Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the information to know and understand the physiological mechanisms responsible for the organism homeostasis, providing an integrated approach between the different systems.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course aims to give the main concepts on the functions of the body and on the homeostatic responses to external and internal environment changes. The course will concern the functioning and integration of the major organ systems. Foetal programming and their effects on health will describe in the initial part of the course. Afterwards, emphasis will place on the neuro-endocrine and reproductive systems and their interactions. The last part of the course will focus on the structure and function of blood, cardio vascular system and muscle
Full programme
FOETAL PROGRAMMING
Foetal programming ’and‘ Developmental Origins of Health and Disease ’(DOHaD)
Mechanisms of placental adaptation
Epigenetics and fetal programming
Maternal-fetal nutrition and epigenetic modifications
Immunity: from the fetus to the adult.
PRINCIPLES OF NEURO-ENDOCRINOLOGY
Major aspects of hormones
Hypothalamus
Pituitary hormones
Main hormones and their functions
ENDOCRINOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
Hormonal control of reproduction in male and female
Follicular development and selection mechanisms
Gestation, parturition and lactation
BLOOD
Main characteristics of blood
Coagulation
Cardiovascular system
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE MUSCLE
Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle
Neuro-muscular junction
Molecular mechanisms of muscle contraction
Bibliography
M.J. Swenson, W.O. Reece ;Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici" Ed. Idelson - Gnocchi
Sherwood, Klandorf, Yancey ;Fisiologia degli animali - dai geni agli organismi;
Ed. Zanichelli
Articoli scientifici di base e di approfondimento degli argomenti trattati a lezione
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra lectures with some time dedicated to deepening and discussion
All course materials will be made available to students at the end of the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final oral examination. Students should demonstrate to know all the items present in the program; in particular, students should show to be able to link the different arguments, to have a deep knowledge of the topics and to speech properly.
The exam will be considered as passed if the student demonstrates that has sufficient knowledge of the arguments treated during the course.
Other information
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