The process of fertilisation
is a complex one. It results in the formation of a new life with the
combination of genes of both the parents. The process starts with the entry of
male sperm into the vagina of the woman and then fusing with it. After a series
of complex reactions, a zygote is formed which leads to the formation of fetus.
Read on to know more about the complex but fascinating process of fertilisation.
The process of the sperm and egg
joining together is known as fertilisation. Here the genes of the man and woman combine together to
initiate the formation of a new life. It also marks the successful end of a
long and tedious journey of the sperm where just one amongst the million of sperms manages to reach the final destination of combining with
the single egg. The egg also makes a journey of traveling from the ovary from
where it is released and goes down to the fallopian tube and settles in there
waiting to combine with the lucky sperm.
The Process of Fertilisation
When the sperm and the egg
combine, a complex reaction takes place. There is a part in the sperm cell that
contains chromosome. The moment the sperm cell fuses with the egg cell, the
part containing chromosome, gives rise to a reaction whereby the other hordes
of sperm cells that have also traversed the journey are prevented from entering
the egg cell.
The coming together of the sperm
and egg contributes to half of the genetic material configuration of the new
life. Now, this fertilised egg cell is termed as zygote. Now, the other
processes of new life also begin as the natural process of continuous cell
division and multiplication takes place in the zygote. This paves the way for
the growth of the multi-cellular organism that will be later termed as the
fetus.
The Statistics
of Fertilisation
Fertilisation occurs within a few hours after sexual intercourse. During the
intercourse, over 300 million sperm get released into the vagina of the woman.
It is just another intriguing part of nature’s law that only one amongst the
millions can actually make it to the egg in order to fertilise it. The journey
begins as it enters the vagina and travel to the uterus of the female. It then
travels to the fallopian tube where the egg cell is resting against the uterine
wall.
The egg cell is protected by a thick coating of sugars and protein
which is called Zona Pellucida. The sperm has to penetrate this thick coating
with its head. The head of the sperm contains certain enzymes that aid it in
the process of breaking the Zona Pellucida.
The moment the head manages to enter the coating of the egg cell
the end part or the tail of the sperm falls off. And now the perimeter of the
egg cell broadens further. This is a reaction following fertilisation that actually
prevents the other sperms from entering the egg cell. The sperm and the egg
cells contain just half of the usual number of chromosomes. This condition is
defined as haploid. The process of fertilisation is completed the moment the
fusion of the genetic material of the two cells combine.
The Artificial
Process of Fertilisation
Fertilisation
is a natural process that happens after intercourse during the fertile period
of the woman. But fertilisation can also be attained through artificial insemination if the situation so
demands. This process is usually done to attain pregnancy amidst fertility
issues.
If
artificial insemination, the semen first needs to be washed off from the sperm.
Then the sperm and the egg(s) are brought together and placed simultaneously in
the fallopian tube of the woman. The fertilisation process then commences in a
natural fashion from here on. This treatment technology that is used in the
treatment of infertility is known as GIFT (Gamete
Intra-Fallopian Transfer).
