Animal Reproductive Tracts

Reproductive Structures

Male Reproductive Structures

Testicles - produce spermtestosterone – hormone

responsible for libido and masculine appearance

Epididymis – Where the immature sperm are stored to mature

Vas Deferens – transportation tube that carries sperm from epididymis to the urethra

Sperm

Male Repro (cont)Scrotum sac-like structure that

contains and protects the testesregulate temperature of the testes by contracting and relaxing

testes must stay several degrees cooler than body temp.

Male Repro (cont)•Urethra – large muscular tube that transports semen and urine out the penis

•Semen – contains sperm, fluid to travel in, and nutrient solution

•Penis – organ that extends into the female reproductive tract and deposits semen at the cervix – engorges with blood to cause an erection necessary for copulation

•Sigmiod Flexure & Retractor Muscle – are necessary to extend the penis out of it’s protective sheath in bulls, rams, and boars

Male Repro (cont)•Seminal Vesicles – Glands that produce fluid that protects and transports the sperm

•Prostate Gland – produces fluid that is mixed with the seminal fluid to protect and transport the sperm

•Cowper’s Gland – produces fluid that precedes semen in the urethra to clean and neutralize the tract

Reproductive Tract of Bull

Reproductive Tract of a Ram

Reproductive Tract of a Stallion

Reproductive Tract of a Stallion

Female Reproductive StructuresOvary – stores the eggs and

produces estrogen and progesterone – hormones responsible for feminine appearance and estrus; eggs mature and are released one at a time - ovulation.

Follicles – as the eggs begin to mature, they become enlarged bodies on the ovary known as a follicle.

Follicles on Sow ovaries

Female Repro (cont)Oviducts – also known as Fallopian Tubes in humans; tubes that carry the egg to the uterine horn; site of fertilization. **Ectopic Pregnancy

Infundibulum – “catcher’s mitt”; as the egg is released, the infundibulum sweeps it off the ovary and into the oviducts.

Female Repro (cont)Uterus – y-shaped body that has 2

horns and cervix; it is very muscular and supports the fetus during pregnancy.

Horns – litter bearing animals have long uterine horns and single bearing animals have shorter horns; horses and humans do not have uterine horns, just the main body of the uterus.

Endometrium – lining of the uterus that becomes engorged with blood to support the fetus

Uterus Configurations

Female Repro (cont)Cervix – lower outlet of the uterus

that has cartilage rings; this is the structure that dilates during birth.

Vagina – organ where copulation occurs and serves as the birth canal

Vulva – external (visible) portion of the female reproductive tract; made up of the Labia Majora and the Labia Minora (outer and inner folds)

Clitoris – homologous to the penis in the male

Reproductive tract of a Cow

Dorsal View

Reproductive Tract of a Sow