Oogenesis

Dr.B.B.Gosai
Professor in Anatomy
Ojvensha e-learing resources
Learning Objectives:
• At the end of the lecture student should be
able to:
– Explain the stages of the Oogenesis.
– Explain maturation process of Oocyte before
birth and at puberty.
– Explain the hormonal control of Oogenesis.
– Explain the abnormal Oogenesis with some
anomalies like Monosomy, trisomy etc.
References:

• Langman’s Medical Embryology by

T.W.Sadler

• Other reference text book:

• Keith Moore’s Developing Human

• Oogenesis: Process of formation of oocyte
and its surrounding follicular development.
– Goals:
• Produce haploid nucleus
• Provide “stores” in cytoplasm to provide Nutrition
for developing embryo
 Maturation of Oocyte before birth
• Primordial cells reach gonad and differentiate
into Oogonia.
• At 3rd month group of Oogonia are covered by
follicular cells derived from surface of Ovary.
• At 5th month number of germ cells 7 million
• Then they start degenerating and only those near
surface of ovary survive. They are primary
Oocyte arrested in Prophase of Meiosis I.
• Primary Oocyte together with its surrounding
flat follicular cells is known as Primordial
Follicle.
Ch : 1, Beginning of
Human Development
Oogenesis
 Maturation of Oocyte at Puberty
• All primary Oocyte arrested in Diplotene stage
of Prophase of Meiosis I.
• Primary Oocytes remain in prophase and do not
finish their first meiotic division till puberty is
reached because of Oocyte Maturation Inhibitor
secreted by follicular cells.
• At birth number of primary oocytes -700,000 to
2 million
• During most oocytes become atretic (dead) and
only 400,000 are present by beginning of
puberty and less than 500 will be ovulated.
 Maturation of Oocyte at Puberty
• As most primary oocyte remain in dormant state
for long time, chances of chromosomal
abnormalities increase as the maternal age
increases.
• Primary oocyte divide at Meiosis I and release
one polar body and form Secondary oocyte.
Secondary oocyte enter in to Meiosis II when
ovulate and only complete Meiosis II if the
fertilization takes place otherwise this oocyte
will degenerate. Polar body also divide but later
degenerate
• At puberty during each month 15-20 follicles are
selected to begin the maturation.
Oogenesis
 Maturation of Oocyte at Puberty
• Maturation of Follicles containing Oocyte
takes place in three stages:
– Primary (Preantral) follicles
– Secondary (Antral/Vesicular/Graafian)
follicles: longest stage
– Preovulatory follicles: 37 hours before
ovulation.
Ch : 1, Beginning of
Human Development
 Maturation of Oocyte at Puberty
• Primary (Preantral) follicles:
– Ooocyte is surrounded by cuboidal follicular cells
known as Granulosa cells.
– Surrounding the granulosa cells there are stromal
cells forming Theca folliculi which later on form two
layers-
• Theca Interna (Inner)
• Theca Externa (Outer).
– Granulosa cells and oocyte secrete glycoprotein
which cover Oocyte known as Zona Pellucida.
 Maturation of Oocyte at Puberty
• Secondary (Antral/Vesicular/Graafian)
follicles:
– longest stage.
– Fluid filled Spaces appear between ganulosa cells.
These spaces unite with each other oand forms
antrum.
– Initially antrum is crescent shaped but later on
becomes large.
– Granulosa cells surrounding oocyte form cumulus
oophorus.
– Diameter of Secondary follicle: 25 mm or more.
– Theca cells secrete hormones and rich in blood
vessels.
Ch : 1, Beginning of
Human Development
 Maturation of Oocyte at Puberty
• Preovulatory follicles:
– It is fully mature follicle ready to ovulate 37 hours
before ovulation. Otherwise looks like Graaffian
follicle.
Stages of Follicular
Development
 Hitsological Appearance

• Primordial Germ Cells

– Detectable at 4 weeks of development (human)
– Migrate from allantois to genital ridge (Oogonia)
• Primordial Follicle:
– Single layer of follicle cells
– Primary oocyte
– Arrested in Prophase I
– Significant oocyte differentiation
– Present at birth
• Primary Follicle (early)
– Develop at puberty
– Oocyte completes growth
– Zona pellucida

• Primary Follicle (late):

– multiple layer of follicle cells
– FSH induced
• Graafian Follicle
– Fluid-filled antrum
– Secondary oocyte
– Cytoplasmic maturation

• Ovulation:
– Secondary oocyte + corona radiata
– FSH induced
• Corpus luteum: appearance of follicle after
oocyte released at ovulation.
– Follicular and thecal cells
– Progesterone
– 14 days with no fertilization
Hormonal Control

Ch : 1, Beginning of
Human Development
 Hormonal control of oogenesis
• Hypothalamus  GnRH
• Pituitary  LH and FSH
• FSH
– Growth of follicles
– LH receptors on follicles
• LH
– Estrogen production by follicles
– Oocyte maturation
 Hormonal control of oogenesis
• Estrogen
– Proliferation of endometrium
– Thinning of cervical mucus
– Increase FSH receptors on follicles
– Release of inhibin
– LH “spike” ovulation
• Corpus luteum
– Progesterone secretion
• Uterine wall
• FSH inhibition
 Clinical Correlation
• Nondisjunction at Oogenesis:
– Leads to Chromosomal abnormalities:
• Klienfelter syndrome (44 + XXY).
• Turner Syndrome (44 +XO).

• Ovarian follicles sometimes contains two or

three primary oocyte which gives rise the
Twins or Triplets.
• Sometimes oocyte contain two or three
nuclei but they die before maturation.
….Thanks….