Investigating the stages of embryonic development from the perspective of Persian medicine scientists during 3-14th century AH and modern embryology

The various stages of embryonic development have been unknown as a mystery for centuries. The views and findings of Persian medicine scholars have been such brilliant that even today, they are still remarkable and can be inspiring sources for research; notwithstanding the remarkable advances in modern embryology. In this regard, the present study was conducted with the aim of examining the stages of embryonic development from the perspective of Persian medicine scientists (during 3rd-14th centuries AH) and modern embryology.

 It was a summative qualitative content analysis research with a focus on important books of Persian medicine using the keywords of Persian medicine, embryo, and embryonic development. Also, for searching the new findings, these keywords in Latin and Arabic were searched in Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, and Noormags data bases. All findings were coded, categorized, compared, and finalized in this paper.

In Persian medicine literature, the stages of embryonic development are divided into seven periods: first seed: water period or germ; a second referral: its morals; third assignment: leech; fourth assignment: chewed; fifth assignment: male and female; sixth referral: complete creation of fetus organs, seventh referral: spirit blowing. This categorization which is based on the basic concepts of Persian medicine is not inconsistent with the zygotic, embryonic and fetal stages in modern embryology.

Considering the holistic nature of complementary medicine and the accuracy of Persian medicine scientists, it is possible to conduct more in-depth studies. It may provide new theories about the quantity and quality of embryonic developmental stages.