Embryos can develop in vitro after implantation thanks to the research carried out at Cambridge University. This means that the first 13 days after fertilization can be analyzed. As a result, the chances of the success of IVF are significantly improved. After fertilization, the egg divides, and stem cells cluster together and become a blastocyst. There are three cell types, and these will become the placenta, cells allowing organ development and cells that will form the body. Cells must be attached to the uterus within seven days, and if this does not happen, pregnancy will end.
Research couldn’t be carried out in a lab after the 7th day, but now it is 13. Professor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, who has been working on mice, found that the re-organization process usually achieved after implantation can be found in a lab providing circumstances are right.
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The Professor pointed out that implantation is an important part of the process and is the stage where the body is formed. The research is going to be vital when it comes to finding out what happens during a miscarriage and hopefully will aid prevention. It is a complicated process according to Dr. Marta Shahbazi who is part of the research.
After fertilization, the three main cell types form into a new configuration, and a cavity is produced representing the initial structure of the human embryo post implantation. If the cavity were not there, it wouldn’t be possible for further development. Beforehand it was thought that cells dying caused the cavity but it is understood that this is not the case.
Read More: University of Cambridge