Society for Reproductive Biology Founders' Lecture 2003. The making of an embryo: short-term goals and long-term implications.
During early development, the eutherian mammalian embryo forms a blastocyst comprising an outer trophectoderm epithelium and enclosed inner cell mass (ICM). The short-term goal of blastocyst morphogenesis, including epithelial differentiation and segregation of the ICM, is mainly regulated autonomously and comprises a combination of temporally controlled gene expression, cell polarisation, differentiative cell divisions and cell-cell interactions. This aspect of blastocyst biogenesis is reviewed, focusing, in particular, on the maturation and role of cell adhesion systems. Early embryos are also sensitive to their environment, which can affect their developmental potential in diverse ways and may lead to long-term consequences relating to fetal or postnatal growth and physiology. Some current concepts of embryo-environment interactions, which may impact on future health, are also reviewed.
Fleming
Tom P
TP
Division of Cell Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, UK. tpf@soton.ac.uk
Wilkins
Adrian
A
Mears
Andrew
A
Miller
Daniel J
DJ
Thomas
Fay
F
Ghassemifar
M Reza
MR
Fesenko
Irina
I
Sheth
Bhavwanti
B
Kwong
Wing Yee
WY
Eckert
Judith J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D051379:Mice