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Comparative Endocrinology Course Description
Comparison of mechanisms influencing hormone release, biosynthesis, and effects on target tissues in vertebrates and invertebrates. Course includes histology of endocrine glands and bioassays with vertebrates. Two one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Students will be required to conduct some portions of experiments outside of regular meeting times.

Educational Objectives
  1. List and describe endocrine tissues in vertebrates and invertebrates.
  2. List hormones found in vertebrates and be able to describe their actions and effects on target tissues in vertebrates.
  3. List hormones found in selected invertebrate phyla and be able to describe their actions and effects on target tissues.
  4. Describe how endocrine secretions are regulated.
  5. Describe mechanisms of hormone action.
  6. Empirically examine the effects of hormones in animals through careful, controlled laboratory experiments, and be able to thoroughly and accurately describe laboratory findings in written reports.

Instructors
Robert J. Sheehan
Professor of Fisheries in Zoology
Office: LSII, 179a
Hours Available: Most or by appointment
Phone: 536-7761
bsheehan@siu.edu

Ben Reading
Teaching Assistant
Office: LSII, 370e
Hours Available: T, Th, F from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Phone: 453-4123
benhur@siu.edu

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Text
Norris, D.O. 1997. Vertebrate Endocrinology. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, CA.

Meeting Times and Places
Lectures: 1-1:50 T & Th, LSII 367
Labs and Lab Lectures: 10-12:00 Th, LSII 303

Course Outline
Tuesday, August 24
Introduction--Syllabus and What Endocrinology is All About; Categories of Chemical Regulators.

Thursday, August 26
(Lab) Categories of Chemical Regulators, Overview of Mammalian Endocrine Tissues and Major
Secretions, Video ("The Endocrine Glands").
(Lecture) Chemical Classes of Hormones--How Chemical Structure Relates to Hormone Behavior and
Function.

Tuesday, August 31
Chemical Classes of Hormones--How Chemical Structure Relates to Hormone Behavior and
Function.
Chapter: 1

Thursday, September 2
(Lab) Chemical Classes of Hormones--How Chemical Structure Relates to Hormone Behavior and
Function.
(Lecture) Chemical Classes of Hormones--How Chemical Structure Relates to Hormone Behavior and
Function.
Chapter: 1

Tuesday, September 7
Endocrine Research Approaches.
Chapter: 2

Thursday, September 9
(Lab) Begin Experiment, "Induced Metamorphosis in the Bullfrog Tadpole."
(Lecture) Mammalian Hypothalamo-Hypophysial Relationships.
Chapter: 2

Tuesday, September 14
Hormones of the Hypophysis, "Transgenic Organisms," and Cancer.
Chapter: 2 & 3(pp. 85-95)

Thursday, September 16
(Lab) Continue Experiment
(Lecture) Hormones of the Hypophysis and "Giants and Little People."
Chapter: 2 & 3(pp. 85-95)

Tuesday, September 21
Hormones of the Hypophysis.
Chapter: 4

Thursday, September 23
(Lab) Continue Experiment
(Lecture) Comparative Endocrinology of the Hypophysial Hormones.
Chapter: 4

Tuesday, September 28
Neurohormones of the Pars Nervosa and the Epiphysial Complex.
Chapter: 5

Thursday, September 30
(Lab) Continue Experiment
(Lecture) Neurohormones of the Pars Nervosa and the Epiphysial Complex, Biorhythms, Melatonin,
Aging, Jet Lag, and Sleep.
Chapter: 5

Tuesday, October 5
EXAM #1: 100 Points through September 28 Lecture.
Chapter: None

Thursday, October 7
(Lab) Continue Experiment
(Lecture) Neurohormones of the Pars Nervosa and the Epiphysial Complex.
Chapter: 6

Tuesday, October 12
Mammalian Thyroid Gland, Goiters, Cretinism, and Myxedema Rickets.
Chapter: 7

Thursday, October 14
(Lab) Histology of Endocrine Tissues (Bring drawing paper, red, blue, and black colored pencils).
(Lecture) Mammalian Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands, Osteoporosis, and Osteomalcia.
Chapter: 7

Tuesday, October 19
Comparative Endocrinology of Thyroid-like Tissues.
Chapter: 8

Thursday, October 21
(Lab) Histology of Endocrine Tissues (Drafts of Laboratory Reports Due).
(Lecture) Mammalian Adrenal Glands.
Chapter: 8

Tuesday, October 26
Mammalian Adrenal Glands.
Chapter: 15

Thursday, October 28
(Lab) Histology of Endocrine Tissues.
(Lecture) Comparative Endocrinology of Adrenal Tissues.
Chapter: 15

Tuesday, November 2
Sexual Maturation and Reproductive Cycles, Estrous, and Menstrual Cycles.
Chapter: 9

Thursday, November 4
(Lab) Histology of Endocrine Tissues (Laboratory Reports Due--40 Points).
(Lecture) Mammalian Ovary.
Chapter: 9

Tuesday, November 9
Mammalian Ovary, Sex Determination and Super Trout, Designer Estrogens, Tamoxifen.
Chapter: 10

Thursday, November 11
(Lab) Laboratory Demonstration--TBA
(Lecture) EXAM #2: 100 Points through November 4 Lecture.
Chapter: 10

Tuesday, November 16
Endocrinology of Pregnancy and Parturition.
Chapter: 11

Thursday, November 18
(Lab) LAB PRACTICAL covering Histology of Endocrine Tissues and Laboratory Demonstration;
Drawings of Endocrine Tissue Histoanatomy Due (10 Points).
(Lecture) Endocrinology of Pregnancy and Parturition, Birth Control Drugs, RU486, and Menopause.
Chapter: 11

Tuesday, November 23
Thanksgiving Break
Chapter: None

Thursday, November 25
(Lab) Thanksgiving Break
(Lecture) Thanksgiving Break
Chapter: None

Tuesday, November 30
Comparative Endocrinology of the Ovary, "Endocrine Disrupters".
Chapter: 12

Thursday, December 2
(Lab) Catch up Lecture.
(Lecture) Testis.
Chapter: 12

Tuesday, December 7
Mammalian Pancreas,Diabetes and Biotechnology of Insulin Production.
Chapter: 14

Thursday, December 9
(Lab) Lecture: Endocrinology of Arthropods.
(Lecture) Mammalian Pancreas, "Sugar-Buster Diets".
Chapter: 14

December 13-17 Final Exam Week

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Important Dates
October 5 is Exam #1.
October 21 is when the first draft of the laboratory report is due (optional).
November 4 is when the lab reports are due.
November 11 is Exam #2.
November 18 is the Lab Practical.

Examinations and Grading
  1. Lecture Exams: Short Answer, short essay: Total of 380 points (Two, 1-hour exams, 100 points each and a final exam, 180 points, with approximately 80 points being quasi-comprehensive).
  2. Laboratory experiment: 40 points for one report.
  3. Laboratory exercise: 10 points for histoanatomy drawings.
  4. Laboratory practical: 50 points for histology of endocrine glands and laboratory demonstration.
  5. Quizzes: Weekly, 10 point quizzes; lowest quiz score dropped. Quizzes will be given during the first 10 minutes of laboratory. Coverage=material from lecture of the previous week. A total of 100 points.
  6. Student Evaluations: 20 points based on contributions to research team efforts.
    Total Class Points=600
    546+=A;486-545=B;426-485=C;366-425=D;X<366=F

Exams From Past Classes

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