Page 481 - Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, 8th Edition

466 / Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals

he mammalian female reproductive Ovaries
Ttract produces the female gamete
VetBooks.ir (ovum, pl. ova), delivers it to a site where it The ovaries, like the testes in the male, are

can be fertilized by the male gamete
(spermatozoon), provides an environment the primary organs of reproduction in the
female. The ovaries are both endocrine
for the development and growth of the and cytogenic (cell producing) as they pro-
embryo, and expels the fetus when it is duce hormones, which are released directly
capable of survival outside of the mother’s into the bloodstream, and ova, which are
body. The female organs of reproduction released from the surface of the ovary dur-
include two ovaries, two uterine tubes ing ovulation (see Chapter 27).
(also called oviducts), the uterus, the The ovaries are paired glands usually
vagina, and the vulva (Fig. 26‐1). The found in the lumbar region of the abdomi-
ovum is released from the ovary and nal cavity, a short distance caudal to the
enters the open end of the uterine tube. kidneys. Like all abdominal organs, the
Fertilization normally occurs within the ovaries are covered with peritoneum.
uterine tube during passage of the ovum They are suspended from the body wall by
from the ovary to the uterus. Within the a reflection of this serous membrane,
uterus, the fertilized ovum, now a zygote, the mesovarium, the most cranial part
develops into an embryo and then into a of the peritoneal investments of the
fetus and finally passes out of the uterus female genital tract.
through the vagina and vulva as a new- In most species, the ovaries are somewhat
born (neonate). Table 26‐1 compares the ovoid (Fig. 26‐2). In the mare, however, the
anatomies of the reproductive tracts in ovaries have a bean shape because of a def-
adult nonpregnant farm animals. inite ovulation fossa, an indentation in the

Uterine horns Uterine horns

Uterine Uterine tube
body
Ovary Uterine
body
Broad Broad
ligament ligament

Cervix
Vaginal fornix
Vagina
Vaginal
fornix

Urethral opening

Vestibule

Mare Cow
Figure 26‐1. Anatomy of the female reproductive tract.