Question

Implantation types and hormonal control

Answer 1

Answer:

The term "implantation" is used to describe process of attachment and invasion of the uterus endometrium by the blastocyst (conceptus) in placental animals.

Explanation:

The term "implantation" is used to describe process of attachment and invasion of the uterus endometrium by the blastocyst (conceptus) in placental animals. In humans, this process begins at the end of week 1, with most successful human pregnancies the conceptus implants 8 to 10 days after ovulation, and early pregnancy loss increases with later implantation. The implantation process continues through the second week of development.

The initial phase of the implantation process is "adplantation". This first phase requires the newly hatched blastocyst to loosely adhere to the endometrial epithelium, often "rolling" to the eventual site of implantation where it is firmly adhered. This process requires both the blastocyst adhesion interaction with the endometrium during the "receptive window".

Subsequent development of the placenta allows maternal support of embryonic and fetal development. If implantation has not proceeded sufficiently during the menstrual cycle to allow hormonal feedback to the ovary, then the next cycle may commence leading to conceptus loss. There is also evidence, from animal models, that a conceptus with major genetic does not develop or implant correctly leading to their loss during the first and second weeks of development.

In recent years with the development or Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART or IVF) there is a growing interest in this process, with techniques that introduce the blastocyst into the uterus to allow normal implantation to occur.

Abnormal implantation is where this process does not occur in the body of the uterus (ectopic) or where the placenta forms incorrectly. In addition implantation can occur normally but with an abnormal conceptus, as in a hydatiform mole development.