Sexual Reproduction in Mammals

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Sexual Reproduction

in mammals
Syllabus Outcomes:

• Analyse the features of fertilisation, implantation and


hormonal control of pregnancy and birth in mammals
Worksheet 1.4 “Pregnancy in
Mammals”
• Complete the worksheet as you
work through the following
slides and video.
Types of mammals
• There are three classes of mammals including:
• Monotremes: egg-laying
• Marsupials: pouched
• Eutherians: placental
Features of
Mammals
• Warm blooded – they maintain a constant,
internal temperature
• Have fur or hair
• Offspring are nourished by milk
• Reproduce sexually using internal fertilisation
What is fertilisation?

• Sexual reproduction begins with fertilisation


which is the fusion of male and female gametes
to form a zygote (a fertilised egg).
• The fertilised egg will have a combination of
the mother and father’s DNA. This variation is
good and maximises the chances of survival.
What happens after fertilisation?
• Once fertilisation has occurred, the zygote (fertilised egg) begins to divide
and move from the fallopian tubes into the uterus.
• The blastocyst ( the ball of divided cells) implants itself into the wall of
the uterus called the endometrium. The endometrium provides nutrients
and oxygen to the embryo.
• This happens about a week after fertilisation and established pregnancy.
Complete Worksheet 1.5 Ovulation in humans
Mechanisms for reproductive success
• Internal fertilisation: increases the chances of the gametes meeting
• Implantation: the embryo is implanted into the wall of the uterus and the
baby develops internally
• Pregnancy: allows the baby to be protected from the external
environment and provides a constant supply of nutrients to maximise
development
While mammals share many similarities,
how they give birth can be…. different
Three different ways mammals give birth
• Watch the video “Three different
ways mammals give birth” 4:49

• Hormones involved in ovulation


Hormones and Reproduction
Hormones and Reproduction

• Hormones are chemical messengers that act as messengers in the body


and control the function of processes such as metabolism and
reproduction.
• Hormones/ glands that are involved in reproduction include:
The pituitary gland: the master gland which releases many hormones for
reproduction
Sex hormones: testosterone, progesterone, oestrogen play a role in the
development and functioning of the reproductive organs.
Hormonal control of breeding seasons
• Hormones control the sexual behaviour of mammals by limiting their
ability to reproduce at certain times of the year (breeding seasons).
• Mating usually occurs when the female is fertile, which may only happen
once or twice a year.
• In humans, female fertility occurs in a cycle that repeats throughout the
year and rather than having a particular season, they are sexually active all
year long.
Hormones involved in
mammalian reproduction
• There are 3 types of sex hormones:
Androgens (e.g. testosterone): these are the male hormones which control the growth and
functioning of male reproductive organs and characteristics. Testosterone is present in
females but in a smaller amount.
Oestrogens: main group of female hormones which control the growth and functioning of
female reproductive organs and characteristics. Oestrogen is also present in males but in
a smaller amount. This hormone is vert important in ovarian functioning and fertility.
Progestogens: a second group of female hormones including progesterone which plays an
important role in pregnancy. It also stimulates the secretion of milk and a drop in its level
initiates menstruation.
Before fertilisation can occur, a mature
female gamete must be released from the
ovary. This is called ovulation, and it is
controlled by hormones
Hormones control maturation of the
egg
Hormones control the maturation of the egg

• Menses – 4 – 7 days. Oestrogen


and Progesterone levels decrease.
Hormones control the maturation of the egg

• Follicular phase (pre-ovulation) for


about 10 – 17 days starting from day 1
(start of period). FSH is released →
follicle is matured. Oestrogen levels
increased → lining of endometrium
thickens

n the ovaries of the female reproductive system,


an ovarian follicle is a fluid-filled sac that
contains an immature egg, or oocyte.
These follicles are found in the ovaries.
During ovulation, a mature egg is
released from a follicle.
Hormones control the maturation of the egg

• Peak in oestrogen levels triggers an


increase in Luteinizing Hormone
which triggers ovulation → egg is
released from follicle within an
ovary into the fallopian tube where
it can become fertilized by sperm.
Hormones control the maturation of the egg

• Luteal phase – oestrogen levels decrease (job of


thickening the lining is done) and progesterone levels
increase (to maintain the lining). Progesterone levels peak
around one week after LH peak – to coincide with timing
of likely embryo implantation. The corpus luteum, which
is what remains of the follicle in the ovary that released an
egg at ovulation, is responsible for increasing levels of
progesterone. If implantation does not occur,
progesterone levels drop and the endometrial lining will
be shed.
Hormones control the maturation of the egg
• Menses – 4 – 7 days. Oestrogen and Progesterone levels decrease.
• Follicular phase (pre-ovulation) for about 10 – 17 days starting from
day 1 (start of period). FSH is released → follicle is matured.
Oestrogen levels increased → lining of endometrium thickens
• Peak in oestrogen levels triggers an increase in Luteinizing Hormone
which triggers ovulation → egg is released from follicle within an
ovary into the fallopian tube where it can become fertilized by sperm.
• Luteal phase – oestrogen levels decrease (job of thickening the lining
is done) and progesterone levels increase (to maintain the lining).
Progesterone levels peak around one week after LH peak – to coincide
with timing of likely embryo implantation. The corpus luteum, which
is what remains of the follicle in the ovary that released an egg at
ovulation, is responsible for increasing levels of progesterone. If
implantation does not occur, progesterone levels drop and the
endometrial lining will be shed.
https://www.c
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Worksheet 1.6 Hormonal control in the
human ovarian cycle
Hormones that control Ovulation
• Watch the clip - ‘Homones in the menstrual
cycle, GCSE biology science’
• OPTIONAL - For your own summary notes
make your own flow chart to identify the
hormones involved in ovulation
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone
• Luteinizing Hormone
• Oestrogen
• Progesterone
• And combine this with a diagram that shows the
reproductive cycle
Fertilisation and implantation in
mammals
Video: Fertilization
• Watch the video Fertilization 5:42 and
then complete the worksheet 1.7
Fertilization and implantation in
mammals

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5O
vgQW6FG4
Implantation
• After fertilisation, the zygote grows by cell
division (mitosis) as it travels down the
fallopian tube towards the uterus.
• After about one week this clump of cells is
called the blastocyst. It contains an inner
cell mass → form the embryo; and outer
cells called the trophoblast that will form the
placenta.
after the egg is released,
the follicle seals itself off
and forms a mass of
cells called the corpus

Implantation luteum

• Implantation occurs when the blastocyst attaches to the lining


of the endometrium.
• Once the blastocyst has implanted into the uterine wall, the
embryo begins to release hormones such as human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG). This HCG sustains the corpus
luteum, allowing it to continue secreting oestrogen and
progesterone – which is required to maintain the uterus
lining.
• Without HCG, the corpus luteum breaks down and stops
releasing hormones. This decreases oestrogen and
progesterone levels, which triggers the uterine lining to be
shed.
1.8 Pregnancy and Birth: In the hands of
hormones
• Complete the (3 page) worksheet to learn more about how hormones
regulate pregnancy and birth in mammals.

• Next: For homework, you should construct study notes (including a flow
chart) to: Analyse the features of fertilisation, implantation and hormonal
control of pregnancy and birth in mammals
• Think about the types of hormones and their role – how do they regulate
fertilisation, pregnancy and birth.

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