State University of Medicine and Pharmacy Nicolae Testemitanu

Female reproductive
system

Department of the Histology, Cytology and Embryology

Tatiana Globa
 Female reproductive system
Internal organs:
Ovaries
Oviducts
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia:
Pubis
Labia majora & minora
Clitoris
Vestibule
Opening of vagina

Mammary glands
Female Reproductive System
 Ovaries
FUNCTIONS:
The production of gametes (gametogenesis
oogenesis)
Endocrine: secretion of steroid hormones (estrogens
& progesterone). Estrogens promote growth and
maturation of internal and external sex organs & are
responsible for the typical female characteristics that
develop at the time of puberty. They also act on
mammary glands to promote breast development.
Progesterone prepare sex organs, mainly the uterus,
for pregnancy by promoting secretory changes in the
endometrium. It prepare the mammary glands for
lactation.
 OVARY
The surface of the ovary is covered with surface epithelium (is
known as the germinal epithelium), a simple epithelium which
changes from squamous to cuboidal with age. Immediately beneath
this surface epithelium there is a dense connective tissue sheath, the
tunica albuginea.
The ovaries are composed of an outer cortex and inner
medulla. The cortex is composed of ovarian follicles (developing
oocytes with their associated follicular cells), interstitial gland cells
and stromal elements. Ovarian follicles are in different stages of
development (least mature to most mature):
Primordial
Primary
Secondary
Mature (vesicular, Graafian follicle)
Medulla contains loose connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic
vessels & nerves.
 Ovarian follicles

400.000 800.000
During the reproductive life span, a women
produces only about 500 mature ova
Most of them degenerate by atresia (98%)
Provide the microenvironment for the
developing oocyte
Normally, only one follicle completes
maturation in each cycle
 Primordial follicles
At first appear in the ovaries during the third month
of fetal development
Are most numerous
Are located at the periphery of the cortex
Each consists of a primary oocyte and a single layer
of flattened follicular cells, the outer surface of which
is bounded by a basal lamina. The nucleus of the
oocyte is positioned eccentric in the cell. It appears
very light and contains a prominent nucleolus.Most
organelles of the oocyte aggregate in the centre of the
cell, where they form the vitelline body.
The follicular cells change from flattened to cuboidal
or columnar.
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 Primary follicles
Is the first stage of the growing follicle
It consists of a primary oocyte with a single layer of
cuboidal/columnar follicular cells. As development
proceeds, the number of follicular cells increases by
mitosis forming several layers around the primary
oocyte (membrana granulosa).
Between the primary oocyte & the adjacent follicular
cells appear zona pellucida
Stromal cells, surrounding the follicle, form a sheath of
connective tissue cells, known as the theca folliculi
During each cycle, a few primary follicles will continue
to develop into secondary follicles.
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 Secondary follicle
It consists of primary oocyte, that is surrounded by zona pellucida
Membrana granulosa begins to secrete follicular fluid. Small
pockets of fluid between granulosa cells begin to appear.
Previously undifferentiated stromal cells now develop into two
distinct layers around the developing follicle: the theca interna
and the theca externa . Cells in the theca interna are large,
rounded and epithelial-like, in response to LH stimulation they
synthesize and secrete the androgens that are precursors of
estogens. The theca externa is the layer of connective tissue cells.
It mainly contains smooth muscle cells and bundles of collagen
fibers.
The secondary-vesicular follicle is characterized by the presence
of pockets of follicular fluid within the membrana granulosa. As
the follicle continues to develop, the separate pockets fuse to form
one large pocket of fluid called the follicular antrum.
 Graafian follicle
As the secondary follicle increases in size, the antrum
also enlarges.
The primary oocyte migrates at the periphery
The granulosa cells form a thickened mound the
cumulus oophorus
The cells of the cumulus oophorus surround the oocyte &
remain with it at ovulation corona radiata
At time of ovulation takes place the first meiotic
division, that gives rise to the secondary oocyte & the
first polar body.
If in the oviduct takes place the fertilization is happened
the second meiotic division & the secondary oocyte
transforms into the mature ovum.
If there is no fertilization the secondary oocyte will die in
48 hours.
 Follicular atresia or Degeneration
At any stage in the development of a follicle, it can die and
degenerate. Such degenerate follicles are called atretic
follicles. Sometimes they appear to contain a dark pink-
staining material which is probably the remains of the zona
pellucida of the follicle.
Follicular atresia is the programmed death of some follicles
on different stages of their development
Large numbers of follicle undergo atresia during fetal
development, early postnatal life & puberty.
After puberty, during a reproductive cycle a group of
follicles starts the maturation process; normally, only one or
two follicle complete its maturation and are eventually
ovulated.
 Ovulation
is a hormone-mediated
process resulting in the release
of the secondary oocyte
takes place at the middle of
the menstrual cycle
is stimulated by LH
the factors include:
- increase in the volume and
pressure of the follicular fluid
- contraction of smooth
muscle fibers in the theca
externa
 Corpus luteum (yellow body)
The collapsed follicle undergoes reorganization into the corpus luteum after
ovulation
In the corpus luteum development are distinguished next phases: proliferation,
morphological changes, flowering & involution.
Two types of luteal cells are identified:
- granulosa lutein cells, very large, centrally located cells derived from the granulosa
cells. The granulosa cells undergo hyperplasia (proliferation), hypertrophy
(enlargement) and are transformed into granulosa lutein cells.
- theca lutein cells, smaller, peripherally located cells derived from the cells of the
theca interna layer
The resulting structure is highly vascular. If fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum
persists and secretes progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the
growth and secretory activity of the endometrium, to prepare it for the implantation
of the blastocyst.
Are distinguished corpus luteum of pregnancy & corpus luteum of menstruation
(is formed in the absence of fertilization)
If fertilization and implantation do not occur, the corpus luteum remains active only
for 14 days. It degenerates and is replaced by connective tissue forming a corpus
albicans, that slowly decrease in size but never disappears.
Corpus luteum of pregnancy is formed after fertilization and implantation. Human
chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), secreted by the trophoblast of the chorion stimulates
the corpus luteum & prevents its degeneration. hCG can be detected in the serum as
early as 6 days after conception & in the urine as early as 10-14 days of pregnancy.
Detection of hCG in the urine forms the basis of most pregnancy tests.
Corpus albicans
The cellular
components of the
corpus luteum are
replaced by fibrous
connective tissue
 OVIDUCT
The uterine tubes (also called Fallopian tubes or oviducts):

Functions:
transport the ovum from the ovary to the site of fertilization
help transport spermatozoa from the site of deposition to the
site of fertilization
provide an appropriate environment for fertilization
transport the fertilized ovum (embryo) to the uterine horns
where implantation and further development may occur.

The uterine tubes can be divided into three major parts:

the infundibulum
the ampulla
the isthmus
 Oviduct
The oviduct is a typical
tubular organ composed
of:
Tunica mucosa
Tunica muscularis:
smooth muscle tissue, 2
layers: inner thicker,
circular & outer
thinner, longitudinal
Tunica serosa:
connective tissue basis
that is covered by
mesothelium
 Oviduct
Tunica mucosa with a simple columnar
ciliated epithelium and a lamina
propria. There is no lamina muscularis
mucosae in the oviduct.

The tunica mucosa is highly branched and

folded, especially in the infundibulum and
ampulla.
 Epithelium of the oviduct
Contains two types of cells:
Ciliated cells; ciliary beating causes caudal
fluid flow, to move the oocyte toward the
uterus; Estrogens increase the rate of the
cilliary beat. During luteolysis, ciliated cells
lose their cilia (deciliation).
Non-ciliated secretory cells called "Peg
cells, are less numerous than the ciliated cells.
They produce the oviductal fluid that provides
nutrients to the egg during its migration.
 Uterus
Functions:
1. serves to receive the sperm
2. transports sperm from site of deposition to uterine tubes for
fertilization
3. provides suitable environment for
a. implantation of the embryo
b. nourishment of the embryo & fetus during pregnancy
4. provides mechanical protection of the fetus
5. expels the mature fetus at the end of pregnancy

In the fundus and body of the uterus, the wall is divided into
the
Endometrium = tunica mucosa (basal & functional layers)
Myometrium = tunica muscularis
Perimetrium = tunica serosa
1

3
 Endometrium
The epithelium is usually simple columnar
ciliated.
The lamina propria consists of loose
connective tissue full of neutrophils and
lymphocytes.
Uterine glands are simple tubular
nonbranched glands located in the lamina
propria.
Contains a system of blood vessels
The endometrium proliferates and then degenerates
during a menstrual cycle
Throughout the reproductive life span, the endometrium
undergoes cyclic changes each month that prepare it for
the implantation of the embryo. Changes in the
secretory activity of the endometrium during the cycle
are correlated with the maturation of the ovarian
follicles.
During reproductive life, the endometrium consists of 2
layers that differ in structure & function: functional
layer & basal layer.
Functional layer the thick part of the endometrium,
which is sloughed off at menstruation
Basal layer serves as the source for regeneration of
the functional layer.
Functional
layer

Basal layer
 Myometrium
Submucosal layer smooth muscle bundles
are oriented parallel to the long axis of the
uterus
Vascular layer is the thickest layer.
Contains numerous large blood and
lymphatic vessels. Smooth muscle bundles
are oriented in a circular or spiral pattern
interlaced with each other.
Supravascular layer the arrangement of
smooth muscle bundles is the same as in the
submucosal layer
Blood supply of the uterine wall
 Perimetrium
is the tunica serosa of the uterus. It has the
typical composition of loose connective
tissue with mesothelium, but contains a
large number of lymphatic vessels.
 Mammary glands
Are modified apocrine sweat glands that develop under
the influence of sex hormones.
The inactive adult mammary gland is composed of 15-20
irregular lobes of branched tubuloalveolar glands. Lobes
are separated by connective tissue stroma (dense
irregular connective tissue with abundant collagen fibers)
& subdivided into numerous lobules. A lobe consists of
several lobules.
Each tubuloalveolar gland ends in a lactiferous duct that
opens onto the nipple.
Each duct has a dilated portion the lactiferous sinus.
 Mammary glands
A lobule consists of a
lactiferous duct and
several alveolar acini.
Each acinus consists of:
cuboidal or low columnar
epithelial cells
myoepithelial cells
a basal lamina
Lactiferous duct is
lined by a two-cell
layered cuboidal-low
columnar epithelium,
sparse myoepithelial
cells, and a basal lamina
 In the inactive gland, the glandular component is
sparse and consists chiefly of ducts elements.
The mammary glands exhibit a number of
changes in preparation for lactation: decreases
the amount of connective tissue & adipose
tissue; plasma cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils
infiltrate the fibrous component. Changes of the
glandular portion: the cells proliferate, vary in
shape from flattened to low columnar, alveoli
begin to develop. In the later stages of
pregnancy, alveolar development becomes more
prominent.
Nonlactating Breast
H&E
 The secretion released in the first few days
after childbirth is known as colostrum
(foremilk). This premilk is an alkaline,
yelowish secretion with a higher protein, vit
A, sodium and a lower lipid, carbochydrate
and potassium content than milk. It contains
considerable amounts of antibodies that
provide the newborn with some degree of
passive immunity.
 Vagina
The vagina serves and the receptacle for the penis during copulation and
also expels the fetus at birth, serving as the birth canal.

The vagina is a fibromuscular tube with a wall consisting of three layers:

the mucosa, muscularis and adventitia of the vagina
Mucosa: The stratified squamous epithelium (deep stratum basalis,
intermediate stratum spinosum, superficial layers of flat eosinophilic
cells which do contain keratin but which do not normally form a true
horny layer) rests on a very cellular lamina propria (many leukocytes).
Towards the muscularis some vascular cavernous spaces may be seen
(typical erectile tissue).
Muscularis: Inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of smooth
muscle are present. Inferiorly, the striated, voluntary bulbospongiosus
muscle forms a sphincter around the vagina.
Adventitia: The part of the adventitia bordering the muscularis is fairly
dense and contains many elastic fibers. Loose connective tissue with a
prominent venous plexus forms the outer part of the adventitia.