Anhui Medical University
Anhui Medical University
Female Reproductive System
Division of Histology and EmbryologyAnhui Medical University
Li Hong E-mail: [email protected]
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contentsGeneral description
Ovary
Uterus
Mammary gland
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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
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vagina
uterus
oviduct
ovary
ovary
oviduct General Description
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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
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Functions:
produce female oocytes
secrete sexual hormones
hold a fertilized oocyte during its completedevelopment through embryonic and fetal stagesuntil birth
Anhui Medical University
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Is ovoid,3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, 1 cmthick
Located on either sides of uterus inpelvic cavity
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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:
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Ovarian follicles
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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.
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A single oocyte surrounded by one or more layersof follicular cells or granulosa cells
Ovarian follicles
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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
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Primordial follicles
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Primordial follicles
Single layer, small, flattened and dark-stained
Follicular cells
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* 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
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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
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Early stage
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Anhui Medical UniversityPrimary follicle
Late stage
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Anhui Medical UniversityPrimary follicle (scanning electron micrograph)
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Formation of zona pellucida
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Theca folliculi
Zona pellucida and corona radiata
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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:
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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 University
Anhui Medical UniversitySecondary follicle in late stage
theca folliculi
cumulus oophorus
stratum granulosum
Zona pellucida
Corona radiate
Follicular cavity
Oocyte
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granular layerfollicular cavityovarium moundZona pellucida primary oocytecorona radiatafollicular theca
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Cumulus oophorus
125-150 µm
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Granulosa layer and follicular wall
Interna
Externa
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Theca folliculi
Theca interna
Theca cell secrete estrogen
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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
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Follicular cavity
secondary oocytezona
pellucidecorona radiatecumulus oophorus
stratum granulosum
Theca interna
Theca externa
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• 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 )
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Diagram of an ovary
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Definition:In the stimulus of luteinizing hormone(LH), secondary oocyte,zona pellucide, coronaradiate and follicularfluid are released into thepelvic cavity, then capturedby oviduct.
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Ovulation (picture in endoscope)
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Ovulation
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Entering of ovum into oviduct