Blastocyst

Infobox Embryology
Name = Blastocyte
Latin =
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Caption =


Caption2 =
System =
CarnegieStage = 3
Days = 5
Precursor =
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MeshName = Blastocyst
MeshNumber = A16.254.085
DorlandsPre = b_14
DorlandsSuf = 12187695

The blastocyst is the structure formed in early embryogenesis, after the formation of the blastocoel, but before implantation.

It possesses an inner cell mass, or embryoblast which subsequently forms the embryo, and an outer cell mass, or trophoblast which forms the placenta. The human blastocyst arises after compaction and comprises 70-100 cells. It is preceded by a zygote, the fertilized egg cell, and succeeded by an embryo.

Blastocyte formation begins at day 5cite web |url=http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/Notes/week1.htm |title=UNSW Embryology- Week 1 |accessdate=2007-12-30 |format= |work=] . Differential expression of cells in the morula is thought to be the cause of the lineage divergence of different cell types. For example, the Oct-3/4 transcription factor is restricted to the ICM, whereas Cdx2 is restricted to the trophoblast. This differential transcription factor expression is likely to be the result of positional effect - cells in the middle of the preceding zygote are in a different environment to those on the outside, thus causing differential expression.

Formation of the blastocyst

The blastocyst consists of two primary cell lines:

* the inner cell mass, also known as the "embryoblast"
* the trophoblast

The former is the source of embryonic stem cells and gives rise to all later structures of the adult organism. The latter combines with the maternal endometrium to form the placenta in eutherian mammals.

References

External links

* [http://www.advancedfertility.com/blastocystimages.htm Blastocyst photos at different stages of development]
* [http://departments.weber.edu/chfam/Prenatal/blastocyst.html Diagram at weber.edu]