THE PROCESS OF CONCEPTION

OVA
Released from the Graafian Follicle Will be surrounded by a ring of mucopolysaccharide fluid (Zona pellucida) and a circle of cells (Corona radiata)

Zona pellucida and Corona Radiata protects the ova by serving as a buffer against injury

Moves from the ovary to the fallopian tube through the cilia and peristaltic movement of fallopian tube

SPERM
Per ejaculation, 2.5ml semen containing 50-200M spermatozoa is released (ave 400M sperm/ejaculation) Moves through the cervix, uterus, fallopian tube because of their flagella and uterine contractions Undergoes CAPACITATION (changes in the plasma membrane of the sperm head to reveal sperm binding receptor sites) before penetrating into the corona

Sperm clusters around coronal cells Will release HYALURONIDASE (proteolytic enzyme) to dissolve the corona radiata Sperm penetrates the cell; cell membrane of ova changes composition to become impenetrable to other sperm

Sperm and ova fuse carrying 23 pairs of chromosomes each

If sperm carries X sex chromosome paired with the ovum X chromosome = female zygote If sperm carries Y sex chromosome paired with the ovum X chromosome = male zygote

IMPLANTATION

Zygote move from fallopian tube to uterus It will undergo series of mitotic divisions resulting to a cleavage formation, 1 in every 22 hour, with the cleavage division happening 24 hours after fertilization Once it reaches the uterus, zygote is now composed of 32 -50 ball of cell termed as a MORULA

Another 3-4 days, morula becomes a BLASTOCYST consisting of:

An inner cell mass which will become the future embryo Trophoblast which will become the placenta and membranes

At approx 8-10 days after fertilization, blastocyst attaches to the endometrium Sheds off last residues of corona radiata and zona pellucida Brushes against endometrium (apposition) and settles down
A slight vaginal bleeding is experienced during implantation stage because capillaries are ruptured by the implanting trophoblast cells

EMBRYONIC & FETAL STRUCTURES

DECIDUA uterus that has grown thick and vascular 3 areas
Decidua basalis lies directly under the embryo (portion where the trophoblast establish communication with maternal blood vessel) Decidua capsularis portion that stretches or encapsulates the surface of the trophoblast Decidua vera the remaining portion of the uterine lining

CHORIONIC VILLI Miniature villi similar to probing fingers that appear on the 11th or 12th day They begin the formation of the placenta Consists of a central core of connective tissue and fetal capillaries

Consists of 2 layers of trophoblast cells:

Syncytiotrophoblast (syncitial layer) produces HCG, somatomammotropin (human placental lactogen), estrogen and progesterone Cytotrophoblast (middle or Langhans layer) functions in early pregnancy to protect the growing embryo and fetus from infection (eg syphilis)

PLACENTA 15-20CM IN DIAMETER, 2-3 CM DEEP, 400600g at full term Has 25-30 cotyledons (placental compartments that lie on the maternal side) Has 2 sides
Maternal dirty rough Fetal shiny

FUNCTIONS: Serves to conduct oxygen and nutrients for the fetus Secretes endocrine hormones (syncytial cells)
hCG

1st placental hormone - enusures corpus luteum to continuously produce progesterone and estrogen - supresses maternal immunologic reaction so that placental tissue is not detected and rejected as a foreign

- if fetus is male, stimulates the testes to begin producing testoterone - at 8 week, begins progesterone production, as a result, CL disintegrates and hCG production decreases
ESTROGEN

(estriol) hormone of women - contributes to mammary gland development of mother in preparation for lactation - stimulates uterine growth to accommodate growing fetus

PROGESTERONE

- Hormone for Mothers - necessary to maintain endometrial lining of the uterus during pregnancy - reduces contractility of uterus during pregnancy preventing preterm labor PLACENTAL LACTOGEN (human chorionic somatomammotropin) - with both growth promoting and lactogenic (milk producing) properties - promotes mammary gland (breast) growth in preparation for lactation

HUMAN

- regulates maternal glucose, protein and fat levels so that adequate amounts of these are always available to the fetus

AMNIOTIC FLUID 800-1200ml Slightly alkaline pH 7.2 Fetal urine adds to its volume

Functions: Shields fetus against pressure or blow to the mothers abdomen Protects fetus from temperature change Aids in muscular development because it allows fetus freedom to move Protects the umbilical cord from pressure protecting fetal oxygen supply

Hydramnios excessive amniotic fluid - more than 2000ml or pockets of fluid larger than 8cm on UTZ
Oligohydramnios reduction in the amount of amniotic fluid - less than 300ml or no pockets of fluid larger than 1 cm on UTZ

AMNIOTIC MEMBRANES Chorionic membrane the outermost fetal membrane; purpose is to form a sac that contains the amniotic fluid
Amniotic

membrane 2nd membrane lining the chorionic membrane; forms beneath the chorion - produces amniotic fluid - produces phospholipid that initiates the formation of prostaglandins which can cause uterine contractions and may be the trigger that initiates labor

UMBILICAL CORD Formed from the amnion and chorion 53cm (21 in) length; 2 cm thick Whartons jelly a gelatinous mucopolysaccharide that forms the bulk of the umbilical cord giving it its body; prevents pressure on the veins and arteries Outer surface is covered with amniotic membrane Composed of 1 vein (carrying blood from placental villi to the fetus) and 2 arteries (blood from fetus back to palcental villi)

 Blood

flow is 350ml/min at

term Walls are with smooth muscles, no nerve supply Function:

Transports oxygen and nutrients to the fetus from placenta and return waste products from fetus to placenta