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Fertilization in the Fallopian Tube

Fertilization is the fusion of a haploid sperm and ovum to form a diploid zygote, typically occurring in the fallopian tube. The process involves sperm transport, capacitation, entry into the ovum, blocking polyspermy, completion of meiosis II, and fusion of male and female pronuclei. These steps ensure that only one sperm fertilizes the ovum, resulting in the formation of a zygote.

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3 views2 pages

Fertilization in the Fallopian Tube

Fertilization is the fusion of a haploid sperm and ovum to form a diploid zygote, typically occurring in the fallopian tube. The process involves sperm transport, capacitation, entry into the ovum, blocking polyspermy, completion of meiosis II, and fusion of male and female pronuclei. These steps ensure that only one sperm fertilizes the ovum, resulting in the formation of a zygote.

Uploaded by

BISHAL BASYAS
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Fertilization

📘 Definition:
Fertilization is the process of fusion of a haploid sperm (male gamete) with a haploid ovum
(female gamete) to form a diploid zygote.
Location: In humans, fertilization usually occurs in the ampullary-isthmic junction of the
fallopian tube, which is the site where the ovum and sperm meet.

🔄 Steps in Fertilization
🔹 1. Sperm Transport and Capacitation
 After ejaculation, sperm travel through the vagina → cervix → uterus → fallopian
tube.
 Before fertilizing the ovum, sperm undergo capacitation.
Capacitation:
 Capacitation is the functional maturation of sperm that occurs inside the female
reproductive tract, making the sperm capable of fertilizing the ovum. Capacitation
involves following steps-
1. Removal of glycoprotein coat and seminal plasma proteins from the sperm’s plasma
membrane (especially around the acrosome).
2. Increased permeability of the membrane to calcium ions.
3. Hyperactivation of motility – the sperm begins moving more vigorously.
4. Preparation for the acrosome reaction, which is essential for penetration of the ovum’s
outer layers.

🔹 2. Entry of Sperm
 When the sperm reaches the ovum, it must penetrate the corona radiata, zona pellucida,
and plasma membrane of the secondary oocyte.
 This is facilitated by enzymes (like hyaluronidase and acrosin) released from the
acrosome of the sperm.

🔹 3. Blocking Polyspermy
 As soon as one sperm fuses with the plasma membrane of the ovum:
o The ovum forms a fertilization membrane that prevents entry of additional
sperms.
o This ensures monospermy (only one sperm fertilizes the ovum).
🔹 4. Completion of Meiosis II
 The entry of the sperm stimulates the secondary oocyte to complete meiosis II.
 This results in the formation of:
o A haploid ovum
o A second polar body

🔹 5. Fusion of Male and Female Pronuclei


 The haploid nucleus of the sperm (male pronucleus) fuses with the haploid nucleus of the
ovum (female pronucleus).
 This leads to the formation of a diploid zygote (2n).

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