CONTENTS<br>INTRODUCTION & GENERAL PRINCIPLES<br><br>1 Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Morphogenesis<br>• Cell proliferation: Cell cycle, differentiation, regulation<br>• Cell demise: Apoptosis<br>• Cytoskeleton/Extracellular Matrix/Cell-Matrix interactions<br>• Morphogenesis & Patterning<br><br>2 Comparative Gestation<br>• Distinctions of the Early Embryo, Embryonic and Fetal Periods of Gestation<br>• Species Variations Effecting Gestation Length: Companion, Domestic, Wildlife and Laboratory Animals<br>• Reproductive Cycles: Hormones, Estrous, Organs, Seasonal<br>• Fecundity: Survival Strategies, Conception Rates<br><br> DIFFERENTIATION OF GERM LAYERS<br> <br>3. Gametogenesis<br>• Mitosis/Meiosis<br>• Oogenesis<br>• Spermatogenesis<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>4. Fertilization<br>• Acrosome Reaction<br>• Sperm-Zona Pellucida Interactions<br>• Gamete Fusion<br>• Blocks to Polyspermy<br>• Syngamy and Embryo Activation<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>5. Embryo Cleavage and Blastulation<br>• Polarity, Compaction and Cavitation<br>• Embryonic Disc, Primitive Streak and Formation of the Bilaminar Embryo<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br> <br>6. Gastrulation, Body Folding and Coelom Formation<br>• Notocord, Neural Tube and Segmentation<br>• Differentiation of Ectoderm, Mesoderm and Endoderm<br>• Body Folding, Coelom Formation and Lung Development<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>7. Development of the Peripheral Nervous System<br>• Spinal Cord and Motor/Sensory Innervation<br>• Somite Development<br><br>8. Comparative Placentation<br>• Extraembryonic Membranes: Amnion, Yolk Sac, Allantois, Chorion<br>• Placental Strategies: Choriovitelline, Chorioallantoic<br>• Species Variations<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT<br><br>9. Development of the Limbs<br>• Limb Bud Formation<br>• Apical Ectodermal Ridge<br>• Development of the Appendicular Skeleton, Musculature, Vasculature and Innervation<br>• Differentiation of Distal Appendages: Digit Formation<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>10. Development of the Heart<br>• Primitive Heart Tube Formation<br>• Development of Heart Chambers and Valves<br>• Development of the Conduction System<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>11. Development of the Vascular System<br>• Formation of the Aortic Arches and the Arterial System<br>• Development of the Vitelline, Umbilical and Cardinal Venous System<br>• The Coronary Vasculature<br>• Circulatory changes at Parturition<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br> <br>12. Development of the Gastrointestinal System<br>• The Enteric Canal<br>• Stomach, Pancreas, Liver and Spleen<br>• Development of Peritoneum and Formation of Mesenteries<br>• Rotation and Fixation of the Midgut<br>• Differentiation of the Large Bowel<br>• Septation and Differentiation of the Cloaca<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br> <br>13. Development of the Urogenital System<br>• Pronephros Differentiation<br>• Development of the Mesonephric and Metanephric Kidneys<br>• Urogenital Ridge and Gonad Development<br>• Development of the Urogentital Duct Systems and External Genitalia<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>14. Development of the Head and Neck<br>• Development of the Skull and Vertebrae<br>• Differentiation of Pharyngeal Arch Structures and Pouch Derivatives<br>• Development of the Palate, Tongue and Pituitary<br>• Development of Facial Structures<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>15. Development of the Brain and Cranial Nerves<br>• Regional Differentiation and Functional Relationships<br>• Development of the Ventricular System<br>• Development and Function of the Cranial Nerves<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>16. Development of the Eyes and Ears<br>• Formation of the Ear<br>• Formation of the Eye<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br> <br>17. Development of the Integumentary System<br>• Differentiation of the Epidermis and Dermis<br>• Development of Epidermal Glands including Mammary Glands<br>• Formation of Hair and Teeth<br>• Veterinary Clinical Applications/Cases<br><br>CLINICAL AND APPLIED SYSTEMS<br><br>18. Teratology<br>• Genetic & Congenital<br>• Critical Periods & Teratogenic Agents<br>• Maternal/Fetal Interactions<br>• Specie-Specific Manifestations<br><br>19. Assisted Reproductive Technologies<br>• Artificial Insemination and Embryo/Gamete Transfer (ET,GIFT, ZIFT, etc)<br>• Cryopreservation of Germplasm<br>• In Vitro Maturation, Fertilization and Embryo Production<br>• Embryo Micromanipulation: Splitting, ICSI, Transgenics, Embryonic Stem Cells/ Chimeras, Cloning<br><br>20. Applied Embryology: Veterinary and Societal Issues<br>• The Role of the Veterinarian<br>• Contemporary Issues<br><br>Additional Reading - References<br>Glossary<br>Index