2) Embryology and Teratology (Part I) Flashcards
What is teratogenesis?
The production of congenital birth defects in an embryo or fetus
What are malfunctions?
Non-reversible morphological defects present at birth
What are the three types of malfunctions?
- External malfunctions (e.g. cleft palate)
- Internal malfunctions (e.g. malfunction in an organ)
- Microscopically visible malfunction
What are congenital anomalies?
Present at birth
How many types of congenital anomalies are there? What can they range from?
- 200 types
- Range from physical abnormalities to fatality
Birth defects are present in what percentage of live births?
2-3%
What are deaths to birth defects primarily due to?
Structural and functional defects in vital organs
Structural and functional defects in which vital organs are particularly susceptible to cause death?
- CNS
- Respiratory system
- Heart
What is the leading cause of infant death in North America?
Birth defects
What are the three reasons that explain why birth defects are the leading cause of infant death in North America?
1) Improvements in obstetrical care
2) Increased medications and social drug use
3) Contribution of environmental contaminants to teratogenesis
How does the incidence of birth defects vary at two years old? Why?
- At two years old, the incidence increases from 4 to 6%
- Due to the discovery of internal organ defects, which may have been symptomless at birth
Birth defects account for more than ___ of all deaths in infants below a year old, and ___ of all deaths in children above 15 years old.
- 1/3
- 1/4
Around 20 to 25% of the causes of birth defects are due to what? How are they identified?
- Genetic causes and chromosomal aberrations
- Identified by a constellation of characteristics of defects that are present together
Which factors play a role in the development of birth defects, apart from genetic and chromosomal aberrations?
- Metabolic (maternal illnesses)
- Radiation
- Infection (maternal illnesses)
- Exposure to drugs or chemicals
What is the susceptibility of teratogenesis heavily influenced by?
The genetics of the mother and infant, as well as environmental factors
What percentage of human pregnancies result in a healthy, normal infant?
Less than 50%
What do anomalies occurring during the early stages of embryogenesis lead to?
An early miscarriage
What three outcomes may the formation of a zygote lead to?
1) Healthy pregnancy that comes to term
2) Pregnancy that comes to term with the formation of anomalies
3) Pregnancy that does not come to term
What is the largest contributor to an unsuccessful pregnancy?
Post-implantation losses
What are post-implantation losses?
If the uterus is not ready to receive the zygote, then the fertilized egg is shed along with uterine tissue during the following menstrual cycle
What occurs during the conception period of reproduction?
1) Conception is the formation of a zygote from the union of the ovum and sperm
2) Implantation of the zygote into the uterine wall
What occurs during organogenesis?
The division and differentiation of the ovum to form tissues and organs
When does organogenesis occur?
Weeks 3 to 8 during pregnancy
What is the teratogenic period?
The most susceptible period to birth defects
When is the teratogenic period?
17 to 57 days post-fertilization
When does the neural tube close?
Within 28 days of gestation, when most women do not know they are pregnant yet
What is necessary for women to be CAPABLE of becoming pregnant, and avoiding a neural tube defect?
Adequate nutrition, specifically folate, PRIOR to conception
For all women, there is a __-day period following ovulation.
14
What is the period of maximal cell division and differentiation? What is it also referred to as?
- The organogenic period
- The critical period of growth
What should occur by the end of the organogenic period?
The development of the major fetal structures should be completed
What are the two types of growth during pregnancy?
- Hyperplasia
- Hypertrophy
What is hyperplasia?
Increase in cell number
What is hypertrophy?
Increase in cell size
When does hyperplasia occur? What is it characterized by?
- Day 17 to 8 weeks following fertilization
- Maximum vulnerability to teratogenic effects
What does interference with hyperplasia (e.g. toxicity or nutrition deficiencies) result in?
In a permanent reduction in cell NUMBER, which cannot be compensated for later, even with proper nutrition
What occurs after the hyperplasia period?
- Hypertrophy and hyperplasia
- Then, hypertrophy alone
When does hypertrophy occur? What is it characterized by?
- 8 weeks following fertilization
- Risk for development of organ or biochemical malfunctions
What is ovulation?
Ovum is expelled by the ovary into the Fallopian tubes
How may poor nutrition and toxic exposure affect fertilization?
Can decrease gamete viability (sperm or ovum), which may lead to decreased fertility or poor cell division
What does the zygote produce as it begins to cleave? How?
- Increase in the number of cells (but no increase in volume)
- The zygote produces the morula
What does the morula produce as a cavity forms in its center? What is the cavity called?
- The cavity is called the blastocele
- The morula produces the blastocyst
What types of cells does the blastocyst contain? Where are they located?
- Embryoblasts (inside)
- Trophoblasts (outside)