The document discusses the anatomy and histology of the female reproductive tract in mammals. It describes the major structures including the ovary, oviduct, uterus, cervix, vagina, and external genitalia. It provides details on the typical tubular structures of the female tract, including the functional histology of the mammalian follicle and components and functions of the oviduct, uterus, cervix, and vagina. Examples of different uterine structures in various mammals are also discussed.

1. Nasim Ahmad 1
THER 608
Female Anatomy
Contents: ovary, oviduct, uterus,
cervix, vagina, and external
genitalia

2. THER 406 Content # 4 Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad
2
Typicaltubularstructures
ofthefemaletract

3. THER 406 Content # 4 Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad
3

4. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad 4

5. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad 5

6. THER 406 Content # 4 Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad
6
Majorstructuresofthe
ovary

7. 7
Functional Histology of the Mammalian Follicle
Functional Unit Charcateristic
Primary Follicle Oocyte enclosed by a single
layer of follicular cells
Secondary Follicle Flattened granulosa cells
Tertiary Follilce
(Vesicular Follilce) or
Antral Follicle
Under influence of Gn’s,
formation of liquor folliculi,
Graafian follicle Follicular cells increase in size,
antrum filled with follicular
fluid, oocyte compressed to one
side (cumulus oophorus)

8. 8
Oviduct (Fallopian Tube)
• Four functional segments
– Fimbrae (finger like projections)
– Infundibulum (funnel shaped opening)
– Ampulla (dilated distal end)
– Isthumus (narrow proximal portion connected with
uterine lumen)
• Oviductal mucosa
– Ciliated Cells. (rate of beat proportional to the hormonal
activity; their percentage decreases gradually in the ampulla
toward the isthumus and reaches a max in the fimbrae and
infundibulum)
– Nonciliated Cells. (secretory cells, oviductal fluid has
important function in sperm capacitation, sperm hyper
activation, fertilization and early pre-implantation development)
• From UTJ sperms goes to AIJ and fertilization takes
place here

9. THER 406 Content # 4 Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad
9
Oviductandits
components

10. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad 10
Uterus
• Uterus consists of two uterine horns, a
body, and cervic neck.
• Horns are long, folded and convoluted
whereas body of uterus is short.
• Bicornuate (two horns one cervix) mare, cow,
sow
Simplex in primates (no uterine horns)
• In ruminants uterine epithelium have
caruncles
• What are the cotyledons?

11. 11Types of uteri in mammals

12. THER 406 Content # 4 Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad
12
Exciseduterinetissue

13. 13
Endometrial Glands
• These are branched coiled tubular
structures lined with columnar epithelium.
• They open in to the endometrial surface
except the caruncular area.
• They regress with the luteal regression.
• They straighten up at the time of estrus
and become coiled as the progesterone
level rises.

14. THER 406 Content # 4 Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad
14
Schematicillustrationof
uterinetissue

15. 15
Uterine Proteins
• Endometrial fluid contains mainly serum
proteins
• Uterine secretion plays a part in the
control of embryonic growth and
implantation
• Uterine secretion provide an optimal
environment for the survival and
capacitation of spermatozoa

16. 16
Uterine Contractions
• Uterine contraction is coordinated with the
rhythmic movement of the oviduct and ovary
• The frequency of myometrial contractions is high
and max at or immediately after estrus
• At estrus, uterine contractions originates in the
posterior part of reproductive tract towards
oviduct
• Contractions are high during estrogenic phase
and low during progesterone phase

17. 17
Functions of Uterus
• Sperm transport
• Luteolytic mechanisms (control of
cyclicity)
• Implantation and gestation
• Parturition and postpartum
involution

18. 18
Sample Question
• Bovine uterus has important structure and
functions in relation to maintenance of
pregnancy. Check the INCORRECT.
a) Perimetrium, is the outer most layer referred
as serosa
b) Myometrium, has longitudinal and circular
layers, help in parturition
c) Endometrium, has sub-mucosal layer that has
epithelial cells
d) Caruncles are formed from maternal side
whereas cotyledons are from fetal side
e) A, and b, and d are correct while c is incorrect.

19. 19
Cervix
• Cartilaginous structure with an external os and
internal os
• Cervical rings are 3-5 in nos in cow
• Have gland that produce mucous under the estrus
and flush the reproductive tract
• Cervical mucous helps in the capacitation of sperms
• After fertilization these rings combine to close the
way and mucous hardens
• In mare the rings are absent cervical folds are
present
• Some species have two cervix eg., Duplex cervix
marsupials (eg., Kangaroo)

20. THER 406 Content # 4 Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad
20
Excisedcervicaltissue

21. 21
The Vagina
• Cow = two sphincter muscles internal and
external
• Vaginal contraction plays role in psychosexual
response and sperm transport
• Vagina is one of the major site for sperm antigen
antibody reaction
• In natural breeding, semen is ejaculated at
vaginal fornix

22. 22
Functions of Vagina
• Copulatory organ
• Following ejaculation seminal plasma is
absorbed through vaginal walls
• As pH of vaginal fluid is lethal to sperm so
the combinations of other secretions such
as cervical and seminal plasma induces a
buffering system that protects the sperm
until they are transported to the cervix