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PJ Hansen Animal Sciences AMCB IFAS College of Vet Med University of Florida

ANS 6313 - Current Concepts in Reproductive Biology

Frequency of Offering  |  Instructor |  Purpose  |  Requirements  |  Course Format   

Time and Place |  Presentations  |  Readings  |  Schedule   |  Grading  |  Communication About The Class

Dishonesty |  Students with Disabilities  | Counseling Service

• Frequency of Offering
  Odd years, fall semester.  Next offered, Fall 2009.  A move to spring is contemplated to align the course with ANS 6751 (Physiology of Reproduction) so that the next offering may be Spring. 2011.  

• Instructor
  P.J. Hansen, Dept. of Animal Sciences
  Room 122 Bldg 499 (Dairy Science Building)
  Phone: 2-5590 Fax: 2-5595
  E-mail: Hansen@animal.ufl.edu
  http://www.animal.ufl.edu/hansen

• Purpose
  This course uses in-depth discussion of recent review articles and original research publications on controversial or cutting-edge topics in reproductive biology to provide students with opportunities to 1) become aware of recent developments in reproductive biology, 2) develop critical thinking skills and 3)  formulate theoretical models to underpin development of research programs. The course is designed for advanced students in reproductive biology and other biosciences.   

• Requirements
  Consent of instructor is required and enrollment will be limited. Extensive experience in reproductive biology or a formal course in reproduction is required.  It is strongly recommended that students have completed a course in molecular biology or cell biology. 

• Course Format
  The course meets for 2 hours once weekly.  Before class, students are assigned readings consisting of 2-3 review articles assigned by the instructor and one original research paper chosen by the students.  The first hour of the class is taken up with a general discussion of the concepts illustrated in the review articles.  The original research paper is evaluated in the second hour in a discussion. Each class period, one student will be assigned to lead the discussion of the review articles and one student will be assigned to choose the research paper and lead the discussion on the paper.

• Time and Place
  generally Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 PM, Room 102 Bldg 499 (L.E. "Red" Larson Dairy Science Building). although we will occasionally meet on other days to accomodate Dr. Hansen's travel schedule.

• Presentations
  The discussion on the review papers will be initiated by a 15 minute presentation by one student that outlines one of the models of theoretical concepts underlying the reviews.  The remainder of the discussion will be lead by Dr. Hansen but students will be given an opportunity for shaping the direction of the discussion. Discussion topics will involve (but not be limited to) the following:

  --Development of models to organize concepts
  --Critical evaluation of conceptslarification of confusing areas/concepts
  --Clarification of confusing areas/concepts
  --Critical evaluation of concepts and experiments on which concepts are based
  --Implications for other areas of reproductive biology
  --Critical areas for future research

The research paper will be chosen by the student assigned to that topic.  The paper should be a recent paper (2006-2007) that represents a key paper in the progress in that area of research.  The student assigned to the paper should distribute the paper to each of the students in the lab one week before class meets.  The discussion of the paper will be informal (i.e., without lots of overheads or powerpoint slides) and will focus on  the following: The hypothesis, experimental design, results obtained, and significance of the results. All students will be expected to be involved in the discussion of the research paper.

• Readings
  Readings can be found in the electronic journal section of the University of Florida Health Science Library.  The pdf files of the articles are also available on the Animal Sciences server at t:/hansen/ans6313.  In addition, Dr. Hansen willl email the pdf file for each paper before class.  It is expected that all students will have read every article.

For original research papers, the student assigned to find a paper should distribute the paper to each of the students in the lab one week before class meets. Distribution should be via email of the pdf file.

• Schedule
   
  Dates are subject to change. Original research papers will be added to the list as they are assigned.
   
  8/27  9/8  9/15  9/22  9/29  10/6  10/20  10/26  10/29  11/19  11/23  12/1  
   
  August 27 (Th) – Organizational Meeting
   
  September 8 – Estradiol Signaling via Non-Classical Receptors
  Summary - Fields; Original paper - Hansen
   
  Safe S, Kim K.Non-classical genomic estrogen receptor (ER)/specificity protein and ER/activating protein-1 signaling pathways. J Mol Endocrinol. 2008;41:263-75.
   
  Kelly MJ, Rønnekleiv OK. Control of CNS neuronal excitability by estrogens via membrane-initiated signaling. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2009; 308:17-25.
   
  Original paper
  Alyea RA, Laurence SE, Kim SH, Katzenellenbogen BS, Katzenellenbogen JA, Watson CS. The roles of membrane estrogen receptor subtypes in modulating dopamine transporters in PC-12 cells. J Neurochem. 2008;106:1525-33.
   
  September 17 – Regulation of Pituitary Gonadotropes
  Summary - Rabaglino; Original paper - Bisinotto
   
  Salisbury TB, Binder AK, Nilson JH. Welcoming beta-catenin to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone transcriptional network in gonadotropes. Mol Endocrinol. 2008; 22: 1295-303.
   
  Richard N, Corvaisier S, Camacho E, Kottler ML KiSS-1 and GPR54 at the pituitary level: overview and recent insights. Peptides. 2009;30:123-9.

Original paper

Salisbury TB, Binder AK, Grammer JC, Nilson JH.GnRH-regulated expression of Jun and JUN target genes in gonadotropes requires a functional interaction between TCF/LEF family members and b-catenin. Mol Endocrinol 2009; 23:402-11.

 

September 22 – Nutritional Regulation of Reproduction

Summary - Bisinotto; Original paper - Greco

 

Barb CR, Hausman GJ, Lents CA. Energy metabolism and leptin: effects on neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction in the gilt and sow. Reprod Domest Anim. 2008;43 Suppl 2:324-30.

 

Leroy JL, Vanholder T, Van Knegsel AT, Garcia-Ispierto I, Bols PE. Nutrient prioritization in dairy cows early postpartum: mismatch between metabolism and fertility? Reprod Domest Anim. 2008;43 Suppl 2:96-103.

 

Original paper

Xu J, Kirigiti MA, Grove KL, Smith MS. Regulation of food intake and gonadotropin-releasing hormone/luteinizing hormone during lactation: role of insulin and leptin. Endocrinology 2009; 150:4231-40.

 

September 29 – Follicular Development

Summary - Loyd; Original paper - Bischoff

 

Adams GP, Jaiswal R, Singh J, Malhi P. Progress in understanding ovarian follicular dynamics in cattle. Theriogenology 2008; 69:72-80.

 

Mihm M, Evans AC. Mechanisms for dominant follicle selection in monovulatory species: a comparison of morphological, endocrine and intraovarian events in cows, mares and women. Reprod Domest Anim. 2008;43 Suppl 2:48-56.

 

Original paper

Hayashi KG, Matsui M, Shimizu T, Sudo N, Sato A, Shirasuna K, Tetsuka M, Kida K, Schams D, Miyamoto A. The absence of corpus luteum formation alters the endocrine profile and affects follicular development during the first follicular wave in cattle. Reproduction 2008; 136:787-97.

 

October 6 – Regulation of Luteal Function

Summary - Marquezini; Original paper - Lima

 

Miyamoto A, Shirasuna K, Sasahara K. Local regulation of corpus luteum development and regression in the cow: Impact of angiogenic and vasoactive factors. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2009 [Epub ahead of print]

 

Rekawiecki R, Kowalik MK, Slonina D, Kotwica J. Regulation of progesterone synthesis and action in bovine corpus luteum. J Physiol Pharmacol 2008;59 Suppl 9:75-89.

 

Original paper

Goravanahally MP, Salem M, Yao J, Inskeep EK, Flores JA. Differential gene expression in the bovine corpus luteum during transition from early phase to midphase and its potential role in acquisition of luteolytic sensitivity to prostaglandin F2 alpha. Biol Reprod 2009 80:980-8.

 

October 20 – Regulation of Corpus Luteum Survival During Pregnancy

Summary - Lima; Original paper - Loyd

 

Roberts RM, Chen Y, Ezashi T, Walker AM. Interferons and the maternal-conceptus dialog in mammals. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2008;19:170-7.

 

Robinson RS, Hammond AJ, Wathes DC, Hunter MG, Mann GE. Corpus luteum-endometrium-embryo interactions in the dairy cow: underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance. Reprod Domest Anim. 2008;43 Suppl 2:104-12.

 

Original paper
Simmons RM, Erikson DW, Kim J, Burghardt RC, Bazer FW, Johnson GA, Spencer TE.Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in the ruminant uterus: potential endometrial marker and regulator of conceptus elongation.  Endocrinology 2009;150:4295-305.

 

October 26 (Mon) – Oocytes from Stem Cells

Summary - Bischoff; Original paper - Bisinotto

 

Nicholas CR, Chavez SL, Baker VL, Reijo Pera RA. Instructing an embryonic stem cell-derived oocyte fate: lessons from endogenous oogenesis. Endocr Rev 2009;30:264-83.

 

Tilly JL, Niikura Y, Rueda BR. The current status of evidence for and against postnatal oogenesis in mammals: a case of ovarian optimism versus pessimism? Biol Reprod 2009;  80:2-12.

 

Original paper

Zou K, Yuan Z, Yang Z, Luo H, Sun K, Zhou L, Xiang J, Shi L, Yu Q, Zhang Y, Hou R, Wu J. Production of offspring from a germline stem cell line derived from neonatal ovaries. Nat Cell Biol. 2009; 11:631-6.
 

October 29 (Th) – Oocyte Control of Follicular Function and Embryonic Development

Summary - Hansen; Original paper - Ribeiro

 

Mermillod P, Dalbiès-Tran R, Uzbekova S, Thélie A, Traverso JM, Perreau C, Papillier P, Monget P. Factors affecting oocyte quality: who is driving the follicle? Reprod Domest Anim 2008;43 Suppl 2:393-400.

 

Bettegowda A, Lee KB, Smith GW. Cytoplasmic and nuclear determinants of the maternal-to-embryonic transition. Reprod Fertil Dev 2008; 20:45-53.

 

Original research paper

Lee KB, Bettegowda A, Wee G, Ireland JJ, Smith GW. Molecular determinants of oocyte competence: potential functional role for maternal (oocyte-derived) follistatin in promoting bovine early embryogenesis. Endocrinology 2009;150:2463-71.

November 19 (Th) – Spermatogonial Stem Cells  

Summary - Greco; Original paper - Rabaglino

 

Oatley JM, Brinster RL. Regulation of spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal in mammals. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2008;24:263-86.

 

Original research paper

Dann CT, Alvarado AL, Molyneux LA, Denard BS, Garbers DL, Porteus MH. Spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal requires OCT4, a factor downregulated during retinoic acid-induced differentiation. Stem Cells. 2008; 26:2928-37

 

November 23  – Embryonic Development and Epigenetics

Summary - Ribeiro; Original paper - Marquezini

 

Shi L, Wu J. Epigenetic regulation in mammalian preimplantation embryo development. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009;7:59.

 

Duranthon V, Watson AJ, Lonergan P. Preimplantation embryo programming: transcription, epigenetics, and culture environment. Reproduction 2008 Feb;135(2):141-50.

 

December 1 – Differentiation of the Preimplantation Embryo

Summary - Lima; Original paper - Fields

 

Zernicka-Goetz M, Morris SA, Bruce AW. Making a firm decision: multifaceted regulation of cell fate in the early mouse embryo. Nat Rev Genet 2009;10:467-77.

 

Rielland M, Hue I, Renard JP, Alice J. Trophoblast stem cell derivation, cross-species comparison and use of nuclear transfer: new tools to study trophoblast growth and differentiation. Dev Biol. 2008;322:1-10.

• Grading
  Grading is based on attendance (50%) and participation (50%). The highest grade possible for a student missing two lectures is a B⁺ and, for a student missing three lectures, is a B. Any student missing four or more lectures will be given an incomplete grade.

• Communication About The Class
  Email will be used as the major method for communicating when not in class. Therefore, provide Dr. Hansen with your email address if one is available. Dr. Hansen's email is hansen@animal.ufl.edu

• Policy on Dishonesty
  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated by the instructors or by your peers at the University of Florida. Upon completion of your registration form at the University of Florida every student signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all the academic work. I agree to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University". Please adhere to this oath.

A complete copy of the Academic Honesty Guidelines can be found in the University of Florida Undergraduate Catalog and at the University Student Guide.

• Students with Disabilities
  Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when  requesting accommodation.

• Counseling Services
  Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

1) University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 2-1575, personal and career
2) Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 2-1171, personal
3) Sexual Assault Recovery Services, Student Health Care Center, 2-1161, assault
4) Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 2-1601, career development assistance