Prenatal Development

In which we examine the

three stages of development
from conception to birth,
and the causes of congenital
defects that can occur
during that time.
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Stages of Prenatal
Development
Zygotic (or Germinal) Stage 0-2 weeks
Embryonic Stage 2-8 weeks
Fetal Stage 9-40 weeks
Part 1: Zygotic Stage
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Zygotic Stage
Major tasks: Cell division and implantation
Rate of cell division:
36 hours 2 cells
48 hours 8 cells
72 hours 32 cells
96 hours 70 cells
After 4th day, cells arranged in a hollow sphere,
called the blastocyst.
Cells are undifferentiated (not yet specialized for
function)
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Zygotic Stage, continued

Zygote develops from an area of blastocyst
called the embryonic disk
At 2 weeks, the embryonic disk as 3 layers:
Entoderm: from which develops pharynx, tonsils,
thyroid, trachea, lungs, digestive system,
bladder, urethra
Mesoderm: from which develops muscles, bones,
circulatory system, lymph system, kidneys,
gonads
Ectoderm: from which develops skin, hair, nails,
sense organs, nervous tissue
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Critical Periods
Critical Period: specific time when a given event, or
its absence, has the greatest impact on development
Development = differentiation, then growth
Differentiation: the process in embryonic development
during which unspecialized cells or tissues become
specialized for particular functions. (Ex: pre-gonadal
tissue differentiates into pre-ovarian or pre-testicular
tissue)
Growth: Once the cells have differentiated, the
structure grows
The critical period for prenatal defects is during
differentiation
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Critical Periods of Various Embryonic

Structures
Part 2: Embryonic Stage
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Embryonic Stage
Major Task: Differentiation of all body systems
except cerebral cortex and sensory system.
Trends in differentiation of cells
Size and structure: from uniformity to

diversity; from simplicity to complexity

Shape: from irregular to regular; from

vagueness to definiteness
Adaptability: from plasticity to rigidity
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Embryonic Stage, continued

3 weeks: neural groove closes; thyroid
differentiates; liver differentiates; urinary duct
begins to form; primitive heart begins beating
4 weeks: limb buds appear; tongue bud appears;
lung bud appears; esophagus, stomach and
intestine are single tube; nerves begin to form; optic
cup appears
5 weeks: nasal pits appear; jaws begin to form;
premuscle masses appear; genital buds appear;
pre-gonadal tissue present; intestine begins looping;
circulatory system extends to head and limbs
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Embryo: Week 4

Come to class to see slide!

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Embryo: Week 4
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Embryonic Stage, continued

6 weeks: external ear appears; limbs recognizable;
lobes of lungs appear; bronchi dividing
7 weeks: back straightens; tail begins to disappear;
larynx developing; muscles begin to differentiate
8 weeks: head elevating; digits formed; epidermis in
3 layers; taste buds appear; lymph system
developing; testes and ovaries identifiable; skeletal
systems begins to ossify; brain attains general
structure, with lower brain more developed
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Embryo: Week 9
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Development of
Three Species

Early stages in the

development of a
guinea pig (left
column), a monkey
(middle column), and
a human embryo
(right column).
Part 3: Fetal Stage
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Fetal Stage
Major Tasks: Differentiation of neocortex,
sensory systems, and overall growth
Neocortex and sensory systems
The old brain develops early in the embryonic
stage. Needed to control circulatory system.
The midbrain develops later in embryonic stage.
The neocortex doesnt develop until fetal stage.
All structures not present until after first year of
life.
Sensory systems are intricately connected to
neocortex and so develop at same time.
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Brain Development
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Brain Development,
continued
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Fetal Growth
2 months 1 long 1/13 ounce
3 months 3 long 1 ounce
4 months 9 long 6 ounces
5 months 12 long 14 ounces
6 months 14 long 20 ounces
7 months 16 long 3-4 pounds
8 months 18 long 5-6 pounds
9 months 20 long 7.5 pounds
Part 5: Congenital Defects
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Teratogens & Congenital

Defects
Teratogen: a chemical or physical agent
which can lead to malformations in the fetus

Congenital Defect: a defect present at birth

caused by a teratogen.
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Categories of Teratogens
Metabolic (Diseases)
Chemicals
Drugs

Alcohol, Heroin, Narcotics, Nicotine

Maternal malnutrition
Radiation
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Metabolic Teratogens
cardiovascular defects, deafness,
Rubella
blindness, slow growth of fetus
deafness, mental retardation, skin & bone
Syphilis
lesions, meningitis
microcephaly, hydrocephaly, cerebral
Toxoplasmosis
calcification, mental retardation
cardiac and skeletal malformations,
Diabetes central nervous system anomalies;
increased risk of stillbirth
Herpes
skin lesions, encephalitis
Simplex
Mumps spontaneous abortion
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Chemical Teratogens
growth & mental retardation,
Alcohol microcephaly, facial and trunk
malformations
Chemotherapy major anomalies throughout body
Diethylstilbestr
cervical and uterine abnormalities
ol
Lithium hearing anomalies
mental retardation, cerebral atrophy,
Mercury
spasticity, blindness
Streptomycin hearing loss, auditory nerve damage
Tetracycline staining of tooth enamel and bones
Thalidomine limb defects, cardiovascular anomalies
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Alcohol, Nicotine & Other Addictive

Substances
The most common defect of addictive substances,
including nicotine, is low birth weight
Infants born to addicted women will also be addicted.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Growth deficiencies
Skeletal and facial deformities
Organ deformities: heart defects; genital
malformations; kidney and urinary defects.
Central nervous system handicaps: small brain; mental
retardation learning disabilities; hyperactivity, poor
coordination.
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Child with FAS

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Malnutrition & Radiation

Most common effect of material malnutrition is
low birth weight.

Radiation may prevent organs from developing

and may cause mutations.