Corpus albicans (white body)
if pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum (yellow body) degenerates and is invaded by CT to become corpus albicans
Cervix mucosa
Folded- structure varies with species. Mostly goblet cells- mucus character varies with cycle and pregnancy; lamina propria becomes edematous during estrus.
Surface epithelium
Ovary tissue continuous with mesovarium
Tunica submucosa
may contain glands that open to lumen
Cortex (outside medulla, except in equine)
Ovary tissue Where follicles and corpora lutea, atretica, and albicans. Interstitial glands- epithelioid cells that secrete estrogen. Stroma- specialized connective tissue with fibroblasts and extensive blood and lymphatic capillaries.
Luteinization
hypertrophy, hyperplasia, accumulation of lipid pigment
Corpus luteum (yellow body)
after corpus hemorrhagicum, rest of follicualr wall collapses; granulosa and theca interna cells luteinize to granulosa lutein cells and theca lutein cells. Corpus luteum is an endrocrine gland that produces progesterone. Persists and enlarges if pregnancy occurs.
Uterotubal junction
Part of uterine tube. Structure varies greatly among species. Histology similar to isthmus. Capable of constricting, like a sphincter.
Lactating mammary glands
Merocrine: proteins and carbs. Apocrine: lipids. Holocrine: sloughed secretory cells, macrophages, leukocytes. Corpora amylacea: concretions of milk and cellular detritus.
Tunica mucosa
Lamina epithelialis mucosae-epithelium plus basal lamina. lamina propria mucosae- may contain lymph nodules and glands. lamina muscularis mucosae- often intermittent or absent.
Tunica muscularis (muscularis externa)
often inner circular, outer longitudinal
Myometrium (tunica muscularis) of uterus
Thick inner circular layer of smooth muscle; stratum vasculare; thinner outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle.
Deciduate placenta
Uterine mucosa is eroded to varying degrees; some maternal tissue lost at parturition.
Isthmus
Part of uterine tube. Small lumen. Mucosa- folds are simple, forming grooves or pockets; secretory cells usually predominate over ciliated cells in epithelium. Muscularis- thicker than in ampulla, can constrict lumen.
Uterus layers
inside to outside: endometrium. myometrium. perimetrium- tunica serosa.
Estrus
Estrogen high, progesterone low. Lining and glandular epithelium proliferates, heterophil infiltration continues. Stroma- congestion, edema, and hemorrhage maximal
Primordial follicle
Follicular development. Loosely organized. primary oocyte (from primordial germ cells of yolk sac endoderm origin); single layer of squamous follicular cells (mesoderm origin), may not be present in adults
Vagina histology
Mucosa- highly folded, stratified squamous, stroma contains lymphatic layers. Muscularis- thick: two or three layers.
Oviduct
pathway to the Uterus
Secondary follicle
Follicular development Zona pellucida is now visible. It is a glycoprotein membrane surrounding the plasma membrane of the oocyte. Follicular cells multiply and become granulosa, retaining a basal lamina. Thecal layers begin to elaborate.
Endometrium (tunica mucosa) of uterus
Mostly simple columnar epithelium. Uterine glands- species variation. Caruncles- form sites of contact with extraembryonic membranes in ruminants. Lamina propria- hyperplastic loose CT; numerous leukocytes, ready to invade lumen.
Nondeciduate placenta
Fetal trophoblast tissue interdigitates with maternal tissue; maternal tissue not lost at parturition. Ruminants, horses, sheep, pigs
Primary follicle
Follicular development primary oocyte activates, enlarges, begins to produce zona pellucida; follicular cells become cuboidal; stromal calls form theca
Cervix characteristics
Valve-like entrance that protects uterus, open during estrus and parturition. Species variation in anatomy and mucus production, mainly where sperm is deposited.
Ampulla
Part of uterine tube. Large lumen, leads to infundibulum. Mucosa- extensive, branched folds; ciliated cells predominate in epithelium. Muscularis- circular and longitudinal smooth muscle.
Cervix muscularis
Inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle; elastic fibers prominent in the circular layer.
Corpus atreticum (atretic follicle)
forms from follicles that fail to complete development; oocyte liquifies; zona pellucida thickens and folds; CT invades follicle; theca interna may undergo luteinization, forming interstitial gland.
Proestrus
Increasing estrogen. Lining epithelium- hypertrophies, leukocytes begin to infiltrate. Glands- remain straight. Stroma- increasing vascularity and congestion, some hemorrhaging.
Resting mammary glands
Parenchyma reduced and replaced by loose CT. Extensive lymphocyte infiltration.
Ovulation
thinning of the thecal layers; buildup of follicular fluid; follicular stigma (site of rupture); rupture of follicle releases oocyte, zona pellucida, corona radiata, and cumulus.
Corpus hemorrhagicum
results after ovulation due to ruptured blood vessels, collapsing follicular wall and blood present.
Tertiary follicle
Follicular development Follicular fluid forms from granulosa cells and blood filtrate in a space (antrum). Granulosa differentiate into 1) columnar corona radiate cells 2) cumulus cells 3) membrana granulosa cells. Theca interna and externa
Medulla
Ovary tissue loose connective tissue and strands of smooth muscle, large blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves. rete ovarii- emvryonic remnants equivalent to rete testis. hilus cells- produce steroid hormones. Vessels and nerves.
Theca interna
develops in tertiary follicle. Epithelioid steroidogenic cells, blood and lymph capillaries.
Tunica adventitia or serosa
perimetrium of uterus. Serosa if adjacent to body cavity; adventitia if surrounded by connective tissue
Diestrus
Estrogen low, progesterone high. Maximal glandular hyperplasia and coiling. If no fertilization- all activity declines
Theca externa
develops in tertiary follicle. Fibroblastic layer, thecal cone points towards ovarian surface.
Tunica albunginea ovarii
Ovary tissue dense irregular connective tissue, much thinner than in testis
Pregnancy
Estrogen and progesterone increase. Equine trophoblast cells form endometrial cups which produce chorionic gonadotrophin.
Anestrus
Estrogen and progesterone low. Endometrium is thin. Glands are sparse and at minimum complexity.