GAMETOGENESIS, GAMETE TRANSPORT &

FERTILIZATION
LEVEL 5 MBCHB
2018
BY: DR. ANNE PULEI
 Introduction

 A multicellular organism develops from a fertilized egg through

three processes:
1. Cell division  cell number.
2. Cell differentiation  the cells become specialized in structure
and function.
3. Morphogenesis  the overall shape of the organism is
established.
 Cell division

 Process by which a parent cell divides into 2 daughter cells.

 There are 3 main processes of cell division
1. Binary fission
2. Mitosis
3. Meiosis
Cont.
 Sexual reproduction

 Occurs when female and male gametes (oocyte & spermatozoon) unite
at fertilization.
 Gametes are direct descendant of primordial germ cells, which are 1st
observed in the wall of the yolk sac at week 4 of embryonic
development and subsequently migrate into the future gonad region.
 Gametogenesis is the process of production of gametes and it employs
meiosis which uniquely distributes chromosomes among gametes.
 Meiosis

Consists of 2 divisions which result in the

formation of 4 gametes, each containing half the
number of chromosomes (23 single
chromosomes) & half the amount of DNA (1N)
found in normal somatic cells (46 single
chromosomes, 2N).
 Meiosis I

 Synapsis: pairing of 46 homologous duplicated chromosomes.

 Crossing over: exchange of large segments of DNA
 Alignment: of 46 homologous duplicated chromosomes at the metaphase
plate
 Disjunction: separation of 46 homologous duplicated chromosomes from
each other; centromeres do not split
 Cell division: formation of 2 secondary gametocytes (23 duplicated
chromosomes, 2N)
 Meiosis II

 Synapsis: absent
 Crossing over: absent
 Alignment: of 23 duplicated chromosomes at the metaphase plate
 Disjunction: separation of 23 duplicated chromosomes to form 23
single chromosomes; centromeres split
 Cell division: formation of 4 gametes (23 single chromosomes, 1N)
 The cell cycle

 Process involving growth and cell division which a dividing cell undergoes
 Stages of the cell cycle
 Interphase
 Gap 0 (resting phase)
 Gap 1 (cell in size; check point for DNA synthesis)
 S – phase (DNA synthesis)
 Gap 2 (cell in size, check point before mitosis)
 Mitosis
SPERMATOGENESIS
 Spermatogenesis

Sperm formation occurs in

the seminiferous tubules of
the testis
Spermatogonia are
dormant until puberty
awaiting spermatogenesis.
Seminiferous tubule under a microscope
 Spermatogenesis is divided into 3 phases

Spermatocyto
Meiosis
genesis
 1. Spermatocytogenesis

 The primordial germ cells (46, 2N) from the wall of the yolk sac
arrive in the testes at week 4 & remain dormant among the cells
lining the seminiferous tubules until puberty.
 At puberty, the primordial germ cells in number by simple
mitosis & differentiate into type A spermatogonia (46, 2N)
 Type A Spermatogonia undergo mitosis to provide a continuous
supply of stem cells throughout the reproductive life of the
male.
 Cont.

Some type A Spermatogonia differentiate into type B

Spermatogonia (46, 2N)
Type B spermatogonia, replicate DNA to have 46
double structured chromosomes so as to begin
meiosis – 1. At this stage they are called primary
spermatocytes (46, 4N).
 2a. Meiosis - I

 Prophase 1: pairing and crossing over of chromosomal segments takes

place and genetic recombination occurs
 Metaphase 1: homologous pairs arrange on equator
 Anaphase 1: homologous pairs separate to go to opposite poles
 After telophase 1 meiosis 1 ends and 2 secondary spermatocytes form
each with 23 double structured chromosomes with X or Y sex
chromosome complement.
 It takes about 22 days to complete meiosis - 1
 2b. Meiosis - II

Meiosis II follows
immediately without
DNA replication.
The result is the
formation of 4
spermatids (23, 1N).
 3. Spermiogenesis

 This is the process of modification of the round shape

of the spermatids into the specific shape of the sperm.
 It involves elongation & reorganization of the internal
structure.
 About 64 days are required to transit from a
spermatogonium to a sperm.
 The changes from a spermatid to a sperm
include:

 Golgi apparatus: forms acrosomal cap containing

proteolytic enzymes.
 Nucleus: condensed
 Centrioles: make collar around neck
 Microtubules: form flagellum,
 Mitochondria: arrange as spiral around neck
 Excess cytoplasm: cast off as residual body
 SPERMIOGENESIS

 A mature sperm has a head, neck,

middle piece and tail
 From the lumen of seminiferous
tubules, sperms enter the duct of
the epididymis.
 They take 20 days to travel this 4 - 6
meter long tortuous duct.
 If ejaculation does not occur they die
and degenerate
 Spermiation & capacitation

 Spermiation: the release of sperms from the sertoli cells.

 Capacitation:
 This is a process of ‘readying’ the sperm.
 Sperms cannot fertilize oocytes when they are newly ejaculated.
 Location: capacitation occurs in the uterus and oviducts and is
facilitated by substances of the female genital tract.
 The acrosomal reaction cannot occur until capacitation has occurred.
 Abnormal sperms

 Contrary to oocytes abnormal

sperms are seen more
frequently
 They may be:
 With 2 heads
 With 2 tails
 Dwarfed
 Gigantic etc.
 Summary of stages of spermatogenesis

Spermatocytogenesis: type A spermatogonia  spermatids via Mitosis (1) & Meiosis (1 & 2)

Spermiogenesis: spermatid  sperm

Spermiation: sperm from sertoli cells

Capacitation: ‘readying’ sperm in female genital tract

 Factors affecting spermatogenesis

Obesity
Temperature
Occupation e.g. motor cycle drivers
Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs
Food Additives
 Sperm transport

Sperm travels via peristalsis of the ductus deferens and is

emitted into the prostatic urethra.
When ejaculation occurs it is deposited in the female genital
tract (move at a rate of 2 - 3mm/min).
Average of 2 - 6ml of semen per ejaculate.
Semen has sperm & fluids from the accessory glands.
 Semen contains:

Fructose to nourish the sperm

Prostaglandins to promote peristaltic
contractions of the female genital tract to take it
to the ampulla
Coagulants to plug the cervix to prevent falling
out of sperm
 Questions

1. Outline the differences between meiosis and

mitosis
2. Describe the the process of spermatogenesis?
3. What is spermiogenesis?
4. Describe the normal and abnormal morphology
of the sperm?
OOGENESIS
 Introduction

 Oogenesis begins before birth & after birth, no new ova are
formed.
Primordial germ cells (46, 2N) from the wall of the yolk sac
arrive in the ovary at week 4.
They undergo repeated mitosis & differentiate into oogonia
(46, 2N) which populate the ovary through mitosis.
 Cont.

 Some oogonia enter meiosis I & undergo DNA replication to form

primary oocytes (46, 4N). All primary oocytes are formed by the 5th
month of fetal life & therefore, there are no oogonia present at
birth.
 Other oogonia atrophy by the 7th month.
 Primary oocytes remain dormant in prophase (diplotene) of meiosis
I, surrounded by follicular cells (primordial follicle) from the 5 th
month until puberty.
 Cont.

 After puberty, 5 to 15 primary oocytes begin maturation with each ovarian

cycle, with usually only 1 reaching full maturity in each cycle.
 During the ovarian cycle, a primary oocyte completes meiosis I to form 2
daughter cells:
 Secondary oocyte (23, 2N0
 1st polar body (degenerates)
 The secondary oocyte promptly begins meiosis II but is arrested in metaphase
of meiosis II about 3 hours before ovulation.
 Cont.

The secondary oocyte remains arrested at metaphase

of meiosis II until fertilization occurs.
At fertilization, the secondary oocyte completes
meiosis II to form:
Mature oocyte (23, IN)
Second polar body
 Approximate number of primary oocytes

At the 5th month (20 weeks) of fetal life: 6 - 7M primary

oocytes are present.
At birth, 1 - 2M primordial follicles are present (5M have
degenerated).
At puberty, 300, 000 - 400, 000 primary oocytes are present
(1.96M more have degenerated)
 Cont.

12 are ovulated per year

Up to 480 over the entire reproductive life of the woman
This number is in women who:
Take birth control pills (which prevent ovulation).
Become pregnant.
May have anovulatory cycles.
 Cont.

Thus, the important feature is the tendency of the sex cells

to undergo degeneration.
The degeneration starts in the intra – uterine life and
continues throughout childhood and the child – bearing
period.
As a result, no more follicles with ova can be detected in
menopausal women.
 Primordial & primary follicle

Primordial follicle: oocyte

which is surrounded by a
single layer of flattened
granulosa cells.
Their growth is not
dependent on
gonadotropins.
 Secondary follicle

Has appearance of fluid

within the follicular cells
Tertiary follicle
 Secondary oocyte transport

The extruded secondary oocyte is picked by the

fimbria of the fallopian tubes and travels, via
peristalsis, to the ampulla of the fallopian tube.
Here, it produces chemo attractants to attract a
sperm.
FERTILIZATION
 Cont.

 This occurs at the ampulla of the

fallopian tube
 Stages:
 Penetration of corona radiata
 Penetration of zona pellucida
 Fusion of the oocyte & sperm
cell membranes
 Stage I: Penetration of the corona radiata

 Removal of the glycoprotein cap

(capacitation).
 Flagella action aids corona
radiata penetration.
 The arrows point to the sperm
heads, which are <1/20 the
diameter of the human egg..
 Stage II: Penetration of the zona pellucida

 Penetration of the zona pellucida around the

oocyte:
 Acrosomal enzymes: esterases, acrosin, and
neuraminidase cause lysis of the zona pellucida
Zona reaction follows.
 Stage III: fusion of the oocyte & sperm cell
membranes

 Metabolic activation of the

egg
 Resumption of 2nd meiotic
division
 Results of fertilization

 Stimulates the secondary oocyte to complete

meiosis II.
 Restores the normal diploid number of
chromosomes (46).
 Results in variation of human species as maternal
and paternal chromosomes intermingle.
 Cont.

 The embryo contains only maternal mitochondria because the

sperm mitochondria are dispersed into the egg cytoplasm and
discarded
 Determines the sex of the embryo: the sex chromosome (Y or X)
carried by the successful sperm determines embryonic sex
 Cleavage: Series of mitotic division
 Morula formation
 Blastocyst formation
 SUMMARY OF STAGES OF FERTILIZATION

Sperm penetration of the corona radiata.

Sperm binding & penetration of the zona pellucida, as well as the zona
reaction.

Fusion of the cell membranes of the secondary oocyte & sperm cell.

Resumption of 2nd meiotic division which was arrested at metaphase II.

 Questions

List the stages of fertilization.

State the results of fertilization.
When does the second meiotic division of the
oocyte completed?
 EDITED BY EFFIE NAILA

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always; yes to the end of time.
- Jesus Christ