LEC 11: Embryology I - 08.25.14 Flashcards
When does human development begin
Human development begins at fertilization (sperm fertilizes egg)
totipotent stem cells
ability of a single cell to divide and produce all of the differentiated cells in an organism (e.g. zygotes)
gametogenesis
process of formation and development of gametes (oocytes or sperm)
ploidy of gametes
sperm and oocyte are highly specialized sex cells; are haploid (half the necessary chromosomes)
oogenesis
formation of mature ovum during gametogenesis
spermatogenesis
formation of mature sperm during gametogenesis
clinical significance of meiosis during gametogenesis
- germ cells only (to produce haploid gametes)
- reductive division
- diploid germ cells –> haploid gametes (sperms and oocytes)
- contant chromosome number
- variable number of copies
- genetic variability
- random assortment
- recombination
overview of spermatogenesis
- process by which spermatogonia are transformed into mature sperm
- spermatogonia dormant in seminiferous tubules of testes until puberty
- transformed into 1* spermatocytes
- transformed into 2* spermatocytes
- 4 spermatids undergo spermiogenesis
Result: 4 mature sperm (spermatozoa)
1st meiotic division of spermatogenesis
- primary spermatocyte (46 XY) undergoes 1st meiosis
- (2) secondary spermatocytes (23 X, 23 Y)
2nd meiotic division of spermatogenesis
- secondary spermatocytes (23 X, 23 Y) undergo 2nd meiotic division
- (4) spermatids (23 X, 23 X, 23 Y, 23 Y)
spermiogenesis
- 4 spermatids from 2nd meiotic division undergo spermiogenesis
- result is (4) mature sperm
- spermiogenesis is last phase of spermatogenesis
- rounded spermatid transformed into elongated sperm
Where does spermatogenesis occur, and where are mature sperm stored
- spermatogenesis occurs sequentially in the testes
- sperm then transfored from seminiferous tubules to epididymis
- stored
- become functionally mature during puberty
spermatozoa
mature sperm cell
How long does spermatogenesis take
approximately 2 months
Sertoli cells
line the seminiferous tubules and support/nuture germ cells; may be involved in regulating spermatogenesis
When do sperm become functionally mature
sperm are passively transported from seminiferous tubules (testes) to the epididymis, where they are stored and become functionally mature during puberty
location and description of epididymis
elongated coiled duct along the posterior border of the testes; continguous with the ductus deferens which transport sperm to the urethra
characteristics of spermiogenesis
- loss of cytoplasm
- development of the tail
- formation of the acrosome
- acrosome, derived from Golgi region of spermatid, contains enzymes released at beginning of fertilization
- assist sperm in penetrating corona radiata and zona pellucida
Structure of mature sperm
- head
- haploid nucleus
- partially covered by enzyme-filled acrosome
- tail (motility to site of fertilization)
- middle piece = full of mitochondria (ATP)
- principal piece
- endpiece
NB: Y chromosome is essential for normal spermatogenesis; microdeletions = defective spermatogenesis and infertility
oogenesis
process by which oogonia transformed into mature oocytes; begins before birth and is completed after puberty; ends with menopause
NB: timing differs for spermatogenesis and oogenesis
sequence of events in oogenesis
oogonium –> primary oocyte –> secondary oocyte / Polar Body I –> fertilized ovum / Polar Body II
oogonia
- primordial female sex cells
- fetal life proliferate via mitosis
- enlarge to form primary oocytes before birth