Molecular and Clinical Advances in Understanding Early Embryo Development

• Other Authors: van Winkle, Lon J. (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2023
• Subjects: Medical equipment & techniques; oocyte; amino acid transporters; proline; pipecolic acid; in vitro fertilisation; NANOG; SOX17; bovine preimplantation development; MEK; second lineage differentiation; sequence; domain segregation; epigenetic modification; ZGA and implantation; MacERV6-LTR1a; primitive endoderm; trophectoderm; epiblast; cynomolgus monkey; embryos; ESRRB; porcine embryo culture; in vitro maturation; in vitro fertilization; amino acid transport; amino acid metabolism; embryo development; epigenetic modifications; offspring; maternal obesity; childhood obesity; lifestyle intervention; cardiometabolic health; programming; follow-up; embryo; embryogenesis; oogenesis; fertility; mitochondria; mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); mitochondrial score; mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT); autologous mitochondrial transfer; germinal vesicle; human; electron microscopy; assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs); decidualization; recurrent spontaneous abortion; long noncoding RNA; epigenetics; H3K27 methylation; miR-155; CRISPR/Cas9; extracellular vesicles; ROCK inhibitor; preimplantation embryo; diabetes; DOHaD; rabbit; amino acid transporter; Slc6a19; B0AT1; mouse; n/a
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

This reprint considers a wide variety of topics concerning molecular and clinical advances in understanding early mammalian embryo development. The authors of various chapters of this book examine oocyte biology, preimplantation embryo development, blastocyst implantation in the uterus, and second cellular lineage differentiation. In addition, epigenetic contributions to reproduction, which may occur throughout pregnancy and in resultant offspring, are also considered. Environmentally induced epigenetic changes in germ cells can render mammalian offspring less healthy, and these changes can be difficult to reverse. Included in these changes are those caused by assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). It remains to be determined whether the healthiest preimplantation embryos develop in vitro in conditions that mimic the physiological environment in vivo or whether simpler conditions can also foster this development in vitro. In this regard, a number of advances as well as challenges in ART are considered by the authors of the chapters included in this book.