ANAT SC 3102 - Comparative Reproductive Biology of Mammals III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

The course provides an overview of mammalian reproductive biological processes with an emphasis on the diversity of reproductive mechanisms that have evolved in placental, marsupial, and monotreme mammals. The lecture topics include sex determination and sex differentiation, development of the gonads, gonadal ducts and external genitalia, the differentiation, and dynamics of production, of the male and female gametes together with changes that occur to the spermatozoon during transit of the male and female genital ducts. The cell and molecular biology of sperm-egg interactions at the time of fertilisation are then given, followed by the processes involved in egg activation and differentiation of the early embryo. Macromorphological and cellular changes associated with implantation, placentation and lactation in various groups of mammals are then covered. This is followed by an overview of the causation of, and ways of overcoming, sub- and infertility in the human species. Finally an outline of the biological principles underlying contraceptive technology, and the application of assisted reproductive technology to the conservation of rare and endangered species of placental and marsupial mammals is given. Tutorials cover a variety of reproductive biological topics ranging from an overview of the biology of carcinoma of the prostate gland and breast in the human to the unique reproductive biology of the echidna. For practical work students carry out a research project that involves hypothesis testing and utilises a variety of light and electron microscopical techniques - the latter in Adelaide Microscopy. Students who undertake this course will obtain background knowledge that will ideally suit them for future courses in either reproductive health or in wildlife biology.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	ANAT SC 3102
Course	Comparative Reproductive Biology of Mammals III
Coordinating Unit	Anatomy and Pathology
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Assumed Knowledge	ANAT SC 2109 or ANAT SC 2500 or ANAT SC 2200 or ANAT SC 2501
Assessment	Mid semester test 10%, written exam 60%, project/essay 25%, tutorial participation 5%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Emeritus Professor William Breed

Course Coordinator: Professor Bill Breed
Phone: +61 8 8313 5743
Email: bill.breed@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Room 120, Medical School North

Tutor: Dr Eleanor Peirce
Phone: +61 8 8313 5191
Email: eleanor.peirce@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Room N131B, Medical School North

Tutor: Hanna McLennan
Phone: +61 8 8313 5743
Email: hanna.mclennan@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Room N116, Medical School North

Tutor: Romany Stansborough
Phone: +61 8 8313 5743
Email: romany.stansborough@adelaide.edu.au

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Have gained an overview of the science of comparative mammalian reproductive biology.
2	Have gained factual background knowledge of morphological, and in particular cellular, basis of reproductive biology with an overview of the evolution of mammalian gonads, gametes and their interaction at fertilisation.
3	Have basic understanding of the practical application of assisted reproductive technology to animal breeding and conservation programs of rare and endangered species of mammals.
4	Have obtained background knowledge, and an historical overview, of the development of contraceptive technologies.
5	Have learnt how to plan, and carry out, a research investigation that will involve hypothesis testing, development of time management skills, and the writing of a research report in the form of a scientific paper with appropriate referencing to relevant background literature.
6	Have basic understanding of skills required to work in the field of human reproductive health and animal reproduction.
7	Have gained experience in the use of various microscopical techniques.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	2-4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1, 5
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	4-7
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	2, 3, 5
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	5-7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

M H Johnson (2013) Essential Reproduction 7th Edition. Publisher - Blackwell, Oxford

Recommended Resources

C R Austin & R V Short (1982) Reproduction in Mammals, Second edition, Volumes 1 – 3. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Online Learning

Course contents (lecture notes, laboratory and tutorial handouts) on MyUni

Learning & Teaching Modes

Attendance at most of the tutorials and the completion of a written research report is essential for successful completion of this course. A mid-semester test will be held at which time students will gain experience in answering questions on the theoretical background knowledge gained up until that time.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Students are expected to carry out independent reading of research papers around the research topic of their project and to gain a comprehensive knowledge of that field so that they can put their research findings into context of what has already been published. They will be expected to write up the report of their project in the form of a research paper as if were to be submitted to a relevant scientific journal for publication. They should expect to spend at least 4 hours per week on their project work and the relevant reading of the scientific literature.

Learning Activities Summary

Week	Lecture number	Topic
1	1	Sex determination & differentiation in mammals
	2	Evolution of sex determining mechanisms in vertebrates
2	3	Mammalian testis exocrine function, spermatogenesis and the development of sperm form during spermiogenesis
	4	Prostate structure and the cell biology of prostatic cancer
3	5	Testis endocrine function; steroid biosynthetic pathway and androgen control of spermatogenesis
	6	Clinical andrology and its practical application in assessing sperm function and male fertility
4	7	Oogenesis and ovarian follicular development
	8	Ovary-pituitary-hypothalamic inter-relationships
5	9	Mammalian ovarian cycles; their variation in length and control by various luteotrophic and luteolytic mechanisms
	10	Gonadal ageing: puberty induction and development of fertility; menopause and associated endocrine changes
6	11	Ovarian endocrine activity and its effects on the rest of the female tract especially the uterus
	12	Oocyte selection and ovulation
7	13	Sperm transport and sperm selection in the female reproductive tract
	14	Sperm-egg interactions, egg coat penetration, and sperm-oolemma binding and fusion
8	15	Fertilisation, zygote formation and egg activation
	16	Early embryo development in eutherians and marsupial mammals
9	17	Immunology of reproduction and why is the fetus not rejected by the mother.
	18	Comparative invasive and non-invasive implantation in mammals and occurrence of delayed implantation.
10	19	Cell biology of placentation
	20	Development of milk synthesis and secretion; lactation
11	21	Reproductive technology & its application to overcoming subfertility & infertility in humans
	22	Reproductive technology & its application to conservation of rare and endangered species of mammals
12	23	Control of fertility, its historical background & biological basis of contraceptive technology
Tutorial topics are variable but include the following: · The Red Queen Hypothesis – its significance & importance · Research project topic presentations · Discussion of post-meiotic sperm development and evolution of sperm form · Monotreme reproduction and its seasonality · Totipotency of the early mammalian embryo and early embryo differentiation · Intracytoplasmic sperm injection of human eggs - its advantages and disadvantages · Cell biology of breast cancer · Application of reproductive technology for maximising livestock production · Australia’s future population trends and predictions on environmental sustainability (Australian Academy of Sciences video)

Small Group Discovery Experience

For the practical component, small groups of students (maximum of 4 per group) will undertake a research project on some aspect of reproductive biology. A selection of topics will be provided for students to choose from by the course coordinator taking into account the resources and material available. The project will introduce students to the various stages of the research process, from the development of a research proposal, to formulating an hypothesis, executing a series of experiments to investigate the topic in hand, critically evaluating the results, the discussion of them in the light of the current literature, and the writing a research report in the form of a scientific paper. Typically the carrying out of the research will involve the use of a variety of microscopical techniques which will be supervised by the two teaching assistants.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Assessment Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
Midsemester test will cover the material up until the time of the midsemester break.	Summative	10%	1-2
Project proposal	Formative	N/A	3, 5, 6
Research report	Summative	30%	3, 5, 6
Final exam	Summative	60%	1, 2, 4

Submission of draft research proposal End of week 3
Discussion and evaluation of draft research proposal Week 4
Submission of revised research proposal End of week 4
Execution of research project Weeks 5-13
Submission of research report Friday June 1, 2013: 5pm

Assessment Detail

Students will be assessed on their theoretical knowledge base in both the midsemester test and in the end of semester examination. Students ability to synthesise relevant literature, plan their research project and analyse data including the performing of relevant statistical analysis of their data where relevant will be assessed in the written research project submission at the completion of the semester.

Submission

Students must demonstrate an understanding, and basic knowledge, of reproductive biology at the time of completion of the course; they must also hand up a written research report in which they demonstrate background knowledge of the field in which they carried out their research project and a critical analysis of the data that they have obtained. This report needs to be handed into my office by the last day of the semester. A late submission of the research project will result in a penalty mark unless a good and valid reason is given for its late submission.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

All lectures will have a summary on MyUni and where possible the lectures will be recorded.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator