general embyrology

• What do primary spermatocytes produce after undergoing meiosis I?

  Two haploid secondary spermatocytes

  
• What is the process of spermatidogenesis?

  The creation of spermatids from secondary spermatocytes

  
• What happens to secondary spermatocytes after they are produced?

  They rapidly enter meiosis II and divide to produce haploid spermatids

  
• What is spermiogenesis?

  The maturation of spermatids into functional spermatozoa

  
• What structure do spermatids develop during spermiogenesis?

  A tail and a thickened midpiece

  
• How are non-motile spermatozoa transported to the epididymis?

  Through testicular fluid secreted by Sertoli cells and peristaltic contraction
• What happens to spermatozoa while in the epididymis?

  They gain motility and become capable of fertilization
• What is the primary organ where spermatogenesis occurs?

  The testicle

  
• What hormone influences the maturation of spermatozoa?

  Testosterone

  
• What happens to the cytoplasm during the maturation of spermatozoa?

  It is removed along with unnecessary organelles
• What are the key components of mature spermatozoid structure?

  • Head: nucleus and acrosome
  • Neck: distal and proximal centriole
  • Middle piece: axial filament and mitochondrial sheath
  • Flagellum: main portion and end piece

  
• What is semen composed of?

  Spermatozoa in suspension and seminal plasma
• How does the volume of semen relate to sperm concentration?

  If the volume is high, the concentration of spermatozoa will be lower
• What is the consequence of having abnormal spermatozoa?

  They have difficulties penetrating the ovum, reducing fertilization capacity
• What is a polar body in oogenesis?

  A small haploid cell formed during the development of an egg cell
• What triggers ovulation in females?

  An acute rise of luteinizing hormone (LH)
• What is the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in females?

  It stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles
• What are the phases of oogenesis?

  1. Multiplication phase: oogonia formation through mitosis
  2. Growth phase: development into primary oocyte surrounded by granulosa cells
  3. Maturation phase: primary oocyte divides into secondary oocyte and polar body

  
• What happens to the secondary oocyte if fertilization does not occur?

  It will be eliminated without completing the second stage of meiosis
• What is the corpus luteum?

  A temporary endocrine structure involved in progesterone production
• What happens to the corpus luteum if the ovum is not fertilized?

  It disintegrates to form the corpus albicans
• What are the types of eggs based on yolk content?

  • Alecithal: negligible or no yolk
  • Oligolecithal: very small amount of evenly distributed yolk
  • Megalecithal/Telolecithal: moderate or large quantity of yolk, concentrated at the vegetal pole

  
• What are the main components of an avian egg?

  Eggshell, egg white (albumen), and egg yolk (vitellus)
• What is the function of the chalaza in an avian egg?

  To hold the yolk in the center of the egg
• What is the process of artificial insemination?

  The technique of introducing semen into the female reproductive tract
• What is required for fertilization to occur?

  The sperm and oocyte must be in close proximity within the fallopian tube

  
• What is sperm capacitation?

  The process that allows sperm to gain the ability to fertilize the egg cell

  
• What happens to spermatozoa after they enter the female reproductive tract?

  They swim towards the egg using their tail-like appendages

  
• What role does progesterone play in spermatozoa activation?

  It boosts the sperm's movements into a hypermotile state
• What initiates the acrosome reaction during fertilization?

  Binding of a capacitated spermatozoon to the zona pellucida

  
• What is the penultimate step in sperm maturation?

  Capacitation
• What modifications occur in sperm during capacitation?

  Sperm lose cholesterol, change membrane potential, and modify membrane proteins
• Why do sperm need to penetrate the thick membrane surrounding the oocyte?

  To fuse with the egg cell and form an embryo

  
• What chemical signal boosts sperm movement towards the egg?

  Progesterone
• What happens to sperm tail movements when they detect progesterone?

  They enter a "hypermotile" state with stronger movements
• What is the role of calcium in sperm activation?

  Calcium rushes in through the tail's outer membrane to enhance motility
• What is the zona pellucida (ZP)?

  A thick membrane surrounding a mature oocyte

  
• What is the acrosome reaction?

  A crucial step that allows sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida

  
• What happens to the vitelline envelope during fertilization?

  It hardens to form a fertilization membrane

  
• What is oocyte activation?

  The process that stimulates oocytes to resume meiosis