REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS IN VERTEBRATES

CONTENT

(B) Reproductive Systems in Bird and Mammals

1. Structures of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems
2. Parts of the Reproductive Systems and their Functions
3. Structures of the Male and Female Gamete (Sperm and Ovum)
4. Differences between Male and Female Reproductive Organs

Reproductive Systems in Vertebrates

The male reproductive system of birds (cock) consists of a pair of testis found near the kidneys. A sperm duct runs down from each testis and opens into the cloaca. Sperms cells accumulate at the end of the sperm duct.

As the male cloaca gets in contact in the female during mating, sperm cells are transferred into the female.

A typical female bird (pigeon) has only the left ovary which is located anterior to the kidney. Different sizes of follicles are found in the ovary. The left oviduct is large and wide-mouthed funnel with thick wall and a coiled duct leads into the uvodeum.

Hatchlings

A torrent of food—the result of as many as 1000 daily foraging trips by the parents—helps the chicks of many tree-dwelling birds grow from featherless, blind, helpless nestlings into self-sufficient animals within three weeks.