And Flashcards
Which gene in males inhibits Wnt4 expression in the undifferentiated gonad and promotes male sexual development?
Sry
When during gestation do cells migrate from the yolk sac to the gonadal ridge?
4-6 weeks gestation
In the female, which which duct regresses to allow for differentiation into the genital tract ( oviduct, uterus, cervix and upper one third of the vagina)?
Wolffian duct regresses ( mullerian duct remains and differentiates)
Organs in the female genital tract are composed of which 3 layers?
A protective outer layer, a middle wall of smooth muscle, and an inner mucosal layer
The pH of the cervix is higher, lower or same as the vagina?
higher (pH 7-8)
The cervix secretes buffers that..?
Neutralize the acidic environment of the vagina, increasing the pH from 4-5 to 6-7 at the opening of the cervix
MII oocytes have elevated levels of what substance that regulates the reduction of disulfide bonds between sperm chromatin-associated protamines allowing the sperm nucleus to decondense to support normal processing of the male pronucleus?
Glutathione
Plot used to see performance over time
Levey-Jennings Plot
expected-observed=difference
Differenced is summed together over tiem and should remain constant
Cusum plot (cumulative sum plot)
acceptable range for Sperm morph QC (levey Jennings)
+/-1 or 2 SD
CV%
SD/mean observed observations (usually 10-15% range)
PSA
Prostate-specific antigen
(enzyme secreted by the prostate gland to degrade structural proteins semenogelin I and II (secreted by seminal vesicles) during liquefaction 30-60 min post ejaculation
Which hormone aids in mucus production in the cervix to help sperm transport?
Estrogen
Uterine transport of sperm
uterine myometrium contractions
Sperm entry into the isthmus of the oviduct via the utero-tubal junction requires?
Correct sperm morphology, motility, and surface proteins (oviduct is free of immunological substrates and can maintain sperm viability for hrs or days)
Increased paternal age
reduced sperm motility and volume, increased DNA damage (DNA fragmentation); no observed reduction in concentration. Increased mutational load but no observed increase in aneuploidy
functional maturation involving process that does not alter the cell structure but changes its potential for fertilization
Capacitation. fert competence gained within the female reproductive tract
During capacitation, which changes in the plasma membrane prepare the sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction?
Shedding of proteins and cholesterol, post-translational and structural modification of proteins, change in tail movement (increase in the bend amplitude but a decrease in progressive movement)
Capacitation at the cellular level requires
the removal of inhibitory factors from sperm + alterations in membrane proteins and lipids
Capacitation at the molecular level
changes in intracellular pH, [Ca2+], and cAMP-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation/ dephosphorylation
sperm hyperactivated motility, ability to bind to the zone pellucida, and undergo the acrosome reaction are characteristics of what?
Capacitation.
Hyperactivation of sperm
occurs in the female tract and allows the sperm to move to the oocyte and penetrate viscous substances like mucus in the oviduct and through cumulous cells.
Capacitation in vitro
removal of sperm from seminal fluid for 2-4 hrs held in buffered media
long range guidance mechanism for sperm to find the oocyte
Thermotaxis- temperature gradient (lower in the isthmus and higher in the ampulla- gets warmer as closer to ovary and egg) guide capacitated sperm to fert site