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Analysis of Embryotoxic Effects in Preimplantation Embryos

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The Mammalian Preimplantation Embryo

Abstract

In human pregnancy, it has been particularly difficult to obtain data on the action of drugs and environmental chemicals during the period before implantation of the embryo in the uterus. Scientific interest in the action of xenobiotics in early pregnancy is focusing on the earliest stage of gestation since recent epidemiological evaluations are not only indicating that 60% to 75% of all fertilized oocytes are dying during normal pregnancy but moreover that 50% of them are already dying before implantation (Biggers, 1981; Kline and Stein, 1985). This view is supported by the experience with human in vitro fertilization, which even in the most proficient hands has a low survival rate of embryos that are transferred back to the mother (Edwards and Steptoe, 1983).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max v. Pettenkofer- Institut, Bundesgesundheitsamt (BGA), P.O. Box 33 00 13, 1 Berlin 33, West Germany

    Horst Spielmann

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  1. Horst Spielmann
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  1. Department of Veterinary Science and Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Barry D. Bavister

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© 1987 Plenum Press, New York

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Spielmann, H. (1987). Analysis of Embryotoxic Effects in Preimplantation Embryos. In: Bavister, B.D. (eds) The Mammalian Preimplantation Embryo. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5332-4_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5332-4_14

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