REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF A SOW

DEFINITION OF
TERMS (1) Anatomy of the
Gametogenesis reproductive tract,
-The production of gametes (2) estrous cycle,
(egg cell or sperm cell)
Spermatogenesis estrus and
-The process of sperm ovulation, and (3)
production embryonic and
 Oogenesis
- The process of ovum fetal development.
production
Anatomy
 The primary structures of the
female reproductive tract are
the ovaries, they have two major
functions:
(1) to produce ova, the female
germ cells and
(2) to produce the hormones
progesterone and estrogen.
 Each ovary is surrounded by a
thin membrane called
the infundibulum which acts as a
funnel to collect ova and divert
them to the oviduct.
 The oviduct is about 6-10 inches
long and acts as the site of
fertilization.
UTERINE HORNS
- they act as a passageway for sperm to
reach the oviduct and are the site of
fetal development.

VAGINA
- Copulatory organ
- 12-18 inches long
Vestibule- outermost part
Posterior vagina- extends from the
urethral opening to the cervix.

NOTE: A hymen is formed between the

vestibule and posterior vagina.

CERVIX
-Neck of the uterus
- Serves as sperm receptacle
 CERVIX
-Neck of the uterus
- Serves as sperm receptacle

 The vulva is the external

portion of the reproductive
tract. It often becomes red
and swollen just prior to
estrus and this swollen
condition is usually more
pronounced in gilts than in
sows.
 Ovulation occurs 36 to 42 hours after the onset of standing heat in mature
sows, about 12 hours earlier in gilts. On average, 10-20 ova are shed from
follicles ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 cm.

Several factors can influence ovulation rate or number of ova

shed:

 Age. Sows may ovulate 18-20 ova while gilts may ovulate 12-14
ova.
 Nutrition. Flushing (increased energy levels prior to estrus) may
increase ovulation rate yet may have little effect on the ultimate
litter size.
 Breed. The white or maternal breeds generally have a higher
ovulation rate. Crossbred females generally have a higher ovulation
rate than either of the parent breeds.
Primary sign of estrus in sow
“STANDING” or the “back pressure test“, use of an
intact or a vasectomised boar is very important for sow.

Secondary signs of estrus include:

◦ Red, swollen vulva which is usually more pronounced in
gilts than in sows.
◦ Increased nervous activity.
◦ Desire to seek the boar.
◦ Loss of appetite.
◦ Male-like sexual behaviour (pursuing, nosing and mounting
other females).
◦ Change in vocalization (grunts and growls).
◦ Increase in vaginal mucous (thumb check).
HOW-DEVELOPMENT-PIG-EMBRYO
The First 21 Days
During the first one to two days after breeding, embryos migrate
to the uterus to begin development. The embryo begins as a
single cell, or zygote. It then divides until the embryo is a ball
of cells. These cells differentiate into inner and outer cells. The
outer cells become the outer membrane of the embryo and part
of the placenta, and the inner cells develop into the fetus. At
this stage, the ball of cells is called a blastocyte.
The Final Stage
Starting around day 90, embryos quickly gain weight. Increase
the sow's feed again at this point so she can maintain her
weight and meet the nutritional needs of the fetuses.
ESTRUS CYCLE OF A SOW
The estrus cycle is  Follicular Phase
the dynamic hormonal Follicles the dominate
cycle that controls ovarian structure
reproduction in female
Estrogen the dominate
mammals in relation to
hormone
the release of eggs
(oocytes) and  Luteal Phase
preparation of the uterus Corpora lutea the
for fertilized embryos. dominate ovarian structure
Progesterone the
dominate hormone.
 The 4 Stages of the Estrous Cycle
 Proestrus
◦ follicle enlarges
◦ estrogen increases
◦ vasularity of the female reproductive tract increases
◦ endometrial glands begin to grow
◦ estrogen levels peak

 Estrus
◦ allows male to mount
◦ estrogen decreases
◦ LH surge occurs
◦ ovulation 24-48 hr after surge of LH
◦ uterine motility high with contractions moving toward oviduct
◦ sperm transport is optimal
◦ cervical mucus volume increases
 Metestrus
◦ estrogen low
◦ corpus hemorrhagicum present
◦ ovulation in cow
◦ uterus
 contractions subside
 endometrial glands continue to grow and become coiled
 in cattle bleeding occurs
◦ FSH increases, triggering growth of follicles

 Diestrus
◦ progesterone high
◦ FSH low but increases at some point to cause growth of pre-ovulatory
follicle
◦ Uterus
 secrets fluid but the volume of fluid decreases over time
 contraction stop
 corpus luteum regresses at the end of this period if female is not
pregnant.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF A
BOAR

SIX DIFFERENT STRUCTURES

 Testes
 Epididymis
 Deferent ducts
 Urethra,
 Accessory sex glands
 Penis
TESTES
 Production and the ejaculation of semen. The two testes are the male
gonads and their functions are sperm production and secretion of
hormones.
EPIPIDYMIS
 sperm transport
 sperm maturation
 and sperm storage.
 The sperm maturation is a complex process after which sperm acquire
progressive motility and fertilizing ability.

 Male accessory sex glands include: the seminal vesicles, the

prostate, and the bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands).
These exocrine glands release their secretion into the urethra and their
secretory activity is androgen-dependent. The non-cellular fraction of the
ejaculate (seminal plasma) is mainly composed of fluids from the
accessory sex glands.

 The penis contains the penile urethra and is a common passageway for
both semen and urine.