FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE

SCHOOL OF ANATOMICAL SCIENCES

Slide 9 (100x, 200x): Ovary (H&E)

Primordial Follicles

In this field NOTE:

The simple cuboidal cells around the ovary. The eosinophiic, fibrous tunica albuginea with underlying cellular stroma. Numerous primordial follicles, each with a primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened follicular cells. Stromal cells between the follicles. Unilaminar follicle, the primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal follicular cells.

Question How does the histological appearance of a primordial follicle compare with that of a spinal ganglion in H&E sections?

Slide A561 (100x): Ovary (H&E)

Growing Follicles

In this field NOTE:

Growing follicles (multi laminar) with two or more layers of granulosa cells. Secondary follicles with growing antrums between the granulosa cells and its surrounding thecae folliculi. Eosinophilic basement membrane separating the granulosa cells from the theca cells. Layers of flattened theca cells. Stroma cells between the follicles.

Questions How does the antrum form?What is the function of the internal thecal cells? Is there a zona pellucida in this field? How did you identify it?

Slide A561 (400x): Ovary (H&E) Growing Follicles

Slide 9: Ovary (H&E)

Graafian Follicle

In this field NOTE:

A maturing follicle with an enlarged oocyte embedded in the cumulus oophorus. The corona radiata around the oocyte. The intensely eosinophilic zona pellucida. The antrum filled with follicular fluid (liquor folliculi). The thick layer of granulosa cells. The surrounding fibrous stromal cells which form the theca interna and the theca externa.

QuestionsWhich cells produce the oestrogens? How do they affect the uterine endometrium?What cells accompany the oocyte at ovulation?

50x

100x

Slide 9 (100x): Ovary (H&E)

Atretic Follicle

In this early stage in the atresia of a secondary follicle NOTE:

The pyknotic (degenerating) nuclei of detached granulosa cells lying in the antrum. Atresia may occur at any stage in the development of a follicle.

QuestionWhat is the significance of atresia?

Slide 10 (100x): Uterus (H&E)

Pre-Ovulatory Endometrium

In this section NOTE:

The long simple tubular glands, each with a narrow lumen. The cellular connective tissue (stroma) between the glands. The eosinophilic smooth muscle of the myometrium at the base of the endometrium.

QuestionsWhat type of epithelium lines the glands? Why is it described as proliferative? In what ways does the endometrium change during the ovulatory phase?

Slide 58 (100x): Uterus (H&E)

Post-Ovulatory Endometrium

Compare this section of post ovulatory endometrium with that of pre-ovulatory endometrium. In this section NOTE:

The widely dilated and contorted (saw-tooth) glands in a secretory phase. The oedematous stroma between the glands. The pale stained epithelial cells of the glands.

QuestionsWhy are the epithelial cells pale stained?Why are the glands dilated? Saw-toothed?What ovarian structure(s) secrete the hormone responsible for the endometrial changes observed here?What is the hormone called?

Supplementary slides:

Slide 56 (100x): Ovary (H&E)

Corpus Luteum

In this section NOTE:

The vascular network A broad layer of hypertrophied granulosa luteal cells. Cords of theca luteal cells accompanied by capillaries.

Questions From which cells in the Graafian follicle are the granulosa luteal and theca luteal cells derived?What do the granulosa luteal cells secrete?What is the function of this secretion?

Slide 122 (100x): Mammary gland (H&E)

Non-Lactating Mammary Gland

In this section through the mammary gland NOTE:

The ducts lined by a simple or stratified cuboidal epithelium. The dense irregular connective tissue surrounding the ducts. That there are no lobules or acini present in the gland.

QuestionsWhy do mammary glands increase in size during lactation?Why do mammary glands in size with weight gain?

Slide 55 (100x): Mammary gland (H&E)

Lactating Mammary Gland

In this section through the mammary gland NOTE:

The connective tissue septae separating the gland into lobules. Numerous large and active alveolar secretory acini/end-pieces. The dilated large lumen of the intralobular duct (surrounded by CT) lined by a simple cuboidal epithelium. The mass of lymphoid tissue aggregated near the duct.

QuestionsWhat hormones control the secretion of mammary glands?What type (classification) of gland is the mammary gland?What is the mode of secretion of this gland?What is the function of the gland?

Slide 60: Placenta (H&E)

Foetal side of Placenta

In these sections through the placenta NOTE:

The amnion overlying the chorionic plate (upper part of the field) The blood vessel within the chorionic plate The numerous sections of chorionic villi

QuestionsWhat is the function of the placenta? Define the terms ‘amnion’ and ‘chorionic plate’.

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100X

Slide 60 100X: Placenta (H&E)

Chorionic villi

In these sections through the placenta NOTE:

The profiles of the chorionic villi The blood vessels within the connective tissue of the chorionic villi

QuestionsWhich cell types are evident lining the chorionic villi? Classify the type of connective tissue within the core of the villi,What is the function of Hofbauer cells?

100X

400X

Slide 60 80X: Placenta (H&E)

Maternal side of the placenta

In these sections through the placenta NOTE:

Chorionic villi anchoring to the stratum basale (maternal tissue) The specialised stromal cells – decidual cells of the stratum basale

QuestionsWhat is the function of Nitabuch’s membrane? The placental barrier separates foetal and maternal blood. What are the components of this barrier?