ANSC 630 - REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY I

FALL 2005

Course Description: The embryological, physiological, hormonal, cellular and molecular mechanisms involving the endocrine and reproductive systems of mammals will be studied with an emphasis on domestic livestock, rodents, and humans. Current theories will be evaluated and discussed using information from recent scientific publications.

Course Format: Four (4) credit hours presented as lectures. Lecture hours are 12:40 - 2:30 PM on Monday and Tuesday in Room 200 Kleberg Center.

Prerequisites: ANSC 433 - Reproduction in Farm Animals, BICH 410 -Biochemistry I and BICH 411 - Biochemistry II or equivalent courses.

Professors: Thomas E. Spencer, Ph.D. (coordinator); Fuller W. Bazer, Ph.D.; David W. Forrest, Ph.D.; Paul G. Harms, Ph.D.; Larry Johnson, Ph.D.; Thomas H. Welsh, Jr., Ph.D.

Text: The following text is recommended but not required. Reproduction in Mammals and Man, C.Thibault, M.-C. Levasseur and R.H.F. Hunter, Editors, Edition Marketing, Paris, France. 1993.

Reference Material:

A. Reference Texts: These texts will be available in Room 442 Kleberg Center:

a. Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition. Phil Senger, Current Conceptions, Inc., 1998.

b. Cell and Tissue Biology: A Textbook of Histology. Leon Weiss, Ed., 6th Edition, Urban and Schwarzenberg, Baltimore, 1988.

c. The Physiology of Reproduction. Volumes 1 and 2, E. Knobil and J.D. Neill, Editors-in-Chief, Raven Press, 1988.

d. Encyclopedia of Reproduction. E. Knobil and J.D. Neill, Editors-in-Chief, Academic Press, 1998.

e. Reproduction in Mammals and Man, C.Thibault, M.-C. Levasseur and R.H.F. Hunter, Editors, Edition Marketing, Paris, France. 1993.

B. Papers: Current scientific articles will be distributed to each student. These will form the basis for discussion of each topic, and it is expected that these papers will be incorporated into answers on examinations.

Website: http://animalscience.tamu.edu/ansc/physiology/teach.html

Grading:

Examination I 25%

Examination II 25%

Journal Club 25%

Final Examination 25%

Make-up examinations must be approved and scheduled through the course coordinator.

JOURNAL CLUB

The purpose of the journal club will be to provide opportunities to evaluate current scientific literature, develop a working hypothesis and learn the scientific method. Journal club will be held during each group of lectures by each instructor. Scientific journal articles will be distributed beforehand to the class. The topic will be chosen by the instructor and may highlight a new contentious area or classic papers. Each student will be expected to participate in presenting a summary of selected journal articles.

American with Disabilities Act Statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office of Support Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 126 in the Koldus Building. The phone number if 845-1637.

Academic Integrity Statement:

An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.

Academic misconduct, a violation of the Texas A&M Honor System, involves any of the following: cheating, fabrication, falsification, multiple submission, plagiarism, and complicity.

For explanations and examples visit http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor

ANSC 630 –Reproductive Biology I - Fall 2005

OUTLINE OF LECTURES

August 29 & 30 and September 5 & 6

Functional Anatomy of the Brain, Gonads and Reproductive Tract in the Male and Female. Dr. Fuller W. Bazer

September 12, 13, 19 & 20

Hormones and Growth Factors of Reproduction: Source and Biochemical Characteristics of Hormones and Growth Factors Affecting Reproduction. Dr. Thomas E. Spencer

September 26 Examination I

September 27 and October 3, 4, 10 & 11

Biology of Sex: Genetic and Phenotypic Sex, Differentiation of the Gonads; Embryonic Development of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Males and Females.

Dr. Thomas E. Spencer

October 17, 18, 24, 25 & 31

Neuroendocrine regulation of reproductive function – mechanisms of the seasonal influences. Dr. Paul G. Harms

November 7 Examination II

November 1, 8, & 14

Puberty and Sexual Behavior. Dr. David W. Forrest

November 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29 and December 5 & 6

Male Reproduction: Gonadotropin Regulation of Testicular Functions; Spermatogenesis and Spermiogenesis; Sperm Maturation and Storage; Sertoli Cell Functions; Epididymal Function; Accessory Gland Secretions and Functions. Drs. Thomas H. Welsh, Jr. and Larry Johnson

December 12

Course Evaluation and Review for Final Exam

Final Examination III

NAME: Thomas E. Spencer

TITLE: Associate Professor of Reproductive Biology and Physiological Genomics, Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University

OFFICE: 442C Kleberg Center

TEL: 979-845-4896

FAX: 979-862-2662

E-MAIL: tspencer@tamu.edu

TRAINING: B.S. (Animal Science) 1989, Auburn University, Alabama; M.S. (Animal Science) 1992, Auburn University, Alabama; Ph.D. (Physiology of Reproduction) 1995, Texas A&M University, College Station; Postdoc (Cell Biology) 1997, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH: Long-term research interests are to discover developmental, cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating function of endometrial glands which are present in all mammals. Uterine glands develop during fetal/neonatal life and secrete various molecules that support of conceptus (embryo and associated placental membranes) growth and development during pregnancy. We created a sheep which lacks endometrial glands--an ovine Uterine Gland KnockOut (UGKO) ewe-- which we use to determine how endometrial glands develop in the fetus/neonate and their role(s) in mammalian uterine functions. High rates of embryonic loss occur during pregnancy in both humans and livestock that may involve insufficient support of conceptus growth and development by genes expressed by endometrial glands. Studies with the unique UGKO ewe model will advance our understanding of endometrial functions and provide a basis for the rational design and application of clinical and genetic therapies to ameliorate embryo deaths during pregnancy in humans and livestock.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (from 100 papers in refereed scientific journals):

Gray CA, Burghardt RC, Johnson GA, Bazer FW, Spencer TE. Evidence that an absence of endometrial gland secretions in uterine gland knockout (UGKO) ewes compromises conceptus survival and elongation. Reproduction 2002; 124:289-300.

Carpenter KD, Gray CA, Noel S, Bazer FW, Gertler A, Spencer TE. Prolactin regulation of neonatal ovine uterine gland morphogenesis. Endocrinology 2003; 144:110-120.

Dunlap K, Palmarini MA, Adelson DL, Spencer TE. Sheep endogenous betaretroviruses (enJSRVs) and the hyaluronidase 2 (HYAL2) receptor in the ovine uterus and conceptus. Biol Reprod 2005; 73:271-279.

Gray CA, Adelson DL, Bazer FW, Burghardt RC, Meeusen EN, Spencer TE. Discovery and characterization of an epithelial-specific galectin in the endometrium that forms crystals in trophectoderm. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2004; 101:7982-7987.

Hu J, Spencer TE. Carbonic anhydrases regulate endometrial gland development in the neonatal uterus. Biol Reprod 2005; 73:131-138.

NAME: Fuller W. Bazer

OFFICE: 442D Kleberg Center

TEL: 979-862-2659

E-MAIL: fbazer@cvm.tamu.edu

TITLE: Distinguished Professor of Reproductive Biology, Departments of Animal Science; joint appointments in Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Human Anatomy and Medical Neurobiology, Texas A & M University and Texas A&M University System Health Science Center

TRAINING: B.S., Biology, Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA, 1960; M.S., Animal Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 1963; Ph.D. Animal Science (Reproductive Biology), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 1969

RESEARCH INTERESTS: Reproductive biology with emphasis on uterine biology and pregnancy. Mechanisms of action of pregnancy recognition signals from the conceptus to the maternal uterus, including interferon tau and estrogen from ruminant and pig conceptuses, respectively, are studied at the molecular and cellular levels. The roles of uterine secretions as transport proteins, regulatory molecules, growth factors and enzymes and endocrine regulation of their secretion is another major research interest. The endocrinology of pregnancy, especially the roles of lactogenic and growth hormones in fetal-placental development and uterine functions are being studied. The mechanism(s) of action and potential therapeutic value of conceptus interferons and uterine-derived hematopoietic growth factors are areas of research with both pigs and sheep as models for human disease.

Selected Publications (2004-2005) from total of 381 in Peer-Reviewed Journals

Bazer FW, Spencer TE. Reproductive biology in the era of genomics biology. Theriogenology 2005; 64:442-456.

Wu G, Bazer FW, Hu J, Johnson GA, Spencer TE. Polyamine synthesis from proline in the developing porcine placenta. Biol Reprod 2005; 72:842-850.

Spencer TE, Bazer FW. Conceptus signals for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2004; 2:49

Spencer TE, Johnson GA, Bazer FW, Burghardt RC. Implantation Mechanisms: Insights from the Sheep. Reproduction 2004;128:657-668.

Spencer TE, Johnson GA, Burghardt RC, Bazer FW. Progesterone and placental hormone actions on the uterus:insights from domestic animals.Biol Reprod.2004;71:2-10.

Wu G, Bazer FW, Cudd TA, Meininger CJ, Spencer TE. Maternal nutrition and fetal development. J Nutrition 2004: 134:2169-2172

NAME: Paul G. Harms

TITLE: Professor of Reproductive Biology, Departments of Animal Science and Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, Texas A&M University.

OFFICE: 410D Kleberg Animal and Food Science Center

TEL: 979-845-3560

E-MAIL: pgharms@tamu.edu

TRAINING: B.S. (Dairy Science) 1963, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL; M.S. (Physiology of Reproduction) 1965, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL; Ph.D. (Physiology of Reproduction) 1969, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN; Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Neuroendocrinology) 1974, Southwestern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas, TX

DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH: The long term goal of our research is to enhance the reproductive performance of domestic animals by elucidating and optimizing the neuroendocrine control of pituitary gonadotropin secretion. Present work includes the inter- and intra-cellular signaling mechanisms regulating secretion of the hypothalamic neuropeptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which controls secretion of LH. Our focus includes involvement of calcium, calmodulin and protein kinases in secretion of GnRH from the neuron terminal. The nature and role of intraneuronal calcium oscillations in secretion of GnRH are of high interest. Our in vitro studies involve culture of immortalized GnRH secreting neuronal cells as well as incubation of hypothalamic explant tissue.

PUBLICATIONS: Total (Refereed Journal articles - 70, Theses and Dissertations Directed - 32, Chapters in Books - 7, Invited Papers – 14). Selected refereed journal articles that reflect the research effort:

Zalesky, D.D., D.W. Forrest, N.H. McArthur, J.M. Wilson, D.L. Morris and P.G. Harms. Suckling inhibits release of luteinizing hormone - releasing hormone from the bovine median eminence following ovariectomy. Journal of Animal Science 68:444-448. l990.

Weesner, G.L., P.G. Harms, N.H. McArthur, J.M. Wilson, D.W. Forrest, T.J. Wu and D.W. Pfaff. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone gene expression in the bovine brain: anatomical localization and regulation by ovarian state. Biology of Reproduction 49:431-436. 1993.

Dippel, W.W., P.L. Chen, N.H. McArthur and P.G. Harms. Calcium involvement in Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release from the bovine infundibulum. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 12:349-354. 1995.

Waters, W.W., P.L. Chen, N. H. McArthur, P.A. Moreno and P. G. Harms. Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II involvement in release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Neuroendocrinology 67:145-152. 1998.

NAME: David Wayne Forrest

CURRENT TITLE: Professor Voice: (979) 845-3560

Physiology of Reproduction Fax: (979) 862-3399

Department of Animal Science Email: d-forrest@tamu.edu

Kleberg Center, Room 410

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471

EDUCATION: B.S. (Animal Science), Abilene Christian College, TX, 1974

M.S. (Physiology of Reproduction), Texas A&M University, 1976

Ph.D. (Reproductive Physiology), University of Wyoming, 1979

PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS:

Extension Animal Scientist-Reproductive Physiology, University of California, Davis, 1979-1980

Assistant Professor, Physiology of Reproduction Section, Department of Animal Science, TAMU, 1980-1986

Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, TAMU, 1986-1993

Associate Professor, Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, TAMU, 1989-1993

Professor, Departments of Animal Science and of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, TAMU, 1993-Present

SELECTED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS:

Holloway, J.W., B.G. Warrington, D.W. Forrest and R.D. Randel. 2002. Preweaning growth of F1 tropically adapted beef cattle breeds X Angus and reproductive performance of their Angus dams in arid rangeland. J. Anim. Sci. 80:911-918.

Sprott, L.R., R.S. Walker, S.E. Wikse, and D.W. Forrest. 2001. Case Study: Conception rates in beef heifers at four time intervals after prostaglandin F2a. Prof. Anim. Sci. 17:191-194.

Sprott, L.R. and D.W. Forrest. 2001. Effect of chemically altered and modified live viral vaccines on fetal stasis in beef replacement heifers during the first four months of gestation. The Bovine Pract.35:185-188.

Mathis, C.P., H.E. Hawkins, L.R. Sprott, D.K. Lunt and D.W. Forrest. 2001. Pregnancy rate in beef heifers after synchrony to random or programmed estrous cycles. J. Anim. Sci. 79:561-567.

Sprott, L.R., M.D. Harris, D.W. Forrest, J. Young, H. Zhang, M.E. Bellin, J.N. Oyarzo and R.L. Ax. 2000. Artificial insemination outcomes in beef females using bovine sperm with a detectable fertility-associated antigen. J. Anim. Sci. 78:795-798.

Sprott, L.R., M.D. Harris, J.W. Richardson, A.W. Gray and D.W. Forrest. 1998. Pregnancy to artificial insemination as affected by body condition and number of services. Prof. Anim. Sci. 14:231-235.

NAME: Thomas H. Welsh, Jr.

OFFICE: Department of Animal Science

TEL: 979-845-5929

E-MAIL: twelsh@cvm.tamu.edu

TITLE: Professor, Physiology of Reproduction Section, Dept. of Animal Science, joint appointments in Veterinary Anatomy & Public Health TAMU and Biochemistry & Cell Biology at The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock.

TRAINING: B.S. (Animal Science 1974), Ph.D. (Physiology & Biochemistry) 1980, North Carolina State University; Post-doctoral Fellow Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego 1980-1983.

RESEARCH INTERESTS: Endocrine physiology of domestic species, using whole animal and cell culture models to investigate the processes that regulate stress, reproduction and growth in livestock.

Recent Reproductive Physiology Publications:

Meagher, M.W., R.L. Johnson, A.N. Sieve, T. Prentice, R. Storts, T. Welsh and C.J.R. Welsh. 2005. Impact of naturalistic models of stress on Theiler’s virus infection. . In C.J.R. Welsh, M.W. Meagher & E.M. Sternberg (Eds), Host defense and autoimmunity: Neural and neuroendocrine mechanisms in disease. New York: Kluwer Publishers. (In press)

Welsh, C.J.R., L. Bustamante, M. Nayak, T.H. Welsh, Jr., D.D. Dean and M.W. Meagher. 2004. The effects of restraint stress on the neuropathogenesis of Theiler's virus infection. II NK cell function and cytokine levels in acute disease. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 18:166-174.

Sieve, A.N., A.J. Steelman, C.R. Young, R. Storts, T.H. Welsh, C.J.R. Welsh, and M.W. Meagher. 2004. Chronic restraint stress during early Theiler’s virus infection exacerbates the subsequent demyelinating disease in SJL mice. J Neuroimmunol. 2004 Oct;155(1-2):103-18.

Amstalden M, D.A. Zieba, M.R. Garcia, R.L. Stanko, T.H. Welsh Jr., W.H. Hansel and G.L. Williams. 2004. Evidence that lamprey GnRH-III does not release FSH selectively in cattle. Reproduction 2004; 127:35-43.

Ing, N.H., A.M. Laughlin, D.D. Varner, T.H. Welsh, Jr., D.W. Forrest, T.L. Blanchard and L. Johnson. 2004. Gene expression in the spermatogenically inactive "Dark" and maturing "Light" testicular tissues of the prepubertal colt. Journal of Andrology 25(4):535-544

Hayashi K., K.D. Carpenter, T.H. Welsh Jr., R.C. Burghardt, L.J. Spicer and T.E. Spencer. 2004. The IGF system in the neonatal ovine uterus. Reproduction 2005; 129:337-347.