The final aim of all love intrigues, be they comic
or tragic, is really of more importance than all
other ends in human life. What it turns upon is
nothing less than the composition of the next
generation.
A. Schopenhauer as quoted by Charles Darwin, 1871
Fertilization
This lecture lecture introduces you to the beginning of development
fertilization, or the conception of a new individual. You will learn about
the union of the spermatozoon and oocyte to form the zygote the new
individual. This is a fascinating process that involves a coordinated series of
events leading to union of a single sperm with the egg. After this lecture you
should be able to:
Describe the sequential series of events that accompany the
fertilzation process.
Describe the contribution of the spermatozoon to the fertilization
process.
Describe the contribution of the oocyte to the fertilization process.
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Concepts in Fertilization
Why fertilization?
Problems that must be dealt with
Sperm entry
Prevention of polyspermy
Fertilization strategies
Transportation of gametes in humans
E m b r y o l o g y L e c t u r e M a n u a l b y M a r k N i e l s e n
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F e r t i l i z a t i o n
Fertilization Stages
The process of conception
Capicitation of the sperm
Removal of glycoprotein coat and seminal proteins
Where?
How?
Results
Penetration of the corona radiata
Acrosome reaction
Tubal mucosal enzymes
Tail action of sperm
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Penetration of the zona pellucida
Acrosomal enzymes
Zona reaction
Membrane fusion and oocyte response
Intracellular release of calcium ions
Wave-like movement of calcium ions
Fast block
Oocyte response to calcium wave
Cortical granule reaction (slow block)
Numerous metabolic reactions
Formation of ootid
Sperm decondensation and formation of male pronucleus
Completion of 2nd meiotic division formation of female pronucleus
Emergence of zygote
Fusion of the pronuclei
Initiation of cleavage
E m b r y o l o g y L e c t u r e M a n u a l b y M a r k N i e l s e n
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