UNSW Embryology

Beginnings, Growth and Development

© Dr Mark Hill (2008)

Acknowledgements

Laboratory 3 - Clinical Considerations

The following questions are designed to make you think about clinical issues associated with this early stage of embryonic development.
The answers will not be provided in the Lab and but will be available on the web. Please note that questions are not directly examinable. You will need internet access to use some of the links in this exercise.

Note the dynamic nature of the Web may mean that some links below may no longer work, try searching with the text contained within the link.

1. What is the average age of women having their first child in Australia?

• UNSW Embryology -Australian Statistics
• Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Population- Births
• ABC Interview 18/7/99 Human Fertility

2. How has this average age changed over time and how does this relate to genetic abnormalities?

• UNSW Embryology -Australian Statistics
• Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Population- Births
  • Special Article - Fertility in New South Wales (1999)
• Merck- Testing for Genetic Disorders
• UNSW Embryology- Down Syndrome

3. What hormone appearing in the urine is used as an indicator of pregnancy? From what organ is this hormone derived?

• UNSW Embryology- Week 2 - Pregnancy Tests
• The Merck Manual- Pregnancy

4. What are the current available in vitro fertilization options?

• UNSW Embryology- WEEK 1 Development- in vitro fertilization

5. What is RU486 and how does it work? What other options/alternatives are available to this drug?

• UNSW Embryology- Menstral Cycle - Birth Control
• WebMD Health
• USA FDA Information- Mifepristone Information
• Population Council
• USA Campaign for RU 486 & Contraceptive Research
• CNN News Article

6. At what stage are human embryonic stem cells produced?

• UNSW Embryology- Week 1
• UNSW Embryology- News
• NIH Update on existing Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Read also "Stem Cells: Scientific Progress and Future Research Directions"
• Note other sites for Stem Cells (these will generate restricted cell types)
  • Umbilical Cord Blood | Sydney Childrens Hospital - Australian Cord Blood Bank ( ACBB)
  • Adult Brain
  • ependymal lining
  • Nasal Epithelium
  • Embryonic Stem Cells become glia

Online Resources

UNSW Embryology

Human Menstrual Cycle

Week 1 Development

Week 2 Development

Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Comments

Note- These notes were developed for the year 2004. This first embryology practical cover fertilization and early implantation period of development. This period of development is complex, the nomenclature is new too you, and many of the structures appear very different from what they will become in the later embryo. Persevere!

These notes and linked materials have been prepared for Educational purposes only.

Please email Dr Mark Hill if you wish to make a comment about this current project.

UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4

UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G