PRACTICAL 1
GROSS ANATOMY OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS.
I.
DISSECTION OF RABBITS
II.
PROSECTED SPECIMENS
(i). Observe the topography of the male and female reproductive organs in situ
of different species(rabbit, guinea pig,cat, dog).
(ii). Observe the isolated organs
(iii) Observe the similarity in topography and structure.
Reproductive systems:
1. In situ reproductive tract-->male and female rabbit, guinea pig, cat, dog. Position
of gonads(testis/ovary).Why is the testis extrabdominal?.
2. Isolated organs.
(i).Male:
 Testis of rabbit,cat,dog
 The internal gross anatomy of the testis can be recognised more easily in large
animals. Observe this in pig and stallion/horse. Identify the seminiferous
tubules, rete testis, mediastinum testis.
 Penis and accessory sex glands of rabbit, guinea pig, cat, dog bull. Identify the
vesicular gland, prostate gland and bulbourethral gland.
(ii). Female
 Isolated ovaries of rabbit,cat and dog, compare with that of large animals;the
pig, cow and horse. Identify the hierarchy of follicles and corpus lutea.
 Genital tract with ligaments of rabbit, cat, and dog. Compare with pig, cow
and horse.Identify ut6erine tube, uterine horn, uterus, utero-ovarian/proper
ligament,mesosalpinx, mesovarium, mesometrium, intercornual ligament,
round ligament of uterus(in horse)
III. HISTOLOGY
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.
(i).Photographs of the testis of the boar
Observe:
 The organisation of the spermatogonia in the convoluted seminiferous tubules
from base to apexthe stem cell spermatogonium, primary spermatocyte,
secondary spermatocyte and spermatids with flagella.
 Leydig cells in the intertubular space.
 The normal sperm at high magnification, observe the acrosomal cap over the
dense nucleus and the flagella.
(ii).Slide 9. Testis of Boar.
Identify the types of spermatogonia and Leydig cells.
(iii). Electromicrographs (EM) of the spermatozoa.
 Observe the ultra structure of the different parts of a mature spermatozoa.Note
the differences in distribution of the various organelles, the mitochondria,
microtubules and dense fibres.
1
(iv).
Slide 7. Prostate Gland.
Dog.
Masson trichrome
 Observe the organisation of the glandular units in the submucosa of the
urethra.
 Observe the muscle.
(v).
(vi)

Slide 10
Epidydimis
Ram/sheep
Haematoxylin and eosin
Observe the epithelial lining and the supporting tissues around the ducts.
Slide 11
Ductus deferens
Haematoxylin and eosin
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.
(i).Photographs of the ovary of the cat.
Observe:
 The histological parts of the ovaryfibrous tunica albuginea,cortex, medulla.
 Distribution of the ovarian follicles in the cortex
 The hierarchy of folliclesprimordia, primary, secondary and graafian
 Structure of follicles; the oocyte surrounded by granulosa cells
 The theca cells.
(ii) Slide 14. Ovary: cat: Haematoxylin and Eosin
 Make labelled diagrams showing the germinal epithelium, tunica albuginea,
cortex stroma, ovarian follicles, corpus luteum, mesovarium and utero-ovarian
blood vessels.
 At high magnification observe the detailed structure of the ovarian follicles
and interstitial glands.
 Describe the structure of the oocyte.
Slide 16:
Observe:-
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•
•
•
•
•
Infundibulum: Cow.
Masson's trichome
Folding of the mucosa.
Epithelium-->Psuedostratified of two functional types. Tall columnar
ciliated and tall, columnar non-ciliated secretory cells.
Propria-submucosa of loose, areolar connective tissue (CT), blood vessels
Tunica muscularis/muscularis propria of inner circular smooth muscle
and thin outer longitudinal muscle layer.
Stratum vasculare
Tunica serosa of CT.
Slide 35:
Isthmus:
Cow.
Masson's trichome.
Observe:• Psuedostratified epithelium.
• Propria-submucosa composed of collagen (green), fibroblasts,
smooth muscle cells.
• Tunica muscularis/muscularis propria of inner longitudinal muscle and thick
middle circular smooth muscle, isolated patches of outer longitudinal muscle
fibres may occur.
2
• Tunica serosa of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves.
Slide 17:
Uterus. Bitch
Masson's trichome
Observe:
• Endometrium:
Zona functionalis-->the superficial layer composed of
(1). simple tall columnar epithelium (secretory) and
(2). a subepithelial layer of richly vascular loose connective tissue, fibroblasts and
extracellular spaces.
Zona basalis of compact, deeper submucosa, more cellular than the
superficial layer. The ZB contains dense CT, simple coiled and branched tubular
glands and aggregates of glands.
• Myometrium--inner circular muscle and outer longitudinal muscle.
• Stratum vasculare and the extensive vascularisation of the myometrium.
• Thin perimetrium.
(iii). FLASHCARD IN AILaboratory.
MaKai-Kai
June 2010
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