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BMS 300: Concepts in Human Anatomy and Physiology > Reproductive System V (Fertilization, Pregnancy, Parturition) > Flashcards

Reproductive System V (Fertilization, Pregnancy, Parturition) Flashcards

1
Q

What surrounds the oocyte and must be passed through for fertilization to occur?

A
  1. Zona pellucida (lining of egg)
  2. Corona radiata (multiple cells surrounding ZP)
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2
Q

Where must fertilization take place?

A

Fallopian tube

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3
Q

What video should I watch to get an important, in-depth overview of the fertilization process?

A

THIS ONE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5OvgQW6FG4&t=15s

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4
Q

What happens to the head and tail of the sperm in during capacitation in the female reproductive tract?

A

Tail: flagellum affected, increase mobility

Head: Alteration of proteins enhance its penetrative ability. Changes in cholesterol thins membrane enough to release contents into oocyte.

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5
Q

What is released when sperm bind to the zona pellucida? What does it do?

A

Hydrolytic enzymes from the acrosome.
Permits the first sperm to burrow into the egg.

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6
Q

What happens once the plasma membranes of the male and female gametes fuse, and genetic material is released?

A
  1. Oocyte is activated and meiosis II is completed.
  2. Allows sperm pronucleus (n) to enter the ovum and move toward the ovum’s pronucleus (n).
  3. Two pronuclei join to form a zygote (2n).
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7
Q

What ensures that only one sperm will fertilize an egg (prevent polyspermy)?

A

Cortical granules release contents which cause the zona pellucida to harden, preventing more sperm from entering.

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8
Q

What are the three stages of fetal development?

A

Germinal: Conception-blastocyst (0-2 weeks)

Embryonic: Blastocyte takes on human characteristics (3-8 weeks)

Fetal: Continued development (9 weeks-birth)

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9
Q

What is lost from hatching?

A

Zona pellucida

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10
Q

Describe the blastocyst:

A

Hollow ball of cells. Empty space inside is the blastocoel. Inside the blastocoel, there is an inner cell mass that will develop into the baby.
The outer layer, trophoblast (fetal portion of the placenta), will sustain the baby.

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11
Q

What is the difference between gestation and pregnancy?

A

Gestation: Fertilization to birth

(Can be a large loss of zygotes between conception and implantation).

Pregnancy: Implantation to birth

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12
Q

What happens during implantation?

A

Trophoblast begins invading the endometrial lining. Amniotic cavity develops.

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13
Q

What are the three trimesters of pregnancy (assuming 40 week length)?

A

1: Week 1-13
2: Week 14-27
3: Week 28-delivery

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14
Q

What are the varying “starting points” of pregnancy? What is the length of pregnancy associated with each?

A
  1. 1st day of previous menstrual period (40 wks)
  2. Fertilization (38 wks)
  3. 1st missed period (36 wks)
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15
Q

Embryo implantation is followed by the formation of the:

A
  1. Amniotic sac - fluid filled, initially from maternal plasma, then from fetal urine.
  2. Umbilical cord - connects fetus to placenta
  3. Placenta - oxygen, nutrients, waste removal
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16
Q

What is the purpose of amniotic fluid?

A

Protection, temperature regulation

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17
Q

Which major organs and body systems begin forming during the first trimester?

A

All of them!

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18
Q

When is the fetus most vulnerable?

A

The first trimester.

19
Q

What kind of organs are the placenta and umbilical cord?

A

Transient organs (grows then leaves)

20
Q

What is placentophagy?

A

Consumption of the placenta.

21
Q

What are the functions of the placenta?

A

MANY!
Acts as endocrine system, lungs, liver, kidneys (water balance), hematopoiesis (makes RBCs), etc.

22
Q

Describe the anatomy of the placenta relating to nutrient and gas exchange:

A

Fetal vessels branch into fetal capillaries which are surrounded by the chronic villus (fetal).
Maternal veins will bring blood to pool in the intervillous space (maternal), wich encompasses the chronic villus.

Nutrient/gas exchange occurs via diffusion. Maternal and fetal blood never come into direct contact.

23
Q

What carries deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta?

A

Umbilical ARTERIES

24
Q

What carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus?

A

Umbilical VEINS

25
Q

What are the six hormones released secreted from the placenta? What do they do?

A
  1. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - maintains corpus luteum to produce progesterone until the placenta starts producing it on its own
  2. Human placental lactogen (hPL) - dulls maternal insulin response to increase glucose availability to the fetus. (increase utilization for baby, decrease for mom)
  3. Placental prolactin - activates mammary glands along with other hormones
  4. Relaxin - Loosens cartilage and ligaments
  5. Estrogens - makes blood hypercoagulable, promotes growth of endometrial lining, prepares for lactation
  6. Placental progesterone - maintains endometrial growth, relaxes smooth muscles (increase bladder distension, delay peristalsis)
26
Q

What hormones dictate the changes taking place in the mother’s body?

A

The ones secreted by the placenta.

27
Q

Which hormone is used to detect pregnancy in a urine or blood test?

A

hCG

28
Q

Which hormone results in nausea and fatigue during pregnancy?

A

hCG

29
Q

Increased hPL puts mom at risk for what pathology?

A

Gestational diabetes.

30
Q

What causes “peach fuzz” to develop on the body during pregnancy?

A

Placental prolactin activating adrenal glands.

31
Q

What is the benefit of relaxin? What is a downside?

A

Allows for delivery of baby.

Mom is at higher risk of falling. Increase in foot size (1 size).

32
Q

Why is peristalsis delayed during pregnancy? By what?

A

Delayed by placental progesterone.
Goal: food spends a longer time in the digestive tract so more nutrients can be extracted.

33
Q

What maternal changes occur during the first trimester?

A
  1. Period stops
  2. Nausea and tiredness as symptoms
  3. Tender breasts
  4. Mood swings (estrogen and progesterone)
  5. Food aversions/cravings (estrogen and progesterone)
  6. Weight loss/gain (related to food aversion/craving)
  7. Increased constipation
34
Q

What fetal changes occur during the second trimester?

A
  1. All major organs and systems are formed
  2. Fetal movement; develops reflexes like swallowing and suckling
  3. Response to stimuli - sound recognition, light response, opening eyes
  4. Rapid growth and fat accumulation
35
Q

At what point can a fetus survive outside of the body?

A

24 weeks in the NICU

36
Q

What maternal changes occur during the second trimester?

A
  1. Less nausea and fatigue
  2. Darkening of areola, linea nigra
  3. Stretch marks (often caused by hormones)
  4. Swelling of extremities (increase in blood plasma)
  5. Feeling the baby move
37
Q

What fetal changes occur during the third trimester?

A
  1. Fetus continues to grow in size and weight
  2. Lungs (surfactant production), kidneys, and brain continue to develop/mature
  3. Bones and skull remain soft for easy passage through birth canal
  4. Head will position downwards
  5. Vernix caseosa forms
38
Q

What is the purpose of vernix?

A

Protective. Moisturizes skin, has antimicrobial properties, protects from acidic amniotic fluid.

39
Q

What maternal changes occur during the third trimester?

A
  1. Shortness of breath
  2. Heartburn (LE sphincter loosened)
  3. Swelling of extremities
  4. Tender breasts, leaking colostrum
  5. Belly button sticking out
  6. Trouble sleeping
  7. Hemorrhoid risk
  8. Braxton hicks
  9. True labor contractions
40
Q

How is the maternal cardiovascular system affected by pregnancy?

A

Under greater stress from high blood volume.

41
Q

Oxytocin plays an important role in birth. How does it do this?

A

Positive feedback loop - stimulates uterine contractions and cervical dilation/stretching

42
Q

When are oxytocin receptors at their most numerous?

A

Toward the end of pregnancy. Causes smooth muscle to be more sensitive.

43
Q

Which hormone is responsible for milk let-down? Milk production?

A

Let-down: Oxytocin (OXT)
Production: ProLACTin

Both work with positive feedback loop (suckling).

BMS 300: Concepts in Human Anatomy and Physiology (10 decks)

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