Lecture 37: Female reproductive system II Flashcards
What is Oogenesis?
The formation and development of the oocyte (female gamete) from oogonia
What is required to carry out Oogenesis?
2
- Mitosis
- Meiosis
How many gametes are produced and when are they produced for Oogenesis?
A lifetime supply of gametes are produced, before birth
When does Oogenesis begin?
Before birth but then halts until puberty
When oogenesis begins to continue again what time period does oogenesis occur between?
Between puberty (Menarche) and menopause
Between puberty and menopause how often does oogenesis occur?
1 ovulation every 28 days (on average) - cyclic
Before birth oogonium are what?
Diploid (2n=46 chromosomes) in gonads
How does the population of oogonia increase?
By mitosis (which stops before birth)
Oogonia differentiate to form what?
Primary oocytes (diploid, 2n=46 chromosomes)
What are Oogonia that differentiate to form primary oocytes encased by?
Primordial follicle
What do many primary oocytes undergo?
Atresia
What happens to primary oocytes that have formed?
They start meiosis
When do primary oocytes halt in meiosis
Prophase 1
After oocytes have halted at prophase 1 of meiosis when does it begin again?
When puberty begins
At puberty approximately how many oocytes do females have?
300,000
Under the influence of GnRH what happens each ovarian/menstrual cycle?
A small number of follicles are recruited
During a menstrual cycle what will happen to only one oocyte?
It will complete development and ovulate (within the dominant follicle)
What do primary oocytes that complete meiosis I form?
Secondary oocytes and 1st polar body (both haploid, n=23)
What do secondary oocytes start?
Meiosis II but it halts at metaphase II and is suspended until fertilisation
When do secondary oocytes continue meiosis II?
They resume meiosis II when the sperm penetrates the plasma membrane of the ovum at fertilisation
What happens to secondary oocytes that are not fertilised?
They will degenerate (atresia) and therefore never complete meiosis
Where does oogenesis occur?
Within developing follicle
What are follicles?
Multilayered granulosa/theca cells
What do granulose cells produce?
Estradiol
During ovulation what happens to the oocyte?
They are released into the peritoneal cavity with corona radiata