From Embryology


--Felicia Ton 23:16, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

--Felicia Ton 23:16, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Cell Division Lecture

Process of Fertilization


Individual Assessment - Lab Questions

Lab 2

1. What factor do the syncytiotrophoblast cells secrete to support the ongoing pregnancy?

Shortly after implantation of the blastocyst within the endometrium, the syncytiotrophoblast cells secrete the hormone human Chorionic Gonadotopin (hCG) which stimulates the corpus luteum. hCG supports the ongoing pregnancy by stimulating the corpus luteum to produce increased levels of the essential progesterone and estrogen hormones, thereby preventing menstruation and proliferation of the endometrium. hCG is continually secreted throughout the pregnancy however only at low levels for the final half of the pregnancy.

2. What does the corpus luteum secrete to prevent continuation of the menstrual cycle?

The corpus luteum secretes both progesterone and estrogen, however it is primarily the elevated levels of progesterone that maintain stimulation of the endometrial cells.

Lab 3

1. What Carnegie stages occur during week 3 and week 4?

Carnergie stage 7 to stage 13.

2. What is the change in overall embryo size form the beginning of week 3 to the end of week 4?

The overall change would be between 2.6mm and 4.6mm

3. Approximately when do the cranial (anterior) and caudal (posterior) neuropores close in the human embryo?

The cranial neuropore closes at carnegie stage 11 (23-26 days)


Early zygote picture from the Fertilization page