Embryonic diapause
Evolutionary reproductive strategy of mammals / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Embryonic diapause[lower-alpha 1] (delayed implantation in mammals) is a reproductive strategy used by a number of animal species across different biological classes. In more than 130 types of mammals where this takes place, the process occurs at the blastocyst stage of embryonic development,[1] and is characterized by a dramatic reduction or complete cessation of mitotic activity, arresting most often in the G0 or G1 phase of division.[2]
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.[3] As a result, the normal gestation period is extended for a species-specific time.[4][5]
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.