Title Page -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- 1 Division, Growth and Differentiation of Cells -- The cell cycle -- Mitosis -- Meiosis -- 2 Gametogenesis -- Spermatogenesis -- Oogenesis -- 3 Fertilisation -- Capacitation -- Cellular events in the process of fertilisation -- Barriers to polyspermy -- Ovum activation -- In vitro fertilisation -- Comparative fertilisation rates -- Sex determination -- Parthenogenesis -- Sex ratio -- Chromosomes of domestic animals -- 4 Cleavage -- Cleavage in primitive chordates, amphibians, avian species and mammals -- Stem cells -- 5 Gastrulation -- Primitive chordates -- Amphibians -- Avian species -- Mammals -- Establishment of left-right symmetry in vertebrates -- Twinning -- 6 Aspects of Cell Signalling and Gene Functioning During Development -- Cellular messengers and receptors -- Types of signalling -- Induction and competence -- Paracrine signalling during development -- Apoptosis -- Morphogens -- Differentiation -- Gene structure and organisation -- X-chromosome inactivation -- DNA methylation and parental imprinting in mammals -- Promoters, enhancers and silencers -- Transcription factors -- Gene systems essential for development -- Experimental measurement of gene expression -- Experimental evaluation of gene function -- Concluding comments -- 7 Establishment of the Basic Body Plan -- 8 Coelomic Cavities -- Pleural and pericardial cavities -- Diaphragm -- Peritoneal cavity -- Omenta -- 9 Foetal Membranes -- Development of the foetal membranes -- Birds -- Mammals -- 10 Forms of Implantation and Placentation -- Implantation -- Placentation in mammals -- Functional aspects of the placenta -- 11 Cardiovascular System -- Development of the cardiac tubes -- Molecular aspects of cardiac development -- Formation of the cardiac chambers -- Conducting system of the heart.

Developmental anomalies of the cardiovascular system -- 12 Embryological and Post-natal Features of Haematopoiesis -- Embryological aspects of haematopoiesis -- Cell differentiation and maturation during haematopoiesis -- Stem cells in human adults and mature animals -- Immunodeficiency -- Inherited defects in natural immunity -- 13 Nervous System -- Dorsal-ventral patterning of the neural tube -- Neural crest -- Differentiation of the cellular components of the neural tube -- Spinal nerves -- Myelination of peripheral nerve fibres -- Changes in the relative positions of the spinal cord and the developing vertebral column -- Anomalies of the spinal cord -- Differentiation of the brain sub-divisions -- Ventricular system of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid circulation -- Molecular aspects of brain development -- Brain anomalies -- Brain stem and spinal cord -- Cranial nerves -- Peripheral nervous system -- Autonomic nervous system -- Enteric nervous system -- Meninges -- 14 Muscular and Skeletal Systems -- Differentiation of somites -- Muscular system -- Skeletal muscle -- Cytodifferentiation of muscle -- Skeletal system -- Skeletal anomalies -- 15 Digestive System -- Molecular regulation of alimentary tract development -- Oesophagus -- Stomach -- Liver -- Pancreas -- Spleen -- Development and rotation of the intestines in domestic animals -- Comparative features of the intestines -- Hindgut -- Developmental anomalies of the alimentary tract -- 16 Respiratory System -- Formation of the larynx -- Trachea, bronchi and lungs -- Molecular aspects of respiratory development -- Anomalies of the respiratory system -- 17 Urinary System -- Kidney -- Molecular basis of metanephros development -- Unilobar kidneys -- Multilobar kidneys -- Bladder -- Developmental anomalies of the urinary system -- 18 Male and Female Reproductive Systems -- Primordial germ cells.

Undifferentiated stage of gonad formation -- Differentiation and maturation of the testes -- Differentiation and maturation of the ovaries -- Features of equine gonadal development -- Genital ducts -- Formation of the genital fold -- External genitalia -- Factors which influence sexual differentiation in mammals -- Sex determination -- Molecular aspects of gonadogenesis -- Influence of hormones on development of genital ducts and external genitalia -- Sexual differentiation, associated brain function and subsequent sexual behaviour at puberty -- Anomalies of sexual development -- Descent of the testes -- Ovarian migration -- Cryptorchidism -- Development of the mammary gland -- Comparative features of mammary gland development in domestic animals -- 19 Structures in the Head and Neck -- Pharyngeal region -- Derivatives of the pharyngeal apparatus -- Face -- Nasal cavities -- Oral cavity -- Tongue -- Salivary glands -- Teeth -- Comparative aspects of dentition -- Molecular aspects of tooth development -- Development of the skull -- Congenital malformations of face and oral cavity -- 20 Endocrine System -- Pituitary gland -- Pineal gland -- Adrenal glands -- Thyroid gland -- Parathyroid glands -- Thymus -- Pancreatic islets -- 21 Eye and Ear -- Eye -- Ear -- 22 Integumentary System -- Epidermis -- Dermis -- Hypodermis -- Hair -- Mammalian skin glands -- Avian skin -- Congenital and inherited defects of the skin -- Hooves and claws -- Horns and related structures -- 23 Age Determination of the Embryo and Foetus -- 24 Genetic, Chromosomal and Environmental Factors Which Adversely Affect Pre-natal Development -- Mutations -- Chromosomal abnormalities -- Teratogens -- Therapeutic drugs and chemicals -- Cytotoxic drugs used for treating neoplastic diseases -- Poisonous plants -- Infectious agents -- Assessing the aetiology of congenital disease -- Glossary.

Index.