Changes

* Located ~36 cm from the opening of the vulva but are subject to great variations depending on the physiological stage.

* Located ~36 cm from the opening of the vulva but are subject to great variations depending on the physiological stage.

** For example, during pregnancy they becomes more ventral and are pulled forward during the advancing stages thus making them very difficult to palpate.  

** For example, during pregnancy they becomes more ventral and are pulled forward during the advancing stages thus making them very difficult to palpate.  

* The left [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] is generally more cranio-ventral in postion than the right [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]].

* The left [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] is generally more cranio-ventral in postion than the right [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]].

* The ovary is attached to the [[The_Uterus_-_The_Broad_Ligament_- Anatomy & Physiology|broad ligament]] by a well-defined strong ligament which extends from the hilus of the ovary to the tip of the corresponding uterine horn.  

* The ovary is attached to the [[The_Uterus_-_The_Broad_Ligament_- Anatomy & Physiology|broad ligament]] by a well-defined strong ligament which extends from the hilus of the ovary to the tip of the corresponding uterine horn.  

* Both ovaries are enclosed within a fold of the [[The_Uterus_-_The_Broad_Ligament_- Anatomy & Physiology#Structure|mesosalpinx]] known as the ovarian bursa, the apex of this bursa forms a large circular orifice within which lies the fimbriae of the oviduct.

* Both ovaries are enclosed within a fold of the [[The_Uterus_-_The_Broad_Ligament_- Anatomy & Physiology#Structure|mesosalpinx]] known as the ovarian bursa, the apex of this bursa forms a large circular orifice within which lies the fimbriae of the oviduct.

* Their general appearance and size varies according to the age and activity of the animal.

* Their general appearance and size varies according to the age and activity of the animal.

** In the prepubertal animals they have a smooth and glistening surface with several raised small vesicles (2 - 5 mm in diameter) throughout the surface which correspond to the [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]].

** In the prepubertal animals they have a smooth and glistening surface with several raised small vesicles (2 - 5 mm in diameter) throughout the surface which correspond to the [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]].

** In anoestrous females the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovaries]] are oval or circular, flattened laterally and have an irregular surface due to many small [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]].

** In anoestrous females the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovaries]] are oval or circular, flattened laterally and have an irregular surface due to many small [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]].

** During the breeding season, mature [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]] and current [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpora lutea]] (CL) project from the main contour of the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] and give it a more lobular form.

** During the breeding season, mature [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]] and current [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpora lutea]] (CL) project from the main contour of the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] and give it a more lobular form.

*** This lobulation increases with increased number of previous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulations]] or pregnancies and is due mainly to the presence of old [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Albicans_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpora albicantia]].

*** This lobulation increases with increased number of previous [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulations]] or pregnancies and is due mainly to the presence of old [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Albicans_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpora albicantia]].

=== Ovarian Structures ===

=== Ovarian Structures ===

* The [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] consists of two major parts

* The [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] consists of two major parts

** Cortex  

** Cortex  

** Medulla  

** Medulla  

** Over-large, anovulatory follicles

** Over-large, anovulatory follicles

* As the [[The_Ovary_-_Folliculogenesis_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicular waves]] overlap with each other, several generations of [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]] may be present at the same time.

* As the [[The_Ovary_-_Folliculogenesis_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicular waves]] overlap with each other, several generations of [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]] may be present at the same time.

* The small growing follicles are visible on the surface of the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] as small slightly raised vesicles measuring between 2 - 4 mm, whereas the mature pre-ovulatory follicle measures between 13 - 20 mm [19,20] and is spherical, turgid, with a thin clear translucent wall and protrudes markedly from the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovarian surface]].

* The small growing follicles are visible on the surface of the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] as small slightly raised vesicles measuring between 2 - 4 mm, whereas the mature pre-ovulatory follicle measures between 13 - 20 mm [19,20] and is spherical, turgid, with a thin clear translucent wall and protrudes markedly from the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovarian surface]].

* The appearance of regressing follicles depends on the stage of regression.

* The appearance of regressing follicles depends on the stage of regression.

** At the start of regression the follicular wall becomes thick and opaque and the diameter decreases slowly until the follicle recedes into the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] itself.

** At the start of regression the follicular wall becomes thick and opaque and the diameter decreases slowly until the follicle recedes into the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] itself.

** Large anovulatory follicles are present in about 50% of non-mated females and their size and appearance can be highly variable.

** Large anovulatory follicles are present in about 50% of non-mated females and their size and appearance can be highly variable.

*** They vary in size from 25 - 60 mm and may have a thin or thick, opaque wall and contain either serous or haemorrhagic fluid with various amounts of fibrin.

*** They vary in size from 25 - 60 mm and may have a thin or thick, opaque wall and contain either serous or haemorrhagic fluid with various amounts of fibrin.

* [[Corpus_Luteum_Formation_-_Anatomy & Physiology|Luteinization]] of the [[Corpus Haemorrhagicum - Anatomy & Physiology|corpus haemorrhagicum]] occurs within 4 - 5 days and gives rise to a [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpus luteum]].  

* [[Corpus_Luteum_Formation_-_Anatomy & Physiology|Luteinization]] of the [[Corpus Haemorrhagicum - Anatomy & Physiology|corpus haemorrhagicum]] occurs within 4 - 5 days and gives rise to a [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpus luteum]].  

* [[Corpus_Luteum_Regression -_Anatomy_&_Physiology|Regression]] of the [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|CL]] occurs between 10 - 12 days after a sterile mating or just before parturition in the pregnant female.

* [[Corpus_Luteum_Regression -_Anatomy_&_Physiology|Regression]] of the [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|CL]] occurs between 10 - 12 days after a sterile mating or just before parturition in the pregnant female.

* The [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Albicans_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpus albicans]], originating from the [[The_Ovary_-_Corpus_Luteum_Regression- Anatomy & Physiology|regression]] of the [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|CL]] of pregnancy is hard, white or grey in colour and has no blood vessels on its surface. [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Albicans_- Anatomy & Physiology|Corpora albicantia]] of different sizes (5 - 12 mm in diameter) can remain on the surface of the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] of the female for a long time.

* The [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Albicans_- Anatomy & Physiology|corpus albicans]], originating from the [[The_Ovary_-_Corpus_Luteum_Regression- Anatomy & Physiology|regression]] of the [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_- Anatomy & Physiology|CL]] of pregnancy is hard, white or grey in colour and has no blood vessels on its surface. [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Albicans_- Anatomy & Physiology|Corpora albicantia]] of different sizes (5 - 12 mm in diameter) can remain on the surface of the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]] of the female for a long time.

== Oviduct ==

== Oviduct ==

As in other mammalian species the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_- Anatomy & Physiology|oviducts]] play an important role in storage of sperm, fertilization and early embryonic development. Unlike other mammals though the oviducts are enlarged at the uterine end and this unique arrangement allows prolonged storage of large numbers of spermatozoa.

As in other mammalian species the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_- Anatomy & Physiology|oviducts]] play an important role in storage of sperm, fertilization and early embryonic development. Unlike other mammals though the oviducts are enlarged at the uterine end and this unique arrangement allows prolonged storage of large numbers of spermatozoa.

* The [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_- Anatomy & Physiology|oviducts]] measure between 17 - 28 cm in length.

* The [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_- Anatomy & Physiology|oviducts]] measure between 17 - 28 cm in length.

* The isthmus is less coiled than the ampulla, and the fimbria lies within the bursa at a short distance from the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Ovary_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]].

* The isthmus is less coiled than the ampulla, and the fimbria lies within the bursa at a short distance from the [[Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|ovary]].

* Each [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_- Anatomy & Physiology|oviduct]] opens into the uterine horn via papillae.

* Each [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Oviduct_- Anatomy & Physiology|oviduct]] opens into the uterine horn via papillae.

** Very muscular with a sphincter.

** Very muscular with a sphincter.