title: Embryo Form Project: An original technique for the three-dimensional reconstruction of human embryo morphology.
abstract: Our current knowledge on the developmental stages of human embryogenesis has derived from limited numbers of classical studies. Computer technology now permits accurate 3D reconstruction of embryo morphology from serial histological sections. We present a successful technique that uses either fresh or preserved serial histological sections to generate highly detailed 3D image reconstructions of very small human embryos. We present the data we obtained from the reconstruction in virtual space of previously sectioned 15 and 22.5mm embryos. Their morphologies were studied using a DICOM viewer which permitted the analysis of any specific structure in any required orientation. To our knowledge, this is the first time human embryos have been reconstructed in this way. We believe that this reconstruction technique could improve our knowledge on embryo morphogenesis, especially if coupled to the study of genes involved in embryonic development. It may also prove to be a useful pedagogical tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France. Electronic address: mlabrousse@chu-reims.fr.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Labrousse
authors.affiliation: INSERM CIT801, CIC-IT, CHU Nancy, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Micard
authors.affiliation: IADI, INSERM U947, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tonnelet
authors.affiliation: INSERM CIT801, CIC-IT, CHU Nancy, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cendre
authors.affiliation: URDIA EA4465, Saints-Pères Faculty of Medicine, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Delmas
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, United States.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naidich
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braun
mesh_terms: D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008867:Microtomy; D009024:Morphogenesis; D012984:Software; D013194:Staining and Labeling
keywords: DICOM viewer; Embryogenesis; Human embryo; Three-dimensional reconstruction