Question

A female aged 24 years attained puberty at the age of 14 years. She has two children born by normal delivery. How many polar bodies are formed in her body to date?
(Each menstrual cycle is of 30 days)
A. 90
B. 92
C. 94
D. 88

Answer 1

Hint: There is generally one polar body derived from the oocyte present in the zygote.

Complete answer:
Ovulation is the process of release of eggs from the ovaries. In females, it occurs every once in a month, also called a menstrual cycle.

So according to the question, there are a total of 24 years out of which puberty occurs at the age of 14 years, which left only 10 years in which ovulation occurred. These 10 years are equal to 120 months. In these 120 months, 120 polar bodies are formed, one polar body in each ovulation in a month. Out of these 120 months, 18 months is the two pregnancy period while 12 months are the two lactation periods after each pregnancy. During the period of pregnancy and lactation, the polar bodies are not produced. This will leave us with only 90 months is 120 months when subtracted with 30 months of lactation and pregnancy will be equal to 90. In these 90 months, ovulation will occur and forms one polar body in each ovulation resulting in a total of 90 polar bodies.

So, the correct answer is ‘90’.

Note: Oogonium (diploid) of the female when undergoing maturation and differentiation will primary oocyte which after meiosis I will form a polar body. This polar body will degenerate afterward and may form a secondary polar body after meiosis II which will also degenerate afterward and form a female gamete called ovum (haploid). This process is known as oogenesis.