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Related Concept Videos

Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus01:15

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the male...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Ex utero Electroporation and Whole Hemisphere Explants: A Simple Experimental Method for Studies of Early Cortical Development
13:47

Ex utero Electroporation and Whole Hemisphere Explants: A Simple Experimental Method for Studies of Early Cortical Development

Published on: April 3, 2013

Maternal-fetal unit interactions and eutherian neocortical development and evolution.

Juan F Montiel1, Heidy Kaune, Manuel Maliqueo

  • 1Centre for Biomedical Research, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Diego Portales Santiago, Chile.

Frontiers in Neuroanatomy
|July 25, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Mammalian brain evolution, particularly in primates, may be driven by placental endocrine signals influencing fetal brain development. This mechanism could explain increased brain size and shorter gestation periods.

Keywords:
cerebral cortex developmenteutheriansevolutionmaternal–fetal unitplacentaserotonintranscriptome

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

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13:47

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07:03

In Vivo Targeting of Neural Progenitor Cells in Ferret Neocortex by In Utero Electroporation

Published on: May 6, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Mammalian brain evolution shows significant variation in size and complexity, unlike the conserved primate brain design.
  • Specialized cerebral cortical regions and developmental programs underlie increased brain size and complexity.
  • Placental structure is not directly linked to brain enlargement, but endocrine pathways may play a role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review maternal-fetal interactions in eutherian mammals related to brain development and evolution.
  • To propose a hypothesis on how placental signals influence primate brain evolution.
  • To explore the role of endocrine pathways in corticogenesis and brain size increase.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of maternal-fetal interactions and brain evolution.
  • Analysis of endocrine pathways involved in neuronal progenitor activation.
  • Hypothesis formulation based on existing evidence.

Main Results:

  • Non-classical endocrine placental signals may activate primate cortical proliferative compartments during corticogenesis.
  • Changes in placental structure and endocrine stimuli can influence cortical development.
  • This process may facilitate mammalian brain enlargement alongside shorter gestation.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal-fetal endocrine interactions are crucial for brain evolution.
  • A hypothesis is proposed where placental signals drive primate brain evolution and adaptation.
  • This evolutionary strategy balances brain development with gestation length, potentially mitigating parent-offspring conflict.