ASC101A

LABORATORY EXERCISE NO. 5

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

INTRODUCTION

Reproductive physiology is one of the most dynamic biological sciences and

its rapid development in the field remains great. There is a need to find socially
acceptable ways of reducing the reproductive capacity of the world’s exploding
population. Alongside with this is the need to maintain at maximum capacities the
reproductive performance of our domestic animals to provide adequate nutrition for
this increasing hu-man population. These goals can be achieved only if detailed
knowledge of the different phases of reproduction is understood and recent
development along this line is ap-plied in practical ways. New techniques of
increasing reproductive efficiencies such as artificial insemination and embryo
transfer cannot be fully exploited until the basic principles on which they are based
upon are completely understood.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the exercise, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the different structures and functions of the male and

female reproductive systems
2. Differentiate structure and functions of the reproductive tract on
different animal species

MATERIALS

Specimens of male and female reproductive tracts of goat/sheep, pig, and

chicken
Picture charts of male and female reproductive systems of chicken, pig, and
goat/sheep

METHODS

1. Using the specimens of the male and female reproductive system as

a model, the different structures are identified.
2. A video presentation will be used to discuss the different internal structures.
3. Student will identify the functions of the structures.
4. Using the chart, similarities and differences in the reproductive system of
the different animal species are pointed out.
5. Using the available specimens, the different structures and attribution
to functions are described.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

A. The Male Reproductive System and their Function

1. Testis is the paired primary sex organ of the male and its main functions
are for the site of sperm maturation and the secretion of the male sex
hormone,
 androgen. Testes in birds are located within the body cavity; in mammals,
they lie outside of the abdominal cavity in a pouch of skin called the
scrotum.

Scrotum is the external covering of the testes. It protects the testes from
direct mechanical injuries. It also provides the testes an environment which
is a few degrees (2-5°C) cooler than the body temperature. This is not
present in poultry species.

2. Penis is an erectile tissue whose main function is to drain the urinary

bladder of urine. It is an organ of erection and ejaculation and serves to
intro-duce the spermatozoa into the vagina. In poultry species, it may be
intromit-tent (Anseriformes) and non-intromittent (Galliformes)

3. Excurrent Ducts

Epididymis is a long-convoluted tube, which connects the vasa efferentia

of the testis with the ductus deferens (vas deferens). It serves as a place
for maturation of the spermatozoa before ejaculation.

Ductus Deferens (vas deferens) is a muscular tube, which merges with

the epididymis. It extends upward to the abdominal cavity and finally
empties in the urethra. During ejaculation, this muscular tube propels the
spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct in the urethra.

Urethra is a canal starting from the junction of the ampulla and ends at the
opening of the penis. It serves as a common passage of semen and urine.

4. Accessory Sex Glands/ Organs (not present in poultry species)

a. Ampulla is an enlarged portion of the ductus deferens just before its

entrance into the urethra. It serves as a temporary storage of sperm
until ejaculation time. This is absent in pigs.

b. Seminal Vesicles are paired glands, which are located on either side
of the ampulla. They produce a secretion high in fructose, which acts
as vehicle for sperm transport.

c. Prostate Gland is an unpaired gland, which more or less completely

surrounds the urethra. It produces a viscous secretion, which
stimulates sperm activity and gives the semen its characteristic odor.
This is absent in goat.

d. Cowper’s Gland/ Bulbourethral Gland is a small-paired gland located

on either side of pelvic urethra. This gland responsible for the boar taint.
This becomes underdeveloped when pigs are castrated at an early age.

B. The Female Reproductive System and their Function

1. Ovary is a paired, almond shaped organ situated near the uterine horn
just behind the kidney. It is the site for ova maturation and secretes the
female sex hormones like estrogen.

2. Uterine Tubes/Oviduct/Fallopian Tubes is a structure that conducts

the ova from each ovary to the respective horn of the uterus. It serves
as a site of fertilization and site of early embryonic development. This is
well developed in poultry species for egg production and divided into
different parts:
 a. Infundibulum is a portion of the uterine tube adjacent to the ovary
whose expanded form is like a funnel-shaped structure. It picks up
the egg when released by the ovary at the time of ovulation.

b. Magnum is the site for albumen secretion.

c. Isthmus is the side for outer and inner shell membrane secretion.

3. Uterus is of the domestic mammals consists of a body, a cervix (neck),

and two horns. The uterus is a tubular structure extending from the
termination of both fallopian tubes to a point where the horns of the
uterus joins the body of the uterus and continues to the cervix. Its
function includes the following: site of implantation and serves in a
nutritive and productive capacity for the developing embryo. In poultry
species, this is known as the shell gland where eggshell is formed.

Cervix is considered the neck of the uterus. It serves as a passage way of

semen. It protects the uterus from foreign material. During pregnancy, it
secretes a sticky mucus seal.

4. Vagina is a tube extending from the cervix down to the vulva. It receives
the penis in copulation and provides a passageway for the fully developed
fetus during parturition. In poultry species, the cuticle or “bloom” is secreted
onto the shell for easy passage in the cloaca (urodeum) or vent and also
serves as protection for the egg.

5. Vulva serves as the common passage way for the products of reproduction
and urine.

6. Clitoris, a rudimentary organ situated ventrally to the vulva, is homologous

to the penis in the male.

Figure 3.1. Mammalian Male Reproductive System. Ductus

deferens (DD), Ampulla (A), Prostate gland (PG),
 Seminal Vesicle (SV), Sigmoid flexure (SF),
Prepuce (PF), Penis (GP, SP) (Akers & Denbow,
2013)

2 3
1
2 9
4
5
6

Figure 3.2. Mammalian Male Reproductive System. (1) testes,

(2) Epididymis, (3) Ductus deferens, (4) Ampulla,
(5) Seminal Vesicle, (6) Prostate gland, (7) Cowper’s
gland, (8) ureter and Urinary Bladder
(image from JMUPHQUIMIO, IAS-CAFS)

Figure 3.3. Mammalian Female Reproductive System

 Epididymis

Figure 3.4. Avian Male Reproductive System (Jacob & Pescatore (nd)

Ovary

Infundibulum

oviduct
Magnum

Isthmus
colon
uterus

vagina

cloaca

Figure 3.5. Avian Female Reproductive System (image from

Dr. JMUPHQUIMIO, IAS-CAFS)
REFERENCES:

FRANDSON, R.D., W. LEE WILKE, and A. DEE FAILS. 2009. Anatomy

and Physiology of Farm Animals. 7th edition. John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. 536 pp.

SENGER P. 2012. Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition. 3rd edition.

Current Conceptions Inc., USA.
 ASC101A

LABORATORY EXERCISE 5
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Name: Score:

Lab. Section: Date:

Label the structure and identify the functions (40 pts.):

2 3
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
A. Male (Goat)

Label Structure Function

8
B. Female (Swine)

Label Structure Function

10

11

12

13

14

15
 16

17

18

19

21 20
22
23

C. Female (Chicken)

Label Structure Function

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

II. Comparative anatomy of the reproductive tract (60 pts.):

A. Male (indicate if present or absent)

 Stru
GoaCh
ctur
t ick
e en

T
e
s
t
i
s

S
c
r
o
t
u
m
Epididymis

Vas deferens

Ampulla

B. Seminal vesicle
Female
Prostate gland

Cowper’s/Bulbo-
urethral gland

Bladder

Penis

Sigmoid flexure

Glans penis

Sheath/Prepuce
(indicate
if present or absent, if absent, give its equivalent)

Structure Goat Pig Chicken

Vulva

Clitoris

Vagina

Urinary bladder

Cervix

Body of the uterus

Horns of the uterus

Oviducts

Ovary