Embryology
People forget we come from an embryo and we're part sperm and part ovary. We have both sides in us - Michelle Rodriguez
HWN Suggests
Rebirth of Human Embryology
Prior to the latter part of the nineteenth century, human embryonic development was little more than a curiosity. Throughout history our ancestors raised questions about the manner in which humans develop, both normally and abnormally, but scant information was available. It was not until serious investigations began to answer specific questions about our formation that the field of human embryology became organized into a science.
Featured
Scientists have created synthetic human embryos. Now we must consider the ethical and moral quandaries
Each of these synthetic human embryos is created from a single stem cell. Żernicka-Goetz described how her team grew the synthetic embryos to a stage of development called “gastriculation”, which is a stage just beyond the 14-day developmental mark for a human embryo. The current legal limit to how long a human embryo can be permitted to develop in a lab is 14 days. This is approximately the length of time from fertilisation of the egg to implantation in the uterine wall, if conception has taken place within a human womb. So, synthetic embryos have – for the first time – been allowed to develop past this point.
Articles of Interest
Automation of Processes: A Threat or a Step towards Development in the Profession of Embryologist?
The field of embryology has undergone a tremendous transformation in recent years. The advancement of cutting-edge technology has significantly altered how we approach embryology. One of the most significant changes has been the automation of processes in the laboratory. The embryology process automation has enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of embryologists' work. However, it has also raised concerns about the impact of automation on the profession.
A Day in the Life of an Embryologist: Behind the Scenes of IVF
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in an IVF lab? Embryologist Erin shares a typical day in the lab and answers common questions about embryology.
Alabama’s Embryo Ruling and What It Means for the Future of IVF
Alabama’s Supreme Court ruled that embryos are children. Here’s what that means for people looking to expand their families via IVF.
Human Embryology, Past, Present and Future Challenges
“Human Embryology, Past, Present and Future Challenges,” covered my view of the development of embryo research during the 38 years I have worked in the field, since 1984. The lecture covered the early days of research in IVF, which focussed largely on understanding human embryo development, and improving the success rate of IVF.
Researchers Create Model Human Embryos Using Stem Cells
The teams hope to learn more about the first few weeks of human development and provide insights into treatments for infertility and diseases.
The Great Frozen Embryo Debate
It’s been 40 years since the first successful IVF birth. Now an estimated one million embryos are on ice in the U.S., but who gets to decide whether these “maybe babies” are human life, a clump of cells, or something in between?
The push for embryo rights in state legislatures worries IVF patients and doctors
During the most recent legislative session in 13 states (including Iowa), lawmakers introduced bills that could give some of the same rights to embryos and fetuses that generally protect a person, according to an analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit that supports abortion rights. Though Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law granting protections to IVF a month after the court ruling, the precarious legal landscape worries patients like Brock and her husband.
The Rise of Embryology
In company with Needham’s ‘ ‘ History of Embryology’ ’ and Singer ’s “Evolution of Anatomy,” Dr. Meyer ’s “Rise of Embryology” should be in every biological library and laboratory, for labora.tory studies Without such orientation can hardly yield members of a learned profession.
World Embryologist Day: ‘You really feel that you are helping people’
Most people who enter the field of embryology now, do so having researched and planned extensively, often undertaking specialist higher degrees and gaining experience in the field working in more junior roles before applying for a coveted training post. Many turn down medical school places to pursue their dreams. They are highly motivated, highly intelligent and know exactly where they want to go in their careers. Clinical embryologists now have a clear and robust training pathway through to Consultant level. It wasn’t always that way.
Resources
3D Atlas of Human Embryology
The 3D Atlas of Human Embryology comprises 14 user-friendly and interactive 3D-PDFs of all organ systems in real human embryos between stage 7 and 23 (15 till 60 days of development), and additional stacks of digital images of the original histological sections and annotated digital label files.
Embryo Project Encyclopedia
Recording and contextualizing the science of embryos, development, and reproduction.
Embryogeny
This is an humble attempt to close the gap between IVF Clinics and lack of trained Embryologists. We offer courses that are tailored to teach both very basics of Embryology as well as advanced skill like ICSI, vitrification and warming of embryos, Embryo biopsy and QA QC of IVF Labs.
Embryology
Designed to update the original UNSW Embryology website online since 1996. You should find this new site easier to navigate and search. I am always happy to receive feedback on your learning experience.
Embryology at a Glance
Embryology is the branch of biology that studies the early formation and development of these organisms. Embryology begins with fertilisation, and we have included the processes that lead to fertilisation in this text. The human embryonic period is completed by week 8, but we follow development of many systems through the foetal stages, birth and, in some cases, describe how changes continue to occur into infancy, adolescence and adult life.
Aristotle (384-322 BC): the beginnings of Embryology
Aristotle made important contributions to many fields-biology, physics, metaphysics, logic, ethics, rhetoric, psychology, aesthetics, poetry- that are now cultivated by specialized experts, but he never lost sight of the aim of unifying knowledge, of understanding the world as an organized whole. Aristotle was the first to combine wet, field biology with daring cosmological thinking. He is the father of natural history and the first embryologist known to history.
Karl Ernst von Baer: The Father of Embryology
Karl Ernst von Baer was an Estonian professor studying embryos and development when he made a discovery that laid the foundation for modern comparative embryology.
American College of Embryology
The American College of Embryology (EMBCOL) is an organization of embryology practitioners dedicated to advancing the practice of reproductive embryology and establishing standards for reproductive embryology care. Join us, to make EMBCOL your organization and your voice.
American Embryo Transfer Association
American Embryo Transfer Association embraces its responsibility as the resource for embryo transfer in the United States. This authority is developed and supported through our commitment to excellence in several broad areas: Education and developing and maintaining high industry standards.
Canadian Embryo Transfer Association
The Canadian Embryo Transfer Association (CETA/ACTE) is a non-profit association that was incorporated in 1984 with the purpose of uniting those organizations and individuals, primarily veterinarians, engaged in the embryo transfer industry in Canada.
Digital Embryology Consortium
This resource, human-embryology.org is the website of the Digital Embryology Consortium, which was established in 2014. The official opening of the Consortium was held at the University of Göttingen on April 8th 2015. The objective of this international partnership is to digitise, preserve, and make available for researchers the major embryology histological collections.
Edorium Journal of Anatomy and Embryology
Edorium Journal of Anatomy and Embryology is an international, peer reviewed, open access journal, publishing high-quality original articles on all aspects of anatomy and embryology.
Embryo Connections
Sam was our inspiration and beginning: a fantastic little boy born via private embryo donation in 2017. Embryo Connections was founded to change the way reproductive intervention is managed. We want to put the choice and control in your hands, where it belongs. Our success is your happiness.
European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
The main aim of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology is to promote interest in, and understanding of, reproductive biology and medicine.
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Impartial, accurate information about IVF, clinics and other fertility treatments from the UK government fertility regulator
International Embryo Technology Society
Promoting advancements in animal reproductive science and technology worldwide through education, research, and collaboration since 1974.
Journal of Embryology
Journal of Embryology (JE) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal. Embryology is the study of the development and growth of embryos and their cells. The scientific field specifically focuses on the development of embryos and the changes that occur during the course of maturation. Embryology is a vital field of research in medicine, genetics, and reproductive sciences.
Journal of Embryology & Stem Cell Research
JES is a leading international journal covering all aspects of Embryology and stem cell research also their disorders. This journal acts as a platform for researchers to share their research work to world.
Journal of Embryology and Developmental Biology
Journal of Embryology & Developmental Biology is a multidisciplinary journal that tries to capture the entire dynamics of the single cell in the egg fusing with the sperm to form the fetus, its growth, division of the cell into a multicellular organism, challenges for the fetus development, and care on open access platform.
National Embryo Donation Center
The NEDC is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect the lives and dignity of human embryos. We do that by promoting, facilitating and educating about embryo donation and adoption (ED/EA).
TeachMe Anatomy
In our article on weeks 1-3 of embryonic development you’ll learn that the first stage of development starts off with fertilisation. This is the process of male sperm fusing with the female ovum and it’s the basis of the embryology covered in the article.
The Scientist
Embryology news and articles...

