Case 14- Embryology Flashcards
Ovulation
Production of eggs (-1 to -5 days)
Ovarian follicular development
- Germ cells form Primordial follicles.
- Primordial follicles develop into Primary and secondary follicles through proliferation, within cortex of ovary.
- At puberty FSH is released, follicles mature and develop an antrum (fluid filled space).
- Mature (Tertiary, Graafian) follicle forms, large antrum. Last stage of development.
- After antral stage you get Ovulation.
- Luteinisation- empty follicle develops into the corpus luteum and then the Corpus albicans. Stimulated by LH
Do all follicules ovulate
No, some undergo trisier
Fertilisation
Day 0. Spermatozoon combines with the oocyte to form a one cell zygote.
Process of Fertilisation
- Sperm capacitation
- Penetration of corona radiata
- Attachment and penetration of zona pellucida with the acrosome of the sperm
- Activation: Acrosome reaction (allows penetration of zona pellucida)
- Sperm binds to the plasma membrane and sperm entry
- Blocks polyspermy (prevents multiple sperms penetrating)
Results of sperm entry
- Oocyte stimulated to complete 2nd meiotic division
- Diploid number of chromosomes restored
- Genetic sex of embryo determined (XX or XY)
- Genetic mingling produces unique individual
- Metabolic activation of oocyte
- Development proceeds
Capacitation of sperm
- Biochemical process- allows the sperm to fertilise with the egg
- Post-ejaculation within female genital tract
- Sperm interacts with female tract mucosa
- Conditioning process – 7 hours
- Removal of glycoproteins and sterol groups from the plasma membrane of the sperm
- Reversible by exposure to prostatic secretions
Activation of sperm
- Irreversible morphological event
- Whiplashing movements
- In vicinity of/in contact with oocyte
- Release of hydrolytic enzymes
- Acrosome reaction: Fusion between plasma membrane of oocyte and acrosome of sperm
- Allows sperm to successfully penetrate and fuse with the egg
Polyspermy
Multiple sperm penetrating the oocyte, results in an inviable zygote due to multiple chromosome copies
Fast block of Polyspermy
- 2-3 seconds after fusion
- Electrical depolarisation of plasma membrane of the ovum (Na+ channels)
- Prevents other sperm from adhering to membrane
- Lasts <5mins
Slow block of polyspermy
- 10-60 seconds
- Oocyte secretes lyzozymes from cortical granules causing:
- Cortical reaction- Formation of impenetrable oocyte membrane
- Zona reaction- Prevention of sperm binding to zona pellucida through structural changes
Pre-embryo
Pre-implantation embryo, cell division but no growth, fertilisation to days 11-12. Blastocyst.
Embryo
Gastrulation, neurulation, folding and organogenesis. Embryonic period days 11-12 to week 8. ‘Critical period’ of development. Only after full implantation.
Foetus
Growth, most organs are formed, fetal period week 9 to birth
Result of sperm entry- polar bodies
- First polar body already formed from 1st meiotic division
- Further polar bodies formed from 2nd meiotic division
- Polar bodies are the genetic material which forms during meiosis
- Formation of male (from sperm) and female (from oocyte) pronucleus due to sperm entry
- Pronuclei dissolve and release genetic material
- First cleavage division, zygote splits into two separate cells.
Polar bodies
- Polar bodies are formed by uneven cell division in meiosis, ensures the oocyte remains haploid until pronuclei combine
- Polar bodies are found within the zona and the Corona radiata but outside the plasma membrane. The genetic material is kept separate from the zygote
- One polar body is often reabsorbed by the zygote so that only two polar bodies are visible
Movement of the pre-embryo
Fertilisation occurs in the ampulla of the uterine tube, cleavage occurs as the pre-embryo moves towards the uterus.In the Isthmus the Morulla forms, further cell divisions form a Blastocyst with a cavity. The Blastocyst implants in the uterine wall.
Where does the pre-embryo remain during cleavage
Within the zona pelluda