Female Reproductive System

The female genital system is dynamic in both rodents and the human, with varying morphologic appearance based on hormonal influences during estrus/menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and ovarian senescence. This chapter focuses on the ovaries, oviducts (uterine tubes), uterus, vagina and cervix, in the actively cycling adult rodent and human female and the placenta. Although rodents and humans are mammals with similar ovaries, oviducts, uteri, and placentation, there are several structural and functional differences. In particular, the gross anatomy between the three species varies considerably, whereas the histologic appearance and basic functions tend to be more similar.