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− | The term ‘garbha’ literally means fetus or embryo. In current medical terms, embryo is the early stage of development of a multicellular organism that begins just after fertilization. It continues through the formation of body structures, such as tissues and organs. A fetus is unborn offspring that develops from embryo. This article deals with description of embryogenesis, factors influencing its development in womb and prenatal life. | + | The term ‘garbha’ literally means fetus or embryo. In current medical terms, embryo is the early stage of development of a multicellular organism that begins just after fertilization. It continues through the formation of body structures, such as tissues and organs. A fetus is unborn offspring that develops from embryo.This article deals with description of embryogenesis, factors influencing its development in womb and prenatal life. |
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| ==Etymology and derivation== | | ==Etymology and derivation== |
− | The word ‘garbha’ is derived from Sanskrit root “gru” by adding the suffix “bhan”. It means a fetus or embryo, a child, the belly, a hole, and hollow. | + | The word ‘garbha’ is derived from Sanskrit root “gru” by adding the suffix “bhan”.It means a fetus or embryo,a child,the belly,a hole, and hollow. |
− | It is synonymous to womb. Its root is also traced in ‘grabha’, which means to conceive, having in the interior, containing, filled with, inner apartment, sleeping room, interior chamber, adytum, sanctuary of a temple, and the inside, middle, or interior of anything. | + | |
| + | It is synonymous to womb. Its root is also traced in ‘grabha’, which means to conceive, having in the interior, containing, filled with, inner apartment, sleeping room, interior chamber, adytum, sanctuary of a temple, and the inside, middle, or interior of anything. |
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| ==Definition== | | ==Definition== |
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| Garbha (embryo) is formed by union of sperm (shukra), ovum (shonita) and soul/conscious (jeeva or atma) in the womb (kukshi).[SAT-B.376] [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/5] | | Garbha (embryo) is formed by union of sperm (shukra), ovum (shonita) and soul/conscious (jeeva or atma) in the womb (kukshi).[SAT-B.376] [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/5] |
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| Apart from the mere combination of sperm and ovum, the role of soul and the influence of subtle elements of evolution (prakriti and vikara) are important in development of embryo. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 5/3] | | Apart from the mere combination of sperm and ovum, the role of soul and the influence of subtle elements of evolution (prakriti and vikara) are important in development of embryo. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 5/3] |
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| The development in prenatal life can be divided into two phases: | | The development in prenatal life can be divided into two phases: |
− | 1. Embryonic development: The first eight weeks (weeks 1 - 8) after fertilization is the embryonic period. It is also considered the organogenic period, when most organs within the embryo have begun to form. | + | |
− | 2. Fetal development: The prenatal period of 9 weeks to 37 weeks is fetal period. It is a time of extensive growth in size and mass as well as ongoing differentiation of organ systems. Clinically this period is generally described as the second trimester and third trimester. | + | 1. '''Embryonic development:''' The first eight weeks (weeks 1 - 8) after fertilization is the embryonic period. It is also considered the organogenic period, when most organs within the embryo have begun to form. |
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| + | 2. '''Fetal development''': The prenatal period of 9 weeks to 37 weeks is fetal period. It is a time of extensive growth in size and mass as well as ongoing differentiation of organ systems. Clinically this period is generally described as the second trimester and third trimester. |
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| == Essential factors for conception (garbha sambhava samagri)== | | == Essential factors for conception (garbha sambhava samagri)== |
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| Following four factors are essential for the conception and the health of an embryo: | | Following four factors are essential for the conception and the health of an embryo: |
− | 1. Fertile period(ritu) or healthy environment | + | |
− | 2. Uterus/female reproductive organs(kshetra) or healthy womb | + | 1. Fertile period(ritu) or healthy environment |
− | 3. Nourishment(ambu) or healthy nourishing body constituents inside womb | + | |
− | 4. Seeds (sperm and ovum) (beeja) or healthy genes. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 2/33] | + | 2. Uterus/female reproductive organs(kshetra) or healthy womb |
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| + | 3. Nourishment(ambu) or healthy nourishing body constituents inside womb |
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| + | 4. Seeds (sperm and ovum) (beeja) or healthy genes. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 2/33] |
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| These four factors determine and influence health of progeny. These four factors are essential for natural pregnancy. In case of female infertility, following methods are developed. | | These four factors determine and influence health of progeny. These four factors are essential for natural pregnancy. In case of female infertility, following methods are developed. |
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| ===Contemporary methods of conception === | | ===Contemporary methods of conception === |
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| With the advances in medical field, scientists have developed various techniques for artificial conception without sexual intercourse. It includes methods of artificial insemination like Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and fallopian tube sperm perfusion. | | With the advances in medical field, scientists have developed various techniques for artificial conception without sexual intercourse. It includes methods of artificial insemination like Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and fallopian tube sperm perfusion. |
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| Furthermore, assisted reproductive technology is developed. This involves all the procedures like manipulation of gametes and embryos outside the body for treatment of infertility. | | Furthermore, assisted reproductive technology is developed. This involves all the procedures like manipulation of gametes and embryos outside the body for treatment of infertility. |
− | In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET): Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 capacitated sperms are placed into the culture media containing the oocyte within 4-6 hours of retrieval. The fertilized ova at the 6-8 blastomere stage are placed into the uterine cavity close to the fundus about 3 days after fertilization through a fine flexible soft catheter transcervically.
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− | Gamete intra fallopian transfer (GIFT): Two collected oocytes along with approximately 200,000-500,000 motile sperm for each fallopian tube are taken and injected to the distal end of the fallopian tube through laparoscope.
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− | Zygote intra fallopian transfer (ZIFT): The placement of the zygote following one day of in vitro fertilization into the fallopian tube.
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− | Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A single spermatozoa or even spermatid is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an oocyte by micro puncture of the zona pellucida.
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− | Gestational Carrier Surrogacy: In this procedure, a fertilized egg is placed into the uterus of a surrogate (gestational carrier) if the mother is not having a functional uterus.
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− | == Embryogenesis and fetal development(garbhavakranti) ==
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− | When a healthy sperm and healthy ovum conceive in healthy womb at a proper time, the soul (atma) with mind (sattva) form the embryo (garbha). This grows further with suitable nourishment by the wholesome nutrient fluid (rasa) and proper regimen (garbhini paricharya). Thereafter the fetus is formed with all sensory and motor organs (indriya) and all body parts. This is endowed with excellence of strength (bala), complexion (varna), psyche (sattva) and compact structure (samhanana) for delivery in proper time. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/3]
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− | == Role of [[panchamahabhuta]] in embryogenesis ==
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− | The embryo is constituted of five great elements (mahabhuta) and consciousness (chetana). Hence, the holistic human being (purusha) is also known as ‘six elemental’ (shad dhatvatmaka purusha). [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/6] The Purusha (microcosm) is developed from loka(macrocosm). The five fundamental elements are sources for various functions of holistic human being. All the five elements (mahabhuta) play respective roles during embryogenesis and foetal development. [Su Sa Sharira Sthana 5/3] Research on this concept may provide more insights in treatment of disorders of respective body components. For example, the sound vibrations can have effect on functions of akasha mahabhuta. This can be helpful in promotion of good prenatal health. Some researches on effect of music therapy on fetal development are in progress. A complete program for prenatal health and wellness called ‘garbha samskara’ is regularly advised and conducted in various institutions of India.
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− | Table1: Functions and body components developed from [[panchamahabhuta]]*
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− | Mahabhuta Functions Body components
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− | [[Akasha]] Multidimensional development (vivardhana), spaces occupied by subtle energy potentials sound (shabda)
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− | auditory system (shabdendriya)
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− | lightness (laghava)
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− | minuteness (saukshmya)
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− | division (viveka)
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− | channels (srotas)
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− | all orifices (sarvachidra samuha)
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− | oral cavity (mukha)
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− | throat (kantha)
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− | abdominal cavity (koshta)
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− | [[Vayu]] | + | '''In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)''': Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 capacitated sperms are placed into the culture media containing the oocyte within 4-6 hours of retrieval. The fertilized ova at the 6-8 blastomere stage are placed into the uterine cavity close to the fundus about 3 days after fertilization through a fine flexible soft catheter transcervically. |
− | Cell division, Generation and control of movements, impulses sense of touch (sparsha) | + | |
− | organ of sense of touch (sparshanendriya) | + | '''Gamete intra fallopian transfer (GIFT)''': Two collected oocytes along with approximately 200,000-500,000 motile sperm for each fallopian tube are taken and injected to the distal end of the fallopian tube through laparoscope. |
− | activity of body (chehsta/parispandana) | + | |
− | lightness (laghava) | + | '''Zygote intra fallopian transfer (ZIFT):''' The placement of the zygote following one day of in vitro fertilization into the fallopian tube. |
− | activities of body (sarva sharira spandana) | + | |
− | formation or transformation of dhatus (dhatu-vyuhana) | + | '''Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):''' A single spermatozoa or even spermatid is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an oocyte by micro puncture of the zona pellucida. |
− | expiration (ucchvasa) | + | |
− | dryness (raukshya) | + | '''Gestational Carrier Surrogacy:''' In this procedure, a fertilized egg is placed into the uterus of a surrogate (gestational carrier) if the mother is not having a functional uterus. |
− | impulsion (prerana) | + | |
− | [[Agni]] Transformation form (rupa) | + | ==Embryogenesis and fetal development(garbhavakranti)== |
− | ophthalmic apparatus (chakshu-indriya) | + | |
− | metabolism (pakti) | + | When a healthy sperm and a healthy ovum get conceived in a healthy womb at a proper time, the soul (atma) with mind (sattva) form the embryo (garbha). This grows further with suitable nourishment by the wholesome nutrient fluid (rasa) and proper regimen (garbhini paricharya). Thereafter the fetus is formed with all sensory and motor organs (indriya) and all body parts. This is endowed with excellence of strength (bala), complexion (varna), psyche (sattva) and compact structure (samhanana) for delivery in proper time. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/3] |
− | body heat (ushma) | + | |
− | complexion (varna) | + | ==Role of [[panchamahabhuta]] in embryogenesis== |
− | splendour (bhrajishnuta) | + | |
− | intolerance (amarsha) | + | The embryo is constituted of five great elements (mahabhuta) and consciousness (chetana). Hence, the holistic human being (purusha) is also known as ‘six elemental’ (shad dhatvatmaka purusha). [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/6] |
− | sharpness (taikshnya) | + | The Purusha (microcosm) is developed from loka(macrocosm). The five fundamental elements are sources for various functions of holistic human being. All the five elements (mahabhuta) play respective roles during embryogenesis and foetal development. [Su Sa Sharira Sthana 5/3] |
− | valour (shaurya) | + | Research on this concept may provide more insights in treatment of disorders of respective body components. For example, the sound vibrations can have effect on functions of akasha mahabhuta. This can be helpful in promotion of good prenatal health. Some researches on effect of music therapy on fetal development are in progress. A complete program for prenatal health and wellness called ‘garbha samskara’ is regularly advised and conducted in various institutions of India. |
− | feeling of heat (santapa) | + | |
− | light (prakasha) | + | '''Table 1: Functions and body components developed from [[panchamahabhuta]]'''* |
− | metabolic enzymes (pitta) | + | {| class="wikitable" |
− | sharpness/brightness (teja) | + | |- |
− | intellect (medha) | + | !Mahabhuta !! Functions !! Body components |
− | growth of body (sharira vridhi) | + | |- |
− | [[Jala]] Moisture, Nourishment for the growth of the tissue. | + | |[[Akasha]] || Multidimensional development (vivardhana), spaces occupied by subtle energy potentials ||*sound (shabda) |
− | taste (rasa)
| + | *auditory system (shabdendriya) |
− | gustatory system (rasanendriya) | + | *lightness (laghava) |
− | coldness (shaitya) | + | *minuteness (saukshmya) |
− | softness (mardava) | + | *division (viveka) |
− | unctuousness (sneha) | + | *channels (srotas) |
− | semen (shukra) | + | *all orifices (sarvachidra samuha) |
− | urine (mutra) | + | *oral cavity (mukha) |
− | plasma ([[rasa dhatu]]) | + | *throat (kantha) |
− | moisture (kleda) | + | *abdominal cavity (koshta) |
− | blood ([[rakta]]) | + | |- |
− | fat (vasa /[[medas]]) | + | |[[Vayu]]||Cell division, Generation and control of movements, impulses || *sense of touch (sparsha) |
− | sweat (sweda) | + | *organ of sense of touch (sparshanendriya) |
− | flesh ([[mamsa]]) | + | *activity of body (chehsta/parispandana) |
− | [[Prithvi]] | + | *lightness (laghava) |
− | Compact structure and integrity (samhanana) of cells smell (gandha)
| + | *activities of body (sarva sharira spandana) |
− | olfactory organs (ghranendriya) | + | *formation or transformation of dhatus (dhatu-vyuhana) |
− | heaviness (gaurava) | + | *expiration (ucchvasa) |
− | stability (sthairya) | + | *dryness (raukshya) |
− | stiffness or structure of body (murti) | + | *impulsion (prerana) |
− | hairs (kesha) | + | |- |
− | bones ([[asthi]]) | + | |[[Agni]] || Transformation ||*form (rupa) |
− | patience (dhairya) | + | *ophthalmic apparatus (chakshu-indriya) |
− | nails (nakha) | + | *metabolism (pakti) |
− | *[ Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/12], [ Ash. Sa. Sharira Sthana 5/9-13] | + | *body heat (ushma) |
− | [Ash Hr Sharira Sthana 3/3-4],[Kas. Sa. Sharira Sthana 3 / 4] | + | *complexion (varna) |
| + | *splendour (bhrajishnuta) |
| + | *intolerance (amarsha) |
| + | *sharpness (taikshnya) |
| + | *valour (shaurya) |
| + | *feeling of heat (santapa) |
| + | *light (prakasha) |
| + | *metabolic enzymes (pitta) |
| + | *sharpness/brightness (teja) |
| + | *intellect (medha) |
| + | *growth of body (sharira vridhi) |
| + | |- |
| + | |[[Jala]] || Moisture, Nourishment for the growth of the tissue.|| *taste (rasa) |
| + | *gustatory system (rasanendriya) |
| + | *coldness (shaitya) |
| + | *softness (mardava) |
| + | *unctuousness (sneha) |
| + | *semen (shukra) |
| + | *urine (mutra) |
| + | *plasma ([[rasa dhatu]]) |
| + | *moisture (kleda) |
| + | *blood ([[rakta]]) |
| + | *fat (vasa /[[medas]]) |
| + | *sweat (sweda) |
| + | *flesh ([[mamsa]]) |
| + | |- |
| + | |[[Prithvi]] ||Compact structure and integrity (samhanana) of cells ||*smell(gandha) |
| + | *olfactory organs(ghranendriya) |
| + | *heaviness(gaurava) |
| + | *stability(sthairya) |
| + | *stiffness or structure of body(murti) |
| + | *hairs(kesha) |
| + | *bones([[asthi]]) |
| + | *patience(dhairya) |
| + | *nails (nakha) |
| + | |} |
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| + | *[Cha.Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/12], [ A.S. Sharira Sthana 5/9-13] |
| + | [A.Hr.Sharira Sthana 3/3-4],[K.Sa.Sharira Sthana 3 / 4] |
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| == Role of shad bhava (six sources of origin) of garbha == | | == Role of shad bhava (six sources of origin) of garbha == |
| The embryo develops from six major sources: | | The embryo develops from six major sources: |