New insights into human early embryo development: a particular theoretical study

Abstract

The experimental research on the subject of human early embryo development has been remained insufficient because of ethical norms and legal constraints. In this context, the carrying out of theoretical studies could speed up the slow knowledge progression on this subject. Thus, I present here a particular model of theoretical study based on a synthesis of selected published experimental results combined with what has been provided from my interpretation of scientific signs masked in some Qur‟an verses. In the obtained detailed scenario, I consider that the third cleavage, resulting in 8 blastomeres, is coupled to a particular rearrangement in which 2 daughter cells seem move down and 2 others move up; while the 4 remaining cells seem stay at their initial position (I called them “4 HI cells”). Nevertheless, I consider that the fourth cleavage, resulting in 16 blastomeres, is coupled to a rearrangement that gives the impression of a harmonious descent: in fact, one of each two daughter cells seems pushed down. This descent materializes a morula top–bottom axis, which will go to coincide with the embryo-abembryo axis of the blastocyst. Just after this fourth cleavage, during a polarization process, the nucleuses of the entire 16 cells move towards a basal region. I consider the polarized 16 cells as the precursors of all the Troph-Ectoderm (TE cells), whilst acknowledging that the 4 HI cells are at once precursors of TE cells and the Inner Cell Mass (ICM). Moreover, in this study I evoke, for the first time, the possible contribution of the microvilli of some outer cell surfaces to the guidance and move of the early human embryo all along the oviduct and during the initiate steps of its implantation in the endometrium. At the end I contribute to the classification of the concept of knowledge and I show how this study represents a model of fruitful exchanges between philosophy, science and religion.

Key words: Human early embryo development - Troph-Ectoderm (TE cells) - 16 blastomere stage - Morula / blastocyst axis - Microvilli - Early embryo transport - Initiation of implantation - Knowledge definition - Qur‟an scientific signs - Philosophy, science and religion – Dynamism of Holy Qur‟an