CHAPTER 35: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM DISEASE
Introduction
The reproductive tract of the mare is composed of two ovaries, two oviducts, the uterus, the cervix, the vagina and the vulva. The ovaries are the shape of kidney beans in the mare. They contain the ova of the mare and facilitate the maturation and release of the ovum during . The ovaries also function as endocrine glands, secreting estrogen and progesterone. The oviducts, or Fallopian tubes, are tightly coiled, hollow tubes that connect the uterus to the ovaries. The oviducts allow passage of the ovum to the uterus and are the site of . The uterus is a Y-shaped, hollow structure. The central portion of the uterus is called the body while the branches are referred to as the horns. The uterus wall is made up of three distinct layers: the endometrium, the myometrium and the epimetrium. The endometrium is the inner most layer and is a mucous membrane that is highly vascularised and innervated. The myometrium is made up of two sheets of muscle that can contract the uterus forcefully during parturition. The epimetrium is the outermost, serous layer that is continuous with the broad ligament, the connective tissue structure that attaches the uterus to the abdominal wall. The cervix is the muscular area that acts as the junction between the vagina and the uterus. The cervix is one of the most important structures in defence of the uterus. The cervix acts as a sphincter to provide a physical barrier to pathogens. It also has the ability to secrete thick mucoid fluids which work to trap and flush out invading agents. The cervical secretions also function to maintain the moisture and pH of the vagina, making it and the uterus less susceptible to infection.
The vagina is an elastic, muscular tube that connects the vulva with the cervix and the uterus.
The vulva is the external opening of the repro tract and is the rout of environmental pathogens to enter the reproductive tract.
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