Gametogenesis

Oogenesis
Process where ovaries form ova
All ova female has is present at 6 months of life
1st meiotic division secondary oocyte and polar body
At ovulation, 2nd meiotic division begins and
completes only if fertilized
One ovum and 3 polar bodies
Spermatogenesis
Process where testes produce sperm
Replicates into two secondary spermatocytes
2nd meiotic division , 4 spermatids are formed
Egg
Sperm

Figure31aGametogenesisinvolvesmeiosiswithintheovaryandtestis.Duringmeiosiseachoogoniumproducesasinglehaploid
ovumoncesomecytoplasmmovesintothepolarbodies.
 Fertilization
Preparation for fertilization
Estrogen levels increase
Peristalsis of fallopian tubes increases
Cervical mucus thins to allow sperm to transfer through
Time frame
Ova viable for 24 hours
Sperm
Capacitation to expose acrosome
Define: Capacitation- Process that removes plasma to expose the
acrosome
Define: Acrosome- A membrane at the leading edge of a sperm cell
Block to polyspermy The penetration of an ovum by more
than one sperm
True fertilization
When nuclei of ovum and sperm unite
Figure32aSpermpenetrationofanovum.Thesequentialstepsofoocytepenetrationbyaspermaredepictedmovingfromtopto
bottom.Source:ScanningelectronmicrographfromNilsson,L.(1990).Achildisborn.NewYork:DellPublishing.
 Preembryonic development
1st 2 wks of development

Cellular Multiplication
Zygote moves through fallopian tube
Rapid mitotic division morula
Define: Morula- a solid mass of blastomeres that forms when the
zygote splits

Blastocyst develops into embryo and amnion

Trophoblast develops into chorion

Implantation (aka Nidation- fertilized egg becomes implanted

in the lining of the uterus)
Attaches to surface of endometrium (process called, decidua)
Occurs 7 9 days after fertilization
Figure34Duringovulation,theovumleavestheovaryandentersthefallopiantube.Fertilizationgenerallyoccursintheouterthird
ofthefallopiantube.Subsequentchangesinthefertilizedovumfromconceptiontoimplantationaredepicted.
 Embryonic Membranes

Chorion
Outer most membrane
Fingerlike projections, villi
Amnion
Thin protective membrane
Contains amniotic fluid
As embryo grows, amnion comes in
contact with chorion and forms fluid
filled sac
 Amniotic Fluid
Functions
Protection, temperature regulation, permit
symmetrical growth, prevents adherence
of the amnion, gives freedom of movement
Amounts
Ranges from 700 1000ccs at term
Abn Variations:
Oligohydramnios < than normal; Oligo- few, little
Polyhydramnios > 2000ccs; Poly- many
 Preembryonic/Embroyonic
Yolk Sac
Second cavity developed at 8 9 days
Forms primitive RBCs during 1st 6 weeks

Umbilical Cord
Formed from the amnion; attaches the embryo to the yolk sac
Three vessels two arteries and one vein
Whartons jelly surrounds vessels in cord preventing cord
compression

Twisted or spiraled from fetal movement

Lack of Jelly
 Placenta
There is no mixing between moms and babys
blood

Functions
Metabolic, nutrient, and gas exchange
between embryonic and maternal
circulation
Development
Chorionic villi functional layer of placenta
Anchoring villi forms the partitions/walls
called cotyledons
Branching villi vascular system where gas
exchange takes place
 Placental Functions
Just know that theres diff forms of transport

Metabolic activities produces glycogen,

fatty acids are more available, cholesterol,
enzymes; stores glycogen, iron
Transport functions
Simple diffusion
Facilitated transport
Active transport
Pinocytosis transfers large molecules by
engulfing
Bulk flow results from hydrostatic and osmotic
pressure
 Endocrine Functions of the
Placenta

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

(HCG)
Prevents normal involution of corpus
luteum
Causes corpus luteum to secrete
estrogen and progesterone
basis for pregnancy tests
Blood @ 8 10 days
Urine a few days after missed period
 Progesterone
Hormone of pregnancy
Decreases contractility of the uterus
Maintainance/Essential for pregnancy to
continue after 11 weeks
Estrogen
Placenta produces 50% more
Proliferative function breasts and uterus
Human Placental Lactogen
Similar to pituitary growth hormone
Stimulates changes in maternal metabolic
processes
Indicator of fetal growth
 Embryo and Fetal
Development
*40wks for pregnancy, 38wks of development
Length of pregnancy
10 lunar months or 40 weeks (Full term)
Preembryonic
First 14 days of development
Embryonic
Starts on day 15 and continues through 8th
week
Most vulnerable to Teratogens
 Embryonic Stage

3 weeks broad cephalic end and a narrow

caudal end; heart is most advanced organ

4 5 weeks
vertebrae form from somites;
eyes and ears begin development, arm and
leg buds;
partitioning in heart;
brain differentiated into five areas;
heart, brain, and circulatory system show
most development
 Embryonic Stage con.

6-7 weeks head structures highly developed,

arms and legs have digits, fetal circulation
begins to be established, liver produces RBCs,
eyelids begin to form, rectal and urogenital
passages separate

8 weeks resembles a human being, eyelids

fuse, external genitals appear, rectal
passage opens, long bones are forming, and
large muscles contract
 Fetal Stage

9-12 weeks head large and comprises half of fetus,

sucking reflex present, limbs are long and slender with
well formed digits, forms urine, FHT Fetal Hrt Tones heard
with doppler, swallows amniotic fluid, meconium present in
intestines

13-16 weeks rapid growth, lanugo fine hair present,

moves arms and legs

20 weeks weighs about 1 pound, deposits brown fat,

head covered with fine wooly hair, eyebrows, eyelids,
nails and muscles well developed, mother feels
movement quickening
 Fetal Stage con.
24 weeks weighs 780 gms, hand grasp and
startle reflex present, covered with vernix, alveoli
in lungs beginning to form

25-28 weeks brain develops rapidly, CNS

mature enough to provide some regulatory
functions, eyelids open, weighs about 1200 gms

29-32 weeks pupilary light reflex present, weighs

about 2000gms, stores iron, Ca , phosphorous

36 40 weeks primarily weight gain

Figure312Theactualsizeofahumanconceptusfromfertilizationtotheearlyfetalstage.Theembryonicstagebeginsinthethird
weekafterfertilization;thefetalstagebeginsintheninthweek.Source:AdaptedfromMarieb,E.N.(1998).
 Factors Influencing Fetal
Development
Quality of ovum or sperm
Adequacy of uterine environment
If unsuitable
Cells may die abortion
Growth slowed
Teratogens agent/substance which cause
malformation; 1-8wks most vulnerable to induced
malformations
Maternal environment
Nutrition 5th lunar month (20wks) to 6 months of life
Hyperthermia Sauna/Hot Tub during 1st trimester
linked to CNS defects
3 weeks groove of neural
tube
4 weeks
5 weeks heart & liver
5 weeks
6 weeks
7 weeks
8 weeks
9 weeks
10-11 weeks
12 weeks
13 weeks eyes are fused
15 weeks
15 weeks
Female at 18 weeks
18 20 weeks
22 weeks
24 weeks
32-34 weeks
36 weeks
Ready for birth