Chapter 3

Reproduction
Lesson 1
Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
Forms of Reproduction:
1) Asexual – does not require the sex organs to facilitate the
perpetuation of the species.

2) Sexual – male and female organs are involved in the process of

reproduction
Female Reproductive System
1) Ovaries
• Primary sex organs of the female attached by the broad ligament
(mesovarium)
• 2 main functions:
a) Production of egg cells (ova)
b) Production of female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
2) Oviduct (Fallopian Tube)
• Tubes extending from the ovaries to the uterus
• Reserves the ova during ovulation (3-6 days)
• Site of fertilization
 Infundibulum - The portion of the oviduct nearest the ovary which is
modified into a thin funnel-shaped structure that partially surrounds
the ovary
 Fimbria - is the finger-like projection of the infundibulum that
catches the ovum
3) Uterus
• It is the largest part of the reproductive tract and is a very muscular
organ
• Site of implantation for the fertilized egg
• It is divided into a body with two horns
• The proportion, shape and arrangement of the parts vary within
species
• Bicornuate – horns are folded and convoluted while the body is
short or not prominent
• Bipartite – prominent uterine body and a septum that separates
the two horns
Bicornuate Bipartite
4) Cervix
• A very thick-walled, sphincter-like organ considered as the neck of the
uterus
• Its opening, os uteri, closes when the animal gets pregnant to protect the
uterine contents
• It has a canal through which the sperm travels (except for the mare and
sow in which the sperm is deposited directly into the uterus)
• This canal is tightly closed except during estrus or at parturition
• Functions:
a. to act as a passageway for sperm cells
b. to act as a storage reservoir for sperm cells. In this way, there can be a more
consistent release of sperm into the uterus. This increases the chances that viable
will be present at the time the ova is prepared for fertilization
c. to act as the primary barrier between the external and internal environments
d. to provide lubrication
e. to act as passageway for the fetus at parturition
5) Vagina
• Primary organ of copulation
• It serve as the sperm depository area in many species
• Comprises a part of the birth canal during parturition
6) Vulva
• It is the common passage for the products of reproduction and urine
• Comparable to the cloaca of the birds
• homologous to the scrotum of the male
7) Clitoris
• homologous to the glans penis in males which function for sexual
excitement in females
Female Reproductive Tract
 Cow Reproductive Tract

https://web.facebook.com/dr.fahmiii/photos/a.2378789455494854/6132176476822781/?type=3&_rdc=1&_rdr
Sow Reproductive Tract

https://www.ansc.purdue.edu/pork-archive/pubs/SowAnatomy.htm
Male Reproductive System
Male Reproductive System
1) Testicles
• Primary organ of the male
• Responsible for the production of gametes (sperm) and male sex
hormone (testosterone)
• Location: birds (within the body cavity), livestock (outside the body
cavity within the scrotum)
 Scrotum – cutaneous sac that serves as the external covering
and protection from direct mechanical injuries. Provides an
environment for spermatogenesis (6-9oC lower than the body
temperature). The cremaster and tunica dartos are
thermoregulatory muscles of the testes.
 Seminiferous tubules – site of spermatozoa production
 Leydig cells - produce testosterone
Descent of the Testes
• At fetal stage, the initial development of the testes starts inside the
body cavity
• As the fetus grow, the testes start to descend to the scrotum through
the inguinal canal
• Descent is completed at birth or soon after birth
 Cryptorchidism – condition when one or both testicles mat not
descend and instead remain in the abdomen
a) Bilateral cryptorchid – both, sterile
b) Unilateral cryptorchid – only one, capable of fertilization
2) Duct System
a. Epididymis
• It lies upon the surface of the testicle leading to and from the
penis
• Composed of 3 parts: head, body, and tail
• Functions: storage, concentration, site of maturation, and
transportation
b. Vas deferens
• It is found at the end of the tail of epididymis which is
straightened and enlarges to form the ampulla
• It carries sperm from epididymis to the urethra.
• Ampulla joins with the urethra
c. Urethra
• It is where spermatozoa and accessory fluids are mixed
• It has a loop called sigmoid flexure (bull, boar, ram and buck)
• Common passageway of sperm and urine
d. Penis
• Organ of copulation
• 3 general areas: glans, body, and roots which is attached to the
arch of pelvis
• Deposits semen into the vagina or cervix
3) Accessory glands
a. Seminal vesicles
• It is a paired, hollow and pear-shaped in stallion, lobulated in
bull, ram, and boars, absent in dogs
• It secretes ascorbic acid, citric acid, soluble phosphorus, seminal
fructose, and ergothionene
• These secretions neutralize urine residues in the urethra
b. Prostate gland
• It is unpaired, and more or less completely surrounds the pelvic
urethra
• It produces alkaline secretions which gives the characteristic
odor of semen
• Secretes substances to nourish and stimulate activity of the
sperm such as antagluttin minerals
c. Cowper’s gland or bulbo-urethral gland
• It is a small paired gland located on either side of the pelvic
urethra
• It is found in all domestic animals except in dogs and are
extremely large in boars
• Secretions add volume to the ejaculate
 Sialoprotein
 is a secretion responsible for the formation of gelatinous
fraction of semen
 This gel is the last to be ejaculated and sometimes called
tapioca
 In boars, the gel blocks the cervix to prevent back flow of
semen after copulation
4. Semen
• It consists of the sperm cells plus the secretions of the accessory
glands
• In vasectomized animals, the vas deferens is severed, thus the
ejaculate consists only of the secretions of the accessory glands
(sterile male without losing libido)
• In castrated animals where both testes are removed, the male is
rendered sterile with loss of libido
Sperm Cell
• A normal sperm consists of a head, neck and mid-piece and tail
Comparative Anatomy of Sperm Cells
Age of animal when sperm is produced

Boar 117 days

Bull 224 days

Buck 110 days

Ram 147 days

 Equine

Ovine

Porcine Bovine
Avian Female Reproductive System
Organs responsible for egg formation:
1) Ovary
• This organ forms the ovum (yolk)
• When fully formed ovulation will occur (stimulated by LH)
2) Oviduct
a. Infundibulum or funnel
• It picks up ovum/yolk from the ovary
• Site of fertilization (natural or artificial)
b. Magnum
• Secretes albumen (egg white), a high protein and viscous
deposited around the yolk
c. Isthmus
• Secretes thin membrane that surrounds and contain the albumen
(shell membrane)
3) Uterus
• It is also known as the “shell gland”
• Secretes protein, calcium and other materials including pigments to
form the shell
• Egg shell is comprised largely of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) but the
very thin outer layer called cuticle is largely protein
4) Cloaca
• Common passage of egg and feces
5) Vagina
• This organ inverts to expel the egg from the uterus (stimulated by
oxytocin)
 How many egg is laid in 1 day?

1 hr 15 mins
15
mins

Vagina
15 mins
3 hrs

20 hrs 45 mins
Avian Male Reproductive System
• The testicles in birds are located inside the abdominal cavity, along the
backbone and near the front end of the kidneys
• The body temperature of the birds (about104oF) does not inhibit
spermatogenesis as it does in most mammals
• The production and maturation of large numbers of sperm occur
rapidly within the seminiferous tubules
• Epididymis provides limited storage
• Vas deferens are the main storage site of sperm cell
• Another major difference is the lack of accessory glands
• Seminal fluid is produced by the testicle together with sperm cells
• Transparent fluid is ejaculated with the sperm secretes by cloacal wall
• Pappilae or small projections in the cloacal wall serve as the
copulatory organ
• Caponization is the process of removing the testicles (capon)
https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-anatomy/avian-reproductive-system-male/ https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-anatomy/avian-reproductive-system-male/
https://web.facebook.com/veterina.id/photos/chicken-reproductive-system/10158729651969547/?_rdc=1&_rdr
 Lesson 2
Puberty and Estrus Cycle
Puberty
• The female reproductive tract starts to function
• This indicates that the female has reached sexual maturity (varies
between animals and among breeds)
• At puberty, FSH secreted from the pituitary gland causes growth and
development of the GF in the ovary
• The developing follicle secretes estrogen which causes estrus in female
• Estrogen stimulates the production of LH which coincides the
production of inhibin from the ovary which inhibits FSH production
Classification of animals based on the occurrence of estrus cycle:
a) Monoestrus
• Animals that comes in heat only once a year
• Deer and fox
b) Polyestrus
• If animals comes in heat all throughout the year
• Swine, cattle
Phases of Estrus Cycle
1) Proestrus
• Characterized by follicle growth
• Thickened uterine mucosa which become congested with blood
2) Estrus
• Accepts the male for mating (standing heat)
• Influenced by estrogen
• Ovulation takes place
3) Metestrus
• Formation of CL
• Uterine mucosa are prepared to received fertilized egg
• CL will produce progesterone
4) Diestrus
• CL ceases to function
• Uterus goes into quiescence period (resting period) for the beginning of
new cycle
 Lesson 3
Fertilization and Pregnancy
Fertilization
• Union of sperm cell and ovum, to form the zygote
• Sperm capacitation - sperm cells deposited in the vagina of most farm
animals reside in the female reproductive tract before becoming
capable of attaching to and penetrating the ovum.
Stages of Fertilization:
1) Sperm migration from the site of deposition to the oviduct and
convergence of the spermatozoa towards the ovum
2) Sperm attachment and penetration through the zona pellucida
3) Fusion of the sperm and ovum
Pregnancy
• When the zygote travels from the oviduct to the uterine horn, cleavage
continues to progress
• Cleavage divisions give rise to an embryo that has developed into 8- to
16-cell stage (morula) which is transported into the uterus where it
will continue to proliferate
Stages of pregnancy:
1) Nidation or implantation
• attachment of blastocyst to the epithelial cells of the uterus
2) Embryonic period
• It extends from the time of attachment of the fertilized egg to the
wall of the uterus until the form of new individual is laid down
• during this period 3 extra embryonic membranes are developed
(allantois, chorion, amnion)
3) Fetal period
• End of embryonic period to the time of birth
Three (3) extra embryonic membranes:
1) Allantois
• It is formed as an outpouching of the hind gut of the digestive tract
• It fuses with chorion to form the allantoic cavity (fetal placenta) that
serve as urinary receptacle for the embryo and also collects some solid
waste
• Placenta – to permit physiological exchange between the fetus and the
mother
2) Chorion
• It is the outer layer which is in contact with the maternal tissues
• Completely surrounds the embryo, amnion and allantoic cavity
3) Amnion
• It encloses the embryo in a double layered sac that forms the water bag
(amnion), watery fluid in which the embryo is suspended
• Protective cushion against external shocks and pressure of the adjacent
organs and prevents adhesion.
• At parturition, the amnion acts as wedge to dilate the cervix
https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/biology/animal-reproduction/early-development
Normal Range of Reproductive Parameters in Farm Animals

Age of Estrous Cycle (Days) Heat Period Gestation Period (Days)

Species Puberty
(month)
Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range

Cattle 10-15 21 19-25 18 hours 6-30 hours 283 279-290

Horses 12-15 21 10-37 4-6 days 1-9 days 336 332-340

Pigs 4-7 21 18-24 2-3 days 1-5 days 114 112-116

Carabao 12-14 21 18-24 1 day 18-28 hours 315 300-325

Sheep 5-7 16-17 14-20 30 hours 20-42 hours 150 140-160

Goat 4-8 20 12-24 39 hours 1-4 days 150 140-160

Parturition
• Is a physiological process by which the pregnant uterus delivers the
fetus and placenta from the maternal organism

Signs of approaching parturition:

• Enlargement of the vulva
• Obvious enlargement of the mammary gland; teats become swollen
• Presence of milk is a strong indication of approaching parturition
Stages of parturition:
a) Dilation of the cervix
• With uterine contractions which are painful causing restlessness and
abdominal discomfort, fetus progresses to the cervix
b) Expulsion of the fetus
• Fetus enclosed in amnion is propelled through the birth canal and
appears at the vulva, amnion ruptures
• Emergence of head, forelegs and chest
• Umbilical cord breaks as the neonate or the dam moves
c) Expulsion of the placenta
• Rhythmic contractions continue after birth and cause the expulsion
of the placenta