Bovine Maternal Support and Embryo Survival

In this work, the endocrine and histological preparations of the uterine environment for embryo/foetus survival are covered, through compilation of relevant research results pertaining ovarian, uterine and placental changes. Also, a general overview of the ovarian cycle, uterine changes, development of the placenta, nutritional and immunological mechanisms of embryo acceptance and protection, as well as some of the most outstanding causes of embryo/foetus mortality. Each chapter involves a general discussion of relevant and pertinent research findings, including already accepted facts and those which open the possibility of new research directions. Synthesis of possible mechanisms of main biological phenomena are illustrated. More than 400 references were taken into account and herein presented, as well as photographs and illustrations.

Embryology of the reproductive tract.- Neuroendocrine control of ovarian function.- Dynamics of follicular changes in the ovary before puberty.- Puberty.- Ovarian cycle and folicular growth.- Ovulation.- Development of the corpus luteum.- Lysis of the corpus luteum.- The uterus. Histological and physiological aspects.- First stages of embryonic development, histogenesis of the placenta and pregnancy maintenance.- Embryonic survival and mortality.

Professor Aureliano Hernández received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, his Master of Science at the University of Bristol (England) and his PhD at the University of Wisconsin (Madison, USA). His teaching and research career (1967-2024) in the Universidad Nacional de Colombia included histology, embryology and physiology of reproduction during all his academic life. His another research interest has been hypoxic pulmonary hypertension specially in the chicken model. He has published more than 90 research papers, 5 book chapters and 4 books. Thirty MSc and 9 PhD fellows graduated under his supervision.