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.
D1 – Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. know the concept of homeostasis
2 know the mechanism of action of the main hormones
3. know the fetal imprinting mechanisms
D2 – applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply the concepts of physiology to link the different systems
2. Evaluate the relationships between fetal imprinting and performance in adult life
D3 – Making judgements
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. evaluate the role of a specific hormone in relation to the homeostasis
2. Evaluate the parameters involved in the modulation of fetal imprinting.
D4 – Communication skills
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Express clearly and with appropriate terminology during description of concepts concerning the organ physiology of cell and of organ
2. Read, translate and explain scientific papers written in italian and english;
D5 – Learning skills
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Link the different topics treated in the course between themselves and with other disciplines of the academic degree course.
2. Understand the importance and implications of the fetal imprinting.
3. Understand the adipose tissue as endocrine organ
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 adipose tissue
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
ADIPOSE TISSUE
endocrine functionof adipose tissue
main adipokines
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.
The course will be held through lectures to Students in the classroom (“in presenza”)
Lectures will be supported by slide presentations, which will be available to students on the Elly platform (https://elly2020.medicina.unipr.it).
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Assessment methods and criteria
Final written 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.
In case of the persistence of the health emergency, the exams will be conducted remotely, as follows:
remote oral questions, through the Teams platform (guide http://selma.unipr.it/).
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes)
Other information
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