EMEM0832p Embryology II - lecture

Faculty of Medicine
spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. MVDr. Aleš Hampl, CSc. (lecturer)
PharmDr. Zuzana Holubcová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Kristína Valovičová (lecturer)
MUDr. Eva Mecová (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. MVDr. Aleš Hampl, CSc.
Department of Histology and Embryology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Supplier department: Department of Histology and Embryology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Timetable
Mon 11:30–13:10 E24/N02310
Prerequisites
EMEM0731p Embryology I - lecture
Completion of the course is conditional upon 1) prior passing of the Embryology I – Lecture exam 2) participation in an excursion organized during the semester 3) participation in a lecture by an external lecturer during the semester
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The aim of the course is for students to thoroughly understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of germ cells and in preimplantation embryonic development.
Learning outcomes
Graduates of the course will: 

  • Have a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms of fertilization and the biology of preimplantation embryos. 
  • Be able to critically analyze and interpret scientific findings and assess their significance for clinical practice.

Key topics
Preparation for fertilization, receptor interaction of gametes Molecular mechanisms of fertilization - release of MII arrest, completion of meiotic division, chromatin decondensation, formation and migration of pronuclei, centrosome inheritance Mechanisms blocking polyspermy Artificial activation of the oocyte, parthenogenesis Preimplantation development – cleavage division, compaction, blastulation Activation of the embryonic genome, genomic imprinting Metabolism and nutritional requirements of the embryo Totipotency and pluripotency, initial differentiation processes and cell line specification, transdifferentiation Influence of physical and chemical factors on the success of in vitro embryonic culture Disorders of embryonic development Genetic instability, causes of embryonic aneuploidy, mosaicism, correction mechanisms Embryonic stem cells Evaluation of embryo quality in the clinical laboratory Modern trends in experimental embryology and innovations in clinical practice
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • Trounson A, Gosden R, Eichenlaub-Ritter: Biology and Pathology of the Oocyte. 2nd ed., Cambridge 2013. Gardner DK, Sakkas D, Seli E, Wells D: Human gametes and preimplantation Embryos. 1st ed. New York 2013.
  • Coward K., Wells D.: Textbook of Clinical Embryology, 1st ed., Cambridge 2013.
  • In vitro fertilization. Edited by Kay Elder - Brian Dale. 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000, xii, 310 p. ISBN 0521778638. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
lectures + excursion
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
oral exam
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms spring 2024, spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/med/spring2026/EMEM0832p