HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Pregnancy and
Embryonic
Development:
Pregnancy and Embryonic Development:
• After implantation finger-like projections called
as chorionic villi appear on the trophoblast.
• The chorionic villi are surrounded by uterine
tissue and maternal blood. It causes the
chorionic villi and the uterine tissue to become
interdigitated with each other and jointly form a
structural and functional unit between the
developing foetus and the maternal body called
as the placenta.
• Placenta supplies oxygen and nutrients to the
developing embryo and removes the carbon
dioxide and excretory waste from the foetus.
• The placenta is connected to the embryo
through umbilical cord. The embryo transports
nutrients and wastes to and from the placenta
through the umbilical cord.
• The placenta functions as an endocrine gland.
It produces several hormones such as human
chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human placental
lactogen (hPL), oestrogens, progesterone, etc
• Later in the pregnancy another hormone
called as relaxin is produced by the ovary.
• During pregnancy production of various
hormones is increased. These hormones
include oestrogens, progesterone, cortisol,
thyroxine, prolactin, etc. High levels of these
hormones are essential for supporting foetal
growth, metabolic changes in pregnancy as
well as maintenance of pregnancy.
• Soon after implantation the embryo
differentiates into the outer ectoderm
and the inner endoderm. The mesoderm
develops soon after. These three tissues
soon give rise to the tissues in the body.
• The inner cell mass contains stem cells
that have the ability to give rise to all the
tissues and organs in the body.
Foetal development:
• o 1 month- heart is formed
• o 2 month- limbs and digits are formed
• o 3 months- most of the major organ systems
are formed
• o 5 months- appearance of hair on the head and
the first movements of the foetus
• o 6 months- body is covered with fine hair,
eyelids separate, eyelashes are formed
• o 9 months – foetus is fully developed and
ready for delivery
Parturition and Lactation
• Gestation Period: The average duration of
pregnancy is called as gestation period. In
humans the gestation period is 9 months
• Parturition: The process of childbirth by
which the foetus is expelled or delivered due
to vigorous contractions of the uterus.
• A fully developed foetus and placenta
induces parturition. This causes mild uterine
contractions called foetal ejection reflex.
• This triggers the release of oxytocin from
the mother’s pituitary.
• Oxytocin stimulates stronger uterine
contractions which stimulates more
production of oxytocin
• The stimulatory positive feedback reflex
continues between the uterine
contractions and oxytocin secretion. This
leads to stronger and stronger
contractions till the baby is expelled out of
the uterus through the birth canal
• Soon after the foetus is delivered the
placenta is also delivered.
• Lactation: The production of milk by the
mammary glands of the females towards the
end of the pregnancy is called lactation.
• Colostrum: The milk produced during the
initial few days of lactation is called as the
colostrum. It is rich in antibodies that provide
resistance and immunity to the new-born.
