This class will examine the biology of vertebrate reproduction. We will discuss a wide range of topics including the genetics of sex determination, the evolution of sex, wildlife contraception, the biology of fertilization, the evolution of maternal recognition of pregnancy, environmental estrogens, the embryonic origin of testicular cancer and breast cancer, and cloning, to name a few. Did you know that some shark embryos eat their brothers and sisters in utero? Only the best predator is born! We will examine the many methods by which animals reproduce. What is the role of estrogens in males? Modern technology allows us to make animals missing various receptors so that this and other questions can be examined. This class will be a structured class in Reproductive Biology but we will also examine many topics in the fields of reproductive biology and embryology that occur daily in newspapers and magazines. Topics will be covered using approaches from genetics and biotechnology to endocrine physiology and physiological ecology. Each topic will be presented initially at a general biology level and then it will be developed in depth. Students will be expected to read a textbook and articles from the popular or scientific presses. Grading will be based on exams given in class.
Prerequisites: Students should have a basic biology background but need not be Biology majors. Suggest that students have taken BSC2010 and at least a year of chemistry.
Essential Reproduction - 6th Edition, by Martin Johnson - 2007.
Week of January 5 Introduction (pdf) January 7 Methods in Reproduction (pdf) January 12 Evolution of Sex (pdf) 1 January 14 Gender and Sex (pdf) (A. Boggs lecture) 2 Gen Biol Text January 19 Gen Biol Text January 21 Reproductive Endocrinology I (pdf) Gen Biol Text January 26 Reproductive Endocrinology II (pdf) Gen Biol Text January 28 Reproductive Endocrinology 1 Gen Biol Text February 2 Endocrinology and Review February 4 EXAM I - IN CLASS February 9 Sex determination - (pdf) February 11 Enviro Sex Determination (pdf) & Embryology of the Ovary (pdf) February 16 1 February 18 Sexual Maturation and Puberty (pdf) (pdf) February 23 Reproductive Cyclicity (pdf) (pdf) February 25 Fertilization - External (pdf) (H. Hamlin lecture) March 2
Fertilization March 4 EXAM II - in class March 8-12 SPRING BREAK March 16 Early Embryo Development (pdf) March 18 Embryonic Membranes & Placentae (pdf) March 23 Placentation 10 March 25 Pregnancy (pdf) 11 March 30 Endocrinology of Pregnancy April 1 Endocrinology of Oviposition April 6 Endocrinology of Parturition April 8 Lactation & Birth Control (pdf) April 13 Fetal Origins of Adult Disease (pdf) April 15 EXAM III - IN
CLASS
pdf or .doc file of syllabus (NOTE SYLLABUS MODIFED 1/31/10).
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