Technology of Reproduction
Code: 101921 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2501230 Biomedical Sciences | OT | 4 | 0 |
Contact
- Name:
- Josep Santaló Pedro
- Email:
- Josep.Santalo@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Other comments on languages
Lectures from topics 1-10 will be given in EnglishTeachers
- Francesca Vidal Domínguez
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course. In spite of this, in order to ensure the proper monitoring of the subject by the student and the achievement of the learning outcomes proposed, it is recommended that the student have some basic knowledge about cell biology and techniques used in this discipline since many of them will appear throughout the development of the agenda and will be considered as already known.
On the other hand, in a scientific discipline such as Biology of reproduction, it is common to use sources of information in English. It is therefore recommended that students have a minimum knowledge of this language.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Technology of reproduction course aims to provide students with knowledge about cell mechanisms involved in mammalian reproduction, as well as on the practical applications of mammalian gametes and preimplantation embryo manipulation and their repercussions both in the field of human reproduction and livestock production.
The first part of the syllabus is the basic section of the subject and it’s focused on providing knowledge about gamete formation, mechanisms of fertilization in mammals and preimplantation embryo development, while offering the necessary background to understand the techniques applied in later thematic blocks. Fertility control, assisted reproduction techniques applied both in humans and animals, and interventions on gametes and embryos are developed in the following sections of the program.
Competences
- Display knowledge of techniques related to genetic and reproductive technologies.
- Make changes to methods and processes in the area of knowledge in order to provide innovative responses to society's needs and demands.
- Read and critically analyse original and review papers on biomedical issues and assess and choose the appropriate methodological descriptions for biomedical laboratory research work.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Work as part of a group with members of other professions, understanding their viewpoint and establishing a constructive collaboration.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain and apply techniques for intervening in gametes and embryos.
- Explain the pathogenesis associated with reproductive processes.
- Make changes to methods and processes in the area of knowledge in order to provide innovative responses to society's needs and demands.
- Read specialised texts both in English and one’s own language
- Recognise the ethical principles and current legislation in relation to animal genetic manipulation and animal experimentation, gene therapy and reproduction techniques, in their application to biomedicine.
- Search for and manage information from various sources
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Work as part of a group with members of other professions, understanding their viewpoint and establishing a constructive collaboration.
Content
Theoretical classes program*
I. Gamete formation and fertilization
Topic 1. Female gametogenesis.
Topic 2. Male gametogenesis.
Topic 3. Sperm maturation.
Topic 4. Ejaculation.
Topic 5. Sperm capacitation.
Topic 6. Hyperactivity.
Topic 7. Acrosome reaction.
Topic 8. Fertilization.
II. Preimplantation embryo development
Topic 9. Preimplantation embryo development.
Topic 10. Cell differentiation.
III. Fertility control in humans
Topic 11. Negative fertility control.
Topic 12. Human sterility and infertility.
Topic 13. Assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) I.
Topic 14. ARTs II.
Topic 15. ARTs associated technologies. .
Topic 16. Genetic risks associated with ARTs.
IV. Gamete and embryo cryopreservation
Topic 17. Cryopreservation.
V. Fertility control in animals.
Unit 18. Reproduction in animals.
Topic 19. Assisted reproduction techniques.
VI. Embryo manipulation derived technologies.
Topic 20. Transgenesis.
Topic 21. Cloning.
Topic 22. Stem cells and reproduction.
Laboratory practice program*
Male and female gametogenesis
In vitro embryo manipulation and culture
Oocyte in vitro maturation
Gamete and embryo freezing
Embryos splitting
Analysis ofa human semen sample
Related videos
*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents.
Methodology
Technology of reproduction course incorporates theoretical classes, laboratory practices and classes of problems. The following text describes the organization and teaching methodology that will be followed in these three types of training activities.
Theoretical classes:
The content of the theory program will be mainly taught by the teacher in form of lectures with audio-visual support. Presentations used in class by the teacher will be previously available on Virtual Campus. It is recommended that students bring this material to class and use it as a support when taking notes. Although it is not essential to extend the contents of the lectures, unless expressly requested by the teacher, it is advised that students regularly consult the books and recommended texts in the Bibliography section of this syllabus in order to consolidate and clarify, if necessary, the contents explained in class.
In addition to the attendance to the classes, the follow-up of the subject will also imply an active role of the student, who will have to develop individually or in groups part of the theory program.
Exceptionally, lectures from topics 1-10 will be done in a pre-recorded capsules format. Regular online tutorials will be organized to solve possible questions about these issues.
Practical sessions:
Practical sessions are designed so that the students learn the basic methodologies used in a Biology of reproduction laboratory and complement the theoretical training. Students will do a total of 4 sessions of 3 hours each, working in groups of 2 and, during the practical sessions, they will have to answer a questionnaire.
Practical guidelines will be available on Virtual Campus. During each practical session, students must bring their own practical guidelines and always wear their own lab coat and glasses (when requested to).
Studentsmust complete the laboratory safety and biosecurity questionnaire, or appropriately document they have passed it previously.
Solving problems sessions:
The classes of problems are designed so that the students work in small groups. Its objective is to initiate the student in the reasoning and interpretation of scientific results, as well as in the elaboration and formal proposal of theories and experimental designs that allow to achieve certain objectives proposed to them. On the other hand, they intend to be an instrument for the teacher who can use them to carry out a "guided discovery teaching” strategy, so that the student acquires certain knowledge based on the conclusions that can be drawn from each problem. Finally, it also seeks to familiarize the student with the interpretation of graphs and tables and with the most common notations in scientific literature.
Moreover, since problems are intended to be solved by reduced working groups, the aim is to promote the habit of teamwork and critical argumentation among peers.
Students will do 2 deliveries of 4 problems each. Groups will be composed of between four and six students each.
Tutorials
At students’ request, there will be tutorials aimed at solving doubts about the theory content and the solving problem process.
*The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Practical sessions | 12 | 0.48 | 1, 2, 12 |
| Solving problems sessions | 2 | 0.08 | 6, 1, 2, 12 |
| Theoretical sessions | 38 | 1.52 | 6, 1, 2, 4, 5 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutorials | 2 | 0.08 | 6, 1, 2, 4, 12 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Solving problems | 16 | 0.64 | 6, 1, 2, 4, 12 |
| Study | 72 | 2.88 | 6, 1, 2, 4, 5 |
Assessment
To pass the course it will be essential to obtain a final grade of the subject equal to or greater than 5 points (out of 10) and have attended the practical sessions. The scheduled evaluation activities are:
First term theoretical test
It will count 30% of the final mark. The first part of the subject taught in the theoretical classes will be evaluated.
Second term theoretical test
It will count 30% of the final mark. The second part of the subject taught in the theoretical classes will be evaluated.
In order to eliminate the material from these two theoretical examinations and use the mark obtained to count in the final grade of the subject, students must obtain a mark equal to or greater than 4 out of 10 in each one.
Problems assessment
It will count 15% of the final mark. A problem will be assessed individually during the Second term theoretical test or during the Recovery Exam for those students not attending the Second term theoretical test.
Recovery test
There will be a general recovery test for those students who have not passed (<4) or have not attended some of the partial tests.
To participate in the recovery, students must have previously been evaluated in a set of activities whose weight equals to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject or module. Therefore, students will obtain the "Non-Valuable" qualification when the assessment activities carried out have a weighting of less than 67% in the final grade.
The student will have the option of renouncing the mark of any theoretical exam or problem and attend the recovery exam.
Exams reviewing
The review of exams will be done by previous appointment and within the schedule proposed by the teacher.
Exam model
There will be an exam model available to students on Virtual Campus.
Delivery of problems
It will count 10% of the final mark. A group assessment will be carried out correcting 4 out of the 8 problems delivered and the average of the best 3 notes will be taken into account.
Practical sessions assessment
It will count in 15% of the final mark. Laboratory practices will be assessed while carrying them on by answering questions included in the corresponding practical questionnaire. Attendance is mandatory. Students will obtain the "Non-Valuable" qualification when assessment activities carried out have a weighting of less than 67% in the final grade.
Global rating
In order to pass the course students will have to perform the tests of each of the 2 terms tests, as well as the problems assessment and practices and to obtain an overall grade greater than 5 out of 10. Students who do not attain the minimum qualification of 4 points in any of the two theoretical partial tests will not be able to pass the course and will receive a maximum final grade of 4 points.
Non-valuable: Students will be considered as "Non-valuable" when evaluation activities carried out have a weighting of less than 67% of the final grade.
*Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery of problems | 10% | 2 | 0.08 | 6, 1, 2, 4, 10, 9, 7, 12 |
| First theoretical test | 30% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 6, 2, 4, 11, 10, 9, 8 |
| Practical sessions assessment | 15% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 3, 10, 9, 7, 12 |
| Problem assessment | 15% | 1 | 0.04 | 1, 2, 10, 9, 7 |
| Second theoretical test | 30% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 6, 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 10, 9, 8, 5 |
Bibliography
It is not easy to find texts that can fully cover the variety of topics that will be treated during the course. On the other hand, the contents of many of their blocks make up a new discipline therefore their content do not usually appear in "classical" books. As reference and reference texts, the following books are proposed that cover the contents and various aspects of the subject:
Bajo JM, B. Coroleu B. (Eds.) Fundamentos de Reproducción. Editorial Panamericana. Madrid. 2009.
De Jonge C, Barratt C. (Eds). The sperm cell. Cambridge University Press. New York. 2006
Durfort M, Vidal F. (Eds). Biologia de la Reproducció. Societat Catalana de Biologia. Barcelona. 2009.
Elder K., Dale B. In vitro fertilization. (3rd edition). Cambridge University Press. New York. 2011.
Fauser B.C.J.M. (Ed.). Molecular Biology in Reproductive Medicine. The Parthenon Publishing Group. New York. 1999
Gardner D.K. et al. (Eds.). Textbook of assisted Reproductive Techniques. Martin Dunitz Pub. Hampshire. 2001.
Gupta S.K. et al. (Eds.) Gamete Biology. Emerging frontiers in Fertility and Contraceptive Development. Nottingham University Press. Nottingham. 2007.
Hafez B. and Hafez E.S.E. (Eds.).Reproduction in farm animals. 7th edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. USA. 2000.
Harper J. (Ed.) Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. (2nd Edition). Cambridge University Press. New York (USA).2009.
Houdebine L.M. (Ed.). Transgenic animals. Generationand use. Harwood Academic Publishers. Amsterdam. 1997.
Johnson M.H. and Everitt B.J. (Eds.) Essential Reproduction. 5th Edition. Blackwell Science. Oxford. 2005.
Knobil E. and Neill J.D. (Eds.). “Encyclopedia of Reproduction”. Vol 1-4. Academic Press. San Diego (CA), USA. 1998.
Lanza R. Et al. (Eds.) Handbook of Stem Cells. Excerpts. Elsevier Academic Press. Amsterdam. 2004.
Lanza R. Et al. (Eds.) Handbook of Stem Cells. Vol 1 i 2. Elsevier Academic Press. Amsterdam. 2004.
Matorras R, Hernández J. (Eds.). Estudio y tratamiento de la pareja estéril. Adalia. Madrid. 2007.
Nadal J. (Ed.). Donación de ovocitos. Momento Médico Iberoamericana. Madrid. 2010.
Remohí J., Pellicer A., Simón C., Navarro J. (Eds.). Reproducción Humana. 2ª Edición. McGraw Hill-Interamericana. Madrid. 2002.
Remohí J., Romero J.L., Pellicer A., Simón C., Navarro J. (Eds.). Manual práctico de esterilidad y reproducción humana. McGraw Hill-Interamericana. Madrid. 2000.
Thibault C., Levasseur M.C., Hunter R.H.F. (Eds.) Reproduction in Mammals and Man. Ellipses, Paris. 1993.
Wolf D.P. and Zelinski-Wooten M. (Eds.). Assisted fertilization and nuclear transfer in mammals. Humana Press. New Jersey. USA. 2001.
Along the course, some recomendations on specific bibliography refering to those topics to be prepared by the students will be suggested.
Extra problems to be solved by the students can be foundin:
Santaló J., Vidal F. Biologia de la Reproducció. Problemes. Servei de Publicacions de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Col. Materials, vol 63, 3ª edició. 2010