gametogenesis, fertilisation & preimplantation development Flashcards
testis cell types and functions
leydig: testosterone production
sertoli: production of activin, inhibin, AMH and androgen binding proteins, regulate internal environment of seminiferous tubules
izumo1
binds to folate receptor 4 (Juno) essential for sperm egg fusion
path of PGC migration
from dorsal body wall to genital ridges
regulation of PGC migration
chemotaxis: stem cell factor binds to and activates C-kit (PGCs have C-kit receptor) failure of migration -> teratomas
how does the SRY cause sexual differentiation and testes cell types
SRY (on long arm of Y chromosome) -> SOX9 ->
- FGF9 -> differentiation of Sertoli from coloemic epithelium (threshold of Sertoli cells needed for male differentiation; proliferation determines size of male gonad)
- steroidogenic factor 1 -> Leydig
- PDGF -> interstitial cells (occurs later than other 2)
development of male ductal system
Wolffian ducts -> male ductal system
AMH -> degeneration of Mullerian ducts by apoptosis
testosterone/DHT important for formation of epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles
formation of seminiferous cords
Sertoli cells cluster and surround germ cells
perimyoid cells surround these cords
differentiation of perimyoid cells
Dhh (desert hedgehog) produced by Sertoli cells binds to PTCH1 (patched 1)
DAX-1 receptor also important
difference between oogonia and oocytes
PGCs are oogonia once they have migrated into the genital ridge
oogonia differentiate into oocytes which can no longer proliferate
formation of primordial follicles
pregranulosa cells (origin unknown) surround oocytes
inner oocytes (medulla) form follicles first
role of Sertoli cells
production of AMH (until puberty), inhibin, oestrogen and androgen binding proteins
regulates internal environment of seminiferous tubule
FSH -> proliferation
mouse study demonstrating potential therapy for male infertility
cells from testes of other mouse that express Oct-4 (stem cell potential) injected into infertile mouse restored spermatogenesis
spermatogenesis (5)
2017 SAQ
- Primordial germ cells
- Spermatogoonia: undergo mitosis
- Type A: undifferentiated, sits on basement membrane
- Type B differentiate to…
- Spermatocyte: undergo meiosis (can no longer undergo mitosis)
- Primary (meiosis I)
- Secondary (meiosis II)
- Spermatids (round)
- Mature spermatozoa (elongated) develops flagellum, forms acrosome, released from Sertoli cell
functions of epididymis (4)
- concentration of sperm
- functional maturation
- storage
- removal of decapacitated sperm
segments of epididymis and functions (4)
- initial segment: water reabsorption via sodium channels
- caput: synthesis of compounds in epididymal fluid
- corpus
- cauda: synthesis of compounds in epididymal fluid
function of epididymal proteins
mask membrane proteins on sperm, released when exposed to female reproductive tract environment, allowing binding to zona pellucida of oocyte
loss of cytoplasmic droplet in sperm function? when does it occur?
during transit from caput to corpus
ejaculate w/o cytoplasic droplets leads to decreased fertility and proportion of spermatozoa
how do sperm overcome acidic pH (<5) of vagina
seminal fluid pH is ~7 and coagulates
effects of oestrogen on cervical mucus
oestrogen (during ovulation) -> increased hydration of cervical mucus -> easier for sperm to penetrate
role of progesterone in fertilisation
progesterone (released by cumulus cells of oocyte) → ↑calcium permeability of membrane → calcium influx into spermatozoa →
- capacitation of spermatozoa
- acrosome reaction: persistent Ca entry via TRPC2 channel
- oocyte activation: calcium oscillations caused by a sperm-specific PLCζ released into oocyte following gamete fusion
characteristics of capacitated sperm
- hyperactivated motility
- change in surface properties
- ability to undergo acrosome reaction
stages of follicular development (9)
- activation of follicle growth (regulation unknown)
- primordial follicle: single layer of flattened pre-granulosa cells surrounding
- transitional follicle: granulosa cells at one pole become cuboidal
- primary follicle: one layer of cuboidal granulosa cells
- secondary follicle: two layers + theca cells surrounding + zona pellucida
- pre-antral follicle: multilayered, oocyte growth
- antral follicle: antrum (fluid-filled cavity prevents necrosis of centre of follicle)
- graafian follicle: matured and ready for ovulation
- corpus luteum: structure left after ovulation
theca and granulosa cell hormone secretion
LH -> theca cells -> produce androgens
FSH -> granulosa cells convert androgens to oestrogens
regulation of folliculogenesis (4)
hormones not necessary for early follicle development
FIGL-alpha: essential for formation of follicles
GDF-9: essential for granulosa cell proliferation (multilayering), theca formation
connexin-43: gap junction protein, communication between granulosa cells, KO -> arrest at primary stage
cx-37: communication between oocyte and granulosa cells, KO -> loss of antral follicle formation