Category: Applied Biology

Fertilization is the union of male(sperm) and female(oocyte) gametes to form a zygote and marks the beginning of the pregnancy. Embryonic life begins with fertilization. Fertilization process require 24 hours.

During this lesson we need to discuss about

1. Ovulation
2. Getting the spermatozoa ready
3. Key steps of fertilization
4. The formation of the zygote
5. Abnormal Fertilization

Ovulation

The fertilization takes place in the female genital track.

Roughly a week before the midpoint of the menstrual cycle the dominant follicle develops in one of the two ovaries. This grows faster than the other tertiary follicles and prepares itself for ovulation. It reaches a diameter of up to 25 mm and is also known then as the graafian follicle.

Since at this moment the cumulus oophorus has detached itself from the granulosa, the oocyte “swims” surrounded by its cumulus cells (so-called corona radiata) in the follicle fluid.
The graafian follicle bulges out the ovary’s surface. It is ready to tear open, i.e., its wall and the peritoneal covering will soon rupture and its watery contents will pour into the infundibulum of the tuba, together with the oocyte.

A hormonal regulation is responsible for follicle maturation. Approximately one-and-a-half days before the midpoint of the cycle, the concentration of the luteinizing hormone (LH) rises steeply.

In the first week of the cycle the maturation of the oocyte in its associated follicle depends on the progress of the maturation of the surrounding follicle cells.

The fittest follicle with its oocyte becomes the dominant follicle in the second cycle week and, later, a graafian follicle.

Up to just under two days before ovulation, the maturation of the oocyte consists in its ingestion of substances (growth of the yolk) that are supplied by the surrounding granulosa cells that are anchored through the pellucid zone at the oocyte surface.

The oocyte nucleus [2n, 4C] is also matured in the last days before the LH peak.

Up to that point it was arrested in the extremely elongated prophase (= dictyotene) of the first meiosis.

Through the «maturation» the nucleus changes in the diakinesis (of the prophase) and prepares itself for the completion of the first meiosis, which is triggered by the LH peak.

With the end of the first meiosis the name of the oocyte changes from primary oocyte to secondary oocyte.

Through the effects of LH on the granulosa cells, these have begun to loosen their cellular bonds and to multiply. They now also produce progesterone that is released into the follicle fluid.

Through the separation of the homologous chromosomes in the first meiosis a haploid (reduplicated) set of chromosomes (1n, 2C) is now to be found in the secondary oocyte. The first polar body also contains 1n, 2C.

Via a fine cytoplasmic connection the polar body and oocyte remain bound together following the meiotic division, similar to what takes place when male gametes are formed.

Besides the hormones, the granulosa cells also secrete an extra-cellular matrix, mainly hyaluronic acid, into the follicle fluid. Before ovulation the follicle fluid volume increases markedly. The cumulus cell bonds loosen further. In this way, together with the enclosed oocyte, they free themselves from where they were attached to the follicular wall and now swim in the follicle fluid. The wreath of granulosa cells that enclose the oocyte is called the corona radiata.

The follicle and the oocyte are now ready for ovulation that takes place roughly 38 hours after the LH peak.

Ovulation, i.e., the emergence of the secondary oocyte from the follicle, depends on the disintegration of the follicle wall and the rupture of the ovarian surface.

The hyaluronic acid has the property that it binds water molecules. So, tension to the follicle wall increases.

On the ovarian surface above the follicle that is about to burst, a white point forms shortly before the rupture (due to compression of the blood vessels), the so-called stigma.

When the surface ruptures the mass of cumulus cells, which are saturated with hyaluronic acid and which shelter the oocyte, reach the fallopian tube together with serous yellow follicle contents.

In the fallopian tube, the secondary oocyte is surrounded by the corona radiata and scattered parts of cumulus cells (so-called cumulus cell cloud). The fluid that lies in between is sticky and stringy (effect of the hyaluronic acid) with a high concentration of progesterone (to attract the spermatozoa).

Getting the Spermatozoa Ready

There are parallels between getting the spermatozoa ready and the maturation of an oocyte but there are also clear differences.

The spermatozoa have to go through several temporal maturation steps in a series of different locations in order to be capable of penetrating into the oocyte. While the oocyte’s maturation steps involve the storing of yolk and the process of meiosis, functional maturation steps are required with the spermatozoa, which mainly involve their motile abilities along with their ability to penetrate through the egg covering.

he spermatozoa experience an initial maturation step during the time they are “stored” in the epididymis. When the ejaculation occurs, a second step follows that leads to a sudden activation of their motility.

The third step takes place during their stay in the female genital tract, especially during the ascension towards the ovary through the uterus and fallopian tube. The spermatozoa experience thereby the so-called capacitation. Finally, the last activation step follows: the acrosome reaction in the immediate vicinity of the oocyte.

The maturation and activation of the spermatozoa occur in the following four steps:

• Storage in the epididymis ==> Maturation
• Ejaculation ==> Activation
• Ascension to the ovary ==> Capacitation
• Near the oocyte ==> Acrosome reaction

Key Steps of Fertilization

The process of fertilization in humans involves a number of key processes

1. Capacitation
2. Acrosome Reaction
3. Cortical Reaction

Capacitation

Capacitation occurs after ejaculation, when chemicals released by the uterus dissolve the sperm’s cholesterol coat

• This improves sperm motility (hyperactivity), meaning sperm is more likely to reach the egg (in the oviduct)
• It also destabilises the acrosome cap, which is necessary for the acrosome reaction to occur upon egg and sperm contact

Acrosome Reaction

When the sperm reaches an egg, the acrosome reaction allows the sperm to break through the surrounding jelly coat

• The sperm pushes through the follicular cells of the corona radiata and binds to the zona pellucida (jelly coat)
• The acrosome vesicle fuses with the jelly coat and releases digestive enzymes which soften the glycoprotein matrix
• The sperm then pushes its way through the softened jelly coat and binds to exposed docking proteins on the egg membrane
• The membrane of the egg and sperm then fuse and the sperm nucleus (and centriole) enters the egg

Cortical Reaction

The cortical reaction occurs once a sperm has successfully penetrated an egg in order to prevent polyspermy

• Cortical granules within the egg’s cytoplasm release enzymes (via exocytosis) into the zona pellucida (jelly coat)
• These enzymes destroy sperm binding sites and also thicken and harden the glycoprotein matrix of the jelly coat
• This prevents other sperm from being able to penetrate the egg (polyspermy), ensuring the zygote formed is diploid 

The Formation of The Zygote

After the spermatozoon has impregnated the oocyte, i.e., has delivered the paternal portion of the genetic material, things are now set into motion within the oocyte so that the paternal as well as the maternal genetic information are put into a form that allows both to be brought together in a proper way. The unpacked DNA is enclosed in the slowly forming paternal and maternal pronuclei. 

Along side several morphological changes can be seen.

1. Sperm passes through the corona radiata

• this is the result of enzymatic action of tubal mucosa and semen. Sperm tail movements also help penetration of corona and zona pellucida

2. Sperm penetrates the zona pellucida: digests a path by action of enzymes released from its acrosome

• Only 1 sperm enters the oocyte and fertilizes it, even though several may penetrate the zona pellucida
• Two sperm may take part in fertilization during an abnormal process called dispermy resulting in a triploid embryo (69 chromosomes), but it nearly always aborts or dies shortly after birth
• If 2 female pronuclei take part in fertilization, it is called polygyny

3. Sperm head attaches to surface of the oocyte, plasma membranes of oocyte and sperm fuse, and then break at contact point

• Head and tail of sperm enter oocyte cytoplasm with sperm’s plasma membrane being attached to oocyte’s plasma membrane Once inside the cytoplasm of the oocyte, the sperm tail degenerates

4. Oocyte responds by

• Zonal reaction: change in zona pellucida inhibits entry of more sperm, due to substance of oocyte cytoplasm

• Secondary oocyte completes second meiotic division and its chromosomes (22 plus X) arrange themselves in a vesicular nucleus called the female pronucleus. The second polar body is extruded

5. Sperm head enlarges and forms the male pronucleus

6. The male and female pronuclei approach each other in the oocyte center, meet, and lose their nuclear membranes. They resolve their chromatin into a complete single haploid set of chromosomes which become organized on a spindle

7. After the maternal and paternal chromosomes intermingle, metaphase of the first cleavage mitosis takes place, and the normal chromosome number is reconstituted

8. Anaphase of the first cleavage mitosis then occurs

9. The first 2 blastomeres are next seen, following cell division, and they are surrounded by the zona pellucida

After the two pronuclei have come as close together as they can, no merging of them takes place, i.e., a fitting together of the chromosomes of the two pronuclei within a single nucleic membrane does not happen. It is much more accurate to say that the nucleic membranes of both pronuclei dissolve and the chromosomes of both align themselves on the spindle apparatus at the equator.

The zygote, the first cell of a new organism with an individual genome (2n4C) is created by the alignment of the maternal chromosomes together with the paternal ones on a common spindle apparatus.

Abnormal Fertilization

◦PARTHENOGENESIS: oocyte is activated without sperm penetration and development may begin. No record of viable birth via this method

• Cleaving oocytes in ovary may develop into an ovarian teratoma

◦SUPERFECUNDATION may follow polyovulation. An oocyte is fertilized by spermatozoa from one male and another oocyte is fertilized by a second male. Seen in various mammals, not usual in man.

◦SUPERFETATION: ovulation and fertilization occur during an established pregnancy

A cell cycle is a series of events that takes place in a cell as it grows and divides. A cell spends most of its time in what is called interphase, and during this time it grows, replicates its chromosomes, and prepares for cell division. The cell then leaves interphase, undergoes mitosis, and completes its division. The resulting cells, known as daughter cells, each enter their own interphase and begin a new round of the cell cycle.

The cell cycle is the process a cell will go through to replicate all of its material and divide itself from one cell into two identical cells. While this is commonly known as Mitosis, in fact Mitosis is just one stage of the cell cycle. In this article, we will look at the different stages of the cell cycle and what happens in each stage. We will also consider the regulation of the cell cycle, and look at some examples of when this goes wrong.

Phases of the Cell CycleThe Cell Cycle is a 4-stage process consisting of Gap 1 (G1), Synthesis, Gap 2 (G2) and Mitosis. An active eukaryotic cell will undergo these steps as it grows and divides. After completing the cycle, the cell either starts the process again from G1 or exits the cycle through G0. From G0, the cell can undergo terminal differentiation.
G1 phase

• Metabolic changes prepare the cell for division.
• Cell increases in size
• Cellular contents duplicated
• At a certain point (restriction point) the cell is committed to division and moved to S phase.

S phase

• DNA synthesis replicates the genetic material.
• Each of the 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) is replicated by the cell

G2 phase

• Metabolic changes assemble the cytoplasmic material required for mitosis and cytokinesis.

M phase

• Mitosis followed by Cytokinesis (cell separation)
• Formation of two identical daughter cells

Phases of Mitosis

Mitosis is a form of eukaryotic cell division that produces two daughter cells with the same genetic component as the parent cell. Chromosomes replicated during the S phase are divided in such a way as to ensure that each daughter cell receives a copy of every chromosome. In actively dividing animal cells, the whole process takes about one hour.

The replicated chromosomes are attached to a ‘mitotic apparatus’ that aligns them and then separates the sister chromatids to produce an even partitioning of the genetic material. This separation of the genetic material in a mitotic nuclear division (or karyokinesis) is followed by a separation of the cell cytoplasm in a cellular division (or cytokinesis) to produce two daughter cells.
In some single-celled organisms mitosis forms the basis of asexual reproduction. In diploid multicellular organisms sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two haploid gametes to produce a diploid zygote. Mitotic divisions of the zygote and daughter cells are then responsible for the subsequent growth and development of the organism. In the adult organism, mitosis plays a role in cell replacement, wound healing and tumour formation.
Mitosis, although a continuous process, is conventionally divided into five stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

Prophase

• Prophase occupies over half of mitosis.
• The nuclear membrane breaks down to form a number of small vesicles and the nucleolus disintegrates.
• A structure known as the centrosome duplicates itself to form two daughter centrosomes that migrate to opposite ends of the cell.
• The centrosomes organise the production of microtubules that form the spindle fibres that constitute the mitotic spindle.
• The chromosomes condense into compact structures.
• Each replicated chromosome can now be seen to consist of two identical chromatids (or sister chromatids) held together by a structure known as the centromere.

Prometaphase

• The chromosomes, led by their centromeres, migrate to the equatorial plane in the mid-line of the cell – at right-angles to the axis formed by the centrosomes.
• This region of the mitotic spindle is known as the metaphase plate.
• The spindle fibres bind to a structure associated with the centromere of each chromosome called a kinetochore.
• Individual spindle fibres bind to a kinetochore structure on each side of the centromere.
• The chromosomes continue to condense.

Metaphase

• Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate of the spindle apparatus.

Anaphase

• The shortest stage of mitosis.
• The centromeres divide, and the sister chromatids of each chromosome are pulled apart – or ‘disjoin’ – and move to the opposite ends of the cell, pulled by spindle fibres attached to the kinetochore regions.
• The separated sister chromatids are now referred to as daughter chromosomes. (It is the alignment and separation in metaphase and anaphase that is important in ensuring that each daughter cell receives a copy of every chromosome.)

Telophase

• The final stage of mitosis, and a reversal of many of the processes observed during prophase.
• The nuclear membrane reforms around the chromosomes grouped at either pole of the cell,
• the chromosomes decondense (uncoil) and become diffuse,
• the spindle fibres disappear.

Cytokinesis is the process of the parent cell becoming 2 daughter cells. These daughter cells contain identical genetic information. In plants a cell plate forms along the line of the metaphase plate; in animals there is a constriction of the cytoplasm. The cell then enters interphase – the interval between mitotic divisions. It is considered a separate step to mitosis.
The stages in the cell cycle between one mitosis and the next, which includes G1, S and G2, is known as interphase.

Meiosis I

Meiosis is the form of eukaryotic cell division that produces haploid sex cells or gametes (which contain a single copy of each chromosome) from diploid cells (which contain two copies of each chromosome). The process takes the form of one DNA replication followed by two successive nuclear and cellular divisions (Meiosis I and Meiosis II). As in mitosis, meiosis is preceded by a process of DNA replication that converts each chromosome into two sister chromatids.

Meiosis I

Meiosis I separates the pairs of homologous chromosomes.

In Meiosis I a special cell division reduces the cell from diploid to haploid.

Prophase I

The homologous chromosomes pair and exchange DNA to form recombinant chromosomes. Prophase I is divided into five phases:

• Leptotene: chromosomes start to condense.
• Zygotene: homologous chromosomes become closely associated (synapsis) to form pairs of chromosomes (bivalents) consisting of four chromatids (tetrads).
• Pachytene: crossing over between pairs of homologous chromosomes to form chiasmata (sing. chiasma).
• Diplotene: homologous chromosomes start to separate but remain attached by chiasmata.
• Diakinesis: homologous chromosomes continue to separate, and chiasmata move to the ends of the chromosomes.

Prometaphase I

• Spindle apparatus formed, and chromosomes attached to spindle fibres by kinetochores.

Metaphase I

• Homologous pairs of chromosomes (bivalents) arranged as a double row along the metaphase plate.
• The arrangement of the paired chromosomes with respect to the poles of the spindle apparatus is random along the metaphase plate. (This is a source of genetic variation through random assortment, as the paternal and maternal chromosomes in a homologous pair are similar but not identical.
• The number of possible arrangements is 2n, where n is the number of chromosomes in a haploid set. Human beings have 23 different chromosomes, so the number of possible combinations is 223, which is over 8 million.)

Anaphase I

• The homologous chromosomes in each bivalent are separated and move to the opposite poles of the cell

Telophase I

• The chromosomes become diffuse and the nuclear membrane reforms.

Cytokinesis
The final cellular division to form two new cells, followed by Meiosis II. Meiosis I is a reduction division: the original diploid cell had two copies of each chromosome; the newly formed haploid cells have one copy of each chromosome.

Meiosis II

Meiosis II separates each chromosome into two chromatids.

The events of Meiosis II are analogous to those of a mitotic division, although the number of chromosomes involved has been halved.
Meiosis generates genetic diversity through:

• the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during Meiosis I
• the random alignment of maternal and paternal chromosomes in Meiosis I
• the random alignment of the sister chromatids at Meiosis II

Meiosis in females

Regulation

The progression of cells through the cell cycle is controlled by checkpoints at different stages. These detect if a cell contains damaged DNA and ensure those cells do not replicate. The Restriction point (R) is located at G1 and is a key checkpoint. The vast majority of cells that pass through the R point will end up completing the entire cell cycle. Other checkpoints are located at the transitions between G1 and S, and G2 and M.

If damaged DNA is detected at any checkpoint, activation of the checkpoint results in increased protein p53 production. p53 is a tumour suppressor gene that stops the progression of the cell cycle and starts repair mechanisms for the damaged DNA. If this DNA cannot be repaired, then it ensures the cell undergoes apoptosis and can no longer replicate.
This cell cycle is also closely regulated by cyclins which control cell progression by activating cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) enzymes.

An example of a tumour suppressor protein would be retinoblastoma protein (Rb). Rb restricts the ability of a cell to progress from G1 to S phase in the cell cycle. CDK phosphorylates Rb to pRb, making it unable to restrict cell proliferation. This allows cells to divide normally in the cell cycle.

Apoptosis

• Apoptosis helps to regulate animal cell number
• The number of the cells is tightly regulated by controlling the rate of cell division, but also the rate of cell death
• Apoptosis is a programmed cell death
• The molecular machinery responsible for apoptosis involves a family  of proteases called CASPASES
• These enzymes are made as inactive precursors  
• Two types of signals induce apoptosis : intrinsic or extrinsic

The sequence of events that result in the contraction of an individual muscle fibre begins with a signal—the neurotransmitter, ACh—from the motor neuron innervating that fibre. The local membrane of the fibre will depolarize as positively charged sodium ions (Na+) enter, triggering an action potential that spreads to the rest of the membrane will depolarize, including the T-tubules. This triggers the release of calcium ions (Ca++) from storage in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The Ca++ then initiates contraction, which is sustained by ATP (Figure 1). As long as Ca++ ions remain in the sarcoplasm to bind to troponin, which keeps the actin-binding sites “unshielded,” and as long as ATP is available to drive the cross-bridge cycling and the pulling of actin strands by myosin, the muscle fibre will continue to shorten to an anatomical limit.

Muscle contraction usually stops when signalling from the motor neuron ends, which repolarizes the sarcolemma and T-tubules, and closes the voltage-gated calcium channels in the SR. Ca++ ions are then pumped back into the SR, which causes the tropomyosin to reshield (or re-cover) the binding sites on the actin strands. A muscle also can stop contracting when it runs out of ATP and becomes fatigued (Figure 2).

The release of calcium ions initiates muscle contractions. Watch this video to learn more about the role of calcium. (a) What are “T-tubules” and what is their role? (b) Please describe how actin-binding sites are made available for cross-bridging with myosin heads during contraction.

The molecular events of muscle fiber shortening occur within the fiber’s sarcomeres (see Figure 3). The contraction of a striated muscle fiber occurs as the sarcomeres, linearly arranged within myofibrils, shorten as myosin heads pull on the actin filaments.

The region where thick and thin filaments overlap has a dense appearance, as there is little space between the filaments. This zone where thin and thick filaments overlap is very important to muscle contraction, as it is the site where filament movement starts. Thin filaments, anchored at their ends by the Z-discs, do not extend completely into the central region that only contains thick filaments, anchored at their bases at a spot called the M-line. A myofibril is composed of many sarcomeres running along its length; thus, myofibrils and muscle cells contract as the sarcomeres contract.

The Sliding Filament Model Of Contraction

When signalled by a motor neuron, a skeletal muscle fibre contracts as the thin filaments are pulled and then slide past the thick filaments within the fibre’s sarcomeres. This process is known as the sliding filament model of muscle contraction (Figure 3). The sliding can only occur when myosin-binding sites on the actin filaments are exposed by a series of steps that begins with Ca++ entry into the sarcoplasm.

Tropomyosin is a protein that winds around the chains of the actin filament and covers the myosin-binding sites to prevent actin from binding to myosin. Tropomyosin binds to troponin to form a troponin-tropomyosin complex. The troponin-tropomyosin complex prevents the myosin “heads” from binding to the active sites on the actin microfilaments. Troponin also has a binding site for Ca++ ions.

To initiate muscle contraction, tropomyosin has to expose the myosin-binding site on an actin filament to allow cross-bridge formation between the actin and myosin microfilaments. The first step in the process of contraction is for Ca++ to bind to troponin so that tropomyosin can slide away from the binding sites on the actin strands. This allows the myosin heads to bind to these exposed binding sites and form cross-bridges. The thin filaments are then pulled by the myosin heads to slide past the thick filaments toward the centre of the sarcomere. But each head can only pull a very short distance before it has reached its limit and must be “re-cocked” before it can pull again, a step that requires ATP.

ATP and Muscle Contraction

For thin filaments to continue to slide past thick filaments during muscle contraction, myosin heads must pull the actin at the binding sites, detach, re-cock, attach to more binding sites, pull, detach, re-cock, etc. This repeated movement is known as the cross-bridge cycle. This motion of the myosin heads is similar to the oars when an individual rows a boat: The paddle of the oars (the myosin heads) pull, are lifted from the water (detach), repositioned (re-cocked) and then immersed again to pull (Figure 4). Each cycle requires energy, and the action of the myosin heads in the sarcomeres repetitively pulling on the thin filaments also requires energy, which is provided by ATP.

Cross-bridge formation occurs when the myosin head attaches to the actin while adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) are still bound to myosin (Figure 4a,b). Pi is then released, causing myosin to form a stronger attachment to the actin, after which the myosin head moves toward the M-line, pulling the actin along with it. As actin is pulled, the filaments move approximately 10 nm toward the M-line. This movement is called the power stroke, as movement of the thin filament occurs at this step (Figure 4c). In the absence of ATP, the myosin head will not detach from actin.

One part of the myosin head attaches to the binding site on the actin, but the head has another binding site for ATP. ATP binding causes the myosin head to detach from the actin (Figure 4d). After this occurs, ATP is converted to ADP and Pi by the intrinsic ATPase activity of myosin. The energy released during ATP hydrolysis changes the angle of the myosin head into a cocked position (Figure 4e). The myosin head is now in position for further movement.

When the myosin head is cocked, myosin is in a high-energy configuration. This energy is expended as the myosin head moves through the power stroke, and at the end of the power stroke, the myosin head is in a low-energy position. After the power stroke, ADP is released; however, the formed cross-bridge is still in place, and actin and myosin are bound together. As long as ATP is available, it readily attaches to myosin, the cross-bridge cycle can recur, and muscle contraction can continue.

Note that each thick filament of roughly 300 myosin molecules has multiple myosin heads, and many cross-bridges form and break continuously during muscle contraction. Multiply this by all of the sarcomeres in one myofibril, all the myofibrils in one muscle fibre, and all of the muscle fibres in one skeletal muscle, and you can understand why so much energy (ATP) is needed to keep skeletal muscles working. In fact, it is the loss of ATP that results in the rigor mortis observed soon after someone dies. With no further ATP production possible, there is no ATP available for myosin heads to detach from the actin-binding sites, so the cross-bridges stay in place, causing the rigidity in the skeletal muscles.

Sources Of ATP

ATP supplies the energy for muscle contraction to take place. In addition to its direct role in the cross-bridge cycle, ATP also provides the energy for the active-transport Ca++ pumps in the SR. Muscle contraction does not occur without sufficient amounts of ATP. The amount of ATP stored in muscle is very low, only sufficient to power a few seconds worth of contractions. As it is broken down, ATP must therefore be regenerated and replaced quickly to allow for sustained contraction. There are three mechanisms by which ATP can be regenerated: creatine phosphate metabolism, anaerobic glycolysis, fermentation and aerobic respiration.

Creatine phosphate is a molecule that can store energy in its phosphate bonds. In a resting muscle, excess ATP transfers its energy to creatine, producing ADP and creatine phosphate. This acts as an energy reserve that can be used to quickly create more ATP. When the muscle starts to contract and needs energy, creatine phosphate transfers its phosphate back to ADP to form ATP and creatine. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme creatine kinase and occurs very quickly; thus, creatine phosphate-derived ATP powers the first few seconds of muscle contraction. However, creatine phosphate can only provide approximately 15 seconds worth of energy, at which point another energy source has to be used (Figure 5).

As the ATP produced by creatine phosphate is depleted, muscles turn to glycolysis as an ATP source. Glycolysis is an anaerobic (non-oxygen-dependent) process that breaks down glucose (sugar) to produce ATP; however, glycolysis cannot generate ATP as quickly as creatine phosphate. Thus, the switch to glycolysis results in a slower rate of ATP availability to the muscle. The sugar used in glycolysis can be provided by blood glucose or by metabolizing glycogen that is stored in the muscle. The breakdown of one glucose molecule produces two ATP and two molecules of pyruvic acid, which can be used in aerobic respiration or when oxygen levels are low, converted to lactic acid (Figure 5b).

If oxygen is available, pyruvic acid is used in aerobic respiration. However, if oxygen is not available, pyruvic acid is converted to lactic acid, which may contribute to muscle fatigue. This conversion allows the recycling of the enzyme NAD+ from NADH, which is needed for glycolysis to continue. This occurs during strenuous exercise when high amounts of energy are needed but oxygen cannot be sufficiently delivered to muscle. Glycolysis itself cannot be sustained for very long (approximately 1 minute of muscle activity), but it is useful in facilitating short bursts of high-intensity output. This is because glycolysis does not utilize glucose very efficiently, producing a net gain of two ATPs per molecule of glucose, and the end product of lactic acid, which may contribute to muscle fatigue as it accumulates.

Aerobic respiration is the breakdown of glucose or other nutrients in the presence of oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. Approximately 95 percent of the ATP required for resting or moderately active muscles is provided by aerobic respiration, which takes place in mitochondria. The inputs for aerobic respiration include glucose circulating in the bloodstream, pyruvic acid, and fatty acids. Aerobic respiration is much more efficient than anaerobic glycolysis, producing approximately 36 ATPs per molecule of glucose versus four from glycolysis. However, aerobic respiration cannot be sustained without a steady supply of O2 to the skeletal muscle and is much slower (Figure 5c). To compensate, muscles store small amount of excess oxygen in proteins call myoglobin, allowing for more efficient muscle contractions and less fatigue. Aerobic training also increases the efficiency of the circulatory system so that O2 can be supplied to the muscles for longer periods of time.

Muscle fatigue occurs when a muscle can no longer contract in response to signals from the nervous system. The exact causes of muscle fatigue are not fully known, although certain factors have been correlated with the decreased muscle contraction that occurs during fatigue. ATP is needed for normal muscle contraction, and as ATP reserves are reduced, muscle function may decline. This may be more of a factor in brief, intense muscle output rather than sustained, lower intensity efforts. Lactic acid buildup may lower intracellular pH, affecting enzyme and protein activity. Imbalances in Na+ and K+ levels as a result of membrane depolarization may disrupt Ca++ flow out of the SR. Long periods of sustained exercise may damage the SR and the sarcolemma, resulting in impaired Ca++ regulation.

Intense muscle activity results in an oxygen debt, which is the amount of oxygen needed to compensate for ATP produced without oxygen during muscle contraction. Oxygen is required to restore ATP and creatine phosphate levels, convert lactic acid to pyruvic acid, and, in the liver, to convert lactic acid into glucose or glycogen. Other systems used during exercise also require oxygen, and all of these combined processes result in the increased breathing rate that occurs after exercise. Until the oxygen debt has been met, oxygen intake is elevated, even after exercise has stopped.

Relaxation Of A Skeletal Muscle

Relaxing skeletal muscle fibres, and ultimately, the skeletal muscle, begins with the motor neuron, which stops releasing its chemical signal, ACh, into the synapse at the NMJ. The muscle fibre will repolarize, which closes the gates in the SR where Ca++ was being released. ATP-driven pumps will move Ca++ out of the sarcoplasm back into the SR. This results in the “reshielding” of the actin-binding sites on the thin filaments. Without the ability to form cross-bridges between the thin and thick filaments, the muscle fibre loses its tension and relaxes.

Muscle Strength

The number of skeletal muscle fibres in a given muscle is genetically determined and does not change. Muscle strength is directly related to the amount of myofibrils and sarcomeres within each fibre. Factors, such as hormones and stress (and artificial anabolic steroids), acting on the muscle can increase the production of sarcomeres and myofibrils within the muscle fibres, a change called hypertrophy, which results in the increased mass and bulk in a skeletal muscle. Likewise, decreased use of a skeletal muscle results in atrophy, where the number of sarcomeres and myofibrils disappear (but not the number of muscle fibres). It is common for a limb in a cast to show atrophied muscles when the cast is removed, and certain diseases, such as polio, show atrophied muscles.

Disorders of Muscular System

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive weakening of the skeletal muscles. It is one of several diseases collectively referred to as “muscular dystrophy.” DMD is caused by a lack of the protein dystrophin, which helps the thin filaments of myofibrils bind to the sarcolemma. Without sufficient dystrophin, muscle contractions cause the sarcolemma to tear, causing an influx of Ca++, leading to cellular damage and muscle fiber degradation. Over time, as muscle damage accumulates, muscle mass is lost, and greater functional impairments develop.

DMD is an inherited disorder caused by an abnormal X chromosome. It primarily affects males, and it is usually diagnosed in early childhood. DMD usually first appears as difficulty with balance and motion, and then progresses to an inability to walk. It continues progressing upward in the body from the lower extremities to the upper body, where it affects the muscles responsible for breathing and circulation. It ultimately causes death due to respiratory failure, and those afflicted do not usually live past their 20s.

Because DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for dystrophin, it was thought that introducing healthy myoblasts into patients might be an effective treatment. Myoblasts are the embryonic cells responsible for muscle development, and ideally, they would carry healthy genes that could produce the dystrophin needed for normal muscle contraction. This approach has been largely unsuccessful in humans. A recent approach has involved attempting to boost the muscle’s production of utrophin, a protein similar to dystrophin that may be able to assume the role of dystrophin and prevent cellular damage from occurring.

The ability of eukaryotic cells to adopt a variety of shapes, organize many compartments in the interior, interact mechanically with the environment and carry out coordinated movement depends on cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers forming the “infrastructure” of eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells, and archaeans. In eukaryotic cells, these fibers consist of a complex mesh of protein filaments and motor proteins that aid in cell movement and stabilize the cell.
Cytoskeleton Function The cytoskeleton extends throughout the cell’s cytoplasm and directs a number of important functions.

• It helps the cell maintain its shape and gives support to the cell.
• A variety of cellular organelles are held in place by the cytoskeleton.
• It assists in the formation of vacuoles.
• The cytoskeleton is a highly dynamic structure and is able to disassemble and reassemble its parts in order to enable internal and overall cell mobility. Types of intracellular movement supported by the cytoskeleton include transportation of vesicles into and out of a cell, chromosome manipulation during mitosis and meiosis, and organelle migration.
• The cytoskeleton makes cell migration possible as cell motility is needed for tissue construction and repair, cytokinesis (the division of the cytoplasm) in the formation of daughter cells, and in immune cell responses to germs.
• The cytoskeleton assists in the transportation of communication signals between cells.
• It forms cellular appendage-like protrusions, such as cilia and flagella, in some cells.

Cytoskeleton Structure

The cytoskeleton is composed of at least three different types of protein fibers and motor proteins.

The Protein Fibers

The protein fibers: microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments. These fibers are distinguished by their size with microtubules being the thickest and microfilaments being the thinnest.

Microfilaments

• Microfilaments are also known as actin filaments. They are thin, solid rods that are active in muscle contraction. Microfilaments are present in all eukaryotic cell. They are particularly prevalent in muscle cells. They also participate in organelle movement. Microfilaments are composed primarily of the contractile protein actin and measure up to 8 nm in diameter. Each filament is a twisted chain of identical globular actin (G actin). Actin filament has a structural polarity with a plus end and a minus end.

Ameoboid Movement

Actin polymerization causes protrusion. Protrusion means, the plasma membrane is pushed forward by the leading edge of the cell. This happens in Amoebae, macrophages, embryonic cells and metastatic cells.

Actin and cell junctions.
1. Adherens Junctions : Cadherin, Catenin, vinculin and actin.
2. Focal Adhesion : the sub-cellular structures that mediate the regulatory effects (i.e., signaling events) of a cell in response to ECM adhesion.

Actin Localizations

Different isoforms of actin are present in cell nucleus. Isoform means, those proteins are structurally related but functionally different from each other. Actin isoforms, despite of their high sequence similarity, have different biochemical properties such as polymerization and depolymerization kinetic. They also shows different localization and functions. The localizations are as followed.

1. Microvilli
2. Adhesion Belt
3. Cell Cortex
4. Filopodia
5. Lamellapodiam
6. Stress Fibres
7. Contractile Rings

Microtubules

Microtubules are the largest of the three components of the cytoskeleton present in all cell. They are hollow rods functioning primarily to help support and shape the cell and as “routes” along which organelles can move. Similar to microfilaments Microtubules are typically found in all eukaryotic cells. They vary in length and measure about 25 nm (nanometers) in diameter.
They are polymers of tubulin. They are formed by the polymerization of a dimer of two globular proteins, alpha and beta tubulin into protofilaments that can then associate laterally to form a hollow tube, the microtubule. The most common form of a microtubule consists of 13 protofilaments in the tubular arrangement. And non covalent bonding is used.

They grow from specialised organised centers. In animal cells they are centrosomes. The centrosome consist of a pair ofcentrioles surrounded by a matrix of proteins. The centrosome matrix includes 100s of ring shaped structures formed from γ-Tubulin and each γ-Tubulin ring complex serves as the starting point or nucleation site for the growth of one microtubule.

The αβ-tubulin dimers add to each γ-Tubulin ring complex in a specific orientation with the result that the minus end of each microtubule. Then it is embedded in the centrosome and growth occurs only at the plus end that extend into the cytoplasm.

La stathmin, or  oncoprotein 18” increased in tumor cells causing a turnover of microtubules

Microtubules maintain the structure of cell along with the microfilaments and intermediate filaments. They also form the internal structure of cilia and flagella. Intracellular transport is mainly occurred by these. And also the movement of secretory vesicles, organelles, and intracellular macromolecular assemblies (dynein and kinesin).
They are also involved in cell division (by mitosis and meiosis) and are the major constituents of mitotic spindles, which are used to pull eukaryotic chromosomes apart.

Microtubules are nucleated and organized by microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs), such as 

1. the centrosome found in the center of many animal cells.
2. the basal bodies found in cilia and flagella,
3. the spindle pole bodies found in most fungi.

The centrosome

The centrosome is an organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center (MTOC) of the animal cell, as well as a regulator of cell-cycle progression.

Centrosomes are formed by two centrioles. And thoes centrioles are arranged at perpendicular to each other. It is made of a cylindrical array of short microtubules (9 triplets). Yet centrioles have no role in the nucleation of the microtubules from the centrosome (The γ-Tubulin ring complex is sufficient). And it is surrounded by an amorphous mass of protein termed the pericentriolar material (PCM). Amorphorus means, it is a glassy solid and non crystalline. In general, each centriole of the centrosome is based on a nine triplet microtubule assembled in a cartwheel structure, and contains centrin, cenexin and tektin.

Following are the important functions of the centrosomes

• Assist in cell division during mitosis.
• They direct the movement of microtubules and cytoskeletal structures, thereby, facilitating changes in the shapes of the membranes of the animal cell.
• They play a role in mitosis in organizing the microtubules ensuring that the centrosomes are distributed to each daughter cell.
• Somehow act as the organizing centers for the microtubules in Cilia and Flagella where they are called basal bodies.
• They also stimulate the changes in the shape of the cell membrane by phagocytosis.
• They maintain the chromosome number during cell division.
• Centrosomes are associated with the nuclear membrane during the prophase stage of the cell cycle. In mitosis the nuclear membrane breaks down and the centrosome nucleated microtubules can interact with the chromosomes to build the mitotic spindle.

The Basal Bodies

A basal body is also known as basal granule, kinetosome and blepharoplast. It is formed from a centriole and several additional protein structures, and is, essentially, a modified centriole. The basal body serves as a nucleation site for the growth of the axoneme microtubules. Centrioles, from which basal bodies are derived, act as anchoring sites for proteins that in turn anchor microtubules, and are known as the microtubule organizing center (MTOC). These microtubules provide structure and facilitate movement of vesicles and organelles within many eukaryotic cells.

Mitotic Spindle

This is also known as spindle apparatus. And allows correct separation of the chromosome. This is formed during the cell division in order to seperate the sister chromatids between daughter cells. It has two different processes depending on the cell division type.

1. Mitotic Spindle : the mitotic spindle during mitosis, a process that produces genetically identical daughter cells.
2. Meiotic Spindle : the meiotic spindle during meiosis, a process that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell

Dynamic Stability of Microtubules

It allows microtubules to undergo rapid remoelling and is crucial for their function. In a normal cell, the centrosome is continually shooting out new microtubules in different directions in an exploratory fashion, many of which them react.

A microtubule growing out from the centrosome can however be prevented from dissassembling if its plus end is stabilized by attachment to another molecule or cell structure so as to prevent its depolymerization.

If stabilized by attachment to a structure in a more distant region of the cell, the microtubule will establish a relatively stable link between that structure and the centrosome.

The dynamic instability of microtubule is driven by GTP hydrolysis. Tubulin binds GTP, that can be hydrolized to GDP.

Intermediate filaments

Intermediate filaments have the great tensile strength. Intermediate filaments can be abundant in many cells and provide support for microfilaments and microtubules by holding them in place. These filaments form keratins found in epithelial cells and neurofilaments in neurons. They measure 10 nm in diameter.

Main Functions

• To enable the cell to withstand the mechanical stress that occur when cells are stretched. It is called “Intermediate” because, in the smooth muscle cells, they can be found between actin filaments and the thicker myosin filaments.
• Intermediate filaments are the toughest and the most durable of the cytoskeletal filaments. When cells are treated with concentrated salt solution and ionic detergents, the intermediate filaments survive, while most of the rest of the cytoskeleton is destroyed.
• Intermediate filaments are found in most of the animal cytoplasm. They typically form a network through out the cytoplasm, surrounding the nucleus and extending out to the cell periphery. There they are often anchored to the plasma membrane at cell-cell junctions. Desmosome and hemi desmosome where the plasma membrane is connected to that of another cell. 
• Also intermediate filament within the nucleus where they form nuclear lamina which underlies and strengthens the nuclear envelope.

Structure

• An intermediate filament is like a rope which many long strand are twisted together to provide tensile strength.
• Intermediate filament proteins are fibrous subunits each containing a central elongated rod domain with distinct unstructured domains at either end consists of an extended α-helical region that enables pairs of intermediate filament proteins to form stable dimers by wrapping around each other in a coiled coil configuration.
• Then staggered side by side arrangement of two dimers form tetromers.
• Tetromer is a basic unit for assembly of filaments. Tetromers can pack together into a helical array containing 8 tetromer strands which in turn assemble into the final rope-like intermediate filament.

Intermediate filaments can be grouped into 4 classes

1. Keratin filaments in epithelial cells
2. Vimentin and vimentin related filaments in connective tissue cells, muscle cells and glial cells
3. Neurofilaments in nerve cells
4. Nuclear lamina which strengthen the nuclear envelope

The Motor Proteins

A number of motor proteins are found in the cytoskeleton. As their name suggests, these proteins actively move cytoskeleton fibers. As a result, molecules and organelles are transported around the cell. Motor proteins are powered by ATP, which is generated through cellular respiration. They are dimers that have 2 globulat ATP biding heads and single tail. The head interacts with the microtubules. The tail generally binds to some cell component such as a vessicle or an organell. There are three types of motor proteins involved in cell movement.

• Kinesins move along microtubules carrying cellular components along the way. Generally moves toward the plus end of the microtubule. They are typically used to pull organelles toward the cell membrane.
• Dyneins are similar to kinesins and are used to pull cellular components inward toward the nucleus. Generally moves toward the minus end of the microtubule. Dyneins also work to slide microtubules relative to one another as observed in the movement of cilia and flagella.
• Myosins interact with actin in order to perform muscle contractions. They are also involved in cytokinesis, endocytosis (endo–cyt–osis), and exocytosis (exo-cyt-osis).

Cytoplasmic Streaming The cytoskeleton helps to make cytoplasmic streaming possible. Also known as cyclosis, this process involves the movement of the cytoplasm to circulate nutrients, organelles, and other substances within a cell. Cyclosis also aids in endocytosis and exocytosis, or the transport of substance into and out of a cell.
As cytoskeletal microfilaments contract, they help to direct the flow of cytoplasmic particles. When microfilaments attached to organelles contract, the organelles are pulled along and the cytoplasm flows in the same direction.
Cytoplasmic streaming occurs in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In protists, like amoebae, this process produces extensions of the cytoplasm known as pseudopodia. These structures are used for capturing food and for locomotion.

More Cell Structures The following organelles and structures can also be found in eukaryotic cells:

• Centrioles: These specialized groupings of microtubules help to organize the assembly of spindle fibers during mitosis and meiosis.
• Chromosomes: Cellular DNA is wrapped in thread-like structures called chromosomes.
• Cell Membrane: This semi-permeable membrane protects the integrity of the cell.
• Golgi Complex: This organelle manufactures, stores, and ships certain cellular products.
• Lysosomes: Lysosomes are sacs of enzymes that digest cellular macromolecules.
• Mitochondria: These organelles provide energy for the cell.
• Nucleus: Cell growth and reproduction are controlled by the cell nucleus.
• Peroxisomes: These organelles help to detoxify alcohol, form bile acid, and use oxygen to break down fats.
• Ribosomes: Ribosomes are RNA and protein complexes that are responsible for protein production via translation.

Gametogenesis is the production of gametes from haploid precursor cells. In animals and higher plants, two morphologically distinct types of gametes are produced (male and female) via distinct differentiation programs. Animals produce a tissue that is dedicated to forming gametes, called the germ line.

Now we are going to learn about the,

1. The Germ Line
2. Sexual Differentiation
3. Spermatogenesis
4. Oogenesis

The Germ Line

The primordial germ cells(PGCs) are the ancestors of the germ line. They are diploid.

In the second week of the human embryo these can be already found in the primary ectoderm (epiblast).

In the third week, the PGCs wander from the primary ectoderm to yolk sac wall. And they collect near the allantois. Now they are extraembryonal.

Between the fourth and the sixth week PGCs wander back into the embryo. They move along the yolk sac wall to the vitelline and into the wall of the rectum. After crossing the dorsal mesentery they colonize the gonadal ridge.

For both sexes the gonads arise in the gonadal ridges. They are generated in the 5th week. At this point, the gonadal ridge represents the primitive gonadal primordium.

Sexual Differentiation

The gender of an embryo is determined at the moment of fertilization and depends on whether the spermatozoon carries an X or a Y chromosome.

In XX embryos the germinal cords do not grow as far as the medulla and the cortical cords envelop the oogonia.

In XY embryos, on the other hand, the medullary cords become the testicular cords that also grow into the depths and establish contact with the mesonephros.

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is initiated in the male testis with the beginning of puberty.

This comprises the entire development of the spermatogonia (former primordial germ cells) up to sperm cells.

The gonadal cords develop a lumen. They then transform themselves into spermatic canals.

They are termed convoluted seminiferous tubules (Tubuli seminiferi contorti).

They are coated by a germinal epithelium that exhibits two differing cell populations: some are sustentacular cells (= Sertoli’s cells) and the great majority are the germ cells in various stages of division and differentiation.

The maturation of the germ cells begins with the spermatogonia at the periphery of the seminal canal and advances towards the lumen over spermatocytes I (primary spermatocytes), spermatocytes II (secondary spermatocytes), spermatids and finally to mature sperm cells.

The epithelium consists of Sertoli’s sustentacular cells and the spermatogenic cells.

Spermatogenesis is thus accomplished in close contact with the Sertoli’s cells, which not only have supportive and nourishing functions, but also secrete hormones and phagocytize cell fragments.

Along the course of spermatogenesis the germ cells move towards the lumen as they mature. The following developmental stages are thereby passed through:

1. A-spermatogonium
2. B-spermatogonium
3. Primary spermatocyte (= spermatocyte order I)
4. Secondary spermatocyte (= spermatocyte order II)
5. Spermatid
6. Sperm cell (= spermatozoon)

The spermatogenesis can be subdivided into two successive sections:

The first comprises the cells from the spermatogonium up to and including the secondary spermatocyte and is termed spermatocytogenesis.

The second one comprises the differentiation/maturation of the sperm cell, starting with the spermatid phase and is termed spermiogenesis (or spermiohistogenesis).

The approximate 64 day cycle of the spermatogenesis can be subdivided into four phases that last differing lengths of time:

Mitosis of the spermatogonia	16 Days	Up to the primary spermatocytes
Meiosis I	24 Days	For the division of the primary spermatocytes to form secondary spermatocytes
Meiosis II	Few Hours	For engendering the spermatids
Spermiogenesis	24 Days	Up to the completed sperm cells
Total	64 Days

Among the spermatogonia that form the basal layer of the germinal epithelium, several types can be distinguished: 1. Type A cells that undergo homonymous division. 2. Type A cells undergo heteronymous division.

After a further mitotic division type B spermatogonia divide into primary spermatocytes (I) which enter first meiosis.

They then go immediately into the S phase, double their internal DNA.

Following the S phase, these cells attain the complex stage of the prophase of the meiosis and become thereby noticeably visible with a light microscope.

This prophase, which lasts 24 days, can be divided into five sections:

Leptotene
Zygotene
Pachytene
Diplotene
Diakinesis

After the long prophase follow the metaphase, anaphase and telophase that take much less time. One primary spermatocyte yields two secondary spermatocytes.

The secondary spermatocytes go directly into the second meiosis, out of which the spermatids emerge. In the secondary spermatocytes neither DNA reduplication nor a recombination of the genetic material occurs.

Through the division of the chromatids of a secondary spermatocyte, two haploid spermatids arise that contain only half the original DNA content. In a process called spermiogenesis they are transformed into sperm cells with the active assistance of the Sertoli’s cells.

In examining a cross-section of a convoluted seminiferous tubule sometimes it is noticeable that cells appear in groups having the same maturation stages. Because, daughter cells generated by each meiotic step remain bound together by thin cytoplasmic bridges.

Thus with each meiotic step the following generation is twice as large, until the cells have formed a relatively complex network.

The result is that cells of the same development stages are seen there in groups.

Thus, it is highly improbable that all of the development stages will be seen in a single section at the same time. However, not all the spermatogenesis stages are found in a cross-section.

The differentiation of the spermatids into sperm cells is called spermiogenesis. It corresponds to the final part of spermatogenesis and comprises the following individual processes that partially proceed at the same time:

• Nuclear condensation: thickening and reduction of the nuclear size, condensation of the nuclear contents into the smallest space.
• Acrosome formation: Forming a cap (acrosome) containing enzymes that play an important role in the penetration through the pellucid zone of the oocyte.
• Flagellum formation: generation of the sperm cell tail. Four parts of the finished flagellum can be distinguished: The neck, the mid piece, the principle piece, and the tail.
• Cytoplasm reduction: elimination of all unnecessary cytoplasm

Leydig’s interstitial cells are endocrine cells that mainly produce testosterone. An initial active stage of these cells occurs during the embryonic development of the testis.

Oogenesis

Following the immigration of the primordial germ cells into the gonadal ridge, they proliferate. They form germinal cords. Now a cortical zone and a medulla can be distinguished. Because, in females the germinal cords never penetrate into the medullary zone.

In the genital primordium the following processes then take place:

1. A wave of proliferation begins that lasts from the 15th week to the 7th month: primary germ cells arise in the cortical zone.
2. With the onset of the meiosis (earliest onset in the prophase in the 12th week) the designation of the germ cells changes. They are now called primary oocytes. The primary oocytes become arrested in the diplotene stage of prophase I. Shortly before birth, all the foetal oocytes in the female ovary have attained this stage. The meiotic resting phase that then begins is called the dictyotene and it lasts till puberty. Only a few oocytes (secondary oocytes plus one polar body), though, reach the second meiosis and the subsequent ovulation. The remaining oocytes that mature each month become atretic.
3. While the oogonia transform into primary oocytes, they become restructured so that at the end of prophase I (the time of the dictyotene) each one gets enveloped by a single layer of flat, follicular epithelial cells. (oocyte + follicular epithelium = primordial follicle).

The developmental sequence of the female germ cells is as follows:
Primordial germ cell – oogonium – primary oocyte – primary oocyte in the dictyotene
Birth
The continuation of the development / maturation of the oocyte begins again only a few days before ovulation (see fertilization module).

The developmental sequence of a follicle goes through various follicle stages:
Primordial follicle – primary follicle – secondary follicle – tertiary follicle (graafian follicle)
Since a follicle can die at any moment in its development (= atresia), not all reach the tertiary follicle stage.

An ovary is subdivided into cortical (ovarian cortex) and medullary compartments (ovarian medulla).
Both blood and lymph vessels are found in the loose connective tissue of the ovarian medulla.
In the cortical compartment the oocytes are present within the various follicle stages.

The sex hormones influence the primordial follicles to grow and a restructuring to take place. From the primordial follicles the primary follicles, secondary follicles, and tertiary follicles develop in turn. Only a small percentage of the primordial follicles reach the tertiary follicle stage – the great majority meet their end beforehand in the various maturation stages. Large follicles leave scars behind in the cortical compartment and the small ones disappear without a trace.
The tertiary follicles get to be the largest and, shortly before ovulation, can attain a diameter up to 2.5 mm through a special spurt of growth. They are then termed graafian follicles.

During the foetal period, the count of germ cells in the female organism is subject to large variations. These arise due to the fact that the phases of proliferation and decomposition of oocytes take place partially stepwise and partially in parallel.

The normal, common fate of a follicle or female germ cell is known as atresia – ovulation represents an exceptional destiny.

The number of germ cells decreases from the 20th week in order that they are all gone by about 50 years of age. Even though the decrease actually proceeds continuously, three moments in the life of a woman are apparent in which this takes place more rapidly. The largest decrease occurs in the 20th week after the maximum number of 7 million germ cells (per ovary) is reached, thus still in the foetal period. Immediately following birth a further, short period of accelerated decline happens. The third, temporally longest period, of increased decline takes place during puberty.

One terms the decline or the regression of follicles of each stage at every time in the life of a woman follicular atresia. These follicles do not ovulate and the name is derived from that fact. Follicle atresia occurs more intensely, though, at certain moments (foetal period, early postnatal, begin of the menarche).

Of the roughly 500’000 follicles that are present in the two ovaries at the beginning of sexual maturity, only around 480 reach the graafian follicle stage and are thus able to release oocytes (ovulation). Ovulation represents an exceptional fate of a follicle.

Cyclic changes in the hormonal cycle are responsible for the periodicity of the ovulation. In a woman, the rhythmic hormonal influence leads to the following cyclic events:

1. the ovarian cycle (follicle maturation) that peaks in the ovulation and the subsequent luteinization of the granulose cells
2. cyclic alterations of the endometrium that prepare the uterine mucosa so fertilized oocytes can “nest” there. In the absence of implantation, the mucosa will be eliminated (menstrual bleeding).

In the centre of this hormonal control is the hypothalamamics-hypophysial (pituitary gland) system with the two hypophysial gonadotropins FSH and LH. The pulsating liberation of GnRH by the hypothalamus is the fundamental precondition for a normal control of the cyclic ovarian function.

This cyclic activity releases FSH and LH, both of which stimulate the maturation of the follicles in the ovary and trigger ovulation. During the ovarian cycle, estrogen is produced by the theca interna and follicular cells (in the so-called follicle phase) and progesterone by the corpus luteum (so-called luteal phase).

As a rule, the ovarian cycle lasts 28 days. It is subdivided into two phases:

• Follicular phase: recruitment of a so-called follicle cohort and, within this, the selection of the mature follicle. This phase ends with ovulation. Estradiol is the steering hormone. Normally, it lasts 14 days, but this can vary considerably!
• Luteal phase: progesteron production by the “yellow body” (= corpus luteum) and lasts 14 days (relatively constant)

During the follicular phase, a cohort of follicles is recruited from which a dominant follicle is selected that will develop into a De Graaf follicle. The cohort of tertiary follicles that will deliver the de Graaf follicle that will ovulate on day 14 of a cycle has started its maturation about 6 months earlier

• The development of the primary follicle into a secondary follicle takes more than 120 days.
• The development of the secondary follicle into a tertiary (or cavitary or antral) follicle takes about 71 days.
• The terminal development of the tertiary follicle into a Graaf’s follicle lasts 2 weeks and starts at D0 of the menstrual cycle and ends at D14 with ovulation. This last phase is dependent on gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and starts as soon as the corpus luteum of the preceding cycle has regressed.