FERTILIZATION,

CLEAVAGE
AND
IMPLANTATION

Dr.B.B.Gosai
Professor in Anatomy
Ojvensha e-learning resources
Learning Objectives:
• At the end of the lecture student should be
able to:
– Define & memorise the processes of
fertilization, cleavage, and implantation.
– Identify normal sites & time period of these
processes.
– Summarize types of ectopic pregnancy and
placenta previa.
– Describe in brief In vitro Fertilization (IVF)
technique.
References:
• Langman’s Medical Embryology by
T.W.Sadler

• Other reference text book:

• Keith Moore’s Developing Human

 Fertilization
• Definition: It is a process of meeting of male and
female gamate to return chromosome number to
diploid value and activation of development.

• Basic steps:
– Sperm activation/capacitation
– Attraction of sperm to ovum
– Binding/passing through wall of ovum (Acrosomal
Reaction)
– Zona Reaction
– Fusion of plasma membranes
– Ovum Activation for division
 Fertilization Site

• Fertilization takes place at Ampulla of

Uterine Tube.
 Sperm Entry to Female tract

• Only 1% of sprem deposited in vagina enter

cervix. Time taken for sperms to travel from
cervix to tube is 2-7 hours.
• Motility: Achieved in Epididymis and
female reproductive tract
 Sperm Capacitation

• It is a period of conditioning in female

reproductive tract that in human lasts
approximately 7 hours
• Observed Molecular Changes:
– Removal of glycoprotein coat and seminal
plasma protein from plasma membrane of
sperm.
– Only capacitated sperms can undergo
acrosomal reaction.
 Attraction of sperm to Ovum: Chemotaxis

• Oviduct? Follicle?
– Chemotractive specificity
 Acrosomal Reaction

• Occurs after binding to zona pellucida, in

induced by zona proteins.
• When the sperms encircles the ovum, they
release the Acrosomal Enzymes (Acrosin
and trypsin like substances) from the
Acrosomal cap to break the barrier of
corona radiata cells and Zona Pellucida.
 Phases of Fertilization

• Phase 1: Penetration of the corona

radiata.
• Phase 2: Penetration of the Zona
Pellucia.
• Phase 3: Fusion of the oocyte and
Sperm cell membranes.
 Phase 1: penetration of corona radiata

• Of 200-300 million spermatozoa

deposited in female genital tract,
only 300-500 reach the site of
fertilization.
• Only one of these fertilizes but
others help in penetrating the
barriers protecting oocyte..
 Phase 2: Penetration of the Zona Pellucida

• Zona is glycoprotein surrounding

oocyte. Release of acrosomal
enzymes from sperms allow
penetration of the zona pellucida.
• Once one sperm enter in oocyte
rest of the sperm are prevented to
enter by Zona reaction.
Phase 3: Fusion of the Oocyte and Sperm cell
membranes
• As soon as spermatozoon enter the oocyte following changes takes
place:
– Cortical and Zona reaction to prevent other sperms to enter in
oocyte by:
• Release of cortical granules from oocyte containing lysosomal
enzymes. (cortical reaction)
• Zona pellucida alter its structure to prevent other sperms to
enter in oocyte. (Zona Reaction)
– Resumption of the second meiotic division by oocyte and second
polar body is released. Nucleus of oocyte form Female pronucleus
and nucleus of sperm form Male pronucleus. Single cel fromed by
the meeting of gametes is known as ZYGOTE having diploid
chromosomes which enter in mitotic division for form blastomeres.
– Metabolic activation of oocyte to start further embryogenesis.
 Results of Fertilization

• Restoration of diploid number of chromosomes.

• Determination of Chromosomal sex of new
individual: An X-carrying sperm produces a
female (XX) embryo and Y –carrying sperm
produces a male (XY) embryo.
• Initiation of cleavage: beginning of division of
zygote. Without fertilization oocyte degenerates
24 hours after fertilization.
 Contraceptive Methods

• Barrier methods:
– Male condom, Female condom, Cervical cap inserted in
vagina
– Contraceptive pills s combination of oostrogen and
progesterone analogue for female.
– Male”Pill” containing synthetic androgen.
• Intrauterine Device (IUD) is placed in uterus inhibiting
preimplantation stages of development.
• RU-486 (mifepristone) causes abortion if administered
within 8 weeks of last menses.
• Effective Permanent Methods can be reversible:
– Vasectomy: ligation of vas deference in male.
– Tubectomy: Ligation of fallopian tube in female.
 Advanced techniques for Infertility

• Infertility is inability to generate progeny and bear

child.
• Advanced Techniques:
• In vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT).
• Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) done in
case of oligozoospermia and Azoospermia.
 In Vitreo Fertilization

• It is also known as
Test tube baby.
• In this the fertilization
is performed in test
tube or petri dish in
case of infertility.
• After blastocyst stage
the embryo is
implanted in uterus.
• This technique is
important for the
infertile couple.
 Cleavage
• It is a process of
division of
zygote to form
blastomeres and
morula.
• 2- cell stage,
• 4- cell stage,
• 8- cell stage, and
later on forms
Mulberry like
clump of cells
known as
Morula.
Cleavage
Cleavage
 Blastocyst

• It is the stage of
development where fluid
accumulates in the morula.
• The cells bounding the
blastocyst is known as
Trophoblast.
• Few cells clump at one
side in blastocyst known
as Inner cell
mass(Embryoblast) which
forms embryo.
 Implantation
• It is the process of embedding of the
blastocyst in the endometrium of uterus.
• Stages:
– Zona Pellucida disappears.
– Trophoblast erodes the endometrium.
– Embeds in to endometrium.
– Endometrium regenerates.
Implantation
 Normal Site of Implantation

• Implantation normally takes place at

Posterior wall of fundus of uterus.
 Abnormal Implantation

• Tubal Implantation-in fallopian tube-Tubal

pregnancy
• Ovarian Implantation-on ovary-Ovarian
pregnancy
• Abdominal Implantation-in the abdomen-
Abdominal pregnancy
• Lower segment Implantation or Cervical
Implantation-in lower part of uterus or
cervix- Causes Placenta Previa
 X: Normal implantation
B,C,D,E, F: Tubal implantation
I
G: Abdominal implantation
H: Ovarian implantation:
I: Cervical implantation
Abdominal Pregnancy
 HAVE A NICE DAY!!!
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