Ovum

Germ cell/basic functional unit of the female reproductive system

Ovum/Egg (sing) Ova/Eggs (pl)

Fundamentals:

• All mitotic divisions occur within the first two-three months of fetal development
• Third month, all mitotic divisions cease
  • All oogonia that a female will produce will be produced within the first three months of fetal development
    • At birth about 400,000 primary oocytes in BOTH ovaries
      • At the end of her reproductive life, only 400 will ahve matured
        • Primary oocytes degenerate at various stages during developmental process

Functions

• Fertilized by sperm to create an organism
• Normally haploid

Anatomy of Ovum:

• Zona pellucida
• Ovum
• Theca cells
• Follicle
• Granulosa Cells
• Corpus Luteum

Classification of Sperm

• Oogonia
  • Mitosis
• Primary oocytes
  • First meiotic division - Surge of LH
    • Happens in monthly cycles or periodically (padum-tsh)
• Secodnary oocyte

Chemicals:

Concept:

• Germ Cells
• Oogenesis
• Fertilization

Buildup Concept:

• Embryology

Terminology:

• Haploid - Poidy/Genetics
• Atresia: process of primary oocytes degeneration
• Polar bodies