Lesson 1Gonadal steroid hormones: synthesis, regulation, and effects of estrogen, progesterone, and testosteroneThis lesson covers gonadal steroid hormones in detail, explaining their production pathways, control mechanisms, and impacts of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, including receptor actions, organ-specific effects, and health issues from hormone imbalance.
Steroidogenesis pathways in gonadsRegulation of estrogen productionProgesterone in luteal function and pregnancyTestosterone and male reproductive traitsSteroid receptors and target tissue responsesLesson 2Endocrine control of reproduction: hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (GnRH, LH, FSH)This lesson details endocrine regulation of reproduction through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, discussing GnRH pulses, LH and FSH release, feedback from gonadal hormones, and reproductive disorders from axis disruptions.
GnRH neuron networks and pulse generationPituitary synthesis of LH and FSHNegative and positive gonadal feedback loopsPubertal activation of the HPG axisDisorders arising from HPG dysfunctionLesson 3Gametogenesis and gamete biology: spermatogenesis, oogenesis, folliculogenesis, and ovulation mechanismsThis lesson explores gamete production in mammals, including spermatogenesis, oogenesis, follicle development, and ovulation processes, stressing cell stages, hormone control, gamete ripening, and gamete quality's role in fertilisation and embryo health.
Spermatogenesis stages and testicular organizationOocyte growth, meiosis, and arrest pointsFolliculogenesis and follicle selectionMechanisms triggering ovulationDeterminants of gamete quality and competenceLesson 4Types of reproductive cycles: estrous vs menstrual cycles, phases, and physiological markersThis lesson compares estrous and menstrual cycles, covering phases, hormone patterns, and body changes, highlighting species variations, vital physiological signs, and techniques to track and measure breeding cycles.
Estrous cycle phases and uterine changesMenstrual cycle phases and endometrial dynamicsHormonal profiles across cycle stagesBehavioral and physical estrus indicatorsTechniques to monitor cycle statusLesson 5Seasonality and environmental regulation: photoperiodism, melatonin, food availability, temperature, and social cuesThis lesson examines environmental influences on breeding timing in mammals, focusing on day length, melatonin signals, food supply, climate, and social factors, and their combined effect on fertility and breeding periods.
Photoperiodic control and melatonin pathwaysLong‑day vs short‑day breeder strategiesNutritional status and metabolic signalsThermal stress and reproductive functionSocial cues, pheromones, and breedingLesson 6Reproductive senescence, lifetime fecundity, and trade-offs between reproduction and survivalThis lesson discusses reproductive ageing from peak fertility to decline, analysing lifetime breeding output patterns, physiological changes, species differences, and energy balances between present breeding, survival, and future potential.
Patterns of age‑related fertility declineOvarian reserve depletion and menopauseMale reproductive aging and andropauseEnergetic costs of reproduction vs survivalEvolutionary perspectives on senescenceLesson 7Non-steroidal reproductive hormones and peptides: prolactin, oxytocin, inhibin, activin, and relaxinThis lesson reviews important non-steroidal hormones and peptides affecting mammalian breeding, like prolactin, oxytocin, inhibin, activin, and relaxin, covering their origins, control, target organs, and roles throughout the breeding cycle.
Prolactin in lactation and reproductive behaviorOxytocin in parturition and social bondingInhibin and activin in gonadotropin feedbackRelaxin in pregnancy and pelvic remodelingClinical and experimental assessment methodsLesson 8Overview of reproductive strategies in mammals: sexual systems, mating systems, and parental careThis lesson overviews mammalian breeding strategies, covering sexual systems, mating patterns, and parental care, linking body structure, behaviour, and ecology to mating rivalry, pair bonds, and offspring investment.
Sexual systems and sex determination typesMonogamy, polygyny, and promiscuitySperm competition and mate guardingPatterns of maternal and paternal careEcological drivers of strategy variation
