Delays during Reproduction and Their Effects on the Embryo and Fetus

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Abstract
THE egg, like the sperm, is intolerant of abnormal delays. There have been many observations in a wide variety of animals on the effects of such delays on both mortality and defective growth or development among the offspring. As with sperm, early studies were directed toward the marine invertebrates.InvertebratesGemmill1 found that the eggs of a species of sea urchin, Echinus sphaera, were optimally fertile beginning one hour after shedding and for a period up to four hours after shedding. After that time, fertilization rates fell until at 20 to 24 hours only 1 to 2 per cent . . .