Question
Zygote with zona pellucida reaches uterine cavity by :
| A. |
2 days
|
| B. |
4 days
|
| C. |
5 days
|
| D. |
6 days
|
Show Answer
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Correct Answer » B
Explanation
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After fertilization in the ampulla of the fallopian tube, the zygote undergoes successive mitotic divisions (cleavage) while traveling towards the uterus.
- Day 1: Two-cell stage
- Day 2: Four-cell stage
- Day 3: Morula (12–16 cells)
- Day 4: Early blastocyst reaches the uterine cavity, still enclosed within the zona pellucida.
- Day 5: The zona pellucida degenerates (hatching), allowing the blastocyst to implant.
- Day 6–7: Implantation begins in the endometrium.
Thus, the zygote/blastocyst with the zona pellucida reaches the uterine cavity on approximately the 4th day after fertilization.