pregnancy and reproduction Flashcards
spermatogenesis: explain the maturation and activation of the spermatozoon
male reproductive tract
testis (Sertoli and Leydig cells) -> efferent ducts to epididymis
what induces tubular fluid reabsorption in male reproductive tract
oestrogen (testosterone aromatase reaction)
what do androgens influence in male reproductive tract
nutrients (e.g. fructose) and glycoprotein secretion into epididymal fluid
voyage of the spermatozoa
travels 100,000 x its legnth from testis to fallopian tube
what does semen contain
spermatozoa (15-120 million/ml), seminal fluid (2-5ml), leucocytes, potentially viruses e.g. Hep B, HIV
fraction of sperm that reach ovum
1 in a million
what provides a small contribution to seminal fluid
epididymis/testis
what provides the main contribution to seminal fluid
accessory sex glands
what are the 3 accessory sex glands
seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands
where do sperm achieve fertilisation capability (capacitation)
in female reproductive tract
what 3 things allow capacitation of sperm (achieve fertilisation capability)
loss of glycoprotein coat, change in surface membrane characteristics, develop whiplash movements of tail
where does capacitation of sperm happen in female reproductive tract
in ionic and proteolytic environment of Fallopian tube
what 2 things is sperm capacitation dependent on
oestrogen, Ca2+
what is the acrosome reaction
sperm binds to ZP3 receptor on ovum -> Ca2+ influx into sperm -> release of hyaluronidase and proteolytic enzymes from acrosome
what stimulates Ca2+ influx into sperm
progesterone (luteal phase from corpus luteum)
