Lab Date/Time___________
ANS 3319C Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology Lab, Spring 2014
Female Histology Work Sheet (5 pts) Name _________________________________
Please provide answers to the questions asked below and provide drawings when requested.
1. Human ovary slide. Please locate the egg nest where there are numerous primordial follicles
containing immature oocytes.
2. Pig ovary (slide #14) There are three different stages of follicle development that can be observed
in this ovarian cross-section. Please list the three stages of follicle development from least
developed (a) to most developed (c) and provide a sketch of each stage of follicle development to
remind yourself how to distinguish them.
a. Primary follicle
b. Secondary follicle
c. Tertiary follicle
d. What steroid hormone is produced by the granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte of the follicle you listed
in question 2c?

3.
Estrogen
Bovine CL (slide #16) Name the specific hormone secreting cells that form this structure.

Luteal cells
a. What steroid hormone is produced by these cells?

4.
Progesterone
Bovine ampulla (slide #4) What epithelial cell type is observed in this tissue?

Ciliated columnar
a. What is the function of the small hair like structures associated with these epithelial cells?

Assist in moving the oocyte through the ampulla toward the junction with the isthmus were
fertilization occurs.
5. Bovine Isthmus (slide #5) What is the major difference observed in the type of tissue that surrounds
the lumen of the isthmus compared to the ampulla and indicate what you think the importance of this
is? Please draw a diagram of the ampulla and isthmus to help remind you of this difference.

There is more smooth muscle surrounding the lumen of the isthmus compared to the ampulla and
the lumen of the isthmus has fewer folds compared to the lumen of the ampulla. The extra muscle
initiates muscles contractions that assist in moving sperm cells through the isthmus to the ampulla.
Continued on back!!!!!
6. Rat uterus The physical structure of the uterus consists of three distinct tissue layers. Please list the
three layers starting from the lumen and working outward? (Please provide a drawing to remind
yourself where each tissue is relative to the uterine lumen).
a. Endometrium
b. Myometrium
c. Perimetrium
7. Bovine endometrium (slide #2 or #12) What hormone involved in regression of the corpus luteum
in farm animals is secreted by this tissue?

ProstaglandinF2
a. The endometrium contains numerous glands that give the endometrium the appearance of having
numerous “little lakes”. What type of epithelia cells line the uterine glands?

Simple columnar
8. Bovine cervix (slide #3) The cervix consist of numerous folds and crypts within the folds. The
cervix also consists of different tissue types and epithelial cells that have different functions. What
type of epithelial cells line the crypts and what possible function could they have?

Columnar cells that have a glandular function to secrete mucous.
a. The cervix is composed of several types of tissue that provide contractility, elasticity and
structural integrity. What type of tissues would these be?

9.
Dense connective tissue comprises a lot of the cervix with a small amount of myofibrils to provide
some contractility.
Vagina (slide #6) What type of epithelial tissue is observed near the lumen of the caudal vagina?

Stratified squamous
b. What does this suggest about the anatomical and structural significance of this tissue during
mating (at estrus) in species that deposit semen in the caudal vagina

Remember that squamous cells are flat and have the ability to withstand physical stress better than
cuboidal cells. Stratifying the layers of squamous cells will make the tissue more resistant to
physical stress, which would be important during mating to prevent any tearing or damage of the
vagina by the penis.