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IVF & Fertility Basics

Acrosome

The acrosome is a specialised membrane-bound organelle positioned over the anterior region of the sperm nucleus. It develops from the Golgi apparatus during spermiogenesis and contains enzymes and proteins involved in gamete interaction. The acrosomal membranes undergo extensive reorganisation during…

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IVF & Fertility Basics

Acrosome Reaction

The acrosome reaction is a regulated exocytotic process involving fusion between the sperm plasma membrane and the outer acrosomal membrane. This process results in release or exposure of acrosomal components required for progression through the oocyte's extracellular coverings. Acrosomal changes…

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IVF & Fertility Basics

Ampulla

The ampulla is the widened segment of the uterine tube located between the infundibulum and the narrower isthmic region. It contains extensively folded mucosa lined by ciliated and secretory epithelial cells. In human reproduction, the ampulla is the most common…

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Embryo Development

Blastocyst

A blastocyst is an advanced preimplantation embryonic stage that develops following cleavage, compaction and morula formation. Its structure is characterised by a fluid-filled blastocoel cavity and differentiation into the inner cell mass and trophectoderm. The inner cell mass contributes primarily…

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IVF & Fertility Basics

Capacitation

Capacitation is a series of physiological, biochemical and membrane modifications that spermatozoa undergo before acquiring full fertilising competence. It normally develops after ejaculation as spermatozoa interact with the female reproductive tract and can also be induced under controlled laboratory culture…

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Embryo Development

Cleavage

Cleavage is the sequence of mitotic divisions that follows fertilisation during early preimplantation embryonic development. These divisions increase the number of embryonic cells, termed blastomeres, without producing a proportional increase in the overall volume of the embryo. Consequently, individual blastomeres…

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Embryology

Cumulus Cells

Cumulus cells are specialised granulosa cells that surround the oocyte and form the cumulus–oocyte complex. The innermost cumulus cells adjacent to the zona pellucida constitute the corona radiata. These cells are embedded within an extracellular matrix rich in hyaluronan and…

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IVF & Fertility Basics

Fallopian Tube

The fallopian tube, also termed the uterine tube, is a paired reproductive structure extending between the uterine cavity and the region adjacent to the ovary. Anatomically, it consists of the infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus and intramural portion. Its mucosa contains ciliated…

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Embryology

Gamete

A gamete is a specialised haploid reproductive cell generated through meiotic differentiation. In humans, the two gamete types involved in fertilisation are the spermatozoon and the oocyte. Each mature gamete normally contributes 23 chromosomes to the developing conceptus. Meiotic recombination…

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Embryology

ICSI

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, abbreviated ICSI, is an assisted fertilisation technique in which a single spermatozoon is introduced directly into the cytoplasm of a mature metaphase-II oocyte using micromanipulation. Prior to the procedure, cumulus and corona cells are generally removed to…

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Embryo Development

Implantation

Implantation is the coordinated biological process through which a blastocyst establishes interaction with the receptive endometrium. It occurs after fertilisation, cleavage, blastocyst formation and hatching from the zona pellucida. Initial apposition is followed by more stable adhesion between the trophectoderm…

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Embryology

Oocyte

An oocyte is the female germ cell that undergoes meiotic maturation within the ovarian follicle. The oocyte released during ovulation is normally a secondary oocyte arrested at metaphase II of meiosis. It contains 23 maternal chromosomes, with each chromosome consisting…

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Embryology

Oocyte Activation

Oocyte activation is the coordinated series of intracellular events initiated following successful sperm–oocyte interaction and fusion. A characteristic feature is the generation of repetitive intracellular calcium oscillations, with sperm-derived phospholipase C zeta playing an important role in human and mammalian…

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Embryology

Oolemma

The oolemma is the plasma membrane surrounding the oocyte cytoplasm and represents the membrane with which a fertilising spermatozoon ultimately interacts. Its surface contains specialised membrane proteins and microvillar regions involved in sperm recognition, adhesion and fusion. Molecular interactions involving…

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IVF & Fertility Basics

Ovulation

Ovulation is the physiological release of the oocyte–cumulus complex from a mature ovarian follicle following the preovulatory luteinising hormone surge. Immediately before ovulation, the primary oocyte completes meiosis I and develops into a secondary oocyte arrested at metaphase II. Follicular…

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IVF & Fertility Basics

Polyspermy

Polyspermy is an abnormal fertilisation event in which more than one spermatozoon contributes to fertilisation of a single oocyte. Additional paternal chromosome sets produce an abnormal chromosome complement, commonly resulting in triploidy or more complex polyploid states. Following normal sperm–oocyte…

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Embryo Development

Pronucleus

A pronucleus is a temporary haploid nuclear structure containing either the maternal or paternal genome following fertilisation and before the first embryonic mitosis. The female pronucleus develops after completion of oocyte meiosis II, while the male pronucleus forms following decondensation…

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Andrology

Sperm

A spermatozoon is the mature haploid male gamete produced through spermatogenesis within the seminiferous tubules of the testes. It consists of a head containing the paternal genetic material and acrosome, a connecting region, a mitochondria-rich midpiece, and a flagellum responsible…

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Andrology

Spermatozoon

A spermatozoon is the mature haploid male gamete produced through spermatogenesis within the seminiferous epithelium of the testis. It consists structurally of a head containing the paternal genome and acrosome, a connecting region, a mitochondria-rich midpiece and a flagellum responsible…

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Embryology

Zona Pellucida

The zona pellucida is a specialised extracellular glycoprotein matrix surrounding the mammalian oocyte and early preimplantation embryo. In humans, its principal structural glycoproteins include ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4. The zona contributes to oocyte protection, sperm–oocyte interaction and maintenance of…

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Embryo Development

Zygote

A zygote is the single-cell developmental stage produced following successful fertilisation and activation of the oocyte. It contains genetic material contributed by both the maternal and paternal gametes and normally represents restoration of the diploid chromosome complement. During the pronuclear…

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