female reproductive system

1. Dr.Nirav Soni
(M.Pharm, PGDIPR,Ph.D, CAFE,PGDRD,GPAT)

33.  Ovaries are the primary sex organs of female.
 The ovaries are almond shaped bodies, about
3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide and 1 cm thick.
 The ovaries, like the testes, have both
 An exocrine function (production of ova) and
 An endocrine role (secretion of female sex
hormones : estrogen and progesterone).
 After menopause, the ovaries become small
and lose follicles.

34.  Connected to the pelvic wall and uterus by
ligaments
 Each ovary is covered by thin Epithelium
which encloses the ovarian stroma. The
stroma of the cortical region is composed of
spindle shaped fibroblasts.
 Stoma divided into TWO Zones

35.  Each ovary is located close to the lateral walls of
the pelvic cavity, being suspended from the
dorsal body wall just behind the kidney, by a
section of peritonium, the mesovarium.
 Each ovary is a compact or solid organ, consisting
of an outer cortex and inner medulla.
 The stroma of the cortical region is composed of
spindle shaped fibroblasts.
 A poorly delineated dense connective tissue layer,
the tunica albuginea, covers the cortex. It imparts
the whitish colour to the ovary. Located outside
the tunica albuginea, the germinal epithelium,
formed of simple squamous or cuboidal
epethelial cells, covers the surface of the ovary.

36.  (a) Infundibulum : It is the broad, funnel-shaped
proximal part. Its margin bears motile, finger-like
processes called fimbriae. It opens into the body
cavity by an aperture called ostium. The latter lies
close to the ovary to receive the egg released from
the ovary. The fimbriae bear cilia which beat
toward the ostium to direct the egg into the
infundibulum.
(b) Ampulla : It is the long, wide, thin-walled,
tortuous major part of the fallopian tube next to
the infundibulum. Ampulla is site for fertilization.
 (c) Isthmus : It is the very short, narrow, thick-
walled, straight part that follows the ampulla.
 (d) Uterine part : It is also narrow and passes
through the uterine wall, and communicates with
the uterine cavity.


37. The events involved in reproduction in female mammals
occur in a cyclic manner. Constituting the reproductive
cycle or ovarian cycle. The reproductive cycle is of two
types :
(1) Oestrous cycle (2) Menstrual
cycle
(1) Oestrous cycle : The oestrous cycle consists of a few
days of oestrus or "heat" followed by a few days of
anoestrus of "quiescence".
During oestrus, the female is sexually responsive, allows a
male to copulate, eggs are released and pregnancy is
possible. During anoestrus, the female become passive
and does not accept a male. The oestrus occurs in most
species of mammals. Many mammals reproduce in the
breeding season only. The oestrus cycles run only during
the breeding season in these mammals and anoestrus
spreads over the entire non breeding season.
Except primates, oestrous cycle is found in all mammals.

38.  Some mammals, such a cow and buffalo experience
oestrous cycles throughout the year.
 They have no specific breeding season.
 In rabbit the oestrous cycle is of 7 days.
 Oestrous cycle of rat is of 5 days only.
 Dog has one cycle per year.
 Oestrous is also found in the New world monkeys.
 During the oestrous-cycle, the wall of uterus does not
dissolve i.e., no bleeding takes place.
 (i) Mono - oestrous animals : In the breeding period
of some animals only one oestrous cycle is
present. e.g., Rabbit, Hare, Dog, Fox, Bat, Deer etc.
 (ii) Poly - Oestrous animals : In many animals many
oestrous cycles are found in the breeding period. e.g.,
- Rats squirrels, Cow, Sheep, Pig, Horse etc.

39.  Each ovary is located in front of a funnel
shaped opening of the uterus, the
oviduct. The oviduct is a muscular tube,
measuring about 12 cm in length. Its
lumen is lined by ciliated epithelium.
 Oviducts develop from the mullarian duct
of the embryo. It conveys the egg from
the ovary to the uterus, and provides the
appropriate environment for its
fertilization. It is supported by a double
fold of peritoneum called mesosalpinx.
The wall of oviduct is made of three

40.  (i) Serosa : It is the outermost
layer of visceral-peritoneum.
 (ii) Muscle-layer : The middle
layer of the oviduct is made up
of unstriped-muscle.
 (iii) Mucous membrane : It is the
innermost layer. This layer is
made up of ciliated columnar
epithelium and the connective
tissue.

41.  Menopause (Climacteric period)
 Definition : It is the period when ovulation and
menstrual cycle stop in human female.
 Period : Between 45 to 55 years. The average
period of menopause is currently 52 years. In
some, this occurs gradually (in between a period
of 1−5 years) while in some this occur abruptly.
 Characters : Menopause is characterized by hot
flushes (sensation of warmth spreading from the
trunk to the face) and a number of psychic
symptoms. FSH is secreted in the urine.
 Cause : Decline in the estrogen level.
 The function of the testes declines slowly with
advancing age, especially in their late 40 yrs or
50 yrs due to decrease in testosterone secretion
and is called male climacteric.

42.  (1) Sterility : Inability of the female to
conceive, due to inadequacy in structure or
function of the genital organs.
 (2) Menstrual irregularity
 (i) Amenorrhoea : Absence of menstruation.
 (ii) Hypermenorrhoea : Excessive or
prolonged bleeding of uterus.
 (iii) Dysmenorrhoea : Painful menstruation.

43.  Pregnancy test : During pregnancy, hCG may
be detected in the urine, and this forms the
basis of pregnancy test.
 Oral contraceptive checks ovulation and
implantation (for more information see
endocrine system). Oral contraceptives with
high concentration of progesteron and less
concentration of estrogen.
 Miscarriage : Prematuredegeneration of corpus
luteum is the common cause of miscarriage at
about 10-12 week of pregnancy (miscarriage
means abortion)