Chapter 29
Development and Inheritance
_Fertilization is the union of an egg and sperm.
Implantation is the attachment of embryo to the wall of the uterus.
Gestational is the period between fertilization and birth; 38 weeks of pregnancy.
Prenatal period is the time before birth.
Embryo development is the first 2 weeks of development. Fetal development is the
development from week 8th till birth.
Postpartum period is the first 42 days after birth. Labor refers to the events that lead to
birthing.
Childbirth is the birthing process.
Ob-gyn is the branch of medicine that deals with pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Fertilization
Secondary oocyte is a haploid cell with 23rd (sex) chromosomes. Its release from the ovary
is referred to as X and Y.
Secondary oocyte has a glycoprotein layer called zona pellucida
It has multiple layers of follicular/granulosa cells called secondary follicle. It moves into
the uterine tube with the help of wave of muscular contractions called peristalsis and
ciliated epithelial cells.
Secondary oocyte remains active for about 24 hours after ovulation.
Sperms have:
Head with haploid nucleus (22X or 22Y) and acrosome.
Midpiece with mitochondria for producing energy (ATP).
Flagellum tail for swimming.
About 300-500 million sperms are deposited in the vagina.
Sperms undergo changes and develop the capacity to fertilize, referred to as physiological.
Acrosin enzymes digest the way of sperms through zona pellucida. Fusion of sperm with
the secondary oocyte is called zygote.
Fusion of more than one sperm with the secondary oocyte is called polyspermy.
Syngamy triggers secondary oocyte to undergo block additional sperm cells or polyspermy
from occurring.
An ovum and second ootid are formed.
Male pronucleus and female pronucleus fuse to form a diploid cell.
This new cell has 23 X or 23 Y chromosomes.
Early Embryonic/Cleavage Divisions
Zygote divides by mitosis to form 2 identical haploid cells.
Additional mitotic divisions form a ball of genetically identical cells blastocyst an embryo
stage called the embryoblast.
Eventually, a hollow ball of cells is formed - the end of cleavage
o It has:
Embryoblast cells that are the peripheral cells and form the future
embryonic membranes;
nutrition, gas exchange, and removal of waste that will form the future
embryo.
amniotic sac is the internal fluid-filled cavity.
Location of Events
Syngamy takes place in the fallopian
tubes.
Fertilization takes place in the
fallopian tubes.
Early embryonic/cleavage divisions take place in the fallopian tube.
The stage of embryo development when it reaches the uterus is called the blastocyst
The development of an embryo or fetus outside the uterine cavity is referred to as the
ectopic pregnancy.
Twins
Dizygotic twins develop from two zygotes. They are also called Fraternal.
Monozygotic twins from one zygote.
Conjoined twins do not completely separate and the newborns often share some body
structures.
Implantation: Attachment of the Embryo to the Uterus
Trophoblast cells of the blastocyst secrete enzymes to digest the uterus wall.
The entire embryo slowly becomes embedded into the endometrium layer of the uterus.
Embryo Development
Day 14
Cells of embryonic disc produce 3 distinct layers
Endoderm layer that will form the epithelial lining of GI & respiratory.
Mesoderm layer will form muscle, bone & other connective tissues.
Ectoderm layer will form the epidermis of skin & nervous system
Umbilical cord
Umbilical cord contains 2 umbilical arteries that carry blood to the placenta and 1 umbilical vein
that carries oxygenated blood to the fetus.
Placenta
Placenta allows diffusion of nutrients, waste products, and respiratory gases
It also secretes several hormones such as estrogen, progesterone
It detaches from the uterus at birth time and is called the placental abruption
Labor
Labor is the process of giving birth.
Miscarriage is the process of expelling the fetus.
Uterine contraction is stimulated by a hormone released by hypothalamus called the oxytocin
Stages of Labor
Stage of dilation is when the contractions of the uterus become regular, amniotic sac ruptures,
and cervix dilates.
Stage of expulsion is when baby moves through birth canal.
Stage of placental is when the placenta (afterbirth) is expelled by uterine contractions.
Cesarean sections is where an incision is made through lower abdominal wall and uterus in order
to deliver the baby.
Lactation
Lactation is the production & release of milk.
Hormone prolactin stimulates the production of milk.
Hormone oxytocin stimulates the release of milk.
colostrum is a cloudy fluid released by mammary gland during late pregnancy.
Inheritance
Heredity is passing of traits from one generation to another.
Genetics is the branch of biology that deals with inheritance. Genetic
counselor: health care personnel that offers advice on genetic problems
Human somatic cells are diploid cells that have 22 pairs of autosomes + 1 pair of sex
chromosomes
Males have 44 + 2XY chromosomes.
Females: 44 + 2 XX chromosomes.
Genetic Disorders
Down syndrome can be male/female and has 3 copies of chromosome 21.
Sickle-cell anemia (SCA) is due to mutation of hemoglobin gene.
Sex linked genes are usually present on sex chromosome and the disorder occurs more common
among X-chromosome.
Testing for Genetic Disorders
Ultrasound is where high-frequency sound waves are used to observe the embryo.
Amniocentesis is where amniotic fluid around the fetus is extracted to examine for genetic
defects.
Chorionic Villus Sampling: sampling is where a sample of chorionic villi is taken out for
chromosomal analysis.
