Endocrinology of Aquatic Animals

Code:

CMRM18

Acronym:

CMRM18

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Biology and Ecology

Instance: 2013/2014 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Microscopy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	1	Specialisation in Marine Biology and Ecology 2008	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The aim of this course is to provide students with advanced knowledge in the field of endocrinology of fish, but also covering topics selected mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic mammals.

With this approach aims to become an emphasis of integrating aspects of endocrinology, particularly with interest applied to the areas of reproduction and growth, animal physiology. Elected as central pedagogical concern the ability of the student to be an active element in the search for knowledge and exploration of unreleased songs from the scope of the unit in order to increase the interest in the subjects covered in both theoretical and practical.

Learning outcomes and competences

Provide students the ability to understand how the endocrine system of aquatic animals allows them to make adaptive changes towards environmental changes.

Understanding how endocrinology can be applied to practical problems in production and biomonitoring, and others such as migrations and relationships between species.

Increase the ability of students searching, selecting, critically analyze and present character information endocrine / physiological, schematically and integrating it with previously learned concepts.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Themes of lectures

1. Central Nervous System (CNS)
1.1. General introduction to the physiology of the brain
1.2. Shares vital, hypothalamus in coordinating endocrine
1.2.1. The role of neurotransmitters in the endocrine coodenação
1.2.2. Hypothalamic factors (GnRH I, II and III), neuropeptide Y, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, inhibition of gonadotropin hormone, among others

1.3.Glândula Pituitary
1.3.1. Structure and mode of operation
1.3.2. Role of the pituitary as "glâdula maestro"
1.3.2. Chemical messengers (target organs)

2. Pineal Gland
2.1. Structure and mode of action
2.2. Relationship with Central Nervous System and the Pituitary
2.1.1. Photoperiod - Melatonin

3. Gonads as Sources Hormonal
3.1. General physiology of the ovaries and testes of fish, reptiles and mammals
3.1.1. Main stages of development of gametes
3.1.2. Different types of gonads (fish synchronous, asynchronous, synchronous groups)
3.2. Role of hormones in the development of gametes
3.2.1. Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonads
3.2.2. Relationship between gonadotropins, steroid hormones, and other organs involved in the development of the gonads (eg Liver -> vitellogenin)
3.1.3. Formation and release of pheromones (examples of various species in which the action of pheromones is essential in reproduction)

4. GlândulaTiroide
4.1. Structure and mode of operation
4.1.1. Relationship with Central Nervous System and the Pituitary (tirotropinas)
4.2. Functions of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in fish and amphibians

5. Liver
5.1. Relationship with Central Nervous System and the pituitary (growth hormone)
5.2. Liver involvement in growth and reproduction
5.2.1. System Insulin-like growth factor
5.2.2. The relationship between liver, CNS tissue such as muscle, cartilage and bone

6. Anorectic and orexigenic centers and their relationships with growth hormone and Gonadotropins

7. Pancreas
6.1. Structure and functioning of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas
6.2. Role of insulin and glucagon in homeostasis of fish
6.3. Relationship between the release of insulin and glucagon and centers orexigenic and anorexigenic

8. Gill
8.1. General structure and its role in osmoregulation
8.2. Involvement in the development of the endocrine cells of gill
8.2.1. Action and importance of prolactin and cortisol
8.2.2. Relationship of the endocrine system with fast and slow osmotic adaptations to different salinities

9. Kidney
9.1. Structure and its role in osmoregulation
9.1.1 Rim endocrine
9.1.2. Chromaffin cells
9.1.3. Renin-angiotensin system
9.1.4. Corpuscles of Stannius

10. Gland Ultimobranchial

11. Caudal neurosecretory system and the neuroendocrine system flow

12. Advances in Endocrinology nuclear receptors molluscs

13. Endocrinology of reproduction and control changes in curstáceos

Themes practical classes

1. Endocrine System Sharks - research on its importance

2. Gonadotropins in Pisces

3. Pheromones

4. Endocrinology of the Stress

5. Serotonergic mechanisms of aggression
5.1. Neurotransmitters and Aggression in invertebrates and aquatic vertebrates
5.2. Noninvasive testing laboratory on mechanisms of aggression in Betta splendens

6. Isolation and identification of ovarian follicles of zebrafish for studies of reproductive endocrinology and toxicology studies. Vitro stimulation with EE2 and verification purposes and the viability of follicles in ultrastructure.

7. Endocrinology of reproduction in bivalves.

8. Methods for the identification and quantification of hormones

7. Analytical methods used for the analysis of hormones in different matrices
7.1.Radioimunoensaio (RIA)
7.2. "Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay" (ELISA)
7.3. HPLC
7.4.GC

Mandatory literature

Anthony P. Farrell; Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology: From Genome to Environment, Academic Press Inc, 2011. ISBN: 0123745454
Sofronios E. Papoutsoglou; Textbook of Fish Endocrinology, Nova Science Publishers, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-62100-270-3

Complementary Bibliography

M. Reinecke, G.Zaccone, B.G. Kapoor; Fish Endocrinology, Science Publishers, Inc., 2006. ISBN: 1-57808-318-4.
Nicholas J. Bernier, Glen Van Der Kraak, Anthony P. Farrell and Colin J. Brauner; Fish Physiology: Fish Neuroendocrinology, Academic Press Inc, 2009. ISBN: 0123746310

Comments from the literature

Will also be used scientific articles provided by the responsible course and some of the activities performed during a literature class.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Exhibition, demonstration, problem solving.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Zoology > Animal physiology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Zoology > Animal endocrinology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	40,00
Exame	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Estudo autónomo	85,00
Total:	135,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Final rating = Note theoretical final exam (60%) + Note continuous assessment (40%)

The scores for each component are initially assigned on a scale of 0 to 20. It requires 9.5 minimum grade for approval as each of the components in question.

Continuous assessment rewards attendance, level of commitment, and even the quality of performance of each student during the lessons and practical work.

Classification improvement

After an initial approval to the course the student may apply for grade improvement final exam. No substitution of continuous evaluation score by any act of nature alone. A possible improvement in continuous assessment involves attending classes again, performing all activities inherent.