Exam 1 (Embryology) Flashcards
(211 cards)
What is the main event in the pre-embryonic period?
Implantation!
What events mark the beginning and end of prenatal stage and the what is the time frame?
From fertilization to birth (day 1 - all the way to week 38 [full fertilization age])
Gestational (obstetric) v. Fertilization (actual) age
Gestational (obstetric) age: measured from the first day of the last normal menstrual period (LNMP). Used to communicate with patients.
Fertilization (actual) age: measured from the time of fert. 2 weeks is deducted from gestational age. Full term = 38weeks fert. age.
When is the greatest risk of spontaneous abortion? Also, what may cause a quarter of these spontaneous abortions?
~50% of all are spontaneously aborted during the pre-embryonic period. (Think Implantation)
~25% of spontaneous abortions are because of chromosomal abnormalities that originate during meiosis.
When is the greatest risk of birth defects? Also, what causes ~10% of these birth defects?
Embryonic stage is the period in which most birth defects occur (organogenesis).
~10% of major birth defects are caused by chromosomal abnormalities that originate during meiosis.
Conceptus
All structures that derive from a fertilized egg. Even structures that will not be part of the newborn infant (i.e., placenta).
Induction
Initiation of embryonic cell migration/differentiation through signaling. (cells are “told” to “move” and/or “change” into something else.
Mesenchyme
Gelatinous tissue containing undifferentiated migratory cells. (embryonic connective tissue).
Teratogen
An agent that causes developmental malformation (i.e., alcohol).
Spermatogenesis
Occurs in the testes and begins during puberty and is continual until death. Starts with a primary spermatocyte after DNA replication (4n) –> ME I separate homologous pairs (2n [haploid]) ME II separate sister chromatids (1n [haploid]). Produces: 4 spermatids (immature) that mature into sperm (~86 days).
Oogenenis
DNA replication of the primary oocyte begins prenatally. The primary oocyte after DNA replication BEGINS MEI PRENATALLY. Primary oocytes are stuck in MEI and only finish it after ovulation. Then the secondary oocyte is stuck in MEII, until fertilization, then MEII finishes. (cyclical, ~12-45 yrs) produces 1 oocyte, 3 polar bodies.
Meiosis is important because?
1) Forms diploid cell (zygote) at fertilization; 23 maternal + 23 paternal.
2) Allows random assortment of maternal and paternal genetic material.
3) Introduces variation by recombination of genetic material (crossing over).
Nondisjunction + its clinical correlations
Chromosome pairs do not separate properly during meiosis/mitosis. Down Syndrome (trisomy 21) Turner Syndrome (45, X monosomy) Klinefelter syndrome (47 XXY trisomy)
Pathway of sperm all the way to fertilization
Testes (spermatogenesis) –> Epididymis (storage or sperm, where sperm become motile; sperm released during ejaculation) –> Ductus Deferens (aka vas deferens) –> ejaculatory duct –> urethra –> Vagina –> Uterus (cervix –> body) –> uterine tubes (ampulla [“amped” for fertilization] = where fertilization normally takes place)
What must occur before sperm penetrates the corona radiata?
Capacitation = 7 hr conditioning of sperm
- necessary for fertilization
- glycoprotein coat on sperm head is removed
Zona Pellucida (ZP) v. Corona Radiata
Corona Radiata = supporting cells
ZP = extracellular matrix
Typical location of fertilization
ampulla of uterine tube
“amped” for fertilization
Sequence of events during fertilization (version 1)
1) 300-500 capacitated sperm reach the oocyte
-only 1 fertilizes it, else polyspermy
-enzymes allow passage through CR
-oocyte arrested in ME II (ME I was completed at ovulation)
2) Acrosome rxn: “enzymatic drill” though ZP
+ Zona rxn: ZP hardens to prevent polyspermy.
3) Sperm membrane fuses w/ oocyte membrane
+ oocyte completes ME II
Sequence of events during fertilization
1) Capacitation
2) CR penetration
3) Acrosome and Zona Rxns
4) Fusion of plasma membranes, oocyte completes ME II
5) Zygote is formed, sex is determined.
Fertilization: Clinical Correlation
15-30 of couples are infertile
Males: insufficient sperm numbers, poor motility. . .
Females: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovulation disorders, endometriosis, cysts, fibroids
In Vitro Fertilization: oocytes are harvested laparoscopically, fertilized, and the implanted. (success is age-dependent)
What are the week 1 events?
1) Cleavage: mitotic devisions that for cells called blastomeres. (begins immediately after fertilization)
2) Compaction: tighter blastomere intracellular adhesion, forms morula = inner/outer cell mass. (~day 3) (enters uterine body at day 4)
3) Cavitation: unterine fluid pumped into morula to form blastocyst.
4) Hatching: blastocyst hatches from the ZP
5) Implantation: blastocyst implants in endometrium of uterine wall (day 6)
Cleavage
Mitotic devisions that form cells called blastomeres. This begins immediately after fertilization. It increases the cell number, but it decreases the cell size. Nondisjunction during this mitotic devisions = mosaicism.
Mosaicism
Nondisjunction during cleavage: generally less severe; i.e., mosaic down syndrome.
Compaction
tighter blastomere intracellular adhesion to form the morula. (~day 3) This allows cells to communicate, work more closely and direct their fates.
Results in formation of inner and outer cell mass.