T2 L17 Placenta and IUGR Flashcards
Describe what happens after fertilisation
Sperm and ovum meet in Fallopian tube 12-24 hours after ovulation
Fusion occurs and 2nd meiotic division occurs
Acrosome reaction makes ovum impermeable to other sperm
Enters uterine cavity at 8 cell stage
What are the steps from a zygote to a blastocyst?
Zygote 2 cell stage 4 cell stage 8 cell stage Morula Blastocyst
How long does it take to form a morula?
72 hours
How long does it take to form a blastocyst?
4 days
What happens during days 4-5?
1) Morula develops a cavity to form a blastocyst
2) Blastocyst thins out to form trophoblast (start of placenta)
3) Rest of cells are pushed up to form inner cell mass (creates embryonic pole)
4) Blastocyst has now reached uterine lumen and is ready for implantation
What happens during days 6-7?
Bilaminar disc of embryo
Inner cell mass differentiates into epiblast and hypoblast layer. 2 layers are in contact
- hypoblast forms extra embryonic membrane and primary yolk sac
- epiblast forms embryo
Amniotic cavity develops within epiblast mass
What happens on day 16+?
Bilaminar disc develops further by forming 3 distinct layers (gastrulation)
- initiated by primitive streak
- epiblast becomes ectoderm
- hypoblast is replaced by cells from epiblast to become endoderm
- epiblast gives rise to mesoderm
What gives rise to the germ layers?
Epiblast
Describe the development of the placenta
Syncytiotrophoblast burrows into myometrium of uterus to invade spiral arteries and start formation of primary, secondary and tertiary villi
Syncytiotrophoblast invades decidua
Cytotrophoblast cells erode maternal spiral arteries and veins
Lacunae between them fill up with maternal blood
Mesoderm develops into foetal vessels
Describe cytotrophoblast cells
Undifferentiated stem cells
Invade maternal blood vessels and destroy epithelium
Give rise to syncytiotrophoblast cells
Reduce in number as pregnancy advances
Describe syncytiotrophoblast cells
Fully differentiated cells
Direct contact with maternal blood
Produce placental hormones
Give examples of hormones produced by the placenta
HCG
HPL
What does HCG do?
Maintenance of corpus luteum during pregnancy
Production of progesterone and oestrogen
What does HPL do?
Growth, lactation
Carbohydrate and lipid
Describe the placental barrier
Maternal blood in lacunae are in direct contact with syncytiotrophoblasts
Mono layer of syncytiotrophoblast / cyntotrophoblast / foetal capillary epithelium is all that separates foetal and maternal blood
Cytotrophoblasts decrease as pregnancy advances
Barrier thins as pregnancy advances to increase SA for exchange
What molecules are transferred across the placenta?
Gases - O2 and CO2 Water and electrolytes Steroid hormones Proteins (poor transport by pinocytosis) Transfer of maternal antibodies
When are maternal antibodies transferred?
After 12 weeks
Mainly after 34 weeks hence the lack of protection for premature infants
What is decidua capsularis?
Endometrium overlying embryo and chorionic cavity
What is decidua parietalis?
Endometrium overlying side of uterus not accompanied by embryo
What is vasa praevia?
Fetal blood vessels cross or run near the internal os