Fertilisation ad Implantation (Lec 1 Reproduction) Gamete formation in males and females is known as spermatogenesis and oogenesis respectively.

Gametes are haploid cells due to meiosis. Oogenesis begins during prenatal development and is interrupted before completion. Spermatgenesis, on the other hand, is initiated at puberty and continues through adult life. The female is born with a fixed stock of oocytes whereas the male will continue germ cell proliferation throughout life. This is the reason why Downs Syndrome is particularly associated with the age of the mother at fertilisation as her oocytes have been present since 20 weeks gestation. By week 5 of gestation bipotential gonadal anlagen can be identified that can give rise to either ovaries or testes. Sexual differentiation depends on the presence or absence of the y chromosome and occurs between weeks 5 and 7. If there is a Y chromosome present the embryo will differentiate into a male subtype. The TDF-SRY gene acts on the indifferent gonad and testosterone and mullerian inhibiting substance are released to develop testes, seminal vesicles and vas deferens. If there is no Y chromosome present there will be no testosterone release and no mullerian inhibiting substance. This causes the mullerian ducts to persist; the uterus, fallopian tubes and the upper one third of the vagina. Germ cells in the ovary are reffered to as oogonia from week 9 and oocytes are generated during embryogenesis. Oocytes are oogonia that enter meiosis and are halted at prophase 1. The primary oocyte becomes surrounded by a single layer of flattened granulose cells which will eventually give rise to oestrogen. The follicles continue to mature from 7th month of fetal life until menopause. Completion of their maturity requires the hypothalamic-pituitaryovarian axis when meiosis will resume in response to LH so this will not occur till after puberty. Oocytes will undergo atretia (a decline in number) so there will be none left my menopause. Spermatogenesis is the process whereby a spermatogonial stem cell gives rise to a spermatozoon and only begins with the onset of puberty. It occurs in the germinal layer of cells in the testes known as sertoli cells. There is a multiplication of spermatagonia. 2 meiotic divisions result in 4 haploid spermatids. The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis when the sperm get flagella etc. The whole process takes about 70-75 days. The spermatogonia are then stored in the seminal vesicles. Sperm motility and peristalsis of the female genital tract help to transport sperm in the female genital tract. Hair like processes in the uterus and tubes assist with this movement. (These can be damagesd due to STIs). The The mitochondrial sheath is a source of energy for sperm movement. The vagina is very hostile to sperm except for 3-4 days during the menstrual cycle. This is because cervical mucous is a major barrier and sperm is very sensitive to pH. Prior to ovulation the cervical mucous is alkaline and acellular (no cells are being shed) so this is more hospitable for the sperm. Conception can only occur prior to ovulation. Less than 1 in 1000 of the sperm that are ejaculated reach the ampulla, the outer end of the fallopian tube, but those that do may last 2-3 days there.

When an oocyte has ovulated it is surrounded by a zona pellucida. The sperm must penetrate 4 layers; 1. 2. 3. 4. The corona radiate The zona pellucida The perivitelline space The vitelline membrane

The sperms acrosomal enzymes help to digest the first layer. Proteins on the sperm head bind to receptor protein molecules. The plasma membrane of the egg and sperm fuse and the sperm nucleus enters the egg cytoplasm. There is an ongoing argument as to whether the entire sperm enters the egg or just the head, but it is probably the entire sperm. A fertilization membrane forms which prevents more sperm entering the egg as this could affect the chromosomal number of the zygote.* The nuclei of the sperm and egg fuse to form a zygote. *A 69 chromosome zygote will rarely pass 8 weeks gestation. This is the sommonest cause of miscarriage in the first trimester. Polyspermia, as this is known is more common in older women. A fertilised oocyte goes into a rest period for about 30 hours. It will spend approximately 4 days travelling down the tube facilitated by the fimbria of the fallopian tubes which now act in the opposite way. At approximately day 5 the embryo is known as a blastocyst and it contains an inner cell mass. It will implant into the uterine wall at this stage (5-6 days after ovulation) as the trophoblast (the surface layer of cells of the blastocyst) will invade the endometrium. Both HCG and progesterone production will be ongoing.HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy. It is the hormone that is measure in pregnancy tests and can even be picked up before a missed period. Ectopic pregnancies occur when the blastocyst implants either in the tubes, the ovary or the cervix, the most common site being the ampulla of the tube. Ectopic pregnancies cant go past 8 weeks or so as the wall of the tube will burst leading to massive bleeding and a medical emergency. The inner cell mass will develop into the mesoderm (CT, bone), the ectoderm (skin) and the endoderm (gut) and is known as the embryonic disc. The trophoblast, as mentioned earlier, will invade into the endometrium. It wills secrete HCG, oestrogen and progesterone. It forms the maternal venous sinuses and promotes gas exchange, nutrient transfer and waste elimination. The endometrium is renamed the deciduas during pregnancy. The developing baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid in a cavity called the amnion. This is surrounded by another layer known as the chorion. The umbilical cord contains one umbilical vein adn two umbilical arteries. The umbilical vein carries well oxygenated blood to the embryo and the arteries return embryonic blood to the placenta.* During pregnancy the maternal circulation changes. The spinal arteries are remodelled and become wider and there is an increased blood flow that fills the space surrounding the chorionic villi.

*The placenta is an organ of pregnancy which has many functions. It provides the baby with nutrient and oxygen and allows for the elimination of waste from the embryo. It provides immunity as it allows IgG to cross and acts as a barrier to infectious organisms. It also has an endocrine function and produces HCG, HPL (human placental lactogen), oestrogen and progesterone.