VTPP 489 - Fetal and Embryo Physiology
Tuesdays and Thursday 9:35 - 10:50 AM, Room 162 Reynolds
Medical Building
Instructor Information
Michael Golding PhD.
Assistant Professor
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
77843-4466
979-862-1332
mgolding@cvm.tamu.edu
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an
introduction to the biochemical processes essential to
gametogenesis, early embryonic development and pregnancy. This
course will provide a framework upon which to build a basic
understanding of the physiology of pregnancy and several
developmental disorders that arise due to biomedical
miss-regulation or environmental agents. Students will be expected
to synthesize structural functional relationships between the
gametes and reproductive organs and describe the interaction
between the developing fetus, placental membranes, maternal tissues
and the environment. This course will cover essential elements
underpinning the molecular basis of development and disease which
will be expanded upon in both medical and veterinary professional
programs as well as relevant graduate courses.
Prerequisites
Senior Designation, BICH 410 (or equivalent) or approval of
instructor.
Meeting Times & Important Dates
VTTP 489 will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:35 AM -
10:50 AM in Room 162 Reynolds Medical Building. There will
be three mid-term examinations and a final. Please note the dates
below. Absence from the examination will result in a grade of 0
unless a medical note from a Physician is provided.
Course Breakdown
| Midterm 1 |
20% |
Tuesday, February 7th |
| Midterm 2 |
20% |
Thursday, March 1st |
| Midterm 3 |
20% |
Tuesday, April 3rd |
| Writing Assignment |
15% |
Due April 1st |
| Final Exam |
25% |
Date to be determined. |
Lecture Topics
Week 1 Jan 17th & 19th
- Molecular Basis for Embryonic Development
- Differentiation & Cell Specialization
- Stem Cells and Niches
- Mammalian Genes & Control of Gene Expression
- Transcription Factors & Developmental Control of Gene
Expression
Week 2 Jan 24th & 26th
- Epigenetics Chromatin Structure and Cellular Identity
- RNA Interference
- Signaling Molecules & Hormones
- Receptor Molecules and Signal Transduction
- Regulatory Systems and Morphogenic Gradients
Week 3 Jan 31st & Feb 2nd
- Meiosis
- Oogenesis
- The Female Reproductive Tract and Menstrual Cycle
- Spermatogenesis
- Hormonal Interaction Involved with Reproduction in Males
Week 4 Feb 7th & 9th
- Ovulation and Egg and Sperm Transport
- Transport of Gametes and Fertilization
- Fertilization
Week 5 Feb 14th & 16th
- Embryo Transport and Implantation
- Cleavage and Implantation
- Epigenetic Programming
- Embryo Polarity
- Stem Cells & Cell Lineage Choice
Week 6 Feb 21st & 23rd
- Sex Determination
- Formation of Germ Layers and Early Derivatives
- Two-Germ-Layer Stage
- Gastrulation and the Three Embryonic Germ Layers
- Development of the three Germ Layers Ectodermal Mesodermal
& Endodermal
Week 7 Feb 28th & March 1st
- Developmental Programming and HOX gene Expression
- Establishment of the Basic Embryonic Body Plan
- Basic Structure of 4-Week Old Embryo
Week 8 March 6th & 7th
- Induction of the Nervous System
- Formation of the Heart Structures and developmental regulation
of Hemoglobin.
- Formation of the Hematopoietic Lineage
Week 9 March 20th & 22nd
- Placentation and Extraembryonic Membranes
- Extraembryonic Tissues - Yolk Sac and Blood
- Chorion and Placenta
Week 10 March 27th & 29th
- Placental Physiology
- Blood Flow in the placenta
- Placenta and Membranes in Multiple Pregnancies
- Placentation in agricultural and companion animals
- Preeclampsia and Complications
Week 11 April 3rd & 5th
- Organogenesis and Maturation
- Thyroid Hormone
- Developmental Disorders: Causes, Mechanisms, and Patterns
Week 12 April 10th & 12th
- Pre-term Birth
- Fetal Nutrition
- Nutritional Insufficiencies and Birth Defects
- Common birth defects & treatments
- Cardiac Malformations & Treatments
Week 13 April 17th & 19th
- Developmental Disturbances Resulting in Malformations
- Teratogens and Environmental Agents Causing Disease
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Special Topics - Fetal Origins of Adult Disease &
Epigenetic Programming
Week 14 April 23rd - 27th
- Special Topics - Assisted Reproductive Technologies
- Special Topics - Genomic Imprinting and Fetal Disorders
- Special Topics - Stem Cells, Biotechnology and Regenerative
Medicine