Roles of hormones and their signaling pathways in maintaining homeostasis in different body systems. Includes normal physiologic phases such as growth, pregnancy, and lactation, as well as common hormone-related disorders and their therapies. An introductory physiology course is required.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be required to prepare and deliver a
presentation on an endocrine-related topic before an audience
(i.e., their classmates). This will require meetings with the
instructor to edit the presentation before delivery.
Athena Title
Endocrine Physiology
Prerequisite
VPHY 3100 or VPHY 3100E or VPHY 3107-3107D or CBIO 2210-2210L or CBIO 3710 or EHSC 2100 or PMCY 3000 or PMCY 3000E or POUL 4175 or POUL 4200/6200-4200L/6200L or WILD 4400/6400
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to describe the components comprising different endocrine systems (e.g., describe the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) and explain how hormones of those systems are synthesized, released,
distributed, biotransformed, and inactivated or eliminated (i.e., hormone disposition).
Students will be able to explain how hormones act alone or in concert with other hormones to produce effects on target tissues to maintain homeostasis of physiologic endpoints (e.g., How are plasma
calcium levels maintained?). This includes understanding the roles of negative and positive feedback mechanisms.
Students will be able to compare and contrast the effects of individual hormones within multi-hormonal systems on target tissues and physiologic endpoint, as well as integrate the individual effects into a pattern of overall responses for a given physiologic state (e.g., What are the effects of hypercalcemia on calcitriol, PTH, calcitonin, and FGF 23 secretion and how do these hormones affect calcium handling by the small intestine, kidneys, and bone in a hypercalcemic state?).
Students will be able to predict physiologic affects based on the knowledge of the hormone receptors bound, intracellular signaling cascades initiated, and genes transcribed/translated by a given hormone.
Students will be able to explain alterations in hormone secretion patterns in response to common endocrine disorders (e.g., How does Grave’s disease affect hormone secretion along the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis?).
Students will be able to predict changes in hormone secretion patterns and hormone disposition that occur in response to environmental or pathophysiologic changes in physiologic endpoints (e.g., How does hypoalbuminemia affect plasma levels of T4 and T3?).
Students will be able to describe the mechanisms by which therapies (i.e., pharmacologic, surgical, or otherwise) for common hormonal disorders attain their effects.
Students will be able to compare and contrast advantages and disadvantages of the different therapies for a given disorder.
Students will be able to search the scientific literature (i.e., journal articles) to identify information that allows them to address questions about endocrine physiology or endocrine disorders. This will be accomplished via homework assignments.
Students will be able to synthesize information on an endocrine-related topic and to create and deliver a presentation to an audience.
Topical Outline
Homeostasis; types of chemical messengers; types of receptors and effects
Roles of hypothalamus and pituitary
Thyroid function
Melatonin and the pineal gland
Fluid balance and hormonal control
Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis
Endocrine pancreas including insulin and glucagon
Gastrointestinal hormones
Endocrine functions of adipose tissue
Steroid hormone synthesis
Adrenal cortex function, including corticosteroids
Male reproduction
Female reproduction, including pregnancy and the placenta, parturition, lactation, and menopause
Role of hormones in neoplasia, including breast cancer
Fetal and neonatal growth and development including growth hormone and somatostatin
Sex hormones and puberty
Eicosanoids as autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine signaling molecules
