Fertilization, Implantation and

Pregnancy
 Objectives
• Describe the process of fertilization
– Discuss the importance of sperm capacitation
– Explain the mechanism of block to polyspermy

• Discuss cleavage of the zygote

• Describe implantation

• Discuss the hormones of pregnancy and their

source
 Fertilization
• Fusion of sperm and egg to
form the zygote

• Sperm viable for

approximately 48-72 hrs
(sometimes up to 5 days!)
after ejaculation

• Egg viable for only 12-24 hrs

after ovulation

• To achieve fertilization -
Journey to egg takes 1-2hrs and only coitus must occur no more
ONE sperm eventually fertilizes the than three days before
egg ovulation or 24 hours after
ovulation
 Sperm Transport and Capacitation
• Fates of ejaculated sperm include:

1. Leak out of the vagina immediately after

deposition
2. Destroyed by the acidic vaginal environment
3. Fail to make it through the cervix
4. Dispersed in the uterine cavity or destroyed by
phagocytic leukocytes
5. Reach the uterine tubes

• Sperm must undergo capacitation before they can

penetrate the oocyte
Acrosomal Reaction and Sperm Penetration
• An ovulated oocyte is
encapsulated by :
– The corona radiata
– The zona pellucida

• Sperm binds to the zona

pellucida and undergoes
the acrosomal reaction

– Enzymes are released

near the oocyte

Figure 29.2a
– Hundreds of acrosomes
release their enzymes to
 Blocks to Polyspermy
• Only one sperm is allowed to penetrate the
oocyte

• Two mechanisms ensure monospermy

1. Fast block to polyspermy – membrane

depolarization prevents sperm from fusing with the
oocyte membrane

2. Slow block to polyspermy

• The cortical granules release enzymes that destroy sperm
receptors (cortical reaction)
Completion of Meiosis II and
Fertilization 1 2
• Upon entry of
sperm, the
secondary oocyte:
– Completes meiosis 3
6
II
– Casts out the
second polar body

5 4
• The ovum nucleus
swells, and the two
nuclei approach
each other
 Fertilization
Enzymes break down ovum wall

Sperm fuses with ovum

fertilization

Chemical changes in fertilized egg –

prevent other sperm from entering

Oocyte nucleus completes its second

meiotic division

Genetic material of the sperm

combines with that of oocyte

Zygote formed – first cell of new individual

 Twins
• Dizygotic or fraternal twins
– two separate eggs are ovulated.
– May be of different sexes.

• Monozygotic or identical
twins
– single egg is fertilized but
dividing cells break into two
groups and develop into two
individuals
Cleavage and Blastocyst Formation

Zygote
Period of rapid mitotic
2 cells divisions of the zygote
without intervening
growth
4 cells
Produces small cells
8 cells with a high surface-
volume ratio, enhancing
nutrient and oxygen
16 cells
uptake and disposal of
(Morula)
waste
 Pre-embryonic Development
• The first cleavage produces two daughter cells
called blastomeres

• Morula – the 16 or more cell stage (72 hours old)

• By the fourth or fifth day the pre-embryo consists

of 100 or so cells (blastocyst)

• Blastocyst – a fluid-filled hollow sphere

composed of:
– A single layer of trophoblasts
– An inner cell mass

• Trophoblasts take part in placenta formation

Hales, 2010
Hales, 2010
Hales, 2010
Fertilization to Implantation
 Implantation
Blastocyst: Structure that implants. Secretes human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG)
signaling corpus luteum not to degenerate until placenta secretes adequate hormones..

Corpus luteum: Secretes progesterone and some estrogen to maintain the pregnancy.
 Implantation
• Begins six to seven days after ovulation when
the trophoblasts adhere to the endometrium

• The trophoblasts then proliferate and form two

distinct layers
– Cytotrophoblast – cells of the inner layer that retain
their cell boundaries
– Syncytiotrophoblast – cells in the outer layer that lose
their plasma membranes and invade the endometrium

• The implanted blastocyst is covered over by

endometrial cells

• Implantation is completed by the fourteenth day

 Once fertilization and implantation
occur…
• CL does not regress but continues to produce
high amounts of progesterone (P4), and some
estradiol (E2) during the first trimester of
pregnancy

– E2 and P4 have the following effects:

• Development of the mammary glands
• Inhibition of ovulation
• P4 increases fat deposition (increasing appetite and
diverting energy stores from sugar to fat)
 hCG Extends the Life of the CL

• Secretion of hCG starts approx. 48 hours after the

start of implantation

• hCG “saves” the CL from regression

– Maternal recognition of pregnancy

• hCG levels reach a peak in the second month of

pregnancy

• Basis of pregnancy tests

 The Placenta: An endocrine function

• At about 5 weeks of pregnancy, the

placenta starts secreting estrogens
(estradiol, estrone, but mostly estriol)
and later progesterone

• When the placenta is fully established

(3rd or 4th month of pregnancy), the
CL has regressed and hCG levels drop
Hales, 2010
dramatically
Hormones During Pregnancy
 Terminology
• Pregnancy – events that occur from the time of
fertilization (conception) until the infant is
born

• Conceptus – developing offspring

– Through week 8: embryo, embryonic period
– Week 9 – birth: fetus, fetal period

• Gestation period – period that extends from last

menstrual period until birth (approx. 280 days)
 References
• Marieb and Hoehn, 2012. Human Anatomy
and Physiology, 9th edition. Chapter 28: pages
1064-1074