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Cell Signalling During Blastocyst Morphogenesis

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Cell Signaling During Mammalian Early Embryo Development

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 843))

Abstract

Blastocyst morphogenesis is prepared for even before fertilisation. Information stored within parental gametes can influence both maternal and embryonic gene expression programmes after egg activation at fertilisation. A complex network of intrinsic, cell-cell mediated and extrinsic, embryo-environment signalling mechanisms operates throughout cleavage, compaction and cavitation. These signalling events not only ensure developmental progression, cell differentiation and lineage allocation to inner cell mass (embryo proper) and trophectoderm (future extraembryonic lineages) but also provide a degree of developmental plasticity ensuring survival in prevailing conditions by adaptive responses. Indeed, many cellular functions including differentiation, metabolism, gene expression and gene expression regulation are subject to plasticity with short- or long-term consequences even into adult life. The interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic signals impacting on blastocyst morphogenesis is becoming clearer. This has been best studied in the mouse which will be the focus of this chapter but translational significance to human and domestic animal embryology will be a focus in future years.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank BBSRC (BB/I001840/1; BB/F007450/1), MRC, and EU-FP7 EpiHealth programme for research support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, Southampton, UK

    Judith J. Eckert

  2. Centre for Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Mailpoint 840, Lab & Path Block, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, Southampton, UK

    Miguel A. Velazquez & Tom P. Fleming

Authors
  1. Judith J. Eckert
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  2. Miguel A. Velazquez
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  3. Tom P. Fleming
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Correspondence to Tom P. Fleming .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hertford Building, Hull York Medical School University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom

    Henry J. Leese

  2. St. Mary's Hospital Department of Reproductive Medicine, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Daniel R. Brison

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Eckert, J., Velazquez, M., Fleming, T. (2015). Cell Signalling During Blastocyst Morphogenesis. In: Leese, H., Brison, D. (eds) Cell Signaling During Mammalian Early Embryo Development. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 843. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2480-6_1

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