Embryonic Medicine and Therapy

Introduction; PART 1 - THE PRE-EMPLANTATION EMBRYO; 1. Embryogenesis before implantation; 2. Genetics of the Gametes and the early embryo; 3. Diagnostic methods for the early embryo; 4. Early embryonic biological signals; 5. Embryonal therapy for implantation enhancement; 6. Luteal phase endometrium; PART 2 - FROM THE TROPHOECTODERM TO THE DEFINITIVE PLACENTA; 1. The implantation site; 2. Implantation and trophoblast barrier; 3. Formation of the trophoblastic barrier; 4. The early placenta In Vivo and In Vitro; 5. Life and death of embryonic adnexae; 6. Mole/chorion genetics imprinting; PART 3 - DEVELOPMENT OF THE EMBRYO AND EARLY FETUS; 1. Embryonic physiology; 2. Maternal endocrine changes during early pregnancy; 3. The embryo-placental paradox; 4. Ultrasound imaging of normal embryonic development; 5. Magnetic resonance imaging of the primate embryo; 6. Developmental biology of the primate embryo; PART 4 - MEDICINE OF THE EMBRYO AND EARLY FETUS; 1. Epidemiology of early pregnancy failure; 2. Assessment of embryonic and early fetal viability; 3. Spontaneous evolution of embryonal malformations; 4. Medical therapy of early pregnancy disorders; 5. Selective embryonic reduction and multiple pregnancy outcome; 6. Maternal diseases in early pregnancy; 7. Environmental damage to the embryo; PART 5 - RELEVANCE OF THE EMBRYO TO MEDICINE; 1. Principle of gene transfer and ablation; 2. Transplantation of fetal tissue; 3. Fetal stem cell therapy; 5. Ethics of embryo research; Epilogue