FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM• Consists of paired internal ovaries, paired

uterine tubes (oviducts), and a single uterus, and vagina

• Accessory gland – mammary gland

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

ANATOMY

MAIN FUNCTION/S

• Secretion of female sex hormones

• Production of oocytes for fertilization by sperm

• Transportation of embryo to the uterus

• Implantation of embryo

• Development of fetus (pregnancy)

• Nutrition of newborn

OVARIES

• Flattened almond – shaped bodies

• Situated deep in the pelvic cavity

• One section is attached to the broad ligament by a peritoneal fold, mesovarium

• Another section is attached to the uterine wall by ovarian ligament

OVARIES

• Surface is covered by simple squamous or cuboidal epithelium called germinal epithelium

• Under the covered surface is the tunica albuginea made of dense irregular connective tissueResponsible for whitish color of ovary

HISTOLOGY

HISTOLOGY

HISTOLOGY

OVARIES

• Below that tunica albuginea is the cortex of the ovaryPredominance of ovarian follicles

• Deep in the cortex is highly vascularized connective tissue core of ovary, medullaNo distinct boundary line exists

HISTOLOGY

HISTOLOGY

HORMONES (OVARIES)

• Estrogen

• Progesterone

ESTROGEN

• Manufactured mostly in ovaries by developing egg follicles

• In addition, produced by the corpus luteum, placenta, liver, breasts and adrenal glands in smaller quantities

• Essential to the menstrual cycle

• Prepares uterus for pregnancyEnriching and thickening of endometrium

ESTROGEN

• Contributes to the development of secondary characteristicsBreasts, widened pelvis, increased body fat in

buttocks, thigh and hip regionLess facial hair and smoother skin

• Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) help to control production of estrogen

PROGESTERONE

• Responsible for the changes in the endometrium in the second half of the menstrual cycle

• For fertility and pregnancy

• Prepare the endometrium for implantation of fertilized egg and its development

• Maintain the uterus throughout pregnancy

PROGESTERONE

• Low progesterone hormones have negative influences on your body, fertility, pregnancy and can even lead to an expelling of a fertilized egg

Histology of egg cell

• The ovum or the female gamete is much larger than the sperm in size.

• It is non - motile and laden with different types of energy rich materials like yolk, glycogen and proteins accumulated in its cytoplasm.

• It is enclosed by one on more egg envelops. Size of ovum varies in different animals and depends upon the amount of yolk.

• On the basis of amount of yolk, the ovum can be microlecithal (small sized egg with very small amount of yolk) Human ovum is microlecithal.

• mesolecithal (egg containing moderate amount of yolk) and

• macrolecithal (containing very large amounts of yolk).

• the cell substance is known as the yolk or oöplasm, 

• the nucleus as the germinal vesicle,

•  and the nucleolus as the germinal spot. 

 

• The human ovum is surrounded by a number of egg envelopes:

• vitelline membrane - A thin, inner transparent layer secreted by the ovum itself.

• Zona pellucida - A thick middle layer which is transparent and non - cellular.

• Corona radiata - An outer, thicker coat formed of radially elongated follicular cells.

• Between the vitelline membrane and zona pellucida, there is a narrow space called perivitelline space