Lecture 2

Fertilization and embryology

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Chapter 6 p 88- 108
NURS 419
Fall 2021-2022

Presented by:
Ms. Hannah Deva Priya,
Course Coordinator, Lecturer
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Spring 2020/2021
 Objectives :
At the end of lecture student will be able to :
• Relate ovulation and ejaculation to the process of human
conception.
• Describe the process of fertilization and implantation.

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• Rationalize placental implantation in upper uterine region.
• Describe normal prenatal development from conception
through birth.
• Explain structure and function of the placenta, umbilical cord
and fetal membranes with amniotic fluid.
• Define oligo and polyhydramnios (Self reading).
• Explain causes of oligo and polyhydramnios (Self reading).
• Describe prenatal circulation and the circulatory changes
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after birth. (Self reading P. 105-107).
Terminology
• Gamete: Reproductive (germ) cell - -
• Gametogenesis: Development of ova in woman and
sperm in man

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• Oogenesis: Formation of female gametes in the ovary
• Zygote : Fertilized ovum
• Morula: Solid ball - mass of 16 cells
• Blastocyst: from the cell mass a fluid fill space
surrounding the inner cell .Sac of cells
• Implantation (Nidation): Embedding of the fertilized
ovum in the upper uterine segment.
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 Conception
Preparation for conception in the female
• Release of the ovum
• Ovum transport

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Preparation for conception in the male
• Ejaculation
• Transport of the sperm in the female reproductive
tract
Fertilization
• Entry
• Fusion 4
Fertilization
1. Entry of one spermatozoon into the Ovum
Produces three results:
1. The ovum now contains 23 unpaired
chromosomes(22 autosomes and 1 X chromosomes)

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2. Zonal reaction: Zona pelucida prevent the other
sperm from entering.
3. Cell membrane of the sperm and ovum fuse and
breakdown-allowing, the content of the head of sperm
to enter the cytoplasm .

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 Fertilization
Preparation of sperm for fertilization
• While the sperm travels to ovum undergo changes enabling to penetrate the
protective layers of the ovum is called Capacitation .
• Zona pellucida becomes impermeable (Zona reaction)

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• From Acrosome as seminal proteins (glycoprotein coat) are removed.
• The sperm penetrates the zona pellucida.

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 Fertilization
Fertilization occur when one spermatozoon enters the ovum
The 2 nuclei containing the parent chromosomes merge.
1. Entry of one spermatozoon into the Ovum
2. Fusion of the Nuclei of sperm and ovum-ZYGOTE

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 23 chromosome from ovum + 23 chromosome from Sperm fuse –
46 chromosomes-diploid number
 Fertilization is complete & cell division begins.
 The ovum is transported by movement of cilia within the tube.
 Fertilization normally occurs in ampulla of the fallopian
tube

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Fertilization (ejaculation-ovulation)

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Fertilization

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Fertilization

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Fertilization

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Pre-embryonic period –
First 2 weeks after conception

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 Entry of Zygote into the uterus
• Maintaining of decidua
(endometrium) in
secretory phase
• Endometrial secretions

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nourish zygote before
placental circulation is
established.
• Implantation occurs
6-10 days after
conception
• and completed within 2
weeks after conception
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Stages of Fetal Development
1. Pre-embryonic period - (fertilization to 2 weeks)
2. Embryonic period - (from 3 to 8 weeks of gestation)
3. Fetal period - (from 9 weeks to birth)

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Pre- Embryonic Period
• First 2 weeks after conception.
Zygote enters the uterus.
1. Initiation of cell division

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2. Entry of zygote into the uterus
3. Implantation of decidua
4. Maintaining the decidua
5. Location of implantation
6. Mechanism of implantation

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Pre- Embryonic Period
1. Initiation of cell division:
The zygote is divided into 2, then 4, then 8
cells then 16 cells. (solid ball).
40-72 hours :When the conceptus is a solid

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ball of 16 cells, resembles mulberry is called
Morula.
The morula floats into the uterus and grows
to 64 cells.

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 Pre- Embryonic Period
2. Entry of zygote into the uterus:
 When the blastocyst is approximately 100 cells, it enters the
uterus.
 After implantation, the endometrium is now called Decidua.

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 Pre- Embryonic Period
3.Implantation of decidua:
The Blastocyst embed into the walls of the uterus,
occurs between 6 and 10 days is called
Implantation or Nidation .

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Implantation completes within 2 weeks after
conception.

4. Maintaining the decidua: Implantation and

survival - requires a continuous supply of oestrogen
and progesterone, until the placenta takes over.
• The Zygote secretes hCG (human chorionic
gonadotropin), to signal to woman's body that 18
pregnancy has occurred.
 Pre- Embryonic Period
5.Location of implantation:
Upper uterine segment (top) – more on posterior wall

Reason for implantation in the Upper uterine segment

1) Rich blood supply – gas exchange, nutrition, waste

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elimination
2) Uterine lining is thick – prevent deep implantation into the
uterine muscle- placental separation at birth .
3) Interlacing muscle fibers – compress the endometrial blood
vessels – limits blood loss after placental delivery.

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 Pre- Embryonic Period
6. Mechanism of implantation
Primary chorionic extends into endometrium is called Decidua
Basalis.
 Chorionic villi eventually forms fetal side of placenta.
 Decidua Basalis forms the maternal side of the placenta.

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During implantation -small amount of bleeding “ Spotting”
may occur.

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Embryonic development –
3rd week to 8th week
Structures are vulnerable to damage from teratogens.
Teratogens- Harmful substances
WHY?

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- because they are developing rapidly.
-women may not know that they are pregnant.
Vulnerable period – embryonic (3-8 weeks)

Nursing Implication?
• Fetal period: Maturation of organ system
• During embryonic period, structures are vulnerable to damage from -
teratogens.
• For this reason :Explore the women before the prescription of -
Drugs, exposure to radiography 21
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• Gestational age measured from LMP.(LMP- 1st day of
the last menstrual period)
• Fertilization takes place 2 weeks after LMP.
• Therefore fertilization age is 2 weeks shorter than
gestational age. (+2 weeks).

Example?
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• If LMP is 7 July .
• Fertilization takes place around 21 July
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EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT

Within the first 8 weeks of gestation, a developing embryo

establishes the rudimentary structures of all of its organs and
tissues from the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. this
process is called ORGANOGENESIS.
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 Embryonic period
• Development from beginning of 3rd week
to 8th week after conception - Embryo
1. Differentiation of cells
2. Weekly developments

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Week -2
• Implantation is complete
• Outer cells or trophoblast- becomes fetal
part of the placenta
• Inner cell mass – flattens as embryonic
disc – develops 3 layers called germ
layers. 24
Embryonic Period -Weekly Developments
3 weeks
• Embryonic disc develops 3 layers called
Germ layers.
• The 3 germ layers Ectoderm, mesoderm
and endoderm.
• The CNS begins -3rd week.
• Early- Heart development
• Contraction of heart – tube like movement

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Embryonic germ layer

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 Embryonic Period -Weekly Developments
Yolk sac -Forms next to the
endoderm.
The gastrointestinal (GI) system
involves three germinal

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layers: mesoderm, endoderm,
ectoderm.
 A portion is incorporated into
the embryo and becomes the GI
tract .
 Vitelline duct -maintains
continuity between the yolk sac
and primitive gut tube

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Fetal Period- 8 weeks of gestation
 During this period, the embryo, now called a fetus,
matures, enlarges, and grows heavier.
 A developing embryo establishes the rudimentary
structures of all of its organs -Organ formation is
complete – Organogenesis


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Fetal Period- 9 to 12 weeks of gestation
 Gestational sac is visible on ultrasound
 Heartbeat can be heard using a Doppler
ultrasound stethoscope
 Kidney function begins.
 Placenta formation is complete (fetal circulation
established
 By 12th week, (end of 1st trimester) the fetal gender
can be determined by appearance of external
genitalia. 28
Fetal Period- 13 to 16 weeks of gestation
• Fetus grows rapidly in length, head looks
smaller.
• Ears appear final position.

Fetal Period- 17 to 20 weeks of gestation

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• Fetal movements are like fluttering or
butterflies.
• Spontaneous first fetal movement
detected by mother is referred to as
“ Quickening”. (16-20 wks)
• Vernix caseosa fatty, cheese like
secretion that cover the skin
• Lanugo is fine downy hair on fetal body.
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• Fetal heart sounds are audible
Fetal Period- 21 to 24 weeks of gestation
 Continue to grow and gain weight.
 Lungs begins to produces surfactant(20 weeks)-
that makes it easier for the baby to breathe after
birth.

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 Fetus demonstrates active swallowing.
 Fetal urine is present in amniotic fluid.
 Passive antibody transfer from the mother
begins.

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 Fetal Period- 24 to 32 weeks of gestation
 Alveoli in the lungs begin to mature –
likelihood of survival good > 26 to 28
weeks.
 Skin appears red.

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Fetal Period- 32 to 40 weeks of gestation
 Pulmonary system matures
 Fetus begins to kick actively
 Testes descend fully into the scrotal sac.

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Axillary structures -
PLACENTA

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1. Placenta
2. Umbilical cord
3. Fetal membrane

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Placentation
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Placentation
Decidua- Refers to the
endometrial
lining during pregnancy.
(After implantation)

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3 layers of decidua are formed after conception

Decidua basalis (branch form maternal side of placenta)

Decidua capsularis (degenerate and form chorion)

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Decidua Paritalis-(vera) is the rest of the endometrial lining.
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1.PLACENTA
The placenta has two sides
 maternal and fetal
• Chorionic Villi – forms fetal side
(smooth)
 Decidua basalis – forms maternal
side (rough where it attaches to
the uterus)
 The placenta is a thick, disk-shaped
organ.
 Implantation bleeding 35
 Components of PLACENTA
• Decidua basalis & Chorionic Villi forms the
placenta.

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1.PLACENTA
Circulation of the fetal side:
The umbilical cord contains the
umbilical arteries and the umbilical
vein
 2 umbilical arteries transport
blood from the fetus to the

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placenta (return de-oxygenated
blood, fecal waste, CO2 )
 1 umbilical vein: return blood to
the fetus from the placenta (brings
oxygenated blood and nutrients to
the fetus).
Circulation of Maternal side:
• Maternal and fetal blood does
not mix
• Exchange of substances from
mother and fetus takes place in the 37
intervillous spaces.
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Functions of Placenta
1. Gas exchange
2. Nutrient transfer
Transfer 3. Waste removal
4. Antibodies transfer

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5. Maternal hormones

1. Estrogen – Development of the breast

2. Progesterone – decreases uterine
contractions
Endocrine
3. hCG- (Human Chorionic gonadotropin)-
Normal nutrition and growth of fetus.
4. HPL- Human placental lactogen –breast
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development for lactation
Functions of Amniotic fluid

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Sources of Amniotic fluid
• Sources- Fetal urine
• Fluid transported from maternal
blood across the amnion.
• Volume: Amniotic fluid ↑as

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pregnancy progresses,
by 40 weeks –700-800 ml.
Abnormally small quantity of
amniotic fluid <400 ml –
oligohydramnios.

Excessive accumulation of amniotic

fluid 2000ml –polyhydramnios
(Hyramnios) 41
2. Umbilical cord
 It is normally inserted on the fetal side of the
placenta near the center
 Measure from 30.5 to 90 cm in length and 2 cm
in diameter at full term.

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 Wharton’s Jelly
Wharton’s Jelly -Gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord

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 Fetal Circulation
Umbilical cord
• Serves as the lifeline between fetus and
placenta
• The umbilical arteries and umbilical vein

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covered by gelatinous substance, soft
and cushioned is called Wharton's jelly.
• It prevents obstruction of the blood flow.

Fetal circulatory circuit:

Liver shunts 3 fetal circulatory system
with high oxygen content is sent through:
1) Umbilical vein
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2) Ductus venosus
3) Inferior vena cava
 Fetal Circulation
The Ductus venosus (from vein to
vein) :
• It connects the umbilical vein
to the inferior vena cava

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The foramen ovale (temporary opening
between the atria)
• right atrium and the left
atrium.
The Ductus arteriosus (from artery to
artery)
• It leads from the pulmonary
artery to the aorta
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Reference:
• Murray.S., McKinney,E.(2012).Foundation of maternal –
Newborn Nursing.(5th Ed). Saunders 88-108

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• Fetal development -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CI15nn5JWI

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