BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION AND DIFFERENTIATION
Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: MARIA VIOLETTA BRUNDOExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to enhance the knowledge regarding biology of human reproduction. The course will provide the basics of biology on the reproductive process, gametogenesis and preimplantation embryonic development in humans; study of the main technique used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and related legal and ethical skills. A study of issues related to in vitro fertilization procedures in humans. The objective of the course is providing the knowledge relating to the most recent techniques of reproductive biology, allowing the indipendent exercise, with originality, creativity and methodological rigor about diagnostic and research activity in this field.
Course Structure
Lessons and seminars.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance of the courses is compulsory. Attendance is understood to have been acquired if the student has attended at least 60% of the curricular hours provided for by the discipline.
The Board of the Degree Program decides on the organizational and teaching methods reserved for students in the situations described in art. 27 c. 1, 2 and 3 (student workers, student athletes, students in difficult situations) of the University Didactic Regulations.
Detailed Course Content
General characteristics of reproduction. Stages of embryonic development and their significance. Gametogenesis: generalities and characteristics. Spermatogenesis and spermiohistogenesis. Process of capacitation and hormonal regulation. Organization and differentiation of the testis. Oogenesis, folliculogenesis, hormonal control. Organization and differentiation of the ovary. The stages of human development: fertilization, segmentation, implantation and deciduation, gastrulation and neurulation. Role of hormones in sexual differentiation. Embryonic annexes. Cellular organization during embryogenesis. Morphogens and their action mode. Polyembryony. Embryonic induction. Cell adhesion and cell communication during morphogenesis. Stamina cells.
Physio-pathology of the female and male genital system. Assisted fertilization: generalities and historical notes. Semen preparation for intrauterine insemination (IUI). Preparation of gametes for FIVET and ICSI. Eggs pick up and oocyte insemination. Use of the micromanipulator in ICSI. Check egg fertilization and morphological evaluation of human embryos before transfer. Assisted Hatching Technique. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD): fields of application, hereditary genetic and chromosomal diseases, genetic diseases sex linked. Preconception diagnosis (PCD). Legislation. Cryopreservation. Organization of the embryology laboratory: equipment and culture media for gametes and embryos.
Textbook Information
Biotechnology of Human Reproduction Hardcover, 2002 - by Alberto Revelli, Ilan Tur-Kaspa, Jan Gunnar Holte and Marco Massobrio, Informa Healthcare, ISBN-10: 1842141325, ISBN-13: 978-1842141328
Human Embryology and Developmental Biology, Bruce M. Carlson, Saunders 2014, ISBN9781455727940
Notes provided by professor
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La riproduzione: caratteristiche generali. Tappe dello sviluppo embrionale e loro significato | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 2 | La gametogenesi: generalità | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 3 | Spermatogenesi e spermioistogenesi Ciclo dell’epitelio seminifero | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 4 | Oogenesi | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 5 | La fecondazione | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 6 | La segmentazione | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 7 | La gastrulazione | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 8 | Topografia e cenni di fisio-patologia dell’apparato genitale femminile e maschile | FISIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE UMANA |
| 9 | La fecondazione assistita | BIOTECNOLOGIE APPLICATE ALLA RIPRODUZIONE STUDIO DEL GAMETE MASCHILE- STUDIO DEL GAMETE FEMMINILE |
| 10 | La diagnosi genetica di preimpianto ( PGD ) e la diagnosi pre-concezionale (PCD) | INFERTILITÀ MASCHILE: ETIOLOGIA E DIAGNOSTICA - INFERTILITÀ FEMMINILE: ETIOLOGIA E DIAGNOSTICA |
| 11 | La crioconservazione nella fecondazione in vitro | CRIOBIOLOGIA DELLA RIPRODUZIONE |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Oral examination.
Criteria for assigning the vote. The highest grade is assigned to the student who has demonstrated mastery of the topics, ability to relate acquired knowledge, expository skills and mastery of the disciplinary vocabulary.
Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.