Conception "fertilization"

During sexual intercourse 2-5ml of semen usually containing more than 300 million sperms is
ejaculated into the female vagina.

By flagellar movements, the sperm make their way through the fluid of cervical mucus, across the
endometrium and into the uterine tube to meet the descending ovum in to the ampulla of the tube.

Before fertilization occur the sperm undergo a physiologic change called capacitation and

a structural change called acrosome reaction.

Capacitation: refers to the removal of a protective coating from the sperm " enzymes of the uterine
tubes assist in this process"

The acrosome reaction occurs, which refers to the "small perforation that forms in the anterior head
of the sperm through which an enzyme escapes and digests a path through the ovum".

Only one sperm is required for actual fertilization.

Conception, the fusion of a sperm and an ovum (oocyte) is a process that requires about24 hours.

At the moment that a sperm makes contact with egg's plasma membrane, the oocyte reacts, a zone
reaction "as yet not understood" occurs preventing the entry of more sperms.

When the sperm and ovum meet and form zygote the diploid number of chromosomes (44 + 2 sex) is
restored.

Developmental stages
The fusion of nucleus of the 2 gametes is called conception.

Fusion initiates the first of the three stages of human prenatal developmental (ovum, embryo, and
fetus)

1. Ovum:
The conceptus is called an ovum during the period from conception until primary villi appear 12-14
days after fertilization or about 4 weeks since LMP.

By the end of this period implantation (Nidation) is complete, the concepts is totally within the
endometrium and is covered by surface epithelial.
{31}
2. Embryo:
From the end of the ovum stage until it measures approximately 3cm, normally 54-56days (10 weeks
since LMP), characterized by rapid cell division and the most critical time in the development of an
individual.

All the principle organ systems are being established and are highly vulnerable to environmental
agents e.g. teratogens such as virus, drugs, radiation, or infection.

Developmental interference during this time can result in major congenital anomalies.

3. Fetus:
Latin word = offspring

During the period from the end of embryo stage until the pregnancy is terminated.

Changes occurring during the fetal period, although important, are not dramatic as those in preceding
period.

During this period the fetus is less vulnerable to the teratogenic effects of the drug, viruses…
etc.Howeverthese agents may interrupt normal functional development of organ especially the brain.

Viability
Is the capability of the fetus to survive outside the uterine cavity at the earliest gestational age?

It was believed that viability is reached when the fetus weights more than 1000 gm and had reached
at least 28 weeks gestational age. But now improvement in maternal and neonatal care suggests that
anew standard of viability must be established.

Survival outside the uterus is dependent on 2 factors:

1. The maturity of fetal central nervous system for directing rhythmic respirations and controlling
body temperature.
2. The maturity of lungs