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Embryo Implantation pp 54–66Cite as

Embryo—Maternal Interactions after Diapause in a Marsupial

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Part of the book series: Proceedings in the Serono Symposia USA Series ((SERONOSYMP))

Abstract

In all mammals, development of the embryo depends on complex interactions with the uterus. In the most commonly used experimental animals, mice and rats, the development of the egg cylinder and the formation of the invasive placenta at implantation early in gestation complicate analysis, so that the signals passing between the uterus and mother in early pregnancy are not clearly defined. Marsupials, in contrast, remain free and unattached to the uterus for two thirds of gestation, surrounded by an acellular mucoid coat and keratinous shell that prevents direct cell—cell contact between the endometrium and trophoblast cells. Embryo development must therefore be controlled by soluble factors in the uterine secretions. This is seen very clearly in the control of embryonic diapause, which is characteristic of about 35 marsupial species (1). Almost all of these species belong to the family Macropodidae; the kangaroos and wallabies, but it is important to note that diapause does occur in at least two small possum families, the Burramyidae and Tarsipedidae (2).

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Authors
  1. Marilyn B. Renfree
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  2. Geoffrey Shaw
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Daniel D. Carson Ph.D.

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Renfree, M.B., Shaw, G. (1999). Embryo—Maternal Interactions after Diapause in a Marsupial. In: Carson, D.D. (eds) Embryo Implantation. Proceedings in the Serono Symposia USA Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1548-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1548-6_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7188-8

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