Female Reproductive System - jcyxy.ahmu.edu.cnjcyxy.ahmu.edu.cn/_upload/article/files/7d/9e/e5bb813d468bab248b… · Anhui Medical University Anhui Medical University Female Reproductive

Anhui Medical University


Female Reproductive System

Division of Histology and EmbryologyAnhui Medical University

Li Hong E-mail: [email protected]



contentsGeneral description

Ovary

Uterus

Mammary gland



1 The development of follicle, and the structure ofSecondary follicle .

2 Definition of Zona pellucide, Ovulation andcorpus luteum.

3 Cyclic changes of endometrium and thestructural features of the endometrium at thesecretory phase.

key points



vagina

uterus

oviduct

ovary

ovary

oviduct General Description



Components and functions of the femalereproductive system

Components:

Ovary: produces female gamete and steroidhormones

Oviduct: transport oocytes, provide environmentfor fertilization and early embryonic development

Uterus:The place of embryonic and fetaldevelopment

The vagina and the external genitalia



Functions:

produce female oocytes

secrete sexual hormones

hold a fertilized oocyte during its completedevelopment through embryonic and fetal stagesuntil birth


Anhui Medical University一、Ovary

Is ovoid，3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, 1 cmthick

Located on either sides of uterus inpelvic cavity


Anhui Medical University1. General structure

central portion of the ovary，LCT withblood vessels, nerves, etc.

germinal epithelium：a layer of squamous

or cuboidal cell

tunica albuginea：DCT

peripheral portion surrounding the medulla，different stage of follicles

matrix (stroma)：cell-rich, DCT

Capsule

Cortex

Medulla:







Ovarian follicles



2. Development and maturation of follicle

Primordial follicle

Growing follicle

Mature follicle

primary

secondary

An follicle consist of an oocyte surrounded by oneor more layers of follicular cell. The types of folliclesinclude primordial follicle, growing follicle (primary andsecondary follicle), and mature follicle.



A single oocyte surrounded by one or more layersof follicular cells or granulosa cells

Ovarian follicles


Anhui Medical University2.1 Primordial follicle

• Primary oocyte

about 25 µm in diameter

large nucleus

slight eosinophilic cytoplasm

• Follicular cell：a layer of

flattened cell

In the stroma of the cortex just beneath the tunica albuginea



Primordial follicles



Primordial follicles

Single layer, small, flattened and dark-stained

Follicular cells



* before birth, oogonium come from yolk sac,

enter ovarian cortex, developed into primary

oocyte, then primary oocyte begin the first

meiosis, but rest at prophase of division



Primordial follicle begin to grow and

differentiate

1) Primary oocyte: become large

2) Follicular cell：become a layer of cuboidal or more layers

3) The zona pellucida begins to form between theoocyte and the follicular cells.a layer of homogeneous structure-glycoprotein whichis secreted by the oocyte and the follicular cells

eosinophilic in HE stain

4) The stromal cells begin to form the theca of follicle

2.2 Primary follicle


Anhui Medical UniversityPrimary follicle

Early stage


Anhui Medical UniversityPrimary follicle

Late stage


Anhui Medical UniversityPrimary follicle (scanning electron micrograph)



Formation of zona pellucida



Theca folliculi

Zona pellucida and corona radiata



Primary oocyte：continuous to develop and reachlargest diameter (125－150 µm)

Zona pellucida： a layer of homogeneous structureglycoprotein

Corona radiate ： follicular cell near oocytearranged radiately

Cumulus oophorus：follicular fluid increase to forcethe oocyte and some follicular cells move to one sideto form a hillock-liked structure

2.3 Secondary follicle

Differentiate from primary follicle：


Anhui Medical University Follicular cavity

Space between follicular cells (6－12 layers)Small space→large cavity (filled with follicular fluid)

Stratum granulosum ：follicular cell which constitutethe wall of follicle

Theca folliculi : derived from surrounding stroma cellwhich proliferate and differentiate

Theca interna: rich in theca cells

spindle-shaped, polyhedralsteroid-hormone cell’s feature

Theca externa: CT, fiber

secrete estrogen


Anhui Medical UniversitySecondary follicle in late stage

theca folliculi

cumulus oophorus

stratum granulosum

Zona pellucida

Corona radiate

Follicular cavity

Oocyte



granular layerfollicular cavityovarium moundZona pellucida primary oocytecorona radiatafollicular theca



Cumulus oophorus

125-150 µm



Granulosa layer and follicular wall

Interna

Externa



Theca folliculi

Theca interna

Theca cell secrete estrogen



Mature follicle is maximally developed(2.5cm).The follicle extends through the full thickness of thecortex and bulges from the surface of the ovary.

Compared with the secondary follicle, the maturefollicle:

follicular fluid：increase

follicular cavity：enlarge

stratum granulosum：thinner

2.4 Mature follicle



Follicular cavity

secondary oocytezona

pellucidecorona radiatecumulus oophorus

stratum granulosum

Theca interna

Theca externa



• The first meiosis division is completed (36-48hours before ovulation), primary oocyte dividesinto secondary oocyte and first polar body (willdisappear), then secondary oocyte begin thesecond meiosis and rest at middle stage ofdivision (if fertilization, secondary oocyte willcomplete the second meiosis division, producean ovum and a second polar body )



Diagram of an ovary


Anhui Medical University3. Ovulation

Definition：In the stimulus of luteinizing hormone(LH), secondary oocyte,zona pellucide, coronaradiate and follicularfluid are released into thepelvic cavity, then capturedby oviduct.



Ovulation (picture in endoscope)



Ovulation



Entering of ovum into oviduct

Female Reproductive System - jcyxy.ahmu.edu.cnjcyxy.ahmu.edu.cn/_upload/article/files/7d/9e/e5bb813d468bab248b… · Anhui Medical University Anhui Medical University Female Reproductive

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