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Human Physiology 1 > Reproduction Lectures 2021 - FERTILIZATION & SEX DETERMINATION > Flashcards

Reproduction Lectures 2021 - FERTILIZATION & SEX DETERMINATION Flashcards

1
Q

Conception can only take place in a…

A

limited window

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2
Q

Conception

A

union of sperm & egg

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3
Q

Conception usually takes place in the…

A

distal portion of the fallopian tube (fav. envir. for dev. –> small area, so nutrients can be transported quite quickly & easily during early dev.)

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4
Q

Sperm can reach the oocyte within…

A

30min following intercourse, but can also survive for up to 5 days in the female reproductive tract

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5
Q

What happens if the egg is not fertilized?

A

it will disintegrate & absorb through phagocytic mech’s

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6
Q

Why is 10’s of millions of sperm ejaculated?

A

to promote the possibility of fertilization

- & b/c you lose ~97% in the ejaculate already & end up with only 0.001% in the fertilization site

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7
Q

Where is the fertilization site?

A

upper third of oviduct

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8
Q

Sperm will 1st appear within the…

A

cervical canal - within 1-3 mins after ejaculation

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9
Q

Female repro. tract also aids in the union of sperm & egg:

A
  1. Sperm complete capacitation in the female repro. tract
    - become fertile when released into the female repro. tract
  2. Sperm movement from cervical canal –> fallopian tube, aided by a variety of aspects within female repro. tract
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10
Q

Sperm travel aided by:

A

Estrogens “thinning” cervical mucous, estrogens stimulating cervical and oviduct contraction - oxytocin, chemotaxis, thermotaxis

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11
Q

Describe how sperm travel aided by estrogens “thinning” cervical mucous

A

Shortly after ovulation, estrogens will target the mucus within the female repro. tract & they thin that mucus such that it aligns with the cervical & the cervical fibres to form channels - through which sperm will swim

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12
Q

The channels formed within the cervical canal are…

A

an identical dimension that allow sperm to swim & also increase the forward motion of that sperm movement
- additionally, the fibres will resinate at similar frequencies to the beating of the sperm flagella, promoting movement of sperm up through the repro. tract

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13
Q

What happens to the channels if the flagella is beating irregular?

A

those fibres won’t resinate & therefore irregular swimming is inhibited/movement of sperm that display a regular swimming is inhibited
- but still can make it to the fallopian tube (dead sperm can make it to the fallopian tube at same time as live sperm) –> enhances/solidifies the notion that there is mech’s within the female repro. tract that promotes sperm movement through female repro. tract

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14
Q

Oxytocin

A

released in males & females during the repro. act

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15
Q

Chemotaxis

A

cells will follow a chemical gradient

  • research on frogs - where the egg releases allurin (allures the sperm to the egg)
  • sperm will follow this gradient (highest concen. is at the egg - site of fertilization)
  • notion that egg in females might release a chemical - that there is a gradient that sperm will ultimately follow (may only apply to fallopian tube - all depends on timing of fertilization, post ovulation)
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16
Q

Thermotaxis

A
  • temp. gradient b/t cervical canal, vagina & up to the fallopian tube
  • small gradient that may facilitate the movement of sperm towards the egg
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17
Q

Acrosomal reaction

A
  • once sperm get to egg, they have to complete the acrosomal rxn to fertilize the egg
  • proteins involved are extrem. species specific!
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18
Q

Describe the 4 steps of acrosomal reaction

A

• Acrosomal enzymes allow sperm to “drill” through the corona radiata and zona pellucida (2 layers on ovulated egg)

• Fertilin on the sperm membrane binds to integrin on the oocyte surface
- highly species specific!

  • Induces a change in the oocytes membrane which blocks polyspermy
  • On entry into the cell the sperm release NO which induces a release of stored Ca2+ and this is believed to initiate the final meiotic division in the oocyte
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19
Q

Polyspermy

A

multiple sperm releasing their contents into a single egg

  • don’t want this to happen
  • won’t fully dev.
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20
Q

Release of acrosomal enzymes that allows for…

A

the degradation of the cell membranes

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21
Q

Egg-binding protein

A

facilitate the binding & movement of sperm head through those cell layers

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22
Q

Fertilin & Integrin…

A

species specificity of fertilizing the egg

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23
Q

What does it mean for a sperm cell to be capacitated?

A

means it is fully fertile & req’s full capacitation before it is capable of fertilizing the egg

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24
Q

Is the haploid genome the only thing that the sperm delivers to the egg?

A

Absolutely NOT

Also may deliver:

  • prostaglandins
  • nitric oxide
  • calcium
  • sperm will also deliver RNA into the egg that will insist in early stages of dev.
  • mitochondrial DNA –> debated (if in paternal too - most say no, strong evidence suggest that paternal mitochondrial DNA is tagged by ubiquinone & degraded, so it plays no role in further dev. of that organism (mech’s are still not explained)), vast maj. of mitochondrial DNA that is expressed in the dev. oocyte embryo & subsequent offspring is maternal
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25
Q

Zygote formation - syngamy

A

syngamy - merging of 2 haploid genomes

once that sperm has entered the egg & deposited that DNA, we get the zygote formation

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26
Q

Where does the zygote formation - syngamy process normally take place?

A

in fallopian tube & the zygote will remain in the fallopian tube (restricted area - small, nutrient rich environment so cells can divide & the blastocyst is formed typically within the fallopian tube - then is transported down the fallopian tube into the uterus)

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27
Q

Twins

A
  • Occur in about 1 of every 80-90 pregnancies
  • Dizygotic or fraternal twins are the result of fertilisation of two oocytes
  • Monozygotic twins or maternal twins are the result of the early embryo dividing in two
  • Conjoined (surgically separated later in dev.) or Siamese twins (1st identified in the formal siam)
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28
Q

Dizygotic or fraternal twins are the result of…

A

fertilisation of two oocytes

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29
Q

Monozygotic twins or maternal twins are the result of…

A

the early embryo dividing in two

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30
Q

Morula to blastocyst facts

A
  • After about the third day of fertilisation – approximately 32 cells - morula
  • Inner cell mass will develop into the embryo
  • balstocyst supports the cells dividing at the pole during intrauterine life
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31
Q

Morula to blastocyst process (5 steps)

A
  1. Ovulation
  2. Day 1: Fertilization
  3. Days 2-4: Cell division takes place
  4. Day 4-5: Blastocyst reaches uterus
  5. Days 5-9: Blastocyst implants
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32
Q

Occasionally we’ll get ectopic pregnancies, where…

A

the egg is fertilized within the abdominal cavity (v. v. rare)
- won’t go to term b/c architecture isn’t there to support that but it can dev. & could be fetal to the female

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33
Q

Ectopic tubule pregnancy

A

within fallopian tube

  • zygote starts to dev. in the blastocyst & doesn’t get transported down into the uterus, but rather it gets stuck in the fallopian tube
  • can result in fatality if not arrested & will typically not result in a successful pregnancy
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34
Q

Trophoblast

A

protects the inner cell mass as they are dividing & that’s ready for implantation (surface layer of cells of the blastocyst)
- typically within 5-9 days of fertilization this is ready for that implantation

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35
Q

Inner cell mass

A
  • will continue to divide & multiple into an embryo & ultimately fetus & ultimately birth of an individual (ultimately forms the embryo & subsequent further dev.)
  • filled with embryonic stem cells - peripone/peritoneal? cells that will differentiate into any manner of diff. cells
  • part of that necessary part of dev. process
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36
Q

Implantation of the blastocyst

A

once that blastocyst has reached the endometrial lining, we have implantation

37
Q

Implantation of the blastocyst process

A

The blastocyst adheres to the endometrium and cells in the trophoblast extend and begin to digest the surrounding endometrium

38
Q

Trophoblast remains…

A

intact as it protects that inner cell mass

39
Q

Trophoblast includes cells like:

A
  • Syncytiotrophoblast
  • Cytotrophoblast
    v. imp. in terms of degrading the endometrial lining
40
Q

Syncytiotrophoblast

A

release protease’s - will degrade & breakdown the endometrium lining

41
Q

Cytotrophoblast

A

only embryonic tissue come into direct contact with mother

42
Q

During implantation of the blastocyst, the trophoblast stimulates PG (prostaglandin) release:

A

– Angiogenesis
– Oedema
– Improved storage

= endometrial decidua

43
Q

Angiogenesis

A

creation of new blood vessels

44
Q

Oedema

A

gathering of fluid

45
Q

Improved storage

A

for nutrient transport into the developing embryo region

46
Q

Endometrial decidua

A

the degrading/degraded endometrial lining in which the blastocyst is submerged

  • lot of blood vessel growth
  • collection of fluid
  • & improved storage within that area
  • to promote nutrient transfer & removal of waste from the developing embryo
47
Q

Syncytiotrophoblast & Cytotrophoblast…

A

starts to degrade the endometrium lining & create a fav. environ. for further dev. of that developing embryo & ultimately fetus

48
Q

The trophoblast will continue to digest endometrial cells until…

A

the placenta develops

@ this stage, the trophoblast is entirely engulfed by endometrial lining

49
Q

The trophoblast will continue to digest endometrial cells until…

A

the placenta develops

@ this stage, the trophoblast is entirely engulfed by endometrial lining

50
Q

Formation of the placenta

A
  • ~12days the embryo is completely embedded and the trophoblast is 2 cell layers thick – chorion
  • Chorionic villi project into the endometrial spaces filled with maternal blood
  • Villi contain embryonic capillaries
  • Interlocking maternal (decidual) and fetal (chorionic) tissue = placenta
51
Q

Chorion

A

will continue to degrade the endometrial decidua & blood from the maternal side leaks into that area, providing a nutrient rich environ. for the dev. of that embryo

  • within 5 weeks there should be a dev. heart within that developing embryo
52
Q

The placenta during EARLY dev. within the embryo:

A

will act as lungs, kidney & digestive system

  • much later on in fetal dev. where the fetus has sufficiently dev. tissues that it can support its own life in the absence of the role the placenta might play, the fetus takes over that at birth
53
Q

With the placenta, there is NO…

A

blood mixing

54
Q

Intertwinning b/t decidual derived (maternal) & fetal derived (chorionic blood vessels), & transfer of…

A

gas & nutrients will occur

55
Q

With the placenta, there IS…

A

transfer of chemicals/molecules

  • placenta can’t prevent movement of everything
  • HIV can cross the placental barrier
56
Q

Fetal Alchohol Syndrome

A

pregnant moms who are struggling with addictions may impact the dev. of the child & phenotypes as a result of FAS
- usually, impaired brain dev. but still functional individuals

57
Q

Sex determination in the developing embryo

A
  • Each nucleated cell in the human body has 46 paired chromosomes – diploid (except secondary spermocytes and oocytes - haploid)
  • 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes – X and Y
  • Karotype
58
Q

X and Y

A

imp. components that will determine the fate/determine the fate/determination of the sex of the child born

59
Q

X chromosome is ________ than Y chromosome

A

BIGGER

60
Q

X chromosome is bigger:

A
  • dominant alleles
  • maternally derived conditions (heritable traits from the mother)
  • X linked mutations
61
Q

Conseq. of the X chromosome being bigger

A

may be a # of genes expressed on the X chromosome that are not on the Y chromosome that become these dominant alleles (not expressed in males)

62
Q

X linked mutations ex’s:

A
  • red/green colour blindness (v. common in males)
  • hemophilia - inability to appropriately clot blood
  • muscular dystrophy
63
Q

Karotype:

A

chromosome type within the individual

64
Q

Karotype (LIST THEM):

A

– XXY – viable - Klinefelters syndrome – infertile adult males
– XYY – viable – no real side effects (super males)
– YO – not viable (NOT REACH TERM & BE ABORTED)
– X0 – viable - Turners syndrome – usually infertile adults

65
Q

Many populations have an operant sex ratio…

A

often times in wild animals it is 1:1 (female: male)

- sometimes becomes skewed

66
Q

In females, at fertilization, the sex ratio is:

& @ birth

A

120 males: 100 females

@ birth: 105 male: 100 females

therefore, male have higher potential of NOT reaching term

67
Q

Genotypic sex potential

A
  • For the first 6-7 weeks XY embryo’s have the potential to go either way - bipotential
  • The sex determining region on the Y chromosome expresses the SRY gene in cells on the urogenital ridge
  • Stimulates the production of the protein H-Y antigen which directs the development of the male gonads
  • Females of course lack the Y chromosome and therefore lack the SRY gene
68
Q

Bipotential

A

sex is undetermined & the sex region on the Y chromosome is what ultimately will drive an individual toward a female or male karotype

69
Q

Where will external genitalia develop from?

A

External genitalia will develop from the same undifferentiated tissue

70
Q

FEMALE Reproductive tract develops from…

A

Müllerian ducts

71
Q

MALES Reproductive tract develops from…

A

Wolffian ducts

72
Q

Describe female development of external genitalia

A

Bipotential stage (6 week fetus) 1st

In the ABSENCE of androgens, the external genitalia are feminized

73
Q

Describe male development of external genitalia

A

Bipotential stage (6 week fetus) 1st

  1. DHT causes development of male external genitalia
  2. The testes descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum
74
Q

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is imp. for…

A

the dev. of male external genitalia

75
Q

Describe male sex determination process

A
  1. Ovum with X chromosome
  2. Fertilized by sperm with Y chromosome
  3. Embryo with XY chromosome
  4. SRY stimulates production of H-Y antigen in plasma membrane of undifferentiated gonads (in the urogenital ridge)
  5. H-Y antigen directs differentiation of gonads to testes
  6. Testes secrete Mullerian-inhibiting factor
    1st direction:
    - testosterone –> wolffian ducts develop into the male reproductive tract
    - DHT
    - promotes development of undifferentiated external genitalia (penis, scrotum etc)
    2nd direction:
    - Mullerian-inhibiting factor
    - degeneration of Mullerian ducts
76
Q

Describe female sex determination process

A
  1. Ovum with X chromosome
  2. Fertilized by sperm with X chromosome
  3. Embryo with XX chromosome
  4. No Y chromosome, no SRY no H-Y antigen
  5. No H-Y antigen undifferentiated gonads develop into ovaries
  6. No testosterone or Mullerian inhibiting factor
    1st direction:
    - absence of Mullerian-inhibiting factor
    - Mullerian ducts develop into the female reproductive tract
    2nd direction:
    - absence of testosterone –> degeneration of Wolffian ducts
    - promotes development of undifferentiated external genitalia (clitoris, labia, etc)
77
Q

5 alpha reductase

A

imp. enzyme req. to convert testosterone –> DHT

78
Q

What if 5 alpha reductase is not expressed to appropriate levels?

A

you get insufficient levels of DHT produced

  • as a conseq. of that, it’s possible (pretty rare) that that red. in DHT leads to retardation in the promotion of male genitalia & as a conseq. female genitalia can be expressed (not to the same extent, but can persist all the way to birth)
  • when puberty happens, you get that massive influx of testosterone & further growth of the male genitalia
  • as a result of 5 alpha reductase activity
79
Q

Intrauterine Position Effect

A

• rats & mice have bicornate uterus
– developing fetuses arranged sequentially in uterine horns
– each in its own amniotic sac with its own placental connection

• secretions of fetal endocrine glands alter the morphology, physiology & behaviour of neighbours

80
Q

Bicornate uterus

A

uterus split in 2

- have developing fetuses neighbouring each other in that uterus

81
Q

Describe the Intrauterine Position Effect in terms of the types of females and the result

A

• 3 types of females – 0M,1M,2M
• by 17 d gestation, males have 3x the testosterone of females (& there can be spill over from the males into the female compartment & such that)
• female fetuses are “contaminated” by testosterone from male neighbours
– 2M>1M>0M

hormones pass via uterine blood vessels to neighbouring fetuses can masculinise females

82
Q

1 M

A

neighboured by a single male developing fetus

83
Q

2 M

A

2 male neighbours during dev.

84
Q

0 M

A

neighboured by another female

85
Q

2 M females are…

A

masculinased & do exhibit more male type behaviour (tend to be more aggressive for ex)

86
Q

Fraternal Birth Order (FBO) Effect

A
  • each male developing in utero increases the probability of subsequent male being gay
  • not attributable to environmental effect
  • stepbrothers in home don’t produce effect
  • biological brothers reared apart produce effect
87
Q

Fraternal Birth Order (FBO) Effect is potentially explained by “maternal immunization hypothesis”

A

– mother carrying first son has little exposure to male proteins due to placental barrier (particularly Y-coded)

– mixing of fetal and maternal blood AT DELIVERY causes female immune response to male proteins (antibodies produced)

– subsequent sons are exposed to these antibodies which attack male-specific proteins, thereby altering development and increasing probability of male being gay

88
Q

Fraternal Birth Order (FBO) Effect only applies to…

A

right-handed males

- probably something to do with the right/left hemispheres of the brain

89
Q

Each previous male increases the probability of the next male to by gay by…

A

one-third

- so if you’re the 5th male born, it’s almost certain that that individual may be gay

Human Physiology 1 (32 decks)

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