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Contributions to Embryology.
BOOKS
Edited by LOUIS
M.
H~:LLMAN,
M.O.
With this issue the AMERICAS Jo\:RNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND Gn;ECOLOCY begins a new series of book reviews. The enormous inCTeale in the number of books received has made complete review of each book impoHibl1 and perhaps undesirable. Henceforth a list of books received will be published and those of particular interest to obstetricians and gynecologists will be designated b)' an asterisk. In addition, one publication of outstanding merit u·ill be seluted monthly for detailed review by an authority in the field. Louis M. Hellman
Book review 263) combine classical embryology with autoradiography. Contribution 262, by Glenn C. Rosenquist, is a study of labeled grafts in the chick blastoderm. This method permits tracing the movements of large areas of epiblast into the streak, where they descend ventrally and are distributed bilaterally in the endoderm and mesoderm. Number 263, by Rosenquist and Robert L. De Haan, is an autoradiographic study of the migration of precardiac cells in the chick embryo. These cells destined to form the heart are localized in the epiblast in separate lateral regions about midway down the length of the fanning streak, where they migrate as prechordal and lateral plate mesoderm. Of obvious importance to readers of this JOURNAL are the two monographs on the uteroplacental circulation. Contribution 260, by John W. S. Harris and Elizabeth M. Ramsey, is a remarkable summary of the development of the human uteroplacental vasculature. Knowledge of the early stages has been provided by reexamination of the Hertig-Rock embryos, in which the authors have analyzed the crucial relations of trophoblast to capillary plexus in the stratum rompactum during the initial stages of placentation. Before the development of the cytotrophoblastic shell, which disturbs the relation of syncytiotrophoblast to endometrium, the most
Contributions to Embryology. Vol. XXXVIII, Nos. 259 to 263, Washington, D. C., 1966, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Publication 625. Distressing rumors hint that the present volume of the magnificent Contributions to Embryology may be the last. The inclusion of a complete index of the previous issues from 1915 to 1966 increases the obituary implication. The titles reflect a stupendous array of classics in reproductive anatomy, comprising a chronicle of the major developments in American embryology during the last half century. Many of the Contributions are monumental monographs, based on years of scholarly endeavor, unhampered by the need or the desire for rapid publication. This most recent volume also reflects uncompromising scholarship, enhanced by the virtually perfect photomicrography for which the Carnegie Institution has been famous. Contribution 259, the first in the present volume, is a study by Ronan O'Rahilly of the early development of the human eye. This definitive monograph is based on examination of more than one hundred serially sectioned human embryos from 1Y2 to 32 mm. in crown-rump length, staged according to Streeter's "Developmental Horizons." The last two papers (Nos. 262 and
308
Volume
100
Books
Number 2
prominent vascular connl'ctions with the lan1l1al" are dilated tributaries of I'ndolllrt rial \'I'in.~. The gradual reduction in llulllLwr of art!'rial opl'nillgs into the intcrvillous space is dTf'ctcd partly by the accumulation of cytotrophohlast wilhin the arteries and partly by un'at'hing of the vascular walls by deep pco!'tralioll of trophobla .~t. Cin:ulation ceases beyond the point at whil'h such a breach occurs, but the walls of nonfunctional arterial segmcnts remain until they arr df'stroy!'d by advancing trophoblast. The subdccidual venous plexus communicates with the myolllrtrial veins through short oblique chanrwls that arc surrounded by myomctriulll, an arrang!'mcllt that may permit uterine contractions to influcnce venous drainage. This monograph touches upon the fundamental problem of decirluotrophohlastic cellular relations, which have r!'c!'lltly bl'ell studied by electron microscopy. It also provid!'s sound anatomical data of ill1lllrdiate relevance to human ohst!'trics. Contribution 261, by Rams!'y ,md Harris, is an excellent resume of the srllior author's meticulous studies of the utcroplacel1tal vasculature and circulation in the rhrsus lIlonkey and man. Although there are ditTen'ncrs between monkey and man in biology of the trophobl;lst and ill formation of the decidua, thl' sllI'cific circulatory mechanisms are hasically similar. The most significant morphologic difTrrrnce is thc grcat!'r dilatation of human utrroplaCf'nlal ar!eri!'s, possibly resulting from the paucity of cbstic tisslir in the endometrial portion of the vascular wall and the greater trophoblastic challenge to the vessel. Ramsey suggests Ihat such spl'cifically human features as multipll' openings from a single arterial stem are probably incapahle of modifying the basic circulatory mechanism, particularly since later in prf'gnancy vascular branches are occluded and prcferl'ntial pathways of flow arc established. Thl' final justification for considering the interspecific differellces to be physiologically unimportant is provided by radioangiographic data, which indicate that the most fundamental phenomena are common to both species: the so-callrd spurts of arterial blood into the intervillous space, the intl'rmittrnt functioning of individual arteries, and the reduction or cessation of blood flow through the placenta during uterine contractions. In Rarnsry's term!, the force of maternal pressure in the uteroplacental arteries drives the blood in discrete streams toward the chorionic plate. Continuing inflow of arterial blood exerts pressure upon the
309
contl'll!s of the intervillous space, forcing the hlood toward thr orifices of exit in thl' basal plat!'. During uterine contractions, both inflow and outflow arl' curtailed or even halted, although the volume of blood in the intervillous space appears to he maintained, thus providing for continued, though reduced, {etomaternal exchan~e.
The index of contributing authors to volumes I through XXXVIII (1915-1966) is a virtual roll call of giants in American embryology and reproductive physiology: Allen, Arey, Bartelmez, Comer, Evans, Hartman, Hertig, Heuser, Lewis, Mall, Mossman, Reynolds, Streeter, and Wislocki. The staggering proportion of major monographs is evident Ilpon casual reference to the titles. Among the classic Contributions is the study by Edgar Allen (1927) describing the menstrual cycle of the rhesus monkey and the effects of castration and injections of ovarian and placental rxtracts. Other publications of that period include the monographs of Allen, Pratt, Newell, and Bland (1930) on human tubal ova, and of Bartelmez (1933) on the histology of the menstruating human endometrium. The fundamental studies of Corner on the corpus luteum appear in volumes issued between 1915 and 1945. Hartman is represented by several of his papers on the 0POSSUIll (1927) and by his precocious attempt to induce ovulation in the rhesus monkey by administration of gonadotropins (1942). Indispensable to obstl'tricians and embryologists arc the classic monographs of Hertig and Rock, which provide much of the basic information about early human placental morphogenesis. These papers appeared after the studies of comparative placental development by the unique collaboration of Heuser, Streeter, and Wislocki. The Contribution by King on human vaginal cytology (1926), which long preceded the popularization of Papanicolaou's method, and Mall's basic studies of pathologic human ova, the first of which appeared in Volume I (1915), deserve special mention. In 1937 the Carnegie Institution publi~hed Mossman's "Comparative Morphogenesis of the Fetal Membranes and Accessory Uterine Structures," a thesaurus for all students of comparative placentology_ The volumes of Contributions to Embryology comprise many of Wislocki's fundamental studies, including some of his earliest experimental data on fetal absorption (1920). his superb monograph on phylogeny of the primates (1929), and his collaboration with Streeter ( 1938) on placentation in macaque, the founda-
310
january 15, 1968 Am. j. Oh ... & Gynec.
Books
lion of nur undt'rslandillg of Ihl' drvl'lopn1f'nl of Ihe inll'rvillous span'. As dassics among classics, Ihl' mOllO~raphs h\ G('()rge L. Slrl'rler dl'voled 10 "De\'l'lopnll'ntal Horizons" (1918-194!)) rl'main prl'-t'minelll Slrrel<'l' not only provided basic drv('lopnll'nlal data but cr('aled a dynamic conc('l)\ Ihal profoundly infiu('nc('d embryology. He d"scribed a "definile and invariahle schedult, of organ correlalion" and a "syndrome of characlers, Ill!' presence of anyone of which in a gi\"'n ell1b:-yo betokl'ns the existencl' of thl' olhers." For Ih.· modem student of teratology SIr/'et"r's "Hori· zons" t>rovidc invaluable controls. The mission of the Carnegie Institulion is far
from arcompli.sl\l'd. St'n'ral "n"\'l'lopmellt HoriIOns" an' slill incompl"I"ly d,·scrilwd. Rasic problems in human d"\"'lopn\l'lIlal anatomy, such as Ih" origin of th .. amnion. till' formation of the eXlra"mhn onie nll'sod,·rll1. and Iht' contributions of Ihl' Irophohlast 10 till' plan'nlal mesenchyme, n'quin' rrinn·slig:llion. If Ihe Contributions die, Ihe CallSI' will he inanil ion. sl"mming from the lack of slu
Books received for review Advances in Planned Parenthood (Proceedings of the Third and Fourth Annual Meelings of the A.A.P.P.P., Chicago-May, 1965 jDenwrApril, 1966). Edited by A. J. Sobrpro and S. Lrwit. I. C. S. No. 138, 247 pagl's, illustrall'd. Amsterdam, 1967, EX('prpla Mpdi('a Foundation. $10.40. *Childbearing-Its Social and Psychologil'al Aspects. Editl'd by S. A. Richardson and A. F. Guttmaehpr. 334 pages, illustrated. Baltimon" 1967, The Williams & Wilkins Company. $8.50. Children of Very Low Birth Weight. A. Me Donald. 126 pag"s, illuslralpd (Monograph No.1). Spastics Socil'ly Ml'dieal Education and Information Unit in Associalion with William Heinemann M,'dical Rooks, Ltd., $4.00. *Choriocarcinoma (Transactions of a Confprenee of the International Union against Can-
I'pr -L'ICC ~fol}(lgraph SNit'S, vol. III). Edill'd by 1. F. Holland and M. M. Hreshchyshyn. 1.')7 pa~.,s, :W figlll't's. New York, 1967, Sprillg ....-\'"rlaf-(. $12.00. ·Fetal Homeostasis-\'ol. II. Ediled by R. M. Wynn. ] paf-(I's. Hi I figlll't's, 19 tables. :\I'W York. 1%7, Tht, N,'w York Academy of Scipnn's. $'1.( 10. -Labor Clinical Evaluation and Management. Emal1lwIA.Fripdman. j97 pagt'S, illustrated. ;'\pw York, 1'167, Appkton-Celllury-Crofts Inc. $1350. ' Laparoscopy in Gynaecology. P. C. Steptoe. 93 pa~ws, ti9 figurt's. Baltimore, 1967, The Williams & Wilkins Comp;IIlY. $9.75. *Textbook of Gynecology. J. I. Brewer and E. J. D.·Cosla. Fourth edilion, 9iB pages, 300 figures. Ballimon'. 1%7, Tht' Williams & Wilkins Company. $17.00.
n
Edited by LOUIS
M.
H~:LLMAN,
M.O.
With this issue the AMERICAS Jo\:RNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND Gn;ECOLOCY begins a new series of book reviews. The enormous inCTeale in the number of books received has made complete review of each book impoHibl1 and perhaps undesirable. Henceforth a list of books received will be published and those of particular interest to obstetricians and gynecologists will be designated b)' an asterisk. In addition, one publication of outstanding merit u·ill be seluted monthly for detailed review by an authority in the field. Louis M. Hellman
Book review 263) combine classical embryology with autoradiography. Contribution 262, by Glenn C. Rosenquist, is a study of labeled grafts in the chick blastoderm. This method permits tracing the movements of large areas of epiblast into the streak, where they descend ventrally and are distributed bilaterally in the endoderm and mesoderm. Number 263, by Rosenquist and Robert L. De Haan, is an autoradiographic study of the migration of precardiac cells in the chick embryo. These cells destined to form the heart are localized in the epiblast in separate lateral regions about midway down the length of the fanning streak, where they migrate as prechordal and lateral plate mesoderm. Of obvious importance to readers of this JOURNAL are the two monographs on the uteroplacental circulation. Contribution 260, by John W. S. Harris and Elizabeth M. Ramsey, is a remarkable summary of the development of the human uteroplacental vasculature. Knowledge of the early stages has been provided by reexamination of the Hertig-Rock embryos, in which the authors have analyzed the crucial relations of trophoblast to capillary plexus in the stratum rompactum during the initial stages of placentation. Before the development of the cytotrophoblastic shell, which disturbs the relation of syncytiotrophoblast to endometrium, the most
Contributions to Embryology. Vol. XXXVIII, Nos. 259 to 263, Washington, D. C., 1966, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Publication 625. Distressing rumors hint that the present volume of the magnificent Contributions to Embryology may be the last. The inclusion of a complete index of the previous issues from 1915 to 1966 increases the obituary implication. The titles reflect a stupendous array of classics in reproductive anatomy, comprising a chronicle of the major developments in American embryology during the last half century. Many of the Contributions are monumental monographs, based on years of scholarly endeavor, unhampered by the need or the desire for rapid publication. This most recent volume also reflects uncompromising scholarship, enhanced by the virtually perfect photomicrography for which the Carnegie Institution has been famous. Contribution 259, the first in the present volume, is a study by Ronan O'Rahilly of the early development of the human eye. This definitive monograph is based on examination of more than one hundred serially sectioned human embryos from 1Y2 to 32 mm. in crown-rump length, staged according to Streeter's "Developmental Horizons." The last two papers (Nos. 262 and
308
Volume
100
Books
Number 2
prominent vascular connl'ctions with the lan1l1al" are dilated tributaries of I'ndolllrt rial \'I'in.~. The gradual reduction in llulllLwr of art!'rial opl'nillgs into the intcrvillous space is dTf'ctcd partly by the accumulation of cytotrophohlast wilhin the arteries and partly by un'at'hing of the vascular walls by deep pco!'tralioll of trophobla .~t. Cin:ulation ceases beyond the point at whil'h such a breach occurs, but the walls of nonfunctional arterial segmcnts remain until they arr df'stroy!'d by advancing trophoblast. The subdccidual venous plexus communicates with the myolllrtrial veins through short oblique chanrwls that arc surrounded by myomctriulll, an arrang!'mcllt that may permit uterine contractions to influcnce venous drainage. This monograph touches upon the fundamental problem of decirluotrophohlastic cellular relations, which have r!'c!'lltly bl'ell studied by electron microscopy. It also provid!'s sound anatomical data of ill1lllrdiate relevance to human ohst!'trics. Contribution 261, by Rams!'y ,md Harris, is an excellent resume of the srllior author's meticulous studies of the utcroplacel1tal vasculature and circulation in the rhrsus lIlonkey and man. Although there are ditTen'ncrs between monkey and man in biology of the trophobl;lst and ill formation of the decidua, thl' sllI'cific circulatory mechanisms are hasically similar. The most significant morphologic difTrrrnce is thc grcat!'r dilatation of human utrroplaCf'nlal ar!eri!'s, possibly resulting from the paucity of cbstic tisslir in the endometrial portion of the vascular wall and the greater trophoblastic challenge to the vessel. Ramsey suggests Ihat such spl'cifically human features as multipll' openings from a single arterial stem are probably incapahle of modifying the basic circulatory mechanism, particularly since later in prf'gnancy vascular branches are occluded and prcferl'ntial pathways of flow arc established. Thl' final justification for considering the interspecific differellces to be physiologically unimportant is provided by radioangiographic data, which indicate that the most fundamental phenomena are common to both species: the so-callrd spurts of arterial blood into the intervillous space, the intl'rmittrnt functioning of individual arteries, and the reduction or cessation of blood flow through the placenta during uterine contractions. In Rarnsry's term!, the force of maternal pressure in the uteroplacental arteries drives the blood in discrete streams toward the chorionic plate. Continuing inflow of arterial blood exerts pressure upon the
309
contl'll!s of the intervillous space, forcing the hlood toward thr orifices of exit in thl' basal plat!'. During uterine contractions, both inflow and outflow arl' curtailed or even halted, although the volume of blood in the intervillous space appears to he maintained, thus providing for continued, though reduced, {etomaternal exchan~e.
The index of contributing authors to volumes I through XXXVIII (1915-1966) is a virtual roll call of giants in American embryology and reproductive physiology: Allen, Arey, Bartelmez, Comer, Evans, Hartman, Hertig, Heuser, Lewis, Mall, Mossman, Reynolds, Streeter, and Wislocki. The staggering proportion of major monographs is evident Ilpon casual reference to the titles. Among the classic Contributions is the study by Edgar Allen (1927) describing the menstrual cycle of the rhesus monkey and the effects of castration and injections of ovarian and placental rxtracts. Other publications of that period include the monographs of Allen, Pratt, Newell, and Bland (1930) on human tubal ova, and of Bartelmez (1933) on the histology of the menstruating human endometrium. The fundamental studies of Corner on the corpus luteum appear in volumes issued between 1915 and 1945. Hartman is represented by several of his papers on the 0POSSUIll (1927) and by his precocious attempt to induce ovulation in the rhesus monkey by administration of gonadotropins (1942). Indispensable to obstl'tricians and embryologists arc the classic monographs of Hertig and Rock, which provide much of the basic information about early human placental morphogenesis. These papers appeared after the studies of comparative placental development by the unique collaboration of Heuser, Streeter, and Wislocki. The Contribution by King on human vaginal cytology (1926), which long preceded the popularization of Papanicolaou's method, and Mall's basic studies of pathologic human ova, the first of which appeared in Volume I (1915), deserve special mention. In 1937 the Carnegie Institution publi~hed Mossman's "Comparative Morphogenesis of the Fetal Membranes and Accessory Uterine Structures," a thesaurus for all students of comparative placentology_ The volumes of Contributions to Embryology comprise many of Wislocki's fundamental studies, including some of his earliest experimental data on fetal absorption (1920). his superb monograph on phylogeny of the primates (1929), and his collaboration with Streeter ( 1938) on placentation in macaque, the founda-
310
january 15, 1968 Am. j. Oh ... & Gynec.
Books
lion of nur undt'rslandillg of Ihl' drvl'lopn1f'nl of Ihe inll'rvillous span'. As dassics among classics, Ihl' mOllO~raphs h\ G('()rge L. Slrl'rler dl'voled 10 "De\'l'lopnll'ntal Horizons" (1918-194!)) rl'main prl'-t'minelll Slrrel<'l' not only provided basic drv('lopnll'nlal data but cr('aled a dynamic conc('l)\ Ihal profoundly infiu('nc('d embryology. He d"scribed a "definile and invariahle schedult, of organ correlalion" and a "syndrome of characlers, Ill!' presence of anyone of which in a gi\"'n ell1b:-yo betokl'ns the existencl' of thl' olhers." For Ih.· modem student of teratology SIr/'et"r's "Hori· zons" t>rovidc invaluable controls. The mission of the Carnegie Institulion is far
from arcompli.sl\l'd. St'n'ral "n"\'l'lopmellt HoriIOns" an' slill incompl"I"ly d,·scrilwd. Rasic problems in human d"\"'lopn\l'lIlal anatomy, such as Ih" origin of th .. amnion. till' formation of the eXlra"mhn onie nll'sod,·rll1. and Iht' contributions of Ihl' Irophohlast 10 till' plan'nlal mesenchyme, n'quin' rrinn·slig:llion. If Ihe Contributions die, Ihe CallSI' will he inanil ion. sl"mming from the lack of slu
Books received for review Advances in Planned Parenthood (Proceedings of the Third and Fourth Annual Meelings of the A.A.P.P.P., Chicago-May, 1965 jDenwrApril, 1966). Edited by A. J. Sobrpro and S. Lrwit. I. C. S. No. 138, 247 pagl's, illustrall'd. Amsterdam, 1967, EX('prpla Mpdi('a Foundation. $10.40. *Childbearing-Its Social and Psychologil'al Aspects. Editl'd by S. A. Richardson and A. F. Guttmaehpr. 334 pages, illustrated. Baltimon" 1967, The Williams & Wilkins Company. $8.50. Children of Very Low Birth Weight. A. Me Donald. 126 pag"s, illuslralpd (Monograph No.1). Spastics Socil'ly Ml'dieal Education and Information Unit in Associalion with William Heinemann M,'dical Rooks, Ltd., $4.00. *Choriocarcinoma (Transactions of a Confprenee of the International Union against Can-
I'pr -L'ICC ~fol}(lgraph SNit'S, vol. III). Edill'd by 1. F. Holland and M. M. Hreshchyshyn. 1.')7 pa~.,s, :W figlll't's. New York, 1967, Sprillg ....-\'"rlaf-(. $12.00. ·Fetal Homeostasis-\'ol. II. Ediled by R. M. Wynn. ] paf-(I's. Hi I figlll't's, 19 tables. :\I'W York. 1%7, Tht, N,'w York Academy of Scipnn's. $'1.( 10. -Labor Clinical Evaluation and Management. Emal1lwIA.Fripdman. j97 pagt'S, illustrated. ;'\pw York, 1'167, Appkton-Celllury-Crofts Inc. $1350. ' Laparoscopy in Gynaecology. P. C. Steptoe. 93 pa~ws, ti9 figurt's. Baltimore, 1967, The Williams & Wilkins Comp;IIlY. $9.75. *Textbook of Gynecology. J. I. Brewer and E. J. D.·Cosla. Fourth edilion, 9iB pages, 300 figures. Ballimon'. 1%7, Tht' Williams & Wilkins Company. $17.00.
n