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Embryology Note

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Embryology Note

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bcsnngq8m2
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EMBRYOLOGY

Introduction To Embryology
Embryology is a branch of anatomy that deals with the study of
the growth and development of a conceptus in-utero or in-vivo(in the
uterus) and in-vitro(outside the uterus) until birth. It deals with how the
ova and the sperm cells come together or fuse to form a zygote.

Importance Of Embryology
 We study Embryology to understand how humans develop from
conception (fertilization) to the period of birth(maturation).
 For genetic counseling
 Embryology enables us to understand how birth defect takes
place or arises during the process of development.

Concepts Of Embryology
1. Fertilization: This is the union of sperm and egg cells.
2. Cleavage: This is the first stage of embryonic development
after fertilization, characterized by rapid cell divisions
without significant growth. It is a critical period that sets the
stage for further development.
3. Implantation: This is the critical step in embryonic
development, occurring after the cleavage and before
gastrulation. It is the process by which the blastula-stage
embryo attaches to the uterine wall and begins to receive
vital nutrients and support.
4. Gastrulation: The formation of the three primary germ
layers( ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm).
5. Organogenesis: This is the development of organs and
tissues from the germ layers.

For an individual to be formed, there is need for the fusion of both


sperm and egg cells. During the ovulatory cycle of the woman, the
ovaries release eggs and when there is sexual intercourse, sperm
gamete will be deposited into the reproductive tract which travels to
the area where the egg(ova) stays. During the ovulatory period, one egg
is released and it enters into the fallopian tube and stays in the most
dilated part of the fallopian tube called the AMPULLA where it can be
fertilized by the sperm. Immediately fertilization occurs, a new product
is formed called the ZYGOTE. Fertilization is the fusion of the ovum(egg)
and the spermatozoa in the ampulla of the fallopian tube.

During Coetus, about 200-300 million sperm cells are deposited in


the female reproductive tract and only about 20-30,000 out of the 200-
300million survive to reach where the egg is.

CAPACITATION

This is the conditioning process that the sperms undergo in the


female reproductive tract to enable them fertilize an egg. It lasts for
about 7 hours. When the sperm is freshly deposited in the female
reproductive tract, there is a plasma(protein) membrane covering it. It
is the glycoprotein plasma membrane.

N.B freshly ejaculated sperm can not fertilize an egg.

The process of capacitation is by the removal of the glycoprotein


membrane from the acrosomal cap of a sperm.

ENZYMES IN THE ACROSOMAL CAP


Acrosomal cap contains three enzymes that enables the sperm to
penetrate the egg and they are:

 Acrosin
 Hyaluronidase
 Fertilizin

They help the sperm to fuse with the egg and are contained within the
acrosomal cap.

Furthermore, the OO site has its own barriers for the sperm to be able
to fertilize the egg and they are:

 Corona Radiata Cells


 Zona Pellucida
 Vitelline Membrane

They must be broken down by the sperm to fertilize it.

 CORONA RADIATA CELLS BARRIER: The corona radiata helps


select healthy motile sperm, allowing them to pass through while
blocking abnormal or immature sperm. It acts as a filter allowing
only a limited number of sperm to reach the OO cute, preventing
polyspermy (fertilization by multiple sperm). The corona radiata’s
tight junctions and overlapping processes create a physical
barrier, obstructing sperm passage and ensuring only the most
capable sperm reach the OO cute.
 Zona Pellucida: This is a thick transparent glycoprotein in layer
surrounding the OO cute, separating it from the surround
environment. It allows sperm to penetrate, but only after they
have undergone capacitation and acquired the ability to bind and
fuse with the zona pellucida. The zona pellucida regulates
enzymes involved in sperm-egg interaction, such as Acrosin,
which helps sperm penetrate the zona pellucida.
 Vitelline Membrane: This is the outer most layer of the OO cyte,
lying just beneath the zona pellucida. It allows sperm to penetrate
after they have passed through the zona pellucida. It also
regulates enzymes involved in sperm-egg interaction. Such as
hyaluronidase, which helps sperm penetrate the vitelline
membrane. Once it is able to penetrate there is change in the
permeability of the membrane (vitelline membrane) permanently
making other sperms not to be able to penetrate. When the
sperm fuses with the OO cyte, a ZYGOTE is formed.

There are two types of sperm released during coetus:

 Gynosperm (XX) female


 Androsperm (XY) male

Androsperm swim faster and die faster than the gynosperm. Once the
egg fuses a zygote is formed and immediately a rapid mitotic division
takes place called CLEAVAGE.

In summary, embryology in nursing helps to understand the


development process from an embryo to a fetus. It is termed an
embryo from the point of conception(fertilization) to the 8th week. It is
termed a fetus from the 9th week to the 36th or 40th week. The study of
embryology also helps the nurse understand how health defect are
formed. It is also important for genetic counseling and reproductive
health, it also aids on stem cell research.

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