Anatomy and Physiology of Beef Cattle
Listed below are some quick facts of information from “Anatomy and Physiology of Beef Cattle Fact Sheet”, written by Taylor Davis.
Female External Genitalia:
Vulva
- The external part of the reproductive tract. The thickened folds of skin of the structure are sensitive to changes in estrogen, the hormone responsible for estrus (heat).
- Provides protection to minimize entry of foreign material into vagina.
- In heat, the vulva will swell and become red, due to increased blood flow, can be useful in estrous detection when coupled with other signs.
Clitoris
- Highly innervated tissue located in the ventral commissure that is very sensitive to tactile stimulation.
Vestibule
- Common duct for urine and fetus during parturition. Functions to stimulate penis during copulation.
Female Internal Reproductive Tract:
Broad Ligament
- Double layer of connective tissue that originates from peritoneum
- 3 parts:
- Mesometrium – the mesentery of the uterus; the largest portion of the broad ligament
- Mesosalpinx – the mesentery of the Fallopian tube
- Mesovarium – the mesentery of the ovaries
Functions:
- Supports and suspends the ovaries
- Houses the vascular, lymphatic drainage, and nerve supplies
Fornix Vagina
- Protrusion of cervix into anterior vagina in bovine
Functions:
- Site of semen deposition during natural mating
- Secretes copious amounts of mucous during estrus
Vagina
- Located between the opening to the bladder and the cervix
Functions:
- Copulatory organ during natural mating in most species
- Stimulates bull penis via temperature
- Serves as a birth canal during parturition
- Highly acidic (pH 5.7) to prevent bacterial infection
Cervix **landmark when palpating**
- Sphincter-like structure
- Fibrous, collagenous, thick-walled organ with a small amount of muscle
- Prominent ridges close together
Functions:
- Production of mucous during estrous
- Sealed during pregnancy with a cervical plug to protect uterus against pathogens
- Serves as a birth canal during parturition
Uterus **landmark when palpating**
- Composed of body and bicornuate uterine horns
- Placed of semen deposit during Artificial Insemination
Functions:
- Sperm Transportation
- Regulation of Corpus Luteum (CL)
- Embryo Development & Placental Attachment
- Parturition and Post-Partum Involution
Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)
- Small tubes that extend from the uterus horns to ovaries; infundibulum is also part of the oviduct
Functions:
- Transports sperm and oocyte via smooth muscle contractions to the site of fertilization
- Acts to reduce sperm numbers to prevent polyspermy
- Removes oocytes from the surface of the ovary through cilia (called fimbria on infundibulum)
- Provides proper environment needed for the oocyte and the early developing embryo
Ovary:
- Supported by Broad Ligament in the peritoneal cavity
- Functioning is controlled by pituitary hormones; FSH and LH
- Ovarian structures very complicated and do many functions over a lifespan
Functions:
- Produces hormones:
- Estrogen- from ovarian follicles; brings female into each estrous cycle
- Progesterone- from corpus luteum (tissue from ovulated follicle); prepares the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining pregnancy
- Gamete production
- Development, maturation, and ovulation of oocytes with each estrous cycle
- Development, maturation, and ovulation of oocytes with each estrous cycle
Major parts of male tract:
- Scrotum
- Testes
- Epididymis (caput, corpus, cauda)
- Vas Deferens/ Ductus Deferens
- Ampulla
- Seminal Vesicles/ Vesicular glands (Accessory Gland)
- Prostate Gland (Accessory Gland)
- Bulbourethral glands/ Cowper’s glands (Accessory Gland)
- Urethra
- Penis
- Prepuce and Sheath
For more information on Beef Cattle Reproduction from the University of Florida, please click here.
For the PDF file, please click here.
Need a pdf document
Hi Alfred,
Here is a PDF with the information:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A833c3fdb-8152-4b23-903b-54a94434072b