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2019/2020

Endocrinology

Code: 100860 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2500252 Biochemistry OT 4 0

Contact

Name:
Juan Hidalgo Pareja
Email:
Juan.Hidalgo@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
spanish (spa)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
No
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Other comments on languages

Most of the slides used in the classroom are in English

Prerequisites

To have passed the subject of Animal Physiology, as well as of Cell Biology and Biochemistry

Objectives and Contextualisation

The subject "Endocrinology" is an option of the last course in Biology and Biochemistry, so that the student already has a high level of basic knowledge of biology, which will allow to deepen in this matter.

The subject does not structure to the classic mode of "Hormone A, functions B and C", but will analyze several relevant biological aspects in which endocrine / neuroendocrine factors participate. The idea is to give an integrated vision of critical factors in the survival of the individual and of the species: rhythms, stress, growth and longevity, weight control, sexual and maternal behavior. As far as possible we will proceed to the analysis of animal models that help us to understand the human species.

In the classes, articlesand scientific reviews of reference journals will be used as much as possible (Nature, Science, Cell, etc.) rather than textbooks. Documentation will be prepared that will be provided beforehand to the student with the fundamental information, indicating the original reference of the publication in case the student needs clarification and wishes to consult it (it will not be indispensable but it will also benefit the student from the point of view of the domain of the English). The idea is that the student has to complement that basic information with the work in class, acquiring an important method of work.

Competences

  • Collaborate with other work colleagues.
  • Demonstrate an integrated vision of the function of hormones, neurotransmitters and growth factors in the control of gene expression and metabolism.
  • Describe intercellular and intracellular communication systems that regulate the proliferation, differentiation, development and function of animal and plant tissues and organs.
  • Manage information and the organisation and planning of work.
  • Read specialised texts both in English and one’s own language.
  • Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
  • Understand the language and proposals of other specialists.
  • Use ICT for communication, information searching, data processing and calculations.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Collaborate with other work colleagues.
  2. Compare the neuroendocrinology of the following axes: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-somatic.
  3. Describe the endocrine function of the pancreas.
  4. Describe the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of body fluids.
  5. Describe the neuroendocrinological control of prolactin.
  6. Describe the nuclear receptor superfamily: general structure, response elements, how it controls gene expression and non-genomic effects of hydrophobic hormones.
  7. Distinguish between the different general families of endocrine receptors and their characteristics.
  8. Explain the control of body-weight and the regulation of sexual differentiation.
  9. Explain the control of the endocrine system by the hypothalamus.
  10. Explain the endocrine control of growth.
  11. Explain the nature of hormones, the evolutionary origin of the endocrine system and co-evolution with the receptors.
  12. Explain the relationship between growth and calorie intake.
  13. Manage information and the organisation and planning of work.
  14. Read specialised texts both in English and one’s own language.
  15. Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
  16. Understand the language and proposals of other specialists.
  17. Use ICT for communication, information searching, data processing and calculations.

Content

After the basic concepts of the previous basic subject (Animal Physiology), Endocrinology will proceed to deepen the various endocrine axes, particularly at the neuroendocrine level, its relationship with behavior, and trying to maintain a vision integrated into the major themes:

1. Introduction. General organization of the nervous and endocrine system. Hypothalamic-pituitary relationship and biological bases of its development. Hypothalamic survival circuits: hunger, thirst, sex ... Programs of action (motivations, emotions) & feelings: ancestral mechanisms; vasopressin and oxytocin as examples.

 

2- Circadian rhythm and suprachiasmatic nucleus. Clock genes. Use of light as a synchronizing mechanism & other possible synchronizers. Living against our circadian rhythm has a cost. Seasonal rhythms & melatonin. Other rhythms

 

3- Stress and some of its consequences. Anticipatory and reactive pathways control the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. MR and GR receptors. Stress & fear & anxiety & depression: an example of the importance of epigenetics. "Battle of the sexes" & genomic imprinting. Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance.

 

4- Obesity, the new epidemic?. Body weight control: much more than an aesthetic issue. Main factors and pathways involved. Homeostatic & hedonic systems. Body mass index, fat deposits & genome-wide association studies (GWAs) & its limitations. Diets and surgical procedures (and their failures & potential hazards). Obesity & inflammation. Obesity & microbiome.

 

5- Growth: Heritability and susceptibility. GWAs. Psychosocial dwarfism. Acceleration & deceleration. Growth & development. Main families of growth factors. Saltatory growth. Catch-up. Hypothalamo-pituitary-somatic axis: endocrine and paracrine / autocrine actions of IGF-I.

 

6- Growth vs. longevity: it was not so simple. Size of the species & longevity: strict or flexible law?. Caloric contribution: apparent relationship with morbidity & longevity. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA, p53, telomeres, senescence & longevity. mTOR, rapamycin & other "anti-aging pills". What (probably) announces the experiments of parabiosis between old and young animals.

 

7- Genetic, gonadal and phenotypic sex. Dmrt1, SRY and other critical factors in sexual determination and differentiation. Somatic sexual identity in mammals?. Gonadal sex is not irreversible. Compensation of the gene dose of the sex chromosomes. XIC: X inactivation center. Internal and external genitalia: main hormones involved. Intersexual states: congenital adrenal hyperplasia & Prader classification; other endocrine problems.

 

8- Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis: integral control of vertebrate reproduction. Importance of the control of GnRH neurons: pulse generator versus preovulatory peak. Sex steroids, kisspeptin & other factors involved. Puberty: everything changes. Menarche & context & kisspeptin & limitations of the GWAs. Puberty & risk behaviors.

 

9- Sexual differentiation of behavior: Battle of the sexes?. Sexual dimorphism: what does it reveal? Sexual selection: the omission of Darwin. The Coolidge effect. Biological bases of sexual behavior in animal models. Organization and activation of the CNS by sex steroids. Default sex & masculinization & defeminization: beware of analgesics! Sex steroids & epigenetics.

 

10- Proceptivity & receptivity. Attractive (body & facial): what is it and what does it reveal? Main characteristics and factors involved. Some considerations about pheromones & MHC in mammals.

 

11- Violence: an extraordinary problem. Lethal aggression intra-species: we are not the only ones. Infanticide and paternity dilution. Is there a link between sex and violence?. Sex steroids & neurosteroids & VMH. Monogamy vs polygamy in mammals. Social vs sexual monogamy. Oxytocin & vasopressin & dopamine: pair bonding and other social behaviors.

 

12- Gender behavior, cognitive sexual differences & evolutionary roles. Gender identity and transsexuality. Gender orientation & homosexuality.

 

Methodology

The formative activities are composed of:

(a) theoretical classes, with the usual format of master class supported by images usually obtained from scientific articles. Much of this material will be available to the student on the virtual campus
(b) practices, in which the levels of cortisol in skin and saliva are analyzed
(c) seminars, where, as far as possible, functional tests will be carried out with the students

These activities must necessarily be complemented by other supervised and autonomous ones.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Practices 12 0.48 17, 1, 3, 16, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
Seminars 4 0.16 17, 1, 2, 16, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15
Theoretical classes 35 1.4 17, 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 7, 16, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Type: Supervised      
Preparation of seminars 6 0.24 17, 1, 2, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15
Type: Autonomous      
Elaboration of works related to the classroom 14 0.56 17, 1, 2, 3, 16, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
Time dedicated to studying 65 2.6 17, 1, 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 7, 16, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Assessment

El proceso de evaluación continua incluye cuatro actividades evaluativas, de tres tipologías diferentes, distribuidas a lo largo del curso, ninguna de las cuales representa más del 50% de la calificación final.

 

Teoría parcial 1: 40% (en función de la programación del curso podría ser superior o inferior pero nunca más de un 50%)

Teoría parcial 2: 40% (en función de la programación del curso podría ser superior o inferior pero nunca más de un 50%)

 

Prácticas: 10%

 

Seminarios: 10%

 

 

El examen de teoría será tipo test, de 4 posibles respuestas siendo cierta sólo una, y usando la penalización blanda en la corrección. Las prácticas se valorarán mediante la presentación y discusión de resultados en una memoria. Los seminarios se valorarán mediante presentación oral y discusión de resultados (80%) y examen tipo test (20%).

 

Es obligatoria la participación en las cuatro actividades evaluativas. La asistencia a las sesiones prácticas es obligatoria; el alumnado obtendrá la calificación de "No evaluable" cuando la ausencia sea superior al 20% de las sesiones programadas. Se contempla un sistema de recuperación de la evaluación de la asignatura, salvo las prácticas y los seminarios que, por su carácter eminentemente práctico, no lo permiten. Para poder optar al examen de recuperación la calificación mínima en la media de la asignatura será el 3,5. Para participar en la recuperación, el alumnado debe haber sido previamente evaluado en un conjunto de actividades el peso de las que equivalga a un mínimo de dos terceras partes de la calificación total de la asignatura o módulo. Por lo tanto,el alumnado obtendrá la calificación de "No Evaluable" cuando las actividades de evaluación realizadas tengan una ponderación inferior al 67% en la calificación final.

 

Los conocimientos teóricos se valorarán mediante dos parciales; deberá superar el 4,5 para poder hacer media de los mismos. En caso de que se tenga que hacer el examen de recuperación, este podrá ser el primer,
segundo o ambos parciales en función de las notas obtenidas anteriormente. Si ambos parciales superan el 4,5 pero no llegan al 5 de media, el alumno podrá elegir el parcial a recuperar. Se debe superar el 5 en conjunto para aprobar la asignatura. No se contempla la posibilidad de mejorar nota.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Practices 10% 4 0.16 17, 1, 2, 3, 16, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
Seminars 10% 4 0.16 17, 1, 2, 3, 16, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
Theoretical exam 80% 6 0.24 17, 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 7, 16, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Bibliography

Williams Text of Endocrinology. Wilson, Foster, Kronenberg, Larsen. W.B. Saunders Company.

 

Endocrinología. Jara Albarrán, 2ª edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana

 

Fundamentals of Neuroscience. Zigmond, Bloom, Landis, Roberts, Squire. Academic Press.

 

An introduction to behavioural endocrinology. Nelson, R.J. Sinauer Associates, Inc.

 

Reviews and articles selected.