Duration
20h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in biomedicine | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Reproductive Biology course aims to provide students enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences program with an understanding of the physiological processes related to human reproduction.
This Reproductive Biology course covers the following topics:
- Review of the principles of sexual reproduction and meiosis
- The hypothalamic-pituitary axis
- The ovarian cycle, its endocrine and ovulatory functions
- The endometrial cycle, the implantation window, menstruation
- Fertilization, embryonic development, and implantation
- Placentation
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- The male reproductive system and spermatogenesis
- Principles of fertility control and preservation
- An introduction to the ethical aspects related to human reproductive biology
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to describe and understand the elements developed in the 10 chapters of the Reproductive Biology course. Overall, by the end of this course, you should be able to know, understand, and describe:
- The characteristics of sexual reproduction
- The characteristics of meiosis
- The functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis
- The role of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in triggering ovulation
- Hypothalamic-pituitary secretions in relation to the ovarian and menstrual cycles
- The different phases of the ovarian cycle
- Follicular growth up to ovulation
- The endocrine and exocrine functions of the ovary
- The steps involved in the synthesis of ovarian steroid hormones
- Ovarian steroid feedback mechanisms on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis
- The two-cell theory of ovarian steroid secretion
- The mechanisms of ovulation
- The peripheral effects of progesterone and estrogens
- The successive phases of the endometrial cycle, including the implantation window
- The onset of menstruation
- Embryonic implantation
- The Human Placentation
- The role of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- Abnormalities of the female and male genital systems
- The mechanisms of hormonal and non-hormonal contraception
- Ovarian stimulation methods
- The various causes of female and male infertility
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures
- The different phases of a normal pregnancy
- The course of a eutocic delivery
- The main ethical aspects related to human reproductive biology
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The anatomy, embryology, and histology of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the male and female reproductive and genital systems
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The teaching is planned to take place in person.
Theoretical lectures are delivered ex-cathedra in the lecture hall, or possibly online.
The course slides and lecture notes are accessible via eCampus.
During each lecture, time will be dedicated to discussions with students, who will have the opportunity to ask questions about the material covered.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Powerpoint available
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )
Further information:
Written exam
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Professor Frédéric Goffin
fgoffin@uliege.be
Secretary:
Christelle Leclercq
christelle.leclercq@chrcitadelle.be