The early embryo © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The zygote 2 polar bodies Zona pellucida Human zygote 2 pronuclei © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The 4-cell embryo Rapid cell division but little growth (cleavage) Follicular cells (corona radiata) Rapid cell division but little growth (cleavage) The ball of cells remains about the same size as the oocyte. Sperms Zona pelucida © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The 8-cell embryo Zona pelucida: a shell of glycoprotein It protects the developing embryo. Zona pellucida © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The morula Zona pelucida Supernumary sperms © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The blastocyst 5-6 days after fertilisation Zona pellucida lost. Inner cell mass (becomes the embryo) © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS Human blastocyst
Implantation The blastocyst arrives in the uterus About 1 week after fertilisation. © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Implantation © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Implantation Maternal blood vessels start to break down Pools of blood form Less barriers to exchange. © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The beginning of the placenta Amniotic sac Embryo © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Implantation © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Implantation Embryo Implantation Filmed for the First Time (2min51) http://www.scientificamerican.com/video/embryo-implantation-filmed-for-the-first-time/?&WT.mc_id=SA_BS_20140314 © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The placenta Provides an exchange system for the foetus Large surface area (villi and microvilli) Reduced barriers to exchange (pools of maternal blood) Gas exchange Nutrients Excretory products. © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The placenta It is also an endocrine organ Secreting progesterone and oestrogens Maintaining pregnancy As the corpus luteum degenerates (at 2 months), the placenta takes over. © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Umbilical cord In mammals the yolk sac is very small The umbilical cord connects the embryo to the placenta Foetal blood vessels irrigate the placenta © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Amniotic sac at 5 weeks The amniotic sac grows around the embryo © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
The foetus At 8 weeks the embryo is complete A period of growth (the foetus) begins © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS