Endocrinology of Aquatic Animals

Code:

RM25

Acronym:

EAA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Biology and Ecology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	No
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	0	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

Objectives

It is the objective of this curricular unit to provide students with advanced knowledge in the field of endocrinology with aquatic animals with emphasis and fish, crustaceans and marine mammals.

With this approach, we intend to integrate the aspects of endocrinology, namely with interest applied to the areas of reproduction and growth, with animal physiology. The central pedagogical concern is the ability of the student to be an active element in the search for knowledge and the exploration of unpublished themes within the scope of the curricular unit in order to increase interest in the subjects addressed, both in theoretical and practical classes.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended to equip students with the ability to understand how the endocrine system of aquatic animals allows them to make adaptive modifications to environmental modifications.

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

Increase students' ability to research, select, critically analyze, and present endocrine / physiological information schematically and integrate it with previously learned concepts.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Theoretical programmatic content (Summary)

• The central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS);


• Vital actions of the hypothalamus in the coordination of the endocrine system;


• Hypothalamic factors (GnRH I, II and III), neuropeptide Y, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, gonadotropin inhibitory hormone, among others;


• Pituitary gland (structure and mode of operation);


• The pineal gland (action of melatonin and its relationship with the biorhythms of aquatic animals);


• Gonads as hormonal sources;


• Role of hormones in the development of gametes;


• Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonads axis;


• The relation between gonadotropins, steroid hormones and other organs involved in the development of gonads;


• Formation and release of pheromones (examples of several species in which the action of pheromones is essential in their reproduction);


• Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid axis (functions of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4);


• Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Growth axis (involvement of the liver in growth and reproduction)


• Orexigenic and anorexic centers and their relationship with growth hormone and gonadotropins;


• Pancreas (action of hormones produced by the endocrine pancreas);


• Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system;


• Endocrine regulation of osmoregulation (prolactin, cortisol, and IGF;


• Endocrine kidney and its role in osmoregulation;


• Chromaffin cells (mode of action);


• Renin-angiotensin system (mode of action);


• Stannius corpuscles (mode of action);


• Ultimobranchial gland (mode of action);


• Urophysis or caudal neuroendocrine system (mode of action);


• Endocrinology of reproduction and control of molting in crustaceans.

Practical programmatic content (Summary)

Quantification of hormones involved in fish reproduction (e.g. by gas chromatography (GC);
Endocrinology of stress - serotoninergic mechanisms of aggression (non-invasive laboratory test on mechanisms of aggression in Betta splendens).

Mandatory literature

Sofronios E. Papoutsoglou; Textbook of Fish Endocrinology, Nova Science Publishers, 2012. ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-62100-270-3
Anthony P. Farrell; Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology: From Genome to Environment, Academic Press, 2011. ISBN: ISBN: 0123745454
William F. Perrin, Bernd Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen; Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, Elsevier, 2009. ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-12-373553-9
Maria J Rocha, Augustine Arukwe, B.G. Kapoor; Fish Reproduction, 2008. ISBN: ISBN: 9781578083312

Complementary Bibliography

M. Reinecke, G.Zaccone, B.G. Kapoor; Fish Endocrinology, Science Publishers, Inc., 2006. ISBN: 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. ISBN: 0123746310

Comments from the literature

Scientific articles provided by the head of the curricular unit will also be used, including recent work on the endocrinology of crustaceans.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expositive, demonstrative, problem-solving.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Exame	60,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

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

Eligibility for exams

Mandatory attendance to 3/4 of the total classes taught (theoretical and practical).

Calculation formula of final grade

Classification improvement

After an initial approval of the course unit, the student may request improvement of the final exam. There is no substitution of continuous assessment for any act of an isolated nature. A possible improvement in continuous assessment implies attending again to practical classes, performing all the activities inherent.