Medical Embryology

Code: BIO15215I

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

3. Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

5. Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

10. Reduzir as desigualdades - Reduzir as desigualdades dentro dos países e entre eles.

13. Ação climática - Tomar medidas urgentes para combater a mudança climática e seus impactos (*).

15. Proteger a vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

Learning Goals

The two general objectives are that students simultaneously acquire a general perspective of the embryonic development of the vertebrates. In this context, the competences for the student to acquire are: mastering the terminology associated with Veterinary Embryology; be able to differentiate the subsequent stages of embryonic and fetal development, as well as the most frequent congenital anomalies; the ability to describe and discern the variations inherent to different species, such as, for instance, the fetal membranes, the stomach of ruminants, or the mammary gland. Additionally, the student should be able to establish the connection between embryonic and fetal development and the adult individual, as well as understand the use of this knowledge in the clinic of reproduction, pre-natal diagnosis and fetal Veterinary Medicine.

Historical aspects of embryology;
Gametogenesis;
Fertilization;
Cleavage;
Gastrulation;
Cell signaling and gene functioning during development;
Stem cells;
Establishment of the basic body plan;
Coelomic cavities;
Fetal membranes;
Forms of implantation and placentation;
Embryo mortality in domestic species;
Cardiovascular system. Embryological and postnatal features of hematopoiesis;
Nervous system;
Muscular and skeletal systems;
Digestive system;
Respiratory system;
Urinary system;
Reproductive system;
Structures in the head and neck;
Endocrine system;
Eye and ear;
Integumentary system;
Age determination of the embryo and fetus;
Assisted reproductive technologies used in domestic species;
Genetic, chromosomal and environmental factors which adversely affect prenatal development.

Teaching Methods

The theoretical classes will be descriptive, supported by audiovisual aids (PPT, videos and computer models). They will also include the presentation, when adequate of clinical cases, comprising their analysis, diagnosis and counseling in the context of clinical embryology. The theoretical-practical classes will be used for the presentation and discussion by the students (in groups) of papers and clinical cases, being the teachers responsibility to enhance the dynamics of the process.

Assessment

Approval for the course is obtained with a minimum final grade of 10 (? 9.50) on a scale of zero to twenty (0-20).

Continuous Evaluation: (60%) 1 test + (40%) theoretical-practical (two group projects). A minimum grade of 9.50 for the theoretical component is required for approval.

Final Evaluation: Failure to pass the continuous evaluation will result in an final exam covering all syllabus content.