Bioscientifica Proceedings

Summary. Early embryo mortality during the first two weeks of development is an important factor in the decreasing fertility of dairy cattle. During this period the embryo needs to correctly establish the first three lineages, namely epiblast, hypoblast and trophoblast so as to survive. The morphological and molecular events underlying these lineage decisions are discussed, drawing on information derived predominantly from mice and cattle.

© 2014 Society for Reproduction and Fertility