Main description:

Despite its inherent controversy, the exploration of the human embryo can unlock many of the answers to our deepest biological questions. In Human Embryogenesis: Methods and Protocols, internationally recognized researchers contribute detailed methods to analyze various aspects of the embryogenesis process. While comprehensively covering subjects such as the molecular mechanisms of embryonic development, in vitro fertilization, cloning, and the laws and ethical considerations of working with embryos, the volume also addresses critical features of fetal and placental development as well as of uterine biology. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and state-of-the-art, Human Embryogenesis: Methods and Protocols provides a firm foundation for the successful analysis of the embryogenesis process and an easily accessible description of the limitations and advantages of the techniques proposed, certain to aid all those who wish to further unravel the mysteries of human embryogenesis.

Contents:

Part I. Introduction: What is Human Embryogenesis?

Human Embryogenesis: Overview

Cathy Vaillancourt and Julie Lafond

Part II. Studying Embryo Implantation: from Trophoblasts to Embryo

Differential Gene Expression in the Uterus and Blastocyst During the Reactivation of Embryo Development in a Model of Delayed Implantation.

Pavine L.C. Lefevre and Bruce D. Murphy

Coculture of Decidua and Trophoblast to Study Proliferation and Invasion

Marie Cohen and Paul Bischof

Isolation and Culture of Term Human Cytotrophoblast Cells and In Vitro Methods for Studying Human Cytotrophoblast Cells Calcium Uptake

Frederique Le Bellego, Cathy Vaillancourt and Julie Lafond

Endocrinology and Cell Signaling in Human Villous Trophoblast

Catherine Mounier, Benoit Barbeau, Cathy Vaillancourt and Julie Lafond

Gestation-Induced Uterine Vascular Remodeling

Pierre-Andre Scott, Mylene Provencher, Pascale Guerin and Jean St-Louis

Part III. Steriodogenesis and Reproductive System

Placental and Fetal Steriodogenesis

J. Thomas Sanderson

Current Methods in Investigating the Development of the Female Reproductive System

Patrick J. Devine, Patricia B. Hoyer and Aileen F. Keating

A Revised and Improved Method for the Isolation of Seminiferous Tubule-Enriched Fractions that Preserves the Phosphorylated and Glycosylated Forms of Proteins

Casimir D. Akpov and R.-Marc Pelletier

A Novel Technical Approach for the Measurement of Individual ACAT-1 and ACAT-2 Enzymatic Activity in the Testis

Li Chen, Julie Lafond and R.-Marc Pelletier

Part IV. From Embryo to Fetal Development

GeneticDissection of Caenorhabditis elegans Embryogenesis Using RNA Interference and Flow-Cytometry

Elodie L. Boulier and Sarah Jenna

Immune System: Maturation of Myeloid Cells

Jamila Ennaciri and Denis Girard

Functional Development of Human Fetal Gastrointestinal Tract

Emile Levy, Edgard Delvin, Daniel Menard and Jean-Francois Beaulieu

Renal and Cardiac Na+-K+-ATPase and Aconitase in a Rat Model of Fetal Programming

Rebecca Gaudet and Michele Brochu

Part V. Embryotoxicity, In Vitro Fertilization, Cloning, and Ethics

Assessment of Embryotoxicity Using Mouse Embryo Culture

Louise M. Winn and Emily W.Y. Tung

Fertilization In Vitro

Yinzhong Bing and Rodney J. Ouellette

Animal Cloning by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Lawrence C. Smith and Jae-Gyu Yoo

The Human Embryo: Ethical and Legal Aspects

Bartha Maria Knoppers, Sylvie Bordet and Rosario Isasi