Reproductive Biology

 Structure, Development and Function :

• The female reproductive system: anatomy and physiology of the mammalian ovary and ductal system. Follicular growth, ovarian hormones, two cell theory of estrogen biosynthesis. Autocrine, Paracrine and endocrine regulation of ovarian functions.

• The male reproductive system: anatomy and physiology of the mammalian testis and the sex accessory glands; Functional Organization of testis, spermatogenic cycle. Testicular androgens, autocrine, paracrine,and endocrine regulation of testicular functions. Semen and its biochemical nature

• The pituitary gland : Functional cytology,

denohypophyseal hormones, their chemistry and

physiology

• The Hypothalamus and its neurosecretory centres:

Structure of neurosecretory cells, the hypothathalamic

principles: synthesis, storage, release and chemistry.

• The phenomenon of neuroendocrine integration and

the hypothalamo- hypophyseal- gonadal axis.

• Role of Thyroid, Pineal and Adrenal glands in

reproduction

• Miscellaneous factors affecting reproduction: nutrition. light, temperature, pheromones, environmental disruptors

• Semen analysis: Physical examinations, microscopic examinations, biochemical analysis, Immunological tests.

• Sperm function tests: Sperm mitochondrial Hypo-Osmotic Swelling (HOS)Test, Acrosome, reaction. Acrosome Intactness (AI) test.

• Endocrinological diagnosis.

• Female reproduction-(Hypothalamus, ovary

assessment of female reproductive functions),

• Male reproduction-(Biology of male reproduction,

assessment of male reproductive function)

• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

• Super ovulation, Oocyte collection.

• Collection and preparation of sperm for assisted

fertilization.

➢ Insemination.

➢ In- vitro fertilization and related techniques (IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, TET, ICSl ).

• Cryopreservation of semen, oocytes and embryos.

• Teratological effects of Xenobiotics

• Pre-natal diagnosis

• Impact of aging, Hormone Replacement Therapy