Animal Science 434 - Female Anatomy
Objectives:
- Examine and learn the anatomical parts of the cow, sow, mare, bitch and human reproductive tract.
- Connect structure with function for the different parts of the female reproductive tract.
- Learn how the anatomy of the species we have available to you are similar yet different at the same time.
- Identify an oocyte from a follicle in the reproductive tract of a cow or sow.
- Estimate fetal age.
- Gather data for statistical evaluation in week 2.
- Learn about Trichomoniasis, its diagnosis and prevention.
Required Materials:
- Each group should have either a cow, sow or mare reproductive tract for dissection.
- Each lab section should have at least 1 of the various species reproductive tract as an example.
- Models of the cow, sow, mare and bitch should be available in class for observation.
- Either an ovary on the tract for dissection or other ovary to be used for follicular aspiration.
- A dissecting microscope to view oocytes aspirated
- 30 or 60 mm petri dish to place oocye in for viewing
- Each station should have an 18 gauge needle on a 3 - 10 ml syringe
- Each group should have a ruler to measure crown rump length of a fetus.
- Each group should have a string to use in measuring the length of the uterus (question 9).
Terminology:
- Estrus or heat - This is the period of sexual receptivity. In cattle the female stand to be mounted by a male or another female. Look this up on the web to see what this looks like.
- Epithelium - Tissue that covers the external surface of the body or lines certain hollow structures within the body.
- Connective tissue - The tissue that supports, binds, or separates more specialized tissues and organs or functions as a packing tissue of the body.
Laboratory Activities:
- Get ready for lab: You will review female anatomy in a handout and your textbook, and view 6 videos on female anatomy of the cow, sow and mare. Do these before coming to Lab.
- Anatomy - In class you will have either a cow, sow or mare tract to dissect and then can only observe the other species. You are responsible to know all of these species.
- Cow anatomy: You will dissect a cow reproductive tract and learn the different anatomical parts.
- Pig anatomy: You will dissect a sow/gilt reproductive tract and learn the different anatomical parts.
- Mare anatomy: You will dissect a mare reproductive tract and learn the different anatomical parts.
- Diagrams: To enhance your ability to remember what you have just observed in the dissection, you will draw a diagram of the cow, pig or mare reproductive tract.
- Trichomoniasis: Each week you will be investigating a different reproductive disease. This week you examine Trichomoniasis, its consequences and prevention.
- Follicle aspiration: Prove that follicles do contain oocytes.
- Further questions: These questions designed to make you think but may be completed after lab if needed. Remember that during the lab period, instructors are available to answer questions as needed.
- Comparative female anatomy: Examine the relationships among several species in female anatomy.
- Estimate Fetal Age: Simple crown-rump and fetal age calculator for cattle or pigs.
- Measurements and statistics: Calculate class averages and distribution statistics on cow reproductive tracts. New 2015
- Cow Project: Go to barn with instructor to meet cows, label your cow, figure out how to divide your group up to observe estrus.
- Review quiz of female anatomy: Try your luck after you finish the lab.