Reproductive System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology

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Overview of the Reproductive system

Reproduction is a sequence of events beginning with the development of the reproductive system in the embryo. After the animal is born, it must grow and achieve puberty by aquiring the ability to produce fertile gametes. This ability must be accomplished by reproductive behaviour and copulation. After copulation, the sperm and egg meet, fertilization occurs and development of the preattachment embryo follows. The conceptus attaches to the uterus by a specialised organ called the placenta. It allows the conceptus to grow and develop to term. The fully developed foetus is born and the female giving birth to it must lactate to provide nourishment for the neonate. During or after lactation the dam must re-establish cyclicity before she can become pregnant again.

• Overview of Reproductive Hormones

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Puberty

• Overview of Puberty
• Differences in the Male and Female Hypothalamus
• Defining Puberty
• Endocrine Events of Puberty
• Factors Influencing the Onset of Puberty

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Female Reproductive Tract

• The Ovary

• The Oviduct

• The Uterus

• The Cervix

• The Vagina

• Oestrous Cycle

• Seasonality of Reproduction

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Male Reproductive Tract

• The Testes and Epididymis

• Accessory Sex Glands

• The Penis

• Spermatogenesis and Spermiation

• Useful Terms

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Reproductive Behaviour

• Overview of Reproductive Behaviour
• Nervous Pathway Eliciting Reproductive Motor Behaviour

Male

• Pre-copulatory Behaviour

• Copulatory Behaviour

• Post-Copulatory Behaviour

Female

• Oestrus Behaviour and Methods of Oestrus Detection

• Attractivity Behaviour

• Proceptivity Behaviour

• Receptivity Behaviour

• Maternal Behaviour

• Nursing Behaviour

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Fertilisation, Implantation and Early Embryonic Development

• Sperm in the Female Tract

• Fertilisation

• Embryonic Development of the Blastocyst

• Implantation

• Sexual Differentiation

• Internal and External Genitalia Development

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Gestation

• Reference Table of Gestation Lengths in Various Species

• Diagnosis of Pregnancy

• Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy

• Litter Sizes

• Placenta

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Parturition

• Normal Parturition

• Endocrine Control of Parturition

• Pharmacological Manipulation of Parturition

• Risks in Parturition

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The Puerperium

• Overview of the Puerperium

• Myometrial Contraction and Expulsion of Lochia

• Involution & Endometrial Repair

• Resumption of Ovarian Function: for more information see 'Species Differences in the Puerperium' below.

• Elimination of Bacterial Contamination of the Reproductive Tract

• Factors Influencing the Puerperium

• Species Differences in the Puerperium

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Lactation

• Overview of Lactation

• The Mammary Gland

• Endocrine Control

• Milk Composition and Biosynthesis

• Involution

• Links to Associated Pathology

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Reproductive Technologies

• Semen Collection

• Artificial Insemination

• Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer

• In Vitro Fertilization

• In Vitro Maturation

• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

• Embryo Sexing

• Semen Sexing

• Embryo Splitting

• Nuclear Transplantation:Cloning

• Transgenic Animals

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Camelids (LLamas & Alpacas)

• Female Anatomy
• Male Anatomy
• Breeding Cycle
• Mating
• Pregnancy Diagnosis
• Parturition
• Lactation & Care of the Newborn

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Small Domestic Mammals

• Reference Table of Reproductive Characteristics for Small Domestic Mammals
• Guinea Pig
• Ferret
• Chinchilla
• Chipmunk
• Mouse
• Hamster
• Rabbit
• Rat
• Gerbil

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Exotics

• Avian Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

• Reptile Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

• Amphibian Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

• Fish Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

References

• P.L Senger: Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition,2nd Edition
• David E. Noakes,Timothy J. Parkinson,Gary C. W. England,Geoffrey H. Arthur: Arthur's Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics
• Bairbre O'Malley:Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species
• Dyce, Sack and Wensing: Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy, 3rd Edition
• Konig and Liebich: Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals, 3rd Edition
• Victoria Aspinall, Melanie Cappello: Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology
• Gina Bromage: Llamas and Alpacas: A Guide to Management
• R.J. Roberts,Lydia Brown: Aquaculture for Veterinarians - Fish Husbandry and Medicine (Pergamon Veterinary Handbook)
• B.Young, J.W Heath: Wheater's Functional Histology, A Text and Colour Atlas

Creators of Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology Pages

• Amy Cartmel (RVC)
• Lois Wilkie (RVC)