Ad
related to: human conception and pregnancy cycle
Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Human fertilization is the union of an egg and sperm, occurring primarily in the ampulla of the fallopian tube. [1] The result of this union leads to the production of a fertilized egg called a zygote, initiating embryonic development. Scientists discovered the dynamics of human fertilization in the 19th century. [2]
Human embryology is the study of this development during the first eight weeks after fertilization. The normal period of gestation (pregnancy) is about nine months or 40 weeks. The germinal stage refers to the time from fertilization through the development of the early embryo until implantation is completed in the uterus .
Timeline of human fertilization. In humans, pregnancy can be defined clinically, biochemically or biologically. Clinically, pregnancy starts from first day of the mother's last period. [4] Biochemically, pregnancy starts when a woman's human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels rise above 25 mIU/mL. [5]
Chance of fertilization by menstrual cycle day relative to ovulation [15] Pregnancy rates for sexual intercourse are highest during the menstrual cycle time from some 5 days before until 1 to 2 days after ovulation. [16] For optimal pregnancy chance, there are recommendations of sexual intercourse every 1 or 2 days, [17] or every 2 or 3 days. [18]
[5] [13] Pregnancy is "the presence of an implanted human embryo or fetus in the uterus"; implantation occurs on average 8–9 days after fertilization. [15] An embryo is the term for the developing offspring during the first seven weeks following implantation (i.e. ten weeks' gestational age), after which the term fetus is used until birth.
In biological terms, human development entails growth from a one-celled zygote to an adult human being. Fertilization occurs when the sperm cell successfully enters and fuses with an egg cell . [2] The genetic material of the sperm and egg then combine to form a single cell called a zygote and the germinal stage of prenatal development commences.
Ovulation is an important part of the menstrual cycle in female vertebrates where the egg cells are released from the ovaries as part of the ovarian cycle. In female humans ovulation typically occurs near the midpoint in the menstrual cycle and after the follicular phase. Ovulation is stimulated by an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH).
In human pregnancy, prenatal development is also called antenatal development. The development of the human embryo follows fertilization , and continues as fetal development . By the end of the tenth week of gestational age , the embryo has acquired its basic form and is referred to as a fetus .
Ad
related to: human conception and pregnancy cycle