blastocoelic

Blastocoelic refers to the blastocoel, which is a fluid-filled cavity found within a blastocyst. A blastocyst is an early stage of embryonic development in mammals, occurring after the morula stage. The blastocoel forms as a result of fluid being secreted by cells of the blastocyst, primarily the trophectoderm. This fluid accumulation causes the blastocyst to expand, separating the inner cell mass from the outer layer of cells. The blastocoel plays a crucial role in the subsequent development of the embryo, including its hatching from the zona pellucida and implantation into the uterine wall. The formation and expansion of the blastocoel are regulated by ion transport and water movement across the blastocyst cell membranes. The presence and characteristics of the blastocoel are important diagnostic indicators in assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization.