Lecture 1physiology of Pregnancy

PREGNANCY
Prof. Aziza Tosson

Outline
 Fertilization
 Development before Birth
 Fetal Circulation
 Embryonic Development
 Fetal Development
 Birth
Conception
 A secondary oocyte can be fertilized for
about 24 hours after ovulation
 Sperm remain viable for up to 48 hours
within the female reproductive tract
 This gives a three day “window” for
intercourse to result in fertilization: two
days before to one day after ovulation
Fertilization
 Steps of fertilization (Conception).
 Several sperm penetrate corona radiata.
 Several sperm attempt to penetrate zona
pellucida.
 One sperm enters egg and nuclei fuse,
producing a zygote.
 Egg’s
plasma membrane and zona pellucida
change to prevent polyspermy.
Fertilization
 Fertilization usually takes place in the
outer one-third of the uterine tube, but
can take place in the abdominal cavity
 Sperm swim up the female reproductive
tract, aided by muscular contractions of
the uterus stimulated by prostaglandins in
the semen.
 The oocyte may also secrete a chemical
that attracts sperm
Occurrence of Pregnancy
 When a zygote begins dividing, it is termed an
embryo.
 Developing embryo travels down oviduct and
eventually implants in endometrium. (Implantation /
pregnancy)
 Presence of human gonadotropic hormone (HCG) in the
blood confirms pregnancy.
 If implantation does not occur, a woman never knows
fertilization took place.
Human Development before
Implantation
 Zygote undergoes rapid mitotic cell
division, but these do not increase the size
of the zygote – called cleavage divisions
 Cleavage produces a solid sphere of cells,
still surrounded by zona pellucida – now
called a morula.
 At 4.5 to 5 days, cells have developed into
a hollow ball of cells – blastocyst.
 It is at this stage that it enters the uterus.
Cellular differentiation
 Embryonic membranes
 Amnion – inner layer
 Chorion – outer layer
Both membranes form bag of waters
 Amniotic fluid
 700-1000 cc normal
 < 400 ml oligohydramnios
 > 2000 ml polyhydramnios
 Fetus contributes to amniotic fluid volume thru fetal
urine
 Amniotic fluid important for fetal lung development
Wajed Hatamleh RN, MSN, PhD.

Cellular differentiation
 Umbilical cord
 Wharton’s jelly
 2 arteries/ 1vein
 Placenta
 Siteof metabolic and nutritional exchange
 Maternal side – decidua basalis
 Fetal side – amnion
 15 – 20 cotyledons: contain the complex
vascular system of villi
Implantation
 The blastocyst remains free in the uterus a
short time, during which the zona pellucida
disintegrates.
 Blastocyst nourished by glycogen from glands
of the endometrium.
 At about 6 days after ovulation blastocyst
implants – orients cell mass toward
endometrium, and secretes enzymes which
allow it to penetrate (digest) the endometrial
wall. This nourishes the blastocyst for about a
week after implantation.
• Following implantation, the placenta
originates from maternal and fetal
tissues.
• Placenta then produces human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG) which maintains the
corpus luteum in the ovary until the
placenta begins its own production of
progesterone and estrogen.
• Physical signs of pregnancy include : no
menstruation, increased urination,
morning sickness, increased size of
breasts, and darkening of areolae.
 As early as 8 -12 days after fertilization,
the blastocyst begins to secrete human
chorionic gonadotropin or hCG.
 hCG keeps the corpus luteum active until
the placenta can produce estrogens and
progesterone.
 The presence of hCG is the basis for
pregnancy tests.
 Inner cell mass forms two cavities:
 Theyolk sac
 Amniotic cavity
 In humans the yolk sac produces blood

cells and future sex cells
 The amniotic cavity becomes the cavity in
which the embryo floats. Fluid is produced
from fetal urine, and secretions from the
skin, respiratory tract, and amniotic
membranes.
Gestation period
 Divided into three trimesters.
 During first trimester individual starts out
as a zygote, then morula, blastocyst, and
after implantation, is called an embryo.
 Embryonic phase of development lasts
from fertilization until the 8th week of
gestation, when it becomes a fetus.
 By day 35 the heart is beating, and eye
and limb buds are present.
Five-Week-Old Embryo
Fetus at 14 and 20 weeks gestation

 By month four, the rudiments of all organ
systems are formed and functioning, and
from then on, fetal development is
primarily a matter of growth.
 By the end of the third month the placenta
is functioning.
Three-to-Four Month-Old Fetus
Fifth through Seventh Months
 Mother begins to feel fetal movement.
 Wrinkled skin covered by fine hair, lanugo,
is covered by a greasy substance vernix
caseosa.
 Lungs lack surfactant so if baby is born
prematurely it will have to be on a
respirator (respiratory distress syndrome).
Six-Month-Old-Fetus
The placenta
 The chorion develops into the fetal part of the
placenta.
 The chorionic villi connect the fetal circulation
to the placenta
 Composed of both fetal and maternal tissues
Functions of the placenta:
1 Transfer gasses
2 Transport nutrients
3 Excretion of wastes
4 Hormone production – temporary endocrine
organ – estrogen and progesterone
5 Formation of a barrier – incomplete,
nonselective – alcohol, steroids, narcotics,
anesthetics, some antibiotics and some
organisms can cross
Placental functions
 Simple diffusion - water, oxygen, carbon
dioxide, sodium and chloride
 Facilitated transport – glucose and galactose
 Active transport – amino acids, calcium, iron,
iodine, vitamins, and glucose
 Pinocytosis – albumin and gamma globulin
 Hydrostatic and osmotic pressure
 Endocrine – hCG, hPL, estrogen and
progesterone
HORMONES
OESTROGEN
 Produced in corpus luteum
 Produced by placenta after 12 weeks
 Responsible for growth particularly of

uterus and breasts
progesterone
 Produced in corpus luteum and then the
placenta
 Relaxes smooth muscle
 Inhibits uterine contractions until uterus is

prepared for labour
 Regulates storage of body fat

Human chorionic gonadotrophic
 Secreted from trophoblast of the
developing embryo
 Maintains corpus luteum until placenta

takes over
 Used in tests to confirm pregnancy

Human placental lactogen
 Alters maternal metabolism
 Diverts glucose to fetus
 Mobilises free fatty acids from maternal

stores
RELAXIN
 Released by corpus luteum then the

Placenta
 Softens pelvic ligaments
 Reduces myometrial tone

Lecture 1physiology of Pregnancy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 1physiology of Pregnancy

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 1physiology of Pregnancy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PREGNANCY

Prof. Aziza Tosson

Wajed Hatamleh RN, MSN, PhD.

 In humans the yolk sac produces blood

Wajed Hatamleh RN, MSN, PhD.

 Produced in corpus luteum

 Produced by placenta after 12 weeks

 Responsible for growth particularly of

 Relaxes smooth muscle

 Inhibits uterine contractions until uterus is

 Regulates storage of body fat

 Maintains corpus luteum until placenta

 Used in tests to confirm pregnancy

 Diverts glucose to fetus

 Mobilises free fatty acids from maternal

 Released by corpus luteum then the

 Softens pelvic ligaments

 Reduces myometrial tone

You might also like