Fertilization vs Conception

[Chuz Life]

Ok, USMB, it is not often that I need help on my own research; however, today I am gob smacked with the idea of revisiting and possibly correcting my own understanding of the scientific difference between "fertilization" and "conception."

I have always been of the mindset that "fertilization" is basically when sperm are mixed with an egg, whether it "takes" or not. Whether any of the sperm actually "penetrates" the egg cell, or not.

My understanding of "conception" has always been that conception is when "fertilization" actually takes.

I think early biology classes first formed my thoughts on this. Specifically, when fish spawn. The female makes a nest and lays her eggs, and the male, later on, "fertilizes" them by depositing his sperm over them. Whether it takes or not. That's called fertilization.

According to AI and the sources that AI insists are credible, "conception" is the very same thing as "implantation."(when the blastocyst/ zygote attaches to the uterine wall.)

I curious about what other believe the definitions are and what the differences in reality - are - between "fertilization" and "conception."

Details matter.

 

[Hafar1014]

Ok, USMB, it is not often that I need help on my own research; however, today I am gob smacked with the idea of revisiting and possibly correcting my own understanding of the scientific difference between "fertilization" and "conception."

I have always been of the mindset that "fertilization" is basically when sperm are mixed with an egg, whether it "takes" or not. Whether any of the sperm actually "penetrates" the egg cell, or not.

My understanding of "conception" has always been that conception is when "fertilization" actually takes.

I think early biology classes first formed my thoughts on this. Specifically, when fish spawn. The female makes a nest and lays her eggs, and the male, later on, "fertilizes" them by depositing his sperm over them. Whether it takes or not. That's called fertilization.

According to AI and the sources that AI insists are credible, "conception" is the very same thing as "implantation."(when the blastocyst/ zygote attaches to the uterine wall.)

I curious about what other believe the definitions are and what the differences in reality - are - between "fertilization" and "conception."

Details matter.

There is no difference

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

Ok, USMB, it is not often that I need help on my own research; however, today I am gob smacked with the idea of revisiting and possibly correcting my own understanding of the scientific difference between "fertilization" and "conception."

I have always been of the mindset that "fertilization" is basically when sperm are mixed with an egg, whether it "takes" or not. Whether any of the sperm actually "penetrates" the egg cell, or not.

My understanding of "conception" has always been that conception is when "fertilization" actually takes.

I think early biology classes first formed my thoughts on this. Specifically, when fish spawn. The female makes a nest and lays her eggs, and the male, later on, "fertilizes" them by depositing his sperm over them. Whether it takes or not. That's called fertilization.

According to AI and the sources that AI insists are credible, "conception" is the very same thing as "implantation."(when the blastocyst/ zygote attaches to the uterine wall.)

I curious about what other believe the definitions are and what the differences in reality - are - between "fertilization" and "conception."

Details matter.

None. The nuances of the issue are, can a couple fertilize and conceive without alternative methods such as IVF? Does a single woman have a right to be implanted and conceive on her own?

You're asking the wrong questions.

 

[Hafar1014]

None. The nuances of the issue are, can a couple fertilize and conceive without alternative methods such as IVF? Does a single woman have a right to be implanted and conceive on her own?

You're asking the wrong questions.

Thats not what he meant by implantation he means penetration of the egg by the sperm. But I see where you would ask that. IN the case of implantation there already is zygote.

 

[Chuz Life]

None. The nuances of the issue are, can a couple fertilize and conceive without alternative methods such as IVF? Does a single woman have a right to be implanted and conceive on her own?

You're asking the wrong questions.

Those are not the questions I'm asking or interested in - in this thread.

This thread is not about "rights."

Not about anything other than what the actual definition of fertilization is (should be) and what the actual definition of conception is (should be.)

Please don't derail.

 

[Chuz Life]

Thats not what he meant by implantation he means penetration of the egg by the sperm. But I see where you would ask that. IN the case of implantation there already is zygote.

No.

AI, is actually claiming that "Conception" is when the fertilized egg "implants" into the uterine lining and "fertilization" is when the sperm "implants" into the egg.

This is what AI said

I challened it, for the reasons I explained in the OP.

The back and forth is just too ******* long to cut and paste the whole thing.

But AI (Grok) has shared several sources that seem to support where it is coming from.

For nearly 40 Years, I've been convinced that "conception" is when a new organism begins. I don't want to change that to "fertilization." Because fertilization does not always take.

 

[Cougarbear]

No, AI, is actually claiming that "Conception" is when the fertilized egg "implants" into the uterine lining and "fertilization" is when the sperm "implants" into the egg.

This is what AI said
View attachment 1159050
I challened it, for the reasons I explained in the OP.

The back and forth is just too ******* long to cut and paste the whole thing.

But AI (Grok) has shared several sources that seem to support where it is coming from.

View attachment 1159052
View attachment 1159054
View attachment 1159055

For nearly 40 Years, I've been convinced that "conception" is when a new organism begins. I don't want to change that to "fertilization." Because fertilization does not always take.

Well, conception is when the flash happens and DNA is immediately established defining the individual with sexual distinction male or female. Fertilization is a process of bringing the egg to the point of conception. From conception, the human begins growing to birth and beyond until about age 30 when things level off and begin to degenerate until old age and death. The mother feeds the new life until generally the age of 18 when it can sustain itself by itself and is expected to do so. Because the new human begins to grow at conception, it is then alive until it dies at old age. Nothing not growing is not alive anything that grows is alive. Thus, anything before birth is alive and ending it's existence is killing it. Hope this all helps.

 

[Chuz Life]

Well, conception is when the flash happens and DNA is immediately established defining the individual with sexual distinction male or female. Fertilization is a process of bringing the egg to the point of conception. From conception, the human begins growing to birth and beyond until about age 30 when things level off and begin to degenerate until old age and death. The mother feeds the new life until generally the age of 18 when it can sustain itself by itself and is expected to do so. Because the new human begins to grow at conception, it is then alive until it dies at old age. Nothing not growing is not alive anything that grows is alive. Thus, anything before birth is alive and ending it's existence is killing it. Hope this all helps.

That's basically what I thought, too.

AI and the definitions I shared challenge that thought.

 

[Chuz Life]

So far, it seems that Copilot agrees with my take on this more than Grok does.

It doesn't even produce a zygote, necessarily. I can "fertilize" an egg with a million sperm if one does not initiate any kind of a response in the egg. (like when fish spawn) The egg has been fertilized, but conception doesn't take place unless and

Shared via Copilot

copilot.microsoft.com

 

[scruffy]

"Implantation" has a well defined scientific meaning, it refers to the maturation of the blastocyst from the morula during early development.

This is an informative read:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1934590923003314#:~:text=Introduction,function%20throughout%20the%20life%20course.

Their use of the word "fertilization" is perfectly clear in context.

I don't like the word "conception", it's not exactly a biological word. And it has multiple meanings which makes its usage vague. Some people define conception to precede fertilization, others define it as equivalent to fertilization.

 

[SweetSue92]

In human reproduction, "fertilization" is when a sperm penetrates an egg, but there is no conception yet. "Conception" is when the egg implants. There is no way for the vast majority of women to know if eggs are fertilized inside her. However, when she conceives, her body immediately recognizes this and, a few days later, her pregnancy can be detected via a home test.

 

[ReinyDays]

I used an ounce of fertilizer every other week for several months and now I have conceived hundreds of baby dillweed plants ... or are you only talking about human reproduction? ... how would this apply to single celled green algae? ... there's no gametes to watch ... or complex ferns with the alteration of generations? ...

Have you surveyed the scientific literature? ... because I don't think you'll find the word "conception" very often ... that's a political word anymore ... but if you insist on an answer, ask an actual woman:

In human reproduction, "fertilization" is when a sperm penetrates an egg, but there is no conception yet. "Conception" is when the egg implants. There is no way for the vast majority of women to know if eggs are fertilized inside her. However, when she conceives, her body immediately recognizes this and, a few days later, her pregnancy can be detected via a home test.

Once again proving women are smarter than men ... in every way ...

 

[Chuz Life]

I'm not trying to discount any of the inputs here. Not even the jabs about algae.

I'll try to make my point like this, with a couple of questions.

If I ask you "do you know where your parents "conceived" you". Or "where were you conceived?" That question would have one kind of meaning to you. Maybe even a proud or fond meaning.

If I ask you "where did your parents fertilize you" or where were you fertilized?" That would be a whole other thing.

Wouldn't it?

 

[SweetSue92]

I'm not trying to discount any of the inputs here. Not even the jabs about algae.

I'll try to make my point like this, with a couple of questions.

If I ask you "do you know where your parents "conceived" you". Or "where were you conceived?" That question would have one kind of meaning to you. Maybe even a proud or fond meaning.

If I ask you "where did your parents fertilize you" or where were you fertilized?" That would be a whole other thing.

Wouldn't it?

Maybe you "conceive" when the egg is fertilized, but you're not pregnant yet. Implantation (not fertilization) is what causes the cascade of processes that sustain a pregnancy: immune system response, placental production, and the beginning of HcG hormone production.

A woman with a fertilized egg floating around wouldn't even test pregnant, not even with sensitive tests at drs. offices.

 

[BackAgain]

Ok, USMB, it is not often that I need help on my own research; however, today I am gob smacked with the idea of revisiting and possibly correcting my own understanding of the scientific difference between "fertilization" and "conception."

I have always been of the mindset that "fertilization" is basically when sperm are mixed with an egg, whether it "takes" or not. Whether any of the sperm actually "penetrates" the egg cell, or not.

My understanding of "conception" has always been that conception is when "fertilization" actually takes.

I think early biology classes first formed my thoughts on this. Specifically, when fish spawn. The female makes a nest and lays her eggs, and the male, later on, "fertilizes" them by depositing his sperm over them. Whether it takes or not. That's called fertilization.

According to AI and the sources that AI insists are credible, "conception" is the very same thing as "implantation."(when the blastocyst/ zygote attaches to the uterine wall.)

I curious about what other believe the definitions are and what the differences in reality - are - between "fertilization" and "conception."

Details matter.

Conception takes place (as you had learned) when the spermatazoa enters the ovum, thereby fertilizing it.

One doesn’t become “pregnant” until an implantation of the resulting zygote to the placenta inside a woman’s uterus.

AI is frequently wrong and its answers usually require additional verification.

 

[Chuz Life]

Conception takes place (as you had learned) when the spermatazoa enters the ovum, thereby fertilizing it.

One doesn’t become “pregnant” until an implantation of the resulting zygote to the placenta inside a woman’s uterus.

AI is frequently wrong and its answers usually require additional verification.

That is precisely the way I have always understood it, with only the addition of the fact that "fertilization" doesn't always take.

I personally agree with your post, 100%, but the sources that AI quoted do not.

So, I do plan on diving deeper into it. Hopefully, there is a history of the words. "Etymology," I think it is.

 

[BackAgain]

That is precisely the way I have always understood it, with only the addition of the fact that "fertilization" doesn't always take.

I personally agree with your post, 100%, but the sources that AI quoted do not.

So, I do plan on diving deeper into it. Hopefully, there is a history of the words. "Etymology," I think it is.

Fair enough. If you don’t mind, I’d like to see what you dig up.

 

[Chuz Life]

Maybe you "conceive" when the egg is fertilized, but you're not pregnant yet. Implantation (not fertilization) is what causes the cascade of processes that sustain a pregnancy: immune system response, placental production, and the beginning of HcG hormone production.

A woman with a fertilized egg floating around wouldn't even test pregnant, not even with sensitive tests at drs. offices.

It's been my understanding that the order goes

1. Fertilization - when the sperm is presented to the egg.

2. Conception - when the egg and sperm unite and the biochemical reactions begin.

3. Implantation - when the zygote implants and starts the biochemical reactions of pregnancy.

I wonder how many agree and or disagree.

 

[SweetSue92]

It's been my understanding that the order goes

1. Fertilization - when the sperm is presented to the egg.

2. Conception - when the egg and sperm unite and the biochemical reactions begin.

3. Implantation - when the zygote implants and starts the biochemical reactions of pregnancy.

I wonder how many agree and or disagree.

I can definitely agree with this, with the added note that pregnancy actually begins at implantation.

PS the entire process is amazing, yet of course, so common! I think we're a long way from artificial wombs, even in the year 2025, just because how delicate the entire process is

 

[ReinyDays]

I'm not trying to discount any of the inputs here. Not even the jabs about algae.

I'll try to make my point like this, with a couple of questions.

If I ask you "do you know where your parents "conceived" you". Or "where were you conceived?" That question would have one kind of meaning to you. Maybe even a proud or fond meaning.

If I ask you "where did your parents fertilize you" or where were you fertilized?" That would be a whole other thing.

Wouldn't it?

Is "fertilization" something your parents do to you? ... not with the definitions given in the OP ... fertilization is the action, conception is the goal, or result ... conception is when the two single strands of DNA merge into the double helix that is a person ...

Sorry about the algae crack ... but I think both words are interchangeable, in context there's no difference ... are we splitting this poor hare for a reason? ...