Mammalian Reproduction

The female reproductive cells are

held within the ovaries. These
eggs are in an immature state but
every 28 days one matures and is
released by the ovary in a process
called ovulation. The 28 day cycle
during which ovulation takes
place is called the ovarian cycle.
There are two main phases of the
ovarian cycle: the follicular phase
and the luteinizing phase.
The Follicular Phase
The ova in the ovaries are surrounded
by a layer of cells which together which
the egg are called follicles. During the
follicular phase of the ovarian cycle
one of these follicles becomes
enlarged over a period of 10 – 14 days.
During this period the follicle produces
a hormone called oestrogen which, in
turn causes another hormone to be
produced called luteinizing hormone
(LH) which causes the ovum to burst
out of the follicle in a process called
ovulation. The fimbriae of the oviducts
then move the egg into the oviduct
(fallopian tube).
The Luteinising (luteal) Phase
The luteal phase takes place after
ovulation and extends from day 15
to day 28 of the ovarian cycle.
During this phase the follicle that has
released the ovum enlarges and
becomes known as the corpus
luteum. The corpus luteum now
secretes large amounts of the
hormones oestrogen and
progesterone. These hormones
cause the wall of the uterus (the
endometrium) to become thickened
highly vascularised preparing it for
the implantation of the embryo
should fertilization occur.
 Fertilisation From the vagina the sperm swim, using
movement of their flagella, (tail-like structure)
Fertilisation is the fusion of the two haploid gametes (egg and through the cervix into the uterus and into an
sperm) to form a single diploid zygote cell. The zygote cell oviduct .
contains the genetic material of both the egg and the sperm . Fertilisation then occurs in four steps:
1 The sperm uses enzymes from their acrosome
(protective cap) to dissolve and penetrate the
protective layer (zona pellucida) surrounding the
egg to reach the cell membrane.

2 Molecules on the sperm surface bind to

receptors (specialised proteins) on the egg's cell
membrane to then the nucleus of the sperm
enters the cytoplasm in the egg cell.

3 Changes at the surface of the egg occur to

prevent the entry of multiple sperm nuclei into
the egg.

4 Fusion of the haploid egg and sperm nuclei

results in a diploid zygote cell (the fertilised
egg).
Implantation
After fertilisation, the zygote
continues to travel down the
oviduct until it reaches the uterus.
As the developing embryo moves
towards the uterus it goes through
growth phases due to cell division
called cleavage and morula. When
the embryo reaches the uterus,
ready for implantation, it is known
as a blastocyst and looks like a ball
of cells.
Implantation continued
The blastocyst has an inner and outer
cell layers. Implantation occurs when
the outer cell layer merges with the
cells of the uterine wall. These cells
will develop into the placenta while
the inner cell mass will develop into
the embryo.
Pregnancy After the blastocyst has become
implanted in the uterine wall
(endometrium) the outer layers of the
blastocyst form the placenta. This
structure brings blood from the
mother via capillaries which extend
close to but not connecting to
capillaries bring blood from the
developing embryo allowing nutrients
and oxygen to be transferred form the
maternal blood to that of the embryo
and wastes to pass from the the
embryo’s blood to the mothers. The
umbilical cord enables to the transfer
of these substances between the
placenta and the embyo.
 Once the embryo implants it starts
Hormonal Control of Pregnancy producing the hormone human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone helps
maintain the the corpus luteum in the
ovary so that it can continue to produce
progesterone and oestrogen which
regulate other hormones which allow the
pregnancy to continue. After about six
weeks HCG production declines, the
corpus luteum degenerates and the uterus
takes over the production of
progesterone.

Oestrogen assists with organ development

in the foetus and promotes breast tissue in
preparation for maternal milk production.
 For the baby to be born two things must happen:
• The muscles of the uterus must contract to expel the
Birth baby
• The tissue of the cervix (the opening of the uterus)
must soften to the cervix to dilate (widen) to allow
the passage of the baby.
These processes are also controlled by hormones.

Prostaglandins is secreted by the uterine wall which

increases the sensitivity of the cervix and uterus to
oxytocin.
Oxytocin is the hormone that causes irregular uterine
tightening or contraction.
The hormone relaxin is also produced. This hormone
help to soften the cervix.
Pressure from the foetus stimulates further release of
oxytocin. In the final stages of labour, adrenaline is also
released to start the final uterine contractions.

After the baby is delivered uterine contractions are

maintained by oxytocin until the placenta is pushed
out.