ANATOMY OF THE BOVINE

MALE AND FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
Dr.Divya,T.R.
NDDB Erode
anatomy
The reproductive system
Vulva and vagina
The vulva or lips forms
the external opening of
the reproductive tract.
The vagina extends
anteriorly from the
vulva to the cervix and
is variable in length.
The walls of the vagina
is tough and elastic and
changes with the stage
of estrus cycle.
CLITORIS

1. homologous to penis
2. large in mare
3. highly innervated by nerve endings
Highly sensitized area
May contribute to conception rates in
cattle when cows inseminated artificially
VESTIBULE (POSTERIOR VAGINA)

1.Region common to reproductive &

urinary systems

2. Stimulates male for copulation

3. Passage for fetus during
parturition
VESTIBULE (POSTERIOR VAGINA)

4. Parts:
a. Hymen embryonic remnant
(1) Mullerian duct reproductive tract
(2) urogenital sinus vestibule
b. External urethral orifice opening of
urethra
c. Suburethral diverticulum blind
pocket
presence of suburethral diverticulum (sow &
cow)
-may block urine from entering uterus
ANTERIOR VAGINA
A. Female Copulatory Organ
1. Site of semen deposition cow,
ewe, doe, human
2. Different epithelium (simple
columnar)
3. Luminal epithelium (near the cervix)
is secretory (mucus)
4. pH is acidic (5.7) Bacteriostatic
5. stimulates glans penis of the bull
ANTERIOR VAGINA
B. Structure
1. Length
a. Cow = 35-30 cm
b. Ewe, doe, sow = 10-15 cm
2. Outer layer
a. Tunica serosa
3. Middle layer
a. Circular muscle
b. Longitudinal muscle
4. Inner mucosal muscle
a. Stratified squamous epithelium
ANTERIOR VAGINA
C. Mucosa Responds to Hormones 1. High
estrogen
a. Epithelial cell growth
b. Cornified (dead) cells lack a nucleus
c. Increase in leukocytes (WBC)
d. Estrus detection in rodents
D. May contain a large crypt (pocket)
called fornix vaginae
Fornix vagina is absent in the sow
Cervix (neck of the womb)

Usually located in the floor of the

pelvic cavity near the anterior end of
the pelvic bone.
Primary landmark for inseminating
cattle
Consists of 3-4 annular rings
Opening of the cervix protrudes back
into the vagina and is called fornix
Cervix is located in the floor of the pelvic cavity
in the anterior end of the pelvic bone
Uterus

Consists of two horns and a body

Body is 2-4 cms in length
UTERINE FUNCTIONS

A.Nourish the Embryo

makes histotrophe or uterine milk
B. Site of Implantation
Exchange with maternal system

through the uterine wall

(placentom)
UTERINE FUNCTIONS
C. Sperm Transport
1. Primarily muscular contraction
2. Sperm move faster than can swim
D. Expulsion of the fetus and Fetal
Placenta
1. Muscles of myometrium contract
during parturition
2. Responsiveness of myometrium varies
with hormonal state
UTERINE FUNCTIONS
E. Control of estrous cycle and luteolysis
Communicates with the ovary as
to presence of embryo -determines
the life of the CL
Secretion of prostaglandin F2 in the
absence of the fetus and regression of the
corpus luteum
OVIDUCT
(FALLOPIAN TUBE)

App.10 INCH LONG

5 mm in DIAMETER

INFUNDIBULUM
AMPULLA
ISTHUMUS
OVARY

TWO IN NUMBER
SITE OF OOCYTE
PRODUCE HORMONE
OVAL IN SHAPE
1 1.5 INCH
TWO SURFACES
TWO BORDERS
TWO EXTREMITIES
MESOVARIUM
Testicles
Located outside
the body
2 main functions
Production of
hormone
Production of
spermatozoa
epididymis

Epididymis is a compact, flat, elongated

structure closely attached to one side
of the testicle.
divided into three regions, the head,
body and tail.
Functions of the epididymis
Transport of the developing sperm cells
from the testicle to thevas deferens;
Concentration of the sperm by
absorption of surplus fluids;
Maturation of the developing
spermatozoa;
Storage of viable sperm cells in the
epididymis tail. If sexual activity is
slowed, resorption of sperm cells from
the epididymis tail occurs.
Penis
Thepenisis the organ of insemination.
Spongy-type material within the penis is
filled with blood during sexual arousal,
resulting in erection of the organ.
The end of the penis is the glans penis
and is richly supplied nerves, which are
stimulated during copulation to induce
ejaculation.