3.4. Reproduction & embryology Flashcards

1
Q

Define fertilisation

A

Fertilisation is a series of processes which culminate with the union of the male gamete, the sperm, with the female gamete, the oocyte, to form a DIPLOID zygote.

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2
Q

Where do sperm develop?

A

Seminiferous tubules

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3
Q

Describe AZOOSPERMIA and give a possible cause

A

No sperm present within the ejaculate

possible cause- blockage to the vas deferens, primary testicular failure

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4
Q

Describe OLIGOZOOSPERMIA and give a possible cause

A

Reduced number of sperm in ejaculate (low sperm count)

possible cause- gonadotrophin insufficiency, drugs

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5
Q

Describe IDIOPATHIC OLIGOZOOSPERMIA and give a possible cause

A

Low sperm count but physiological parameters normal

possible cause- unexplained

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6
Q

Describe TERATOZOOSPERMIA and give a possible cause

A

Abnormal morphology (giant head, double tail, bent tail)

possible cause- genetic, toxins, viral infection

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7
Q

Describe ASTHENOSPERMIA and give a possible cause

A

Reduced/lack of mobility

possible cause- toxins, viral infection

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8
Q

Describe SPERM AGGLUTINATION and give a possible cause

A

Sperm clump together

possible cause- infection, autoimmune response

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9
Q

What is CAPACITATION?

A

A series of biochemical and functional changes undergone by the sperm in the uterus and uterine tubes, in readiness for fertilisation.

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10
Q

Name the 2 layers of the oocyte to be penetrated

A
  1. Corona Radiata (outermost layer)

2. Zona Pelucida

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11
Q

What is special about the ZONA PELLUCIDA?

A

It allows only species-specific sperm-egg interaction

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12
Q

Describe the process of the sperm binding to the zona pellucida

A
  1. Capacitated sperm loosely and reversibly adhere to surface of the ZP.
  2. Sperm become strongly and irreversibly bound to the ZP.
    Many sperm bind to ZP, but usually only a few sperm permeate into perivitelline space and only one will fuse with oocyte plasma membrane.
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13
Q

Describe the ACROSOME REACTION

A
  1. Outer acrosomal membrane fuses with plasma membrane of sperm.
  2. Small membrane vesicles, containing acrosomal enzymes, are pinched off and contents released. This exposes the inner acrosomal membrane.
  3. A tunnel is digested through the ZP by acrosin and the acrosomal enzymes.
  4. The sperm uses lurching movements to propel it forward through the ZP and perivitelline space, so that its head is in contact with the oocyte surface membrane.
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14
Q

What is POLYSPERMY?

A

The fertilisation of the occyte by more than one sperm.

Usually fatal and often detected in spontaneous miscarriage.

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15
Q

Polyspermy is prevented by the CORTISOL REACTION and the ZONA REACTION.
Describe the zona reaction.

A

The zona pellucida loses its ability to bind to sperm and therefore to induce the acrosome reaction. This changes the texture of the ZP, known as zona hardening.

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16
Q

Describe first mitotic division during fertilisation

A

The membrane of both pronuclei break down, and the haploid chromosomes from male and female gametes become organised around a mitotic spindle.
Fertilisation is complete 18-24 hrs after fusion.

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17
Q

During the first mitotic division in fertilisation, what is the combination of male and female chromosomes called?

A

Syngamy

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18
Q

What is an embryo?

A

first 8 weeks in utero

19
Q

What is a fetus?

A

from the 9th week in utero to birth

20
Q

What is cleavage?

A

Repeated mitotic cell division of the Zygote

21
Q

Draw out the pathway of cell division

A

Draw out the pathway of cell division

22
Q

Define the Morula

A

Ball of cells resulting from division of a fertilised ovum

23
Q

Define the Blastocyst

A

Contains a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass from which the embryo arises

24
Q

After how many days does implantation occur?

A

c. 7

25
Q

Trophoblast proliferates, leaving 2 layers and invades the endometrium. What are the layers?

A

Outer layer= SYNCYTIOTROPHOBLAST

Inner layer= CYTOTROPHOBLAST

26
Q

What hormone is produced in the synctiotrophoblast?

A

hCG
This promotes the survival and growth of corpus luteum.
It is detectable by the end of the 2nd week and detected in pregnancy tests.

27
Q

Draw out implantation 9 days post-fertilisation

A

Draw out implantation 9 days post-fertilisation

28
Q

At week 2, what does the inner cell mass of the Blastocyst become?

A

It becomes flattened into the Bilaminar embryonic disc consisting of 2 layers.
EPIBLAST- floor of the amniotic cavity
HYPOBLAST- embryonic yolk sac

29
Q

Week 3- Gastrulation… what happens to the bilaminar embryonic disc?

A

It becomes trilaminar

30
Q

What are the 3 layers of the embryonic disc?

A
  1. Ectoderm
  2. Mesoderm
  3. Endoderm
31
Q

The 3 germ layers of the embryonic disc develop into specific organs and tissues.
What does the ECTODERM develop into?

A

Neural tube, CNS, Retina, Pineal body, Posterior pituitary (neural ectoderm)

Epidermis, hair and nails (surface ectoderm)

32
Q

The 3 germ layers of the embryonic disc develop into specific organs and tissues.
What does the MESODERM develop into?

A

Muscle of trunk, skeleton (paraxial)

Urogenital system (intermediate)

Connective tissue, muscle of limbs (lateral)

33
Q

The 3 germ layers of the embryonic disc develop into specific organs and tissues.
What does the ENDODERM develop into?

A

Epithelium of trachea, bronchi and lungs

34
Q

The NOTOCORD is a cellular rod-like tube. What are its 2 functions?

A
  1. Strength to Bilaminar embryonic disc

2. Defines the central head-tail axis of the embryo

35
Q

Weeks 4-8, Organogenesis occurs. Define this.

A
  • Production and development of the organs of an animal
  • Trilaminar disc folds into a C-shaped cylindrical embryo
  • All major structures and organ systems are established, although few are functional
36
Q

Human development can be classified into 3 types…

A

Growth- achieved by hyperplasia (cell division) and hypertrophy (increase in cell size)
Morphogenesis- development of form (movement of sheets and masses of cells)
Differentiation- maturation of cells forming tissues and organs capable of specialised functions

37
Q

What organ develops from the mesodermal germ layer?

A

Primitive heart

38
Q

What happens to the heart at 21 days post fertilisation?

A

cells surrounding the heart have become differentiated as myocardial cells capable of eliciting an organised response… the heart begins beating

39
Q

What are SOMITES?

A

Masses of mesoderm that eventually become dermis, skeletal muscle, vertebrae, tendons and cartilage

40
Q

NEURULATION is completed by the end of the 4th week… what is it?

A

The formation of the neural tube from the ectoderm of the embryonic disc.
It follows gastrulation.

41
Q

List what happens during the 5th week of development

A
  • Upper limb buds become paddle-shaped
  • CRL 7-9mm
  • Lower limb buds are flipper-like
  • Rapid brain development and head enlargement
  • Facial prominences develop
  • Mesonephric ridges denote position of mesonephric kidneys
42
Q

List what happens during the 6th week of development

A
  • Head very large, projects over heart prominence
  • Joints of upper limbs differentiate
  • Digital rays of upper limbs evident
  • Retinal pigment formed so eye is obvious
  • External ear canal and auricle formed
  • Reflex responses to touch
  • CRL 11-14mm
43
Q

List what happens during the 7th week of development

A
  • Notches between digital rays partially separate future fingers
  • CRL 16-18mm
  • Liver prominent
44
Q

List what happens during the 8th week of development

A
  • Digits of hands separated (but still webbed)
  • Ears characteristic shape but still low-set
  • CRL 27-31mm
  • Purposeful limb movements occur
  • Eye lids closing
  • Notches visible between digital rays of feet
  • Head still disproportionately large (1/2 of total embryo length)
  • External genitalia evident (not enough for sex determination)
  • Ossification begins in lower limbs