Em.1 Embryo of Bos taurus (Cow)

Bos taurus (cow)

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Bovidae

Genus: Bos

Species: Bos. taurus

Description:

An embryo of Bos taurus, which is the scientific name for domestic cattle, goes through several developmental stages before it matures into a calf. Here's a brief description of the early stages of a Bos taurus embryo:

Fertilization: The development of a Bos taurus embryo begins with the fertilization of an egg cell (oocyte) by a sperm cell. This typically occurs within the reproductive tract of a female cow.


Zygote: After fertilization, the single-celled zygote is formed. It contains the combined genetic material from both the cow (female) and the bull (male).


Cleavage: The zygote undergoes a series of rapid cell divisions, known as cleavage, to form a multicellular structure called a morula. During this stage, the embryo does not increase in overall size but becomes a compact ball of cells.


Blastocyst: As cleavage continues, the morula develops into a blastocyst. The blastocyst has two distinct cell types: the outer layer of cells called the trophoblast, which will later give rise to the placenta, and the inner cell mass, which will eventually develop into the fetus.


Implantation: The blastocyst travels through the reproductive tract of the female cow and eventually attaches to the lining of the uterus. This process is called implantation and marks the beginning of pregnancy.


Gastrulation: After implantation, the embryo undergoes gastrulation, a complex process in which the three primary germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm) are formed. These germ layers give rise to various tissues and organs in the developing fetus.


Organogenesis: Over the course of several weeks, the embryo continues to develop and differentiate. Organs and body systems begin to form during this period. The embryo is now referred to as a fetus.

IUCN Status:  Domesticated