Clinical embryology: what is involved, embryology scientists

Clinical embryology is the direction of science concerned with the study of fetal development, from conception to the birth of a child. Knowledge in this area is required by all doctors.

The tasks of embryology are the timely detection of genetic abnormalities and abnormalities in the bearing of a child, the determination of diseases in children immediately after birth. To date, doctors apply existing knowledge in this area to determine the causes of infertility and eliminate them, as well as to develop contraceptives. In solving the problem of infertility, the popularity of IVF, the transplantation of the embryo into the uterus, and the cultivation of oocytes became very popular.

History of embryology development

Like many other sciences, clinical embryology originated in antiquity. Aristotle's scientific works contain detailed descriptions of the chicken embryo. Approximately at the same time, there were also such points of view on development processes as epigenesis and preformism.

The Dutchman Jan Swammerdam studied the development and metamorphosis of insects. His compatriot Anthony van Leeuwenhoek discovered parthenogenesis in aphids, studied human spermatozoa. The Italian Marcello Malpighi investigated the development of a chicken embryo, studied the anatomical structure of tissues and organs of various plants and animals. From the point of view of scientists, nothing new is formed in the development process, all parts of the embryo are already formed and are in the egg, but they can not be seen because of the small size. In the future, only the growth of the embryo occurs. Scientists-preformists believed that spontaneous generation of organisms is unlikely. They believed that the embryo is either in the ovum or in the sperm. At the same time, they could not understand how the genetic signs of the second parent are transmitted to the descendants.

In the first half of the 19th century, there were stable facts that contradict preformism. At that time, comparative anatomy and systematics made great strides. One of the main methods in the field of microbiology is the comparative method. In connection with the implementation of these developments, comparative embryology was formed. The best results in this field were obtained by Carl Baer, who is considered the founder of embryology.

Having studied thoroughly the embryonic development of absolutely all classes of vertebrates, the scientist established that at an early stage all the embryos are similar to each other, and the differences acquire only in the course of subsequent development. This allowed us to form a law of embryonic similarity.

The development of this direction occurred after the research of Charles Darwin. Especially great contribution to clinical embryology was made by the Soviet scientists II Mechnikov and AO Kovalevsky.

Feature of embryology

Clinical embryology is a science that studies the development of the embryo in the mother's body or egg shells. The process of fetal development, from the moment of conception to the birth of a child, can be divided into several separate stages:

• Formation of a zygote;
• Formation of blastula as a result of cell division;
• The formation of organs;
• Histogenesis and organogenesis of the tissues and organs of the fetus, as well as the placenta;
• Formation of body systems.

In addition, embryology has become known for complex, critical periods of development, which can adversely affect the condition of the fetus under the influence of certain factors.

The subject of embryology

Modern embryology is engaged in studying the process of embryo formation. Scientists claim that embryo development occurs in three main stages:

• From conception to 2 weeks of development;
• From the third week, when the embryo becomes a fruit;
• Since the development of important organs before the birth of a child.

When carrying out the IVF procedure, embryology is important, because modern opportunities create optimal conditions for the onset and normal course of pregnancy. When applying scientific data, specialists will help to determine in advance and prevent the possibility of developmental malformations of the fetus. Thanks to the science of embryology, scientists have identified dangerous periods of child development:

• fertilization;
• Embryo introduction into the walls of the uterus;
• Formation of basic tissues;
• The formation of the brain;
• Development of organs and systems;
• The process of birth.

During these periods, the influence of various negative factors can provoke a slowdown, improper development or even fetal death. Clinical embryology studies the problems of abnormalities, and also seeks to eliminate them in order to avoid violations.

How Embryologists Work

Doctors embryologists deal with problems of fertilization, as well as control the development of the embryo, before the stage of its transfer to the uterine cavity. When carrying out IVF embryology determines the presence of problems, and also seeks ways to solve them. The embryologist carries out a complex of measures to conduct diagnostics and subsequent treatment of married couples who have turned to a hospital with a problem of infertility.

With a competent approach to each couple, the doctor conducts:

• Insemination - introduction of spermatozoa into the uterine cavity;
• Evaluation of sperm quality and fertilization results;
• Cultivation and transplantation of embryos into the uterine cavity.

The doctor embryologist creates the most favorable conditions for the birth of a new life, helping to circumvent the barriers that prevent fertilization in natural conditions. A positive result is achieved by applying modern technologies.

What happens in embryology laboratories

In the Center of Embryology, the doctor conducts a survey of couples to determine the causes of infertility, and then prescribes treatment. The most responsible phase of IVF takes place in the laboratory, as all conditions are created that mimic the environment of the human body, fertilization and embryo cultivation are carried out.

In the Center of Embryology the doctor-reproductologist works with the patient, who with the help of hormonal preparations provokes the growth of ovules in the ovaries of the woman, tracks their growth and prepares the uterus for embryo implantation. With the help of a special needle, eggs are extracted from the body, which are then sent to the laboratory. In the laboratory, the eggs are cleared from the outer shell to facilitate the way to the sperm, and placed in a special bowl with a nutrient medium.

After the extraction of the eggs, the man gives sperm, which also undergoes special treatment. As a result, the most mobile spermatozoa are selected. Then the active spermatozoa move into the bowl with the egg, from this moment the fertilization procedure begins. After a day, the nutrient medium for the zygote is replaced with fresh. The doctor observes the embryos for 4-5 days, and then transplants them into the woman's body.

What is Embryological Protocol?

Information about the fertilization carried out during the IVF process is recorded in a special document called the embryological protocol. It contains all information related to the cultivation and growth of embryos.

18 hours after the procedure, the doctor gives preliminary information on the number of fertilized eggs. The documentation specifies data on the thickness of the envelope, formed around the embryo, fragmentation and ordering of the location of cells.

Stages of embryo development

The process of fertilization is very complex and involves the fusion of female and male germ cells, during which the restoration of a set of chromosomes is observed and a new fertilized egg is formed. Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes, by the fusion of spermatozoa and ova.

In the body of a woman after fertilization within 12 hours a zygote is formed. After a few days, the zygote is divided, then two blastomeres are formed, one of which is larger in size and darker in color. From a larger part, the embryo, placenta, and other tissues are formed. The embryo is introduced into the mucous membrane of the uterus.

As the embryo develops, its subsequent division occurs, as a result of which the main organs and tissues of the future child are gradually formed, which for 9 months grow and develop.

Famous scientists and embryologists

With the advent of the science of embryology, scientists constantly improved and developed it. The founder of embryology is Baer Karl Maksimovich, who, from his earliest childhood, showed an interest in natural phenomena. He defined the main types of embryonic development and proved that all vertebrates develop according to a single principle.

Another well-known embryology doctor is Harvey William, the founder of modern physiology and embryology. In his works he described the principle of a large and small circle of blood circulation.

Russian scientist-embryologist is Mechnikov Ilya Ilich - the founder of microbiology and immunology. In his writings, he outlined the theory of immunity and the origin of multicellular organisms. He also studied the problem of aging.