SDM UNIVERSITY OF NURSING

SCIENCES ,SATTUR DHARWAD

FERTILIZATION
GAMETOGENESIS
 Maturation of two highly specialized cells
spermatozoa in males and ovum in females
OOGENESIS- DEVELOPMENT
OF MATURE OVUM
 In female gonad , the germ cells undergo rapid mitotic division and
differentiate into oogonia
↓
 Oogonia enter into prophase of first meiotic division - Primary oocytes
↓
 Primary oocytes do not finish the first meiotic division until puberty is
reached
↓
 Primary oocyte undergoes first meiotic division – secondary oocyte and first
polar body

↓
 Ovulation occurs soon after the formation of the secondary oocyte
↓
 Secondary oocyte completes the second meoitic division after fertilization by
the sperm in falliopian tube- ovum and second polar body. In the absence of
fertilization the secondary oocyte does not complete the second meiotic
division and degenerate
OVULATION
 Is the process whereby secondary oocyte is
released from the ovary following rupture of
mature graaafian follicle and become available
for conception

 Only one secondary oocyte is likely to rupture

in each ovarian cycle which starts at puberty
and ends in menopause

 In relation to the menstrual period event occurs

about 14 days prior to the expected period
CHANGES IN THE FOLLICLE
BEFORE OVULATION
 Graafian follicle becomes enlarged ( 20mm )
 Follicular wall near the ovarian surface
becomes thinner
 Stigma develops as conical projection which
penetrates the outer surface of the ovary and
persist as thin layer
 Cumulus escapes out of the follicle as a slow
oozing, process taking about 1-2 min
 Stigma is closed by a plug of plasma
CAUSE OF OVULATION
Combined FSH/LH midcycle surge is responsible for the final stage
of maturation, rupture of the follicle and expulsion of the oocyte

LH surge-
 Sustained peak levels of oestrogen for 24-36 hours in the late
follicular phase cause LH surge from anterior pitutary.

 Ovulation occurs apprx 16-24 hours after LHsurge

FSH rise
 Preovulatory rise of progesterone facilitates the
positive feed back action of estrogen to induce
FSH surge

 FSH surge causes increase in plasminogen

activator which converts plasminogen into
plasmin , which in turn causes lysis of the wall
of the follicle
STRUCTURE OF A MATURE
OVUM
 Largest cell in the body

 Consists of cytoplasm and a nucleus with its nucleolus in eccentric

position

 Contains 23 chromosomes (23 X )

 Surrounded by a cell membrane called a vitelline membrane

 Outer transparent mucoprotein envelope is called zona pellucida

 Tiny channels in zona pellucida are for the transport of the materials
from the granulosa cells to the oocyte

 Space between the vitelline membrane and zona pellucida is called

perivitelline space which accommodates the polar bodies

 Oocyte after its escape from the follicle, retains a covering of granulosa
cells known as corona radiata derived from the cumulus oophorus
SPERMATOGENESIS
 Spermatogenesis-Development of
spermatids from the primordial male germ
cells and their differentiation into
spermatozoa

 In man time required for a

spermatogonium to develop into a mature
spermatozoon is about 61 days
SPERMATOGENESIS
 Primordial germ cells undergo mitosis in seminiferous
tubules to develop into spermatogonia
 ↓
 Spermatogonia differentiates into primary spermatocytes
(46 XY) which remain in the stage of prophase of the first
meiotic division
 ↓
 With completion of first meiotic division – two secondary
spermatocytes are formed( 23 X or 23 Y )
 ↓
 Immediately follows the second meiotic division- 4
spermatids are formed, containing haploid number of
chromosomes
 ↓
 Spermatids undergo extensive morphological changes to
convert them into spermatozoa
STRUCTURE OF A MATURE
SPERMATOZOON
 It has head and a tail

 Head consist of nucleus and a acrosomal cap,

rich in enzymes

 The tail is divided into four zones- neck,

middle piece, the principal piece and the
end piece.
SPERM CAPACITATION AND
ACROSOME REACTION
 Capacitation is the physiochemical
change in the sperm by which sperm
become hypermotile and is able to bind
and fertilize a secondary oocyte

 Activation of acrosomal enzyme causes

release of hyaluronidase, hydrolytic
enzymes, proacrosin,acrosin that help the
sperm to digest the zona pellucida and to
enter the oocyte
CONCEPTION
 Only one sperm can enter the egg’s outer membrane. The
moment the sperm penetrates the egg is called conception.

 Is the process of fusion of spermatozoon with the mature ovum

 Fertilization occurs in the ampulla part of the uterine tube

 Ovum , following ovulation is picked by tubal fimbriae and is

transported to the ampulla part

 Out of the hundreds of millions sperm deposited in the vagina at

single ejaculation only thousand capacitated spermatozoa enter
the tube while only 300-500 reach the ovum
 Fertilisable life span of oocyte ranges from 12-24
hours where as that of sperm is 48-72 hours

 Complete dissolution of the cells of the corona

radiata occurs by the chemical action of the
hyaluronidase liberated from the acrosomal cap of
the sperms

 Penetration of the zona pellucida is facilitated by

the release of hyaluronidase from the acrosomal cap

 After the one spermatozoon has entered the ovum ,

others are prevented from entering by zona reaction
 Completion of the second meiotic division
of the oocyte immediately follows resulting
in the female pronucleus (23 X) and 2nd
polar body

 At the same time the head of the

spermetazoa separates from middle piece
and tail and transforms into male
pronucleus (23Xor 23Y)
 Male and female pronucleus unite at the
center resulting in formation of zygote (46
XX or 46XY)

 Sex of the child will depend on the pattern

of sex chromosome supplied by the sperm
 FERTILIZATION

• Fertilization human life begins at fertilization. fertilization is

the union of a sperm and an egg usually in the fallopian tube to
form a fertilized egg or zygote.
• After ovulation, the ovum, which is about 0.15 mm in
diameter, passes into the uterine tube and is moved along
towards the uterus
 DEFINATION:
 The fusion of the sperm cell nucleus with the egg cell nucleus to
produce a zygote (fertilized egg)
 Brings male and females gametes together – produces diploid
zygote
 It also activates the egg, triggering the beginning of embryonic
development
 Fertilization in mammals occurs in the oviduct the ova is viable
for approximately y 24 hours after ovulation
 Encounter of spermatozoa and ova
 Capacitation and contact
 Acrosome reaction and penetration
 Fusion of the sperm with the egg
 Activation of ovum
During the fertile phase, millions of sperm travel from the
vagina to the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. chemotaxis
– a chemical substance is found in the cortex of eggs. in
general interaction is through special devices or particular
forms of behavior. the primary need is a fluid medium for
the act of fertilization and delivery of sperm to the eggs at
the right time.
 At sexual intercourse about 300 million sperms are
deposited in the posterior fornix of the vagina.
 Some of the sperms survive & propel towards the uterine
tube while the remaining sperms are destroyed by the acid
medium of the vagina .
 More will die on the journey through the uterus, and only
thousand sperms reach the uterine tube, where they meet
the ovum, usually in the ampulla.
 During this journey the sperms will become mature
and release the enzyme hyaluronidase, which allows
the penetration of the zona pellucida and the cell
membranes surrounding the ovum.
• Many sperms are needed for this to take place, but only one
will enter the ovum
 After this, the membrane is sealed to prevent entry of
any further sperm and the nuclei of the two cells fuse
• Sperm and the ovum each contribute half the
complement of chromosomes to make a total of 46
• The sperm and ovum are known as the male and the
female gametes and the fertilized ovum as the zygote
DEVELOPMENT OF FERTILIZED OVUM
 When the ovum has been fertilized ,it continues its passage
through the uterine tube and reaches the uterus 3 or 4 days
later
 During this time cell division or segmentation takes place
 Fertilized ovum divides into 2 cells, then into 4 , then 8 &
16 and so on until a cluster of cells is formed known as the
morula ( mulberry )

MORULA
Morula, solid mass of blastomeres resulting from a
number of cleavages of a zygote, or fertilized egg. its name
derives from its resemblance to a mulberry (Latin: morum). a
morula is usually produced in those species the eggs of
which contain little yolk and, consequently, undergo
complete cleavage.
MORULA
 Cleavage is the repeated mitotic division of
zygote to form a solid ball of cells called morula
which later changes into a hollow ball of cells
called blastula. cleavage of human zygote occurs
within the fallopian tube.
 It is holoblastic i.e. ,it divides the zygote
completely into daughter cells or blastomere
 CLEAVAGE
 Repeated mitotic division of
zygote
 Begins about 30 hours after
fertilization
 There is rapid increase in number
of cells. The cells, blastomeres,
become smaller with each division
 Normally occurs as the zygote
passes along the uterine tube to
the uterus
 During cleavage, zygote lies
within the zona pellucida
 CLEAVAGE CONT’D
 16 cell stage is called morula. It
is formed about 3 days after
fertilization and enters the uterus

 Internal cells of the morula, inner

cell mass, are surrounded by a
layer of cells that form the outer
cell mass

 Outer cell layer later give rise to

trophoblast and inner cell mass
give rise to embryo proper
 CLEAVAGE CONT’D
 Fluid filled space called the
blastocyst cavity (blastocele)
appears inside morula

 Blastomeres are separated into:

 Outer cell layer, the
trophoblast, which gives rise
to embryonic part of placenta
 Centrally located, inner cell
mass (embryoblasts) which
gives rise to embryo
 CLEAVAGE CONT’D
 At this stage, the
conceptus is called
Blastocyst. It has two Embryonic pole
poles: embryonic &
abembryonic
 Zona pellucida gradually
degenerates and
disappears soon after the
morula reaches the uterine
lumen
 Blastocyst takes its
nourishment from uterine Abembryonic pole
secretions and enlarges in
size. It is ready to get
attached and implanted to
the uterine wall
FORMATION OF GERM LAYERS
, CHORION AND AMNION
 Some cells of the inner cell mass become
flattened and come to lie on its free surface and
constitute the endoderm
 Remaining cells of inner cell mass become
columnar and constitute the ectoderm

 A space appears between the ectoderm and the

trophoblast . This is the amniotic cavity filled by
amniotic fluid

 The roof of the cavity is formed by amniogenic

cells derived from the trophoblast, while its floor
is formed by the ectoderm
 Flattened cells arising from the endoderm
spread and line the inside of the
blastocystic cavity
 In this way , a cavity lined on all sides by
cells of endodermal origin is formed. This
cavity is called primary yolk sac
 Cells of the trophoblast give origin to a
mass of cells called extra-embryonic
mesoderm or primary mesoderm
 These cells come to lie between the
trophoblast and the flattened endodermal
cells lining the yolk sac
 Implantation

The process by which the

developing mass gets embedded
within the uterine wall
 IMPLANTATION
 Around the seventh or ninth
day after conception, the
blastocyst burrows into the
uterine lining in a process
called implantation.

 Begins 6 days after fertilization:

 The blastocyst attaches to the

endometrial epithelium, usually
adjacent to the embryonic pole

 The blastocyst goes deeper and

deeper into the uterine mucosa
till whole of it comes to lie with
in the thickness of the
endometrium. This is called
interstitial implantation
 IMPLANTATION CONT’D
 By the end of 7th day, the
blastocyst gets implanted in the
superficial compact layer of
endometrium and derives its
nourishment from the eroded
endometrium
 IMPLANTATION CONT’D
 The blastocyst gradually
embeds deeper in the
endometrium

 By 10th day it is completely

buried within the ‘Functional
layer’ (stratum compactum +
stratum spongiosum) of the
endometrium
 NORMAL IMPLANTATION SITES
The implantation site
determines the site of
formation of the placenta
Normally it occurs in the
upper part of the body of
uterus, more often on the
posterior wall
 After the implantation of the embryo, the
uterine endometrium is called the decidua

 When the morula reaches the endometrium , it

is in the secretory phase

 After implantation , features of the

endometrium in secretory phase are intensified-
stromal cells enlarged , become vacuolated and
store glycogen and lipids. This change in
stromal cells is called decidual reaction
 The portion of the decidua where the
placenta is to be formed ( deep to the
developing blastocyst ) is called decidua
basalis

 Part of the decidua that separates the

embryo from the uterine lumen is called
decidua capsularis

 Part of the decidua lining the rest of the

uterine cavity is called decidua parietalis
FORMATION OF THE CHORIONIC
VILLI
 The essential functional elements of the placenta are
very small finger like processes or villi

 These villi are surrounded by maternal blood

 In the substance of the villi, there are capillaries

through which fetal blood circulates

 Exchanges between maternal and fetal circulations

take place through the tissues forming the walls of the
villi
 The villi are formed as offshoots from the surface
of the trophoblast

 As the trophoblast along with the underlying

extra-embryonic mesoderm constitutes chorion,
the villi are known as chorionic villi

 Chorionic villi are first formed all over the

trophoblast and grow into the surrounding
decidua

 Those related to decidua capsularis are transitory

and degenerate and this part of the chorion
becomes smooth and is called chorion laevae
 The villi that grow into the decidua
basalis undergo considerable development

 Along with the tissues of the decidua

basalis these villi form a disc shaped mass
which is called the placenta

 The part of the chorion that helps to form

the placenta is called the chorion
frondosum
 FORMATION OF THE CHORIONIC VILLI
 Trophoblast proliferates rapidly and
differentiates into two layers:
 inner cellular cytotrophoblast or
Langhan’s layer
 outer mass of syncytiotrophoblast
(multinucleated protoplasm with
no cell boundaries)
 Finger like processes of
syncytiotrophoblast extend through
the endometrium and invade the
endometrial connective tissue
 IMPLANTATION CONT’D
 Small cavities, the lacunae
appear in syncytiotrophoblast,
and get filled with maternal
blood, establishing primitive
uteroplacental circulation
 The syncitotrophoblast grows into the endometrium

 As the endometrium is eroded , some of its blood

vessels are opened up and blood from them fills the
lacunar space

 Each trabeculus is , initially, made up entirely of

sycytiotrophoblast

 Later on, cells of cytotrophoblast grow into the

trabeculus , followed by extra embryonic mesoderm
and blood vessels giving rise to primary villus,
secondary villus and tertiary villus respectively
 Blood vessels of the villus establish
connections with the circulatory system of
the embryo

 Fetal blood now circulates through the

villi, while the maternal blood circulates
through the intervillous space

 Initially cytotrophoblast that that grows

into the trabeculus does not penetrate
the entire thickness of syncytium
 At a later stage ,cells of the cytotrophoblast
emerge through the syncytium and spread out to
form a layer that completely cuts off the
syncytium from the decidua and is called
cytotrophoblastic cells

 The villi that are first formed are attached on

the fetal side to the embryonic mesoderm and on
the maternal side to the cytotrophoblastic shell
and are called anchoring villi
 Each anchoring villus consists of a stem
(truncus chorii); this divides into a number
of branches ( rami chorii ) which in turn
divide into finer branches (ramuli chorii )

 Anchoring villi give off numerous branches

which grow into the intervillous space as
free villi

 As a result , the surface area available for

exchanges between maternal and fetal
circulation becomes enormous
Blastocyst
 Three days after fertilization, a normally
developing embryo will contain about six to 10
cells. by the fifth or sixth day, the fertilized egg is
known as a blastocyst  a rapidly dividing ball of
cells. the inner group of cells will become the
embryo.
• Next a fluid filled cavity or blastocele, appears in
the morula, which is known as blastocyst
Trophoblast
  A thin layer of cells that helps a developing
embryo attach to the wall of the uterus, protects
the embryo, and forms a part of the placenta.
 Around And Outside The Blastocyst ,There Is A Single
Layer Of Cells Known As The Trophoblast
 The Remaining Cells Are Clumped Together At One End
Forming The Inner Cell Mass
 TROPHOBLASTS FORM THE PLACENTA
AND CHORION
• Inner Cell Mass Will Become Fetus , Amnion,
Umbilical Cord
• The Trophoblast Will Become Sticky And Adheres To
The Endometrium
• It Begins To Secrete Substances That Digest The
Endometrial Cells , Allowing The Blastocyst To
Become Embedded In The Endometrium.
• Embedding Is Normally Complete By 11th Day
DECIDUA
 The part of the endometrium that in higher
placental mammals undergoes special
modifications in preparation for and during
pregnancy and is cast off at parturition
 Decidua Is The Name Given To Endometrium
During Pregnancy .
 From, The Time Of Conception , The Increased
Secretions Of Estrogen's Causes The Endometrium
To Grow To 4 Times Its Non – Pregnant Thickness
DECIDUA
• Progesterone stimulates the secretory activity of
the endometrial glands and increase the size of the
blood vessels
• This accounts for the soft, vascular , spongy bed in
which the fertilized ovum implants
• Three layers are formed
CIRCULATION OF BLOOD
THROUGH PLACENTA
 Maternal blood in the intervillous space is
constantly in circulation

 Both arteries and the vein open into the roof

of the cotyledon and that the pressure of the
blood in the artery is sufficient to drive
blood to the fetal end of the intervillious
space
THE LAYERS OF DECIDUA
 The basal layer
lies above the myometrium .
 The functional layer

layer consists of glands which are rich in

secretions .provides a secure anchorage for the
placenta.
 The compact layer

layer forms the surface of the decidua.

THE LAYERS OF DECIDUA
TROPHOBLASTS
 Small Projections All Over The Surface Of The
Blastocyst 3 Layers .
.
 The syncytiotrophoblast

 Syncytiotrophoblast is the epithelial covering of the highly

vascular embryonic placental villi, which invades the wall of
the uterus to establish nutrient circulation between the
embryo and the mother.
 Layer composed of nucleated protoplasm , which is capable
of breaking down tissues as in the process of embedding.
 Erodes the walls of the blood vessels of the decidua. making
the nutrients in the maternal blood available to the fetus
 The syncytiotrophoblast, the outermost layer of the human
placenta, is the main site of exchange for drugs and
metabolites, nutrients, waste products, and gases between the
maternal and fetal circulations.
THE SYNCYTIOTROPHOBLAST
THE CYTOTROPHOBLAST

 Produces Hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

( HCG ) .
 HCG Informs Corpus Luteum That A Pregnancy Has
Begun .
 Continues To Produce Estrogen And Progesterone.

• Progesterone Maintains The Integrity Of The Decidua ,So

That Shedding Does Not Takes Place I.E. Menstruation Is
Suppressed.
• High Level Of Estrogen Suppresses Production of FSH.
FORMATION OF AMNIOTIC
CAVITY
 As implantation of the blastocyst progresses,
changes appear in the inner cell mass
(embryoblast)a cavity, amniotic cavity appears
separating embryoblast from the trophoblast,
which soon becomes lined by amnioblasts derived
from inner cell mass the cavity gradually increases
in size and is filled with amniotic fluid.
Embryonic stem cells having 3 Layers:

The ectoderm
Forms the skin and the nervous system. layer consists of
loose connective tissues and the inner cell mass.
The mesoderm
This Layer Forms Bones And Muscles And Also The Heart
And The Blood Vessels And Certain Internal Organs Also
Originate .
The Endoderm
Forms Mucous Membrane And Glands
• The 3 Types Together Known As The Embryonic Plate
• Two Cavities Appear In The Inner Cell Mass : One On
Either Side Of The Embryonic Plate .
 The amniotic cavity
• Lies On The Side Of The Ectoderm
• Filled With Fluid And Gradually Enlarges And Folds
Around The Embryo To Enclose It
The Yolk Sac
• Lies On The Side Of The Endoderm
• Provides Nourishment For The Embryo ( Developing Off
Spring After Implantation And Until 8 Weeks After
Conception)
THANK YOU