Hormonal & Reproductive Medicine

Catalog description: The endocrine and reproductive systems are unique body systems that perform vital functions within our body. Messages within these systems are carried by specialized chemical substances called hormones, which interact with distant target organs to adjust the internal environment. We will discuss how these systems function in both normal and disease states.
The course is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the classical endocrine glands: the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands and the pancreatic islets. The second part is centered around the female and male reproductive systems. 

General topics include the following:

• The normal anatomy, histology, and physiology of the endocrine and reproductive systems
• Hormone synthesis, regulation, and mechanism of action
• The interaction between endocrine systems that regulate specific physiologic responses and states
• The pathophysiology resulting from endocrine and reproductive system malfunction

Prior to Spring 2021, this course was 7 credit hours.