Embryonic diapause

Embryonic diapause ( delayed implantation in mammals) is a reproductive strategy used by a number of animal species across different biological classes. In most species, the process occurs at the blastocyst stage of embryonic development and is characterized by a dramatic reduction or complete cessation of mitotic activity, arresting most often in the G0 or G1 phase of division. In placental embryonic diapause, the blastocyst does not immediately implant in the uterus after sexual reproduction has resulted in the zygote, but rather remains in this non-dividing state of dormancy until conditions allow for attachment to the uterine wall to proceed as normal. As a result, the normal gestation period is extended for a species-specific time. Diapause provides a survival advantage to offspring, because birth or emergence of young can be timed to coincide with the most hospitable conditions, regardless of when mating occurs or length of gestation; any such gain in survival rates of progeny confers an evolutionary advantage. Organisms which undergo embryonic diapause are able to synchronize the birth of offspring to the most favorable conditions for reproductive success, irrespective of when mating took place. Many different factors can induce embryonic diapause, such as the time of year, temperature, lactation and supply of food. Embryonic diapause is a relatively widespread phenomenon outside of mammals, with known occurrence in the reproductive cycles of many insects, nematodes, fish, and other non-mammalian vertebrates. It has been observed in approximately 130 mammalian species, which is less than two percent of all species of mammals. These include certain rodents, bears, armadillos, mustelids (e.g. weasels and badgers), and marsupials (e.g. kangaroos). Some groups only have one species that undergoes embryonic diapause, such as the roe deer in the order Artiodactyla. Experimental induction of embryonic discontinuous development within species which do not spontaneously undergo embryonic diapause in nature has been achieved; reversible developmental arrest was successfully demonstrated.