This is a review of the pre- and postnatal development in the North American opossum (Didelphus virginiana), presented in two volumes. This first volume summarizes gametes and fertilization, blastocyst formation and early organogenesis, foetal membranes and placentation, parturition integument, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, blood and blood-forming organs, lymphatic organs, nervous system, eyes and ears. Volume Two summarizes the histogenesis/organogenesis of the reproductive and classical endocrine systems.
1 Introduction
2 Gametes and Fertilization
2.1 Spermatozoa
2.2 Oocytes
2.3 Fertilization
3 Blastocyst Formation and Early Organogenesis
4 Fetal Membranes and Placentation
5 Parturition and Migration to the Pouch
6 General Postnatal Growth and Development
7 Integument
8 Musculoskeletal System
9 Cardiovascular System
9.1 Heart
9.2 Blood Vascular System
9.3 Lymph Vascular System
10 Changes in Peripheral Blood
10.1 Erythrocytes
10.2 Leukocytes
11 Blood-Forming Organs
11.1 Liver
11.2 Spleen
11.3 Bone Marrow
11.4 Thymus
11.5 Lymph Nodes
12 Lymphatic Organs
12.1 Thymus
12.2 Spleen
12.3 Lymphatic Channels
12.4 Lymph Nodes
13 Nervous System
13.1 Brain
13.2 Spinal Cord
14 Ear
14.1 External Ear
14.2 Middle Ear
14.3 Inner Ear
15 Eye
References