FERTILIZATION:  Disintegrates: flagellum and mitochondria

 Interstitial implantation: adhesion supported (most of the DNA is from the mother LOL)
migration of syncytiotrophoblasts into the endometrium  Decondensation of sperm DNA
along breakdown of ECM by secretion of matrix  Pronucleus around sperm DNA
metalloproteinases and other hydrolytic enzymes  Egg completes 2nd meiotic division
 Occurs in the ampulla  Same: 2nd meiotic division, pronucleus
 Involves  Centrosome: organize the chromosomes for replication to
o Chemoattraction of the sperm to the ovum further develop the forming zygote
o Adherence to the zona pellucida  Berne and Levy (6th ed); Ganong (24th ed)
o Penetration of the zona pellucida and acrosome
rxn
o Adherence of the sperm head to the cell
membrane of the ovum (with breakdown of the
area of fusion and release of sperm nucleus into
cytoplasm of the ovum)
 Overview:
o Sperm binds to a receptor in the zona
o Acrosomal reaction: breakdown of the acrosome
 Enzymes release: trypsin like acrosin
o When one membrane reaches the membrane of
the ovum, fusion of ovum membrane is mediated
by FERTILIN
o This fusion:
 signal that initiates development
 reduction of in the membrane potential of
the ovum that prevents polyspermy 
structural change in zona pellucida that
provides protection against polyspermy on
a long term basis
o Blastocyst  uterus : 3 days
o When the blastocyst is in contact with the
endometrium  surrounded by
syncytriotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast
o Syncytiotrophoblast invdates the endometrium
and blastocyst implants
 USUAL SITE OF IMPLANTATION: dorsal wall of uterus
 Progesterone:
o Inhibts myometrial contrxn and prevents release
of paracrine factors that lead to menstruation
o Induces window of receptivity (Day 20 – Day 24)
 Inc adhesivity of the endometrial ep
 Formation of pinopodes (cellular
extensions)
 Increased adhesive proteins
 Dec antiadhesive proteins
 Endometrium during implantation: full thickness, actively
secreting, tightly adhering
 Steps (PCFCED – Pare, can Father Count Eggs Daw)
o STEP 1:
 Penetration of expanded cumulus by sperm
 Digestion of ECM of the cumulus by
hyaluronidase, PH – 20
o STEP 2: CAPACITATION
 Penetration of zona pellucida by sperm
 Binding of sperm to ZP3  release of
acrosomal enzymes : acrosomal rxn
 Secondary binding: ZP2  digestion of
zona pellucida
o STEP 3:
 Fusion of sperm and egg
o STEP 4:
 A Ca2+ signaling cascade
o STEP 5:
 Exocytosis of cortical granules  enzymes
are released to the outside of the egg upon
exocytosis  modify both ZP2 and ZP3
 ZP2: can no longer bind acrosome
reacted sperm
 ZP3: can no longer bind capacitated,
acrosome-intact sperm
 This ensures that only ONE sperm
enters the egg
o STEP 6:
 Entire sperm fuses with egg