Developmental Biology and Pathology

Kurt Benirschke received his MD from the University of Hamburg in 1948 and subsequently moved to the United States, where he trained in pathology at different university hospitals. He held various Harvard Medical School appointments before becoming Professor of Pathology and Chairman of the Department of Pathology at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire, where his interests included placental pathology, comparative reproductive pathology, and comparative cytogenetics. In 1970, Dr. Benirschke became Professor of Pathology and Reproductive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center. He established a genetics laboratory and ran the autopsy service at the Center, and also chaired the Department of Pathology for 2 years. In addition, he served as Director of Research at San Diego Zoo in a newly established research department. There, he established the first frozen zoo, comprising a collection of frozen cells and reproductive material from highly endangered species. Dr. Benirschke was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994. After retiring from the faculty at UCSD he was appointed Professor Emeritus and also served as President of the Zoo's Board of Trustees. His many honors and awards include the ARCS Foundation Scientist of the Year in 1997, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums R. Marlin Perkins Award in 1998, and the E.A. Dickson Emeriti Professorship in 2008.

I. Introduction.- Developmental Anomalies Arising from Errors of Fertilization and Cleavage.- II. Oocyte, Early Embryo and Maternal Host. Morphology and Biochemistry.- Oocyte Maturation and Paternal Contribution to the Embryo in Mammals. With 26 Figures.- Maternal Storage in the Mammalian Oocyte.- The Genetic Activity of the Early Mammalian Embryo. With 1 Figure.- Formation of the Blastocyst: Determination of Trophoblast and Embryonic Knot. With 8 Figures.- III. Pharmacological and Hormonal Influences in Early Embryogenesis.- The Response of the Preimplantation Embryo to Exogenous Factors.- Embryo Transfer Technique and Action of Drugs on the Preimplantation Embryo. With 2 Figures.- Uterine Secretion Protein Patterns Under Hormonal Influences. With 10 Figures.- IV. Teratology.- Organ Culture in Teratology. With 13 Figures.- Teratogenic Effects and Placental Permeability of Heavy Metals. With 3 Figures.- V. Cytogenetics.- Experimental Heteroploidy in Mammals. With 7 Figures.- Autosomal Monosomy and Trisomy Causing Developmental Failure. With 9 Figures.- Chromosomal Anomalies in Early Spontaneous Abortion. With 7 Figures.