EMBRYONIC-DEVELOPMENT AND FETAL GROWTH

Embryos and fetuses of domestic animals grow and develop at a very orderly rate. At the beginning cell numbers increase followed by differentiation and finally development of organs and systems. Although the rate of development and growth are orderly, they can be influenced by a number of factors. Genetic potential of both parents, plane of nutrition of the mother, environmental temperature, size of the mother, toxicants, number of litter-mates, and uterine space are among the many factors that can have an affect on the fetus. Because the prenatal period constitutes a significant portion of the total post-conception life of many domestic animals and because of the profound effect that prenatal conditions can have on postnatal life it is very important to consider all the possible implications of management decisions that affect prenatal growth and development.