Pre-fertilization:
- Copulation -> semen deposited -> anticoagulants -> sperm make way to oviducts
Fertilization:
- 23 chromosomes from egg and sperm = 46, zygote
Egg penetration:
- Two layers surrounding egg:
o Zona pellucida (inner)
o Corona radiata (outer)
- Sperm meet corona radiata, acrosome enzymes digest through
- Once in, egg’s plasma membrane depolarizes and stops other sperm from entering,
cortical granules release enzymes -> harden zona pellucida
Cleavage:
- Within 30 hours:
o Zygote -> mitosis -> 2 new cells -> 4 -> 6, so on … -> 16
o 16 cells = morula
Morula gets to uterus 3-5 days post fertilization fills with fluid from
uterus and two different groups of cells form -> blastocyst (germ pouch)
Implantation:
- Trophoblast (outer blastocyst) secretes hCG -> maintains corpus luteum -> secretes
estrogen and progesterone -> endometrium maintained
hCG:
- High for the first two months
- Placenta takes over and secretes estrogen and progesterone
Morphogenesis:
- gastrulation is the beginning of morphogenesis -> series of events that form distinct
structures of developing organism
Development:
- Soon after neurulation, heart forms -> 18th day, heart starts beating
o Gestation: 2 weeks after actual fertilization
- 4th week – rapid growth and differentiation
o Blood cells
o Lungs and kidneys
o Arms and legs appear
o Head is visible, evidence of eyes, ears, and nose
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- 5 week
o Cells in brain developing
o Eyes open and no eyelids
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- 6 week
o Brain continues developing
o Limbs lengthen
o Gonads start producing hormones to influence external genitalia
- 7 – 8th week
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o Organs formed
o Nervous system
o Skeleton of cartilage formed
o Nostrils developed but clogged with mucus
o External genitalia is still forming
- 8 – 9th week
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Extraembryonic Membranes:
- Allantois
- Amnion
- Chorion
- Yolk sac
- With placenta and umbilical cord: nutrients, protection, respiration, excretion
- Expelled after birth
Allantois:
- Forms foundation of umbilical cord
- Degenerates within the second month, then becomes part of urinary bladder
Amnion:
- Develops from embryonic disk
- Grows to enclose embryo completely
- Penetrated only by umbilical cord
- Amniotic fluid: shock absorber, temperature changes, allows freedom of movement
Chorion:
- Outermost membrane
- Encloses all other membranes
- Forms fetal portion of placenta
Yolk sac:
- Small sac that suspends from abdominal area of embryo
- Continues to digestive tract and first blood cells
- Forms from endoderm
Umbilical cord:
- Leads from navel area of fetus to center of placenta
- 2 arteries that transport deoxygenated blood from fetus
- 1 vein that brings oxygenated blood to fetus
Effects of teratogens:
- Structural abnormality due to substance abuse
- Thalidomide
Parturition (birth):
- Labour -> relaxin released from placenta to loosen pubic bone -> PRL -> milk production
- Uterine contractions
o Once every 15-20 minutes, each last for 40 seconds or longer
- Prostaglandins cause chemical changes in smooth muscles of uterus, more excitable
and more oxytocin released
- Positive feedback
3 stages of labour:
- Dilation: thinning of cervix to allow passage of fetus through uterus
- Fetus moves: through the cervix usually head first
- Placenta detaches after childbirth