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.

Stages of Prenatal
Development

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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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Zygotic Stage: Week 2

Come to class to see slide!

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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 8

Come to class to see slide!

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Embryo: Week 9

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).

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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

Brain Development,
continued

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Fetal Growth
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

months
months
months
months
months
months
months
months

1 long
3 long
9 long
12 long
14 long
16 long
18 long
20 long

1/13 ounce
1 ounce
6 ounces
14 ounces
20 ounces
3-4 pounds
5-6 pounds
7.5 pounds

Part 5: Congenital Defects

Teratogens & Congenital

Defects

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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
Rubella

cardiovascular defects, deafness,

blindness, slow growth of fetus

Syphilis

deafness, mental retardation, skin & bone

lesions, meningitis

Toxoplasmosis

microcephaly, hydrocephaly, cerebral

calcification, mental retardation

Diabetes

cardiac and skeletal malformations,

central nervous system anomalies;
increased risk of stillbirth

Herpes
Simplex

skin lesions, encephalitis

Mumps

spontaneous abortion

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Chemical Teratogens
Alcohol

growth & mental retardation,

microcephaly, facial and trunk
malformations

Chemotherapy major anomalies throughout body

Diethylstilbestr
cervical and uterine abnormalities
ol
Lithium

hearing anomalies

Mercury

mental retardation, cerebral atrophy,

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.