FERTILIZATION

DR SAM CHIME
Fertilization
• Fertilization occurs when a spermatozoa and an oocyte combine and
their nuclei fuse.
• Each reproductive cells is a haploid cell containing half of the genetic
material needed to form a human being, their combination forms a
diploid cell.
• The single cell formed is called a zygote, containing a diploid number
chromosomes
Structure of spermatozoa
• Head
• Mid piece
• Tail/flagella
• Head has acrosome and chromosomal material. The acrosome
contains lots of hydrolytic enzymes
• Mid piece contains lots of mitochondria
• Flagella contains microtubule
Semen
• Sperm with fluid produced by male accessory reproductive organs,
seminal vesicle , prostate gland
• Seminal vesicle produce about 60% to 70% of seminal fluid rich in
fructose , prostaglandins and coagulase
• Prostate produce 20% to 30% of seminal fluid rich in citrate,
fibrinolysin, prostatic specific antigen[BPH]
• Other constituents of semen are produced by the testicles and
epididymis
• Other constituents of seminal fluid include potassium, zinc,
phosphorylcholine, citric acid, free amino acids
Movement of sperm
• Millions of sperm are ejaculated into the vagina[hundreds of millions]
• Sperm is destroyed by acidity but alkalinity enhances movement, thus
the acid vagina destroys a certain percentage
• Plenty attach to the vaginal wall by the aid of the coagulase
• Fibrinolysin will aid the release of the sperm attached to the vaginal
wall for onward movement to the uterus
• Prostaglandins cause uterine contractions which propel sperm to the
fallopian tubes[retropulsion]
• Uterine and fallopian tube are alkaline
Inhibitors of sperm movement
• Acidity of the vagina
• Thick cervical mucus
• Phagocytic uterine leukocytes
Sperm killers
• Selenium deficiency
• Alcohol
• Lead
• Radiation
• Pesticide
Capacitation
• fluids in the female reproductive tract prepare the sperm through a
process called capacitation, or priming.
• The fluids improve the motility of the spermatozoa.
• They also deplete cholesterol molecules embedded in the membrane
of the head of the sperm, thinning the membrane in such a way that
will help facilitate the release of the lysosomal (digestive) enzymes
needed for the sperm to penetrate the oocyte’s exterior once contact
is made.
• Sperm reaching the oocyte before capacitation is complete, they will
be unable to penetrate the oocyte’s thick outer layer of cells.
Contact between sperm/oocyte
• The oocyte is covered/protected by corona radiata and zona pellucida
•  The capacitated sperm attracted by chemicals from the corona
radiata burrow through the cells of the corona radiata.
• Then, upon contact with the zona pellucida, the sperm bind to ZP3
receptors in the zona pellucida. This initiates a process called
the acrosomal reaction in which the enzyme-filled “cap” of the
sperm, called the acrosome, releases its stored digestive enzymes.
These enzymes clear a path through the zona pellucida that allows
sperm to reach the oocyte.
Contd
• The sperm now interacts with the oocyte membrane
• The sperm usually have a beta unit and an alpha unit
• Binding of the beta unit happens
• The contact will lead to opening specific channels leading to sodium
ions flowing into the cell creating a positive charge on the inside of
the membrane thus inhibiting other sperm from binding on the
oocyte membrane
• This is the fast block to polyspermia
Contd
• The alpha subunit will then bind
• This will lead to fusion of the sperm cell membrane with the oocyte membrane
leading to ejection of the contents[nuclear material] into the oocyte cell
• The haploid chromosomal material in the oocyte cell triggers a chain reaction
leading to calcium ions released from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
• The released calcium will activate the lysosomes which will migrate to the cortical
part of the oocyte which will in turn breakdown the zona pellcida
• The oocyte membrane is hardened
• The calcium induces the completion of meiosis forming a definitive ovum and a
polar body
• The zygote is formed by the fusion of the male and female genetic material