Reproductive Biology

Paper Code: 
LSC-144 C
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
12.00
Unit I: 
Biology of Spermatozoa and Ovum: 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
 
12.00
Unit II: 
Regulation of reproduction
  • 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.
 
12.00
Unit III: 
Diagnosis of male infertility
  • 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. 
 
 
12.00
Unit IV: 
Reproductive Toxicology
• Female reproduction-(Hypothalamus, ovary  assessment of female reproductive functions),
• Male reproduction-(Biology of male reproduction, assessment of male reproductive function)
12.00
Unit V: 
Reproductive Techniques
  • 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.
Essential Readings: 

Books Recommended:

  • Ball, G.H. Davidson, J.N. & Scarburough, H.,:Text book of physiology & Biochemistry E. & S. Livingstone Ltd. London (1956). .
  • Bast, C.H. & Tayler, N.B. :Physiological basis of medical practices, Dilkins Co. Baltimore. (1957).
  • Guyton A.G.:Text book of Medical Physiology, 7th ed. Saunders Publishers (1986).
  • Hoar, W.S. :General and comparative Animal physiology 3rd ed. Prentice Hall, Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi (1983).
  • Scheer: General Physiology
  • Schmidt Nielsen, K. Animal Physiology, Adaptations & Environment, Cambridge Univ. Press (1975).
  • Tumer CII. General Endocrinology. W.B. Daunders, Tippan Co. Ltd. Tokyo, Japan (1966).
  • Schmidt Nielsen, K.: Animal Physiology, Adaptations & Environment Cambridge Press (1975).
  • Tumer CII: General Endocrinology, W.B. Saunders, Tippan Co. Ltd. Tokyo, Japan (1966).
  • General and Comparative Endocrinology, E.J.W. Barrington. Oxford. Clarendon Press.
  • Text Book of Endocrinology, R.H. Williams. W.B. Saunders.
  • Endocrine Physiology. C.R. Martin. Oxford Univ. Press.
  • Assali,N.S.: Biology of Gestation.VolI and II. Academic press, New York.
  • Birkhead T.K. and Moller A.P. :Sperm competition and sexual selection. Academic press,London,1998.
  • Cole, H.h. ,Cupps P.T.: Reproduction in domestic animals.
  • Dorfman, R.I.: Methods in hormone research (Vol I and Vol II) . Academic press, New York.1962.
  • Edwards R.G. and Brody S,A.: Principles and practice of assisted human reproduction. W.b. Saunders Co., Philadelphia,1995.

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version