating hormone –
Stimulates Maturation of follicle
Luteinizing hormone – hormone for
ovulation
Estrogen – hormone for estrus
Progesterone – pregnancy hormone
Prostaglandin – hormone for contraction
Inhibin – Hormone that inhibits FSH
Phases of Estrous Cycle
1.Proestrus – Characterized by follicle
growth and thickened uterine mucosa
which becomes congested with blood.
2.Estrus – under the influence of
estrogen. Female accepts the male for
mating (standing heat). Ovulation takes
place during this phase.
Signs of Estrus
1.Reddening of the vulva
2.Frequent urination
3.Restlessness
4.Mucus secretion from the vagina
(watery at first and sticky
towards the end of estrus)
5.Mounting other animals
6.Stands still when mounted
3.Metestrus – characterize by the
formation of CL in the raptured follicle.
uterine Mucosa are prepared to receive
fertilize egg. CL produce progesterone.
*if fertilization occurs metestrus is followed by
the period of pregnancy. If not di estrus will
follow.
3.Diestrus – it is when corpus luteum
ceases to function, the uterus goes to a
period of quiescence in order that a
new cycle begin
Other terms in Estrous Cycle
Anestrus – absence of estrus in
animals
Nymphomania – animals with
estrogen primed ovary and always in
heat.
Fertilization
Union of sperm cell and
ova
Fertilized egg is called
zygote
Sperm capacitation – refers to
the physiological changes the
sperm will undergo in order to
penetrate and fertilize the egg.
Sperm capacitation is believed
to start at the uterus and final
sperm capacitation occurs in the
oviduct
Fertilizationtakes place in the
upper part of the fallopian tube
(infundibulum)
1. Sperm migration from the site of
deposition to the oviduct and
converge of the spermatozoa
towards the ovum.
2. Attachment and penetration through
the zona peluzida
3. Fusion of the sperm and ovum nuclei
Pregnancy
Zygote travels from the oviduct to
the uterine horn, cleavage
continues to progress. Cleavage
division give rise to an embryo that
has developed into 8-16 cell stage
morula which is transported into
the uterus where it will continue to
proliferate.
Stages of Pregnancy
a.Nidation or Implantation
b.Embryonic period
c.Fetal period
a.Nidation or implantation – the
embryo attaches itself to the
uterus. Embryo(conceptus)
produce steroid hormones
and/protein to signal its
presence to the maternal
system in order for the CL to
continually produce
progesterone
b.Embryonic period – extends
from the end of
implantation/nidation to the
forming of 3 extra embryonic
membrane.
a. Fetal
Period – Extends from the end of
embryonic period to the time of birth
Three Extra embryonic membrane
1.Allantois – serve as the urinary
receptacle for the embryo and also
collect some solid waste.
The allantois which fuses with the chorion
becomes the fetal placenta.
Placentapermits physiological exchange
between the fetus and the mother
Three Extra embryonic membrane
2.Chorion. The outer layer which is in
contact with the maternal tissues.
Completely surrounds the embryo,
amnion and allantoic cavity
3.Amnion – innermost membrane
which surrounds the embryo. Double
layered sac that forms the “water
bag”
Atparturition the amnion acts as
wedge to dilate the cervix.
Normal range of reproductive parameters in farm animals
Age at Length of
Estrous cycle
Species Puberty Heat period gestation
(days)
(month) (days)
Cattle 10-15 19-25 6-30 279-290
Horses 12-15 10-37 1-9 332-340
Pigs 4-7 18-24 1-5 112-116
Carabao 12-14 18-24 18-28 300-325
Ewe 5-7 14-20 20-42 140-160
Goat 4-8 12-24 1-4 140-160
6days a
Rabbit 4-6 - 30-35
week
 Parturition – a Physiological process which
the pregnant uterus delivers the fetus and
placenta from the maternal organism.
Signs of approaching parturition
1. Enlargement of the vulva
2. Obliviousenlargement of the mammary
gland; teats become swollen
3. Bitting or railings/nesting behavior
4. Presenceof milk is a strong indication of
approaching parturition
 Stages of parturition
1. Dilationof the cervix – with uterine
contractions which are painful causing
restlessness and abdominal discomfort,
fetus progress to the cervix
2. Expulsion of the fetus – detus enclosed
in amnion is propelled through the birth
canal and appears at the vulva, amnion
ruptures. Emergence of the head, for
legs, and chest. The umbilical cord
breaks as the neonate or the dam moves.
3.Expulsion of the placenta –
Rhythmic contractions continue
after birth and cause the
expulsion of the placenta