FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Prof.Dr. Huda Al-Khateeb
Lec.10
Ovulation
It is the expulsion of primary oocyte from ovary. The ovum
is caught by the dilated end of the uterine tube which is
closely applied to the ovarian surface at that time.
It normally occurs around the fourteenth day of a typical 28-
day cycle.
In humans usually only one oocyte is liberated during each
cycle, but sometimes two or more simultaneous oocytes may
be expelled
Changes in mature follicle before
ovulation
1.Just before ovulation the oocyte completes the first meiotic
division, which it began and arrested in prophase during
fetal life.
2.The chromosomes are equally divided between the two
daughter cells, but one of these retains almost all of the
cytoplasm. That cell is now the secondary oocyte and the
other becomes the first polar body, a very small nonviable
cell containing a nucleus and a minimal amount of
cytoplasm.
3.Immediately after expulsion of the first polar body, the
nucleus of the oocyte begins the second meiotic division,
which arrests this time in metaphase
In the hours before ovulation
4.the large mature follicle bulging against the tunica
albuginea develops a translucent ischemic area, the stigma.
5.Oocyte and its surrounding corona radiata detach from
the follicular wall and float free in the follicular antrum
6.Increase fluid production within the antrum of
preovulatory follicle.
7.The increasing pressure of the follicular fluid and
weakening of the follicular wall lead to ballooning and then
rupture of the ovarian surface at the stigma
8.The oocyte and corona radiata, along with follicular fluid
and cells from the cumulus, are expelled through this
opening
Just after ovulation
The ovulated secondary oocyte (ovum) is drawn into the
opening of the uterine tube
In the uterine tube
Either it is fertilized within 24 hours
Or
If not fertilized within about 24 hours, the secondary oocyte
begins to degenerate
Corpus Luteum
After ovulation, the granulosa cells and theca interna of the
ovulated follicle reorganize to form a larger temporary
endocrine gland, the corpus luteum (yellowish body), in the
ovarian cortex.
Ovulation causes the collapse and folding of the granulosa
and thecal layers of the follicle's wall and blood from
disrupted capillaries typically accumulates as a clot in the
former antrum
Granulosa cells increase greatly in size, without dividing,
and eventually comprise about 80% of the parenchyma of
the corpus luteum. They are called granulosa lutein cells and
now have lost many features of protein-secreting cells to
expand their role in aromatase conversion of androstene-
dione into estradiol.
The theca interna cells will form theca lutein cells.
These cells are less than half the size of the granulosa lutein
cells, more peripheral and often stain more darkly, with
cytoplasmic ultrastructural features of steroid-synthesizing
cells. LH causes these cells to produce large amounts of
progesterone as well as androstene-dione.
Fate of Corpus Luteum
If pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum will remain
secreting progesterone for 10–12 days, then its tissue
regresses. A consequence of the decreased secretion of
progesterone is menstruation.
The corpus luteum that persists for part of only one
menstrual cycle is called a corpus luteum of menstruation
If pregnancy occurs, the trophoblast cells of the implanting
embryo produce human chorionic gonadotropin ( HCG )
that stimulate further growth of corpus luteum and more
secretion of progesterone to maintain the uterine mucosa.
Corpus luteum of pregnancy becomes very large and is
maintained by HCG for 4–5 months
Corpus albicans
Both types of corpus luteum, when degenerate will end with
the formation of corpus albicans (white body). It is a scar
(dense connective) tissue
Uterine Tubes
The uterine tubes, or oviducts are two muscular tubes with
considerable mobility, each measuring about 12 cm in
length.
Each has a funnel-shaped end, the infundibulum, opening
into the peritoneal cavity next to the ovary and with a fringe
of fingerlike extensions called fimbriae.
The sequence of regions along each tube is as follows:
1. the infundibulum
2. the ampulla, the longest and expanded area where
fertilization normally occurs
3. the isthmus, a more narrow region nearer the uterus
4. the uterine or intramural part, which passes through the
wall of the uterus and opens into the interior of this organ
The wall is composed of
1.Mucosa
2.Muscular layer
3.Serosa
MUCOSA is highly folded
The mucosa has numerous branching, longitudinal folds that
are most prominent in the ampulla, which in cross section
resembles a labyrinth. These mucosal folds become smaller
in the segments of the tube closer to the uterus and are not
present in the intramural portion of the tube
Mucosa is composed of
1.Simple columnar epithelium ulternating ciliated and
secretory (Peg cells)
2. Lamina propria – loose connective tissue
The epithelium contains two interspersed, functionally
important cell types:
ciliated cells; The cilia beat toward the uterus
secretory cells, or peg cells; responsble for secretion of
viscous liquid film that covers the epithelial surface and
contains glycoproteins and nutritive components produced
by the secretory cells
At the time of ovulation
the uterine tube shows active movement. The infundibulum
moves very close to the ovary and partially covers its
surface. This favors the transport of the ovulated secondary
oocyte into the tube. Promoted by sweeping muscular
contractions of the fimbriae and ciliary activity of the
epithelium
the oocyte enters the infundibulum and moves to the
ampulla.
The secretion covering the mucosa has nutrient and
protective functions for the oocyte and the sperm, including
factors that promote sperm activation (capacitation).
The oocyte typically remains viable for a maximum of about
24 hours if it is not fertilized
Fertilization usually occurs in the ampulla.
Fertilization triggers the oocyte to complete the second
meiotic division, with formation of the ovum and release of a
second polar body.
The corona radiata is generally still present when the sperm
fertilizes the oocyte and its cells gradually detach over the
next several hours
The diploid cell formed during fertilization, the zygote (Gr.
zygotos, yoked together), begins cell division and is
transported to the uterus, which takes about 7 days
Muscular layer is thick and composed of interwoven circular
(or spiral) and longitudinal layers of smooth muscle
Serosa very thin and covered by visceral peritoneum (
mesothelium).
Contractions of the oviduct muscle layers, together with
ciliary movement of the film covering the mucosa, transport
the early embryo toward the uterus.
Uterine tubes are commonly called fallopian tubes, after the
16th century anatomist Fallopius, and in medical
terminology are frequently denoted by the prefix "salping-
"salpingitis" for inflammation of the tubal lining and
"salpingectomy" for surgical removal of these structures
In a woman whose uterine tube is blocked by post-
inflammation scar tissue, the embryo cannot reach the
uterus and may implant itself in the oviduct wall (ectopic or
tubal pregnancy).
Because of its small diameter and inability to expand, the
tube cannot contain the growing embryo and will rupture,
causing extensive hemorrhage that can be fatal if not treated
immediately