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100+ Free ABB Embryology Practice Questions
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Sample ABB Embryology Practice Questions
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1In a normal ovulatory menstrual cycle, which hormone surge directly triggers ovulation and the resumption of meiosis in the dominant follicle?
A.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B.Progesterone
C.Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D.Inhibin B
Explanation: The mid-cycle LH surge triggers ovulation roughly 36 hours after its onset and induces the oocyte to resume meiosis I, extruding the first polar body and arresting at metaphase II. FSH drives earlier follicular recruitment and growth but does not trigger ovulation.
2During controlled ovarian stimulation, which medication is most commonly used as a 'trigger' to induce final oocyte maturation before retrieval?
A.Clomiphene citrate
B.Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
C.Letrozole
D.Estradiol valerate
Explanation: hCG mimics the natural LH surge because it binds the same LH/hCG receptor, inducing final oocyte maturation (resumption of meiosis to MII) about 36 hours before scheduled retrieval. A GnRH agonist trigger is an alternative in antagonist cycles.
3At which stage of meiosis is the primary oocyte arrested from fetal life until just before ovulation?
A.Metaphase I
B.Metaphase II
C.Anaphase II
D.Prophase I (diplotene/dictyate stage)
Explanation: Primary oocytes are arrested in prophase I (the dictyate/diplotene stage) from before birth until the LH surge, which permits resumption of meiosis. They then progress to MII, where they arrest again until fertilization.
4Spermatogenesis in the human male takes approximately how long from spermatogonial division to the release of mature spermatozoa?
A.About 64-74 days
B.About 7-10 days
C.About 14 days
D.About 6 months
Explanation: The full cycle of spermatogenesis takes roughly 64-74 days within the seminiferous tubules, followed by additional time for epididymal transit and maturation. This long timeline explains why lifestyle changes affect semen parameters only after several months.
5Which cells of the testis produce testosterone in response to luteinizing hormone?
A.Sertoli cells
B.Leydig cells
C.Spermatogonia
D.Myoid cells
Explanation: Leydig (interstitial) cells produce testosterone in response to LH. Sertoli cells respond to FSH, support developing germ cells, and secrete inhibin and androgen-binding protein.
6Which hormone, produced by granulosa cells of growing antral follicles, is widely used as a serum marker of ovarian reserve?
A.Prolactin
B.Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
C.Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
D.Cortisol
Explanation: AMH is secreted by granulosa cells of preantral and small antral follicles and correlates with the size of the remaining follicle pool, making it a stable marker of ovarian reserve that varies little across the cycle.
7The acrosome reaction, required for a sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida, primarily involves the release of which substances?
A.Hydrolytic enzymes such as acrosin and hyaluronidase
B.Mitochondrial ATP only
C.Tail axonemal proteins
D.Seminal fructose
Explanation: During the acrosome reaction, the acrosomal cap fuses with the sperm plasma membrane and releases hydrolytic enzymes, including acrosin and hyaluronidase, that help the sperm penetrate the cumulus and zona pellucida.
8Capacitation of spermatozoa, a prerequisite for fertilization, normally occurs where in vivo?
A.In the seminiferous tubules
B.In the epididymis before ejaculation
C.In the prostate gland
D.In the female reproductive tract
Explanation: Capacitation is a series of membrane and biochemical changes that sperm undergo in the female reproductive tract, enabling hyperactivated motility and the acrosome reaction. In the laboratory, sperm-washing media support comparable capacitation.
9A mature, normally fertilizable secondary oocyte at ovulation has which chromosomal/meiotic status?
A.Diploid and arrested at prophase I
B.Arrested at metaphase II with the first polar body extruded
C.Completed meiosis II with two polar bodies
D.Haploid germinal vesicle stage
Explanation: A mature oocyte is arrested at metaphase II and has already extruded the first polar body. Meiosis II is completed only after sperm entry, which triggers extrusion of the second polar body.
10Which structure secretes progesterone after ovulation to support a potential early pregnancy?
A.The corpus luteum
B.The dominant antral follicle
C.The zona pellucida
D.The endometrial stroma
Explanation: After ovulation the ruptured follicle luteinizes into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone (and estrogen) to maintain the secretory endometrium. If pregnancy occurs, hCG rescues the corpus luteum.
About the ABB Embryology Practice Questions
Verified exam format metadata for ABB Embryology Laboratory Certification is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.