Morphological changes during maturation of the gametes

Dr. Eman khammas al-sadi Embryology lecturer

Maturation of the oocyte begins before birth:

Once the primordial germ cells have arrived in the gonads of the genetically female 1- they differentiate in to oogonia & undergoes no. of mitotic divisions 3- by the end of the3rd month are Arrange in clusters surrounded by a layer of epithelial cells.

At4 month The majority of oogonia continue to divide by mitosis, but some of them differentiate in to much larger primary oocyte,Immediately they replicate their DNA and enter the prophase of the 1st meiotic division by the 5th mont: Oogonia increase in number& reaches its maximum (7 million) At this time many oogonias become etretic as well as primary oocytes.

 By 7mo. The majority of oogonias have degenerate except few near the surface , All surviving primary oocyte have entered the 1st meiotic division ,most of them are surrounded by a layer of flat epithelial cells

primordial follicle
The primary oocyte, together with it is surrounding flat epithelium, is known as a primordial follicle

 At birth:
((oocyte have entered the diplotine stage of prophase)), in which they remain until (just before ovulation) at the puberty when only then do they enter. metaphase of the 1st meiotic division).

the gowing follicle the follicular cells become cuboidal & begin to secrete the zuna pellucida,(irregular patches on the surface of the oocyte). ( primary follicle), the follicular cells form a stratified layer of granulosa cells&the zuna pellucida is well defined

Maturing follicle
1-The oocyte surrounded by the zuna pellucida, the follicle is offcenter=(the antrum) which has developed by fluid accumulation between intercellular spaces. 3- charectrized by the arrangement of cells of the (theca interna& theca externa.)

Mature vesicular or graffian follicle

1- the antrum A-has been enlarged considerably, filled with follicular fluid surrounded by stratified layer of granulosa cells. 2- the oocyte is embedded in amount of granulosa cells, the cumulus oophorus

 Week 1 and 2 Human Development Overview An overview of development of following fertilization during the first week and into the second week of development. The first week of development occurs floating freely within the uterine tube and body. Note the timing is only approximate, it is the sequence of events that is important to understand. Day 14 of menstrual cycle - Oocyte released from ovary about the midpoint of the menstrual cycle. Day 0 - The haploid oocyte and spermatozoa fuse at fertilization to form a diploid zygote, the first cell. Fertilization occurring generally in the first third of the uterine tube (uterine horn, fallopian tube). Day 1 to 3 - Cell division by mitosis forming a solid ball of cells, the morula. Day 3 to 5 - Cell compaction forming a fluid-filled space and two cell populations, the blastocyst (1-chambered conceptus). Day 5 to 7 - blastocyst "hatches" from the surrounding zona pellucida. Day 7 to 9 - Implantation commences and continues through the second week of development.

Maturation of the oocyte continue at puberty

Primary oocyte remain in the diplotene stage of the prophase & do not finish their 1st meiotic division before puberty is reached

at birth
Primary oocyte(700,000-2 million) At puberty(400,000) will remain 500 only will be ovulated.

Some oocyte remain 40 yrs or more before they reach maturation so it may increase risk of chromosomal abnormalities

At puberty
1. 5-15 primordial follicles begin to mature with each ovarian cycle. Continue to grow forming the primary follicle 2. granulosa cells rest on a basement membrane separating them from surrounding stromal cells that form the theca folliculi) 1. Inner layer: secretary cells theca interna 2. outer layer: connective tissue containing fibroblast-like cells, the theca externa. 3. Small, finger-like processes of follicular cells extend across the zuna pellucida. these are important for transport of materials from follicular cells to the oocyte. 3. both (granulosa cells & the oocyte) will secrete a layer of glycoproteins on the surface of the oocyte, forming the( zuna pellucida) 4. The Follicle called secondary follicle when contain the antrum. &cumulus oophorus

At maturity :
The follicle which may be 10mm or more in diameter is called tertiary or vesicular or graffian follicle:Surrounded by 1- theca interna: A-cch. By steroid secretion, B-rich in blood vessels. 2-theca externa which gradually merges with the ovarian stroma. With each ovarian cycle a number of follicles begin to develop, but usually only one reaches maturity. Others degenerate and become atretic

 As is is mature As the thefollicle follicle mature meiosis1 ---forming 2daughter cells cells it it resume resume meiosis1 ---forming 2daughter 1. the 2ndy oocyte, receive most of the cytoplasm; 1. the 2ndy oocyte, receive most of the cytoplasm; 2. polar body receives none 2. polar body receives none They are of unequal size each of 23double structure They are of unequal size each of 23double chromosomes

structure chromosomes

 The 1st meiotic division resumes shortly before ovulation, then enter meiosis2 ovulation occur when the2ndry oocyte show spindle formation & the oocyte shed from the ovary meiosis 2 completed only if the oocyte is fertilized: otherwise, the cell degenerates approximately 24 hrs after ovulation

 Spermatogenesis:
Maturation of the sperms starts at puberty: At birth germ cells :in the sex cord of the testis as, large, pale cells surrounded by supporting cells which become Sertoli cells. Shortly before puberty the sex cords acquire a lumen &become the seminiferous tubules. at same time the primordial germ cells give rise to spermatogonia which consist of 2 types:

Types of spermatozoa:2types
Type A divided by mitosis, to provide continuous reserve of stem cells Type B Spermatogonia give rise to primary spermatocytes

In normal events
some of type A cells leave the stem population & give rise to successive generations of spermatogonia each more differentiated than the last on completion of type B spermatigonia form When these cells undergoes mitosis primary spermatocyte are created

Primary spermatocyte enter the prolonged prophase(22 days ) followed by rapid completion of meiosis1 & the formation of 2ndry spermatocytes During the 2nd meiotic division these cells immediately begin to form haploid spermatids

They are embedded in deep recesses of Sertoli cells through out their development

Functions of Sertoli cells are: 1-support & protect the germ cells 2-participate in their nutrition. 3-assist in release of mature spermatozoa.

spermatogenesis
The series of changes resulting in the transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa spermatogenesis which includes:

1-formation of acrosome, which covers half of the nuclear surface & contains enzymes to assist in penetration of the egg & it is surrounding layers during fertilization

2- shedding of the most of the cytoplasm.

In human the time required for a spermatogonium to develop in to a mature spermatozoon is approximately 74 days. When fully developed spermatozoa enters the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, then to the epididymis by contractile elements in the wall of the seminiferous tubules. Although initially only slightly motile, spermatozoa obtain full motility in the epididymis.

Abnormal germ cells

1. In human one ovarian follicle occasionally contains 2 or 3 clearly distinguishable primary oocyte, they usually degenerate before reaching maturity
2. In rare cases one primary oocyte contain 2 or even 3 nuclei, they die before reaching maturity.

Abnormal spermatozoa
1-are seen frequently,& up to10% of all spermatozoa have observable defects 2-The head, or the tail may be abnormal 3-May be giant or dwarf. 4-Or may be joined. 5-They usually lack normal motility 6-Probably not fertilize oocyte.

Thank you