Fertilization: fusion of male and female gametes (pronuclei). It occurs in fallopian tubes (ampulla).

Requirements:
1- Capacitation. (physio)
2- Acrosomal reactions for the penetration of sperms (Physio)
Steps:
1- Penetration of corona radiata (to reach Zona Pellucida)
2- Penetration of Zona Pellucida (sperm DNA injected in, causes the layer to harden so another
sperm doesn’t enter)
3- Fusion of both gametes.
Results:
1- Formation of zygote
2- Diploid num. of chromosomes restored in the offspring.
3- Cleavage starts to form the offspring.

FIRST WEEK:
The zygote travels through utrine tube via peristaltic movements, towards the endometrium for
implantation. As it moves in the tube, the 2 cell zygote starts dividing → 4 cell stage → 8 cell stage → 16
cell stage (morula) → 32 cell stage and so on.
During 8 cell stage, Compaction occurs i.e arrangement of cells in an outer cell mass and an inner cell
mass.
From inner cell mass → embryo (thus called embryoblast
from inner cell mass → trophoblast (placenta formation)
This is the 3rd day end. Zona Pellucida is present.
When it reaches utrine cavity → fluid moves in → cavity called blastocelle formed → the embryo is now
blastocyst
Z.P starts to disappear so implantation can occur. When Z.P disappears, trophoblast layer goes to
endometrium and penetrate epithelium of uterus due to the presence of L-Selectins. The receptors for
these are on epithelium. → Attachment occurs.

This marks the end of first week.

SECOND WEEK:
1- Is called week of 2 because layers divide into two.
2- Blastocyst is partially attached and at the end of this week, embryo is implanted inside the wall.
Trophoblast→ 2 layers i.e outer and inner layer around the embryoblast.
Outer layer → Syncythiotrophoblast. No distinct cell mem. , Mononucleated cells, no mitotic divisions.
Inner layer → Cytotrophoblast. Distinct cell mem. , Mononucleated cells, mitotic divisions.

Embryoblast → 2 Layers i.e lower cuboidal and upper columnar.

Cuboidal layer → hypoblast
Columnar layer → epiblast

Cavity divides into 2 with the layers. Cavity around hypoblast → Blastocyst cavity (primary yolk sac)
Cavity around Epiblast → Amniotic cavity

Desidual changes occur i.e changes in wall of uterus to provide nutrition.

This occurs in Day 8.

DAY 9:
Blastocyst is deeply penetrated.
Trophopblast is classified into embryonic pole (upper side, more changes) and abembryonic pole (lower
side, less changes)
Spaces appear in syncythiotrophoblast called lacunae. They will be important for blood circulation.
Flat layer of cells appear from hypoblast → surround cytotrophoblast and primary yolk sac. These cells
act as membrane and are called exocelomic membrane (Houser’s membrane)

DAY 10:
Lacunae increase in number and fuse together to increase size.

DAY 11 – 12:
Blastocyst is completely inside the uterus.
Maternal Capillaries (synocides(?)) around the syncythiotrophoblast → cells from S. erode capillaries →
capillaries open → blood into lacunae → Uteroplacental circulation starts
A cavity appears between cytotrophoblast and outer surface of yolk sac → exocelomic mesoderm.
Spaces appear in mesoderm → divides it into two mem. One around Cyto. (Extraembryonic somatic
mesoderm) and one around yolk sac ( Extraembryonic splanchnic mesoderm).
Amniotic cavity attached to placenta through a special cell mass called embryonic stalk.

DAY 13:
Some bleeding occurs which is confused with menstuatrial bleeding.
Cyto. invade Syncythio. → finger like projections → Primary villi
A new cavity appears under hypoblasts → Secondary yolk sac (smaller than primary)
Extraembryonic mesoderm shrinks. Mesodermal spaces disappear leaving embryonic stalk → when
vessels enter its called umbilical cord.4
Chorionic cavity is formed i.e due to shrinking of extraembryonic mesoderm.
Embryonic cyst is formed which disappears.

THRID WEEK:
It is called the week of 3 because GASTRULATION (formation of germ layers) occurs.
Epiblast forms germ layers.
Hypoblast is discarded.
Primitive streak appears around DAY 15-16. It appears because epiblastic cells start invaginating into
hypoblast. It has two bulged ends, the upper bulged area is called primitive node. There’s a pit on PN
called primitive pit. Moving cranially, there’s ( a mem called oropharengeal mem. Between primitive pit
and prechordal plate appears notochord.
Epiblastic cells → invagination (controlled by FB4-8 secretion E-Calthrin) and differentiation (FB4-8
controlled gene BRAchury) → displace hypoblasts → new layer (endoderm). More epiblastic cells move
between endo. & epiblastic layer → mesoderm. Remaining cells → ectoderm.

FORMATION OF NOTOCHORD:

Embryo has prenotochordal cells in epiblast and they move towards hypoblast before gastrulation and
adhere to them.
AFTER GRASTULATION when the hypoblasts displace, prenotochordal cells detach and form a cord
called notochord. It is present in mesoderm and mesodermal cells are present around it, but do not adhere
to notochord.
Position:
1- Caudally, on primitive pit.
2- Cranially, below prechordal plate.
Function:
1- Axial skeleton formation.
2- Makes nucleus pulposus.
 3- Starts Neuralation.

Primitive node makes a temporary hole which causes exchange of fluids from amniotic cavity and yolk
sac. It is called neuroenteric canal.

This marks the end of third week.