Central Luzon State University
Science City of Muñoz 3120
Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Instructional Module for the Course
ANSCI 1100
Module 5
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Overview
Good reproductive management results in increased production
efficiency of a breeding herd or flock. High reproductive performance in the
breeding herd or flock is essential to profitability of the enterprise. Animal
raisers who know the proper anatomy and function of the reproductive
system, and who place a high priority on improving reproductive performance,
are generally more successful than those who do not.
1. Objectives
1. Identify the different organs of the reproductive tract of poultry, swine,
bovine species; and
2. Explain the functions of the different organs of the reproductive system.
2. Learning Activities
In this learning activity, we will be tackling the reproductive structure and
function of poultry, swine, and bovine.
ANSCI 1100 (Principles of Animal Science)
POULTRY
Did you ever have that popular
argument “Which came first, the
chicken or the egg”? This is not
Philosophy nor History but knowing
the reproductive process and
anatomical parts of poultry and
livestock is important for us people in
the animal industry.
Figures 1 and 2 show the parts of the reproductive system of both male (cock)
and female (hen) chicken:
Reproductive parts and their corresponding functions
Cock (Male)
Testes Elliptical shaped and yellow in color; site of sperm production
Vas deferens Pair of ducts which transports sperms from the testes; main
area of sperm storage
Epididymis
Papillae Mating organ located at the back wall of the cloaca
Page 2 of 8
ANSCI 1100 (Principles of Animal Science)
Hen (Female)
Ovary Cluster of developing yolks or ova
Ova Starts out as a single cell surrounded by a vitelline
membrane. As it develops, yolk is added. The color of the
yolk depends on the fat-soluble pigment called xanthophyll
Hens fed with yellow maize, or are grazed, have dark yellow
yolks
Hens fed with white maize, sorghum, millet, or wheat have
typically pale yolks
Ovulation – term used for the release of the mature ovum
into the oviduct
Oviduct: A long, convoluted tube (25-27 inches when fully grown)
which is divided into five major sections:
Infundibulum 3-4 inches long, and engulfs the ovum released from the
ovary. The ovum remains here for 15-18 minutes
Fertilization, if a hen is bred, takes place in infundibulum
Magnum 13 inches long, longest section of oviduct – hence the name
magnum, from Latin word meaning large.
The ovum remains here for 3 hours, during which albumen
or egg white is added and the chalaza is formed
Isthmus 4 inches long, the ovum remains here for 75 minutes, during
which inner and outer shell membranes are added.
Shell 4-5 inches long. The egg remains here for 20+ hours during
gland/Uterus which, as the name implies, the shell is placed on the egg.
The shell is largely made up of calcium carbonate – 47% of
this calcium is from the bones of the hen and the remainder
is from the feed
Vagina 4-5 inches long; does not play a part in egg formation
however, bloom or cuticle is added to the egg prior to
oviposition (the act of laying the fully formed egg)
Made up of muscle which helps push the egg out of the hen’s
body
The total time to create a new egg is about 25-26 hours
Sperm Host Located near the junction of the vagina and the shell gland;
Gland can store and maintain the viability of sperm for 10 days to 2
weeks at body temperature
Page 3 of 8
ANSCI 1100 (Principles of Animal Science)
Facts and more readings:
o For a full view of the poultry digestive system, kindly refer to these two
PDFs by Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Kentucky
College of Agriculture, Food and Environment:
o http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ASC/ASC201/ASC201.pdf
o http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ASC/ASC199/ASC199.pdf
BOAR and BULL
The male of both the swine (boar) and bovine (bull) species have similarities in
terms of the parts of their reproductive tract. However, the relative sizes and
arrangements of the various parts may differ from the bull as compared to the
boar – an example is that the testes of the boar are relatively large compared to
that of the bull.
The parts of the reproductive system of the boar and bull are shown in figures 3
and 4, respectively:
Figure 3. The boar
Figure 4. The bull
Page 4 of 8
ANSCI 1100 (Principles of Animal Science)
Reproductive parts and their corresponding functions
Boar and Bull
Primary sex organ
Testes Primary sex organ that produces both the sperm and the
male hormone, testosterone.
Seminiferous tubules – found inside the testes and are
responsible for the production of spermatozoa
Leydig cells – embedded between the seminiferous
tubules and produce testosterone
Secondary sex organs
Epididymis A convoluted tube that serves as site of sperm maturation
Vas deferens Carry the sperm from epididymis to the urethra
Urethra This is where spermatozoa and accessory fluids are mixed
Sigmoid flexure is located here
Penis Male organ of copulation
Accessory sex glands
Seminal Vesicles Secretes ascorbic acid, citric acid, acid soluble
phosphorous, seminal fructose, and ergothioneine. These
secretions neutralize urine residues
Bulbo-urethral Secretions of this gland add volume to the ejaculate
gland/Cowper’s Sialoprotein is a secretion responsible for the formation
gland of gelatinous fraction of semen (sometimes called tapioca)
Prostate gland It produces alkaline secretion which gives characteristic
odor of semen. Secretes substances to nourish and
stimulate activity of the sperm
Protective and supporting structures
Scrotum A cutaneous sac that serves as an external covering of the
testes – protects it from direct mechanical injuries and
provides an environment which is cooler (6-9 C) than the
body temperature
External Regulates the temperature of the testes by moving them
cremaster and closer or farther away from the body wall
tunica dartos
muscles
Page 5 of 8
ANSCI 1100 (Principles of Animal Science)
COW and SOW
The reproductive system of the female of both cattle (cow) and swine (sow)
species include a pair of ovaries and the reproductive duct system. Parts of the
reproductive system of cow and sow are shown in figures 5 and 6, respectively:
Figure 5. Cow Reproductive parts
Figure 6. Sow Reproductive parts
Page 6 of 8
ANSCI 1100 (Principles of Animal Science)
Reproductive parts and their corresponding functions
Cow and Sow
Primary sex organ
Ovaries Primary sex organ of female that produces egg cell for
fertilization and hormones such as:
Estrogen – produced by the Graafian follicle on the
ovary. Responsible for the development and functioning of
the secondary sex organs and the onset of heat or estrus;
Progesterone – Produced by the corpus luteum on the
ovary. Pregnancy hormone. Necessary for preparing
uterus to receive the fertilized egg and maintains the
proper uterine environment for pregnancy.
Secondary sex organs
Infundibulum Acts as a funnel to collect ova and divert them to the
oviduct
Oviduct About 6-10 inches long, acts as the site of fertilization
Uterus Acts as the site of implantation for the fertilized egg
Divided into two parts: the uterine horns and uterine
body. Uterine body is the site of semen deposition during
Artificial Insemination.
Cervix Considered as the neck of uterus
This also facilitates transport of viable sperm through the
cervical mucus to the uterus
Vagina Primary organ of copulation, serves as sperm depository
area. Site of semen deposition during natural breeding.
Vulva Common passage for the products of reproduction and
urine
Page 7 of 8
ANSCI 1100 (Principles of Animal Science)
References
Badua, A.T., Domingo, I.J., Galamgam, A.S. (2011). Introduction to Animal
Science Laboratory Manual
Avian Female and Male Reproductive system (2013) - Cooperative Extension
Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment.
Lexington, KY
Reproductive Physiology and Anatomy of the Sow by Dr. Wayne Singleton and Dr.
Mark Diekman, Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences
Parts of Reproductive System (2017) – University of Idaho, Extension
Reproductive Tract Anatomy and Physiology of the Cow (2014) – Jason Turner,
College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State
University
Handout 2: Structure and Function of the Reproductive System of the Bull, Boar
and Stallion (1998) – Animal and Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin Madison,
WI
Page 8 of 8
