INTRODUCTION
Developmental physiology explains how intricately the biological processes are regulated and integrated in an animal’s life from its existence (from the zygote) till its death. The developmental journey of an animal extends beyond birth, encompassing aging and eventual death as natural processes.
Throughout life, cells continue to divide and differentiate, organs undergo growth and maturation until puberty, and numerous tissues undergo ongoing developmental changes. The development of an animal is classified into prenatal and postnatal development. The process of prenatal development, classified as growth and development from fertilization until birth within the mother’s womb, is separated into three periods: Prenatal development unfolds in three distinct periods: firstly, the germinal period, which marks the zygote/ovum stage from conception until the blastocyst attaches to the endometrium; secondly, the embryonic period, characterized by the formation of major organ systems; and thirdly, the fetal period, primarily dedicated to the growth and development of the conceptus (Green and Winters, 1945; Dean and Grizzle, 2011). Multiple biological and environmental factors contribute to the development in an animal. Within this context, our discourse delved into the intricate nuances of an animal’s developmental physiology during the prenatal phase. Embryogenesis emerges as a pivotal stage, characterized by a sophisticated process wherein the embryo undergoes transformation from a fertilized oocyte to a discernible form. This intricate journey involves a series of coordinated events, including cell division, differentiation, and morphogenesis, ultimately leading to the formation of the complex structures and organs of the developing organism.3.2
Source:
Rana Tanmoy (ed.). Principles of Veterinary Animal Physiology. CRC Press,2026. — 290 p.. 2026
More on the topic INTRODUCTION:
-
Veterinarian -