School of Animal Science

Learning Objectives Identify the major glands and body structures involved in hormone synthesis in vertebrates Recall the functions of selected hormones produced by select major glands Describe the hormone pathway in given examples, including blood glucose, hunger, metamorphosis, stress, and/or sex, and make predictions on how an animal would respond to given stimuli for each case Recognize instances of negative feedback loops, positive feedback loops, and crosstalk in the example hormone pathways Vertebrate Endocrine Glands and Hormones The information below was adapted from OpenStax Biology 37.5 Unlike plant hormones, animal hormones are often (though not always) produced in specialized hormone-synthesizing glands (shown below). The hormones are then secreted from the glands into the blood stream, where they are transported throughout the body. There are many glands and hormones in different animal species, and we will focus on just a small collection of them. Locations of endocri

A doctor examining a pregnant woman During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes to facilitate the growth and the development of the foetus. These include an increase in hormone levels as well. One of the hormones that rise to a significant extent once a woman is pregnant is progesterone. This hormone has a lot to contribute towards the health of both you and your baby throughout your pregnancy. What is Progesterone? Progesterone is a hormone that is produced by the ovaries each month. This hormone prepares the uterus for an impending pregnancy. If the woman gets pregnant during the ovulation period, the level of progesterone will rise in order to facilitate the pregnancy process. Lower progesterone levels may affect the ability of a woman to conceive and put her at a higher risk of a miscarriage. 1. Mood Swings An increase in the level of progesterone has been linked to mood swings and depression. 2. Stuffy Nose Since progesterone is responsible for relaxing the mu

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. In the UK we get most of our vitamin D from sunlight exposure from around late March/early April to the end of September. Find out how to get enough without risking sun damage. We need vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet. These minerals are important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. A lack of vitamin D, known as vitamin D deficiency, can cause bones to become soft and weak, which can lead to bone deformities. In children, for example, a lack of vitamin D can lead to  rickets . In adults, it can lead to osteomalacia, which causes bone pain and tenderness. How do we get vitamin D? Our body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on our skin when we're outdoors. From about late March/early April to the end of September, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D we need from sunlight. We also get some vitamin D from a small number of foods, including  oily fish  such as salmon, ma

1. TRAINED PIGEONS CAN TELL THE     DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PAINTINGS OF PABLO PICASSO AND     CLAUDE MONET. 2. THE PEACOCK MANTIS SHRIMP CAN THROW A PUNCH AT 50 MPH, ACCELERATING QUICKER THAN A .22-CALIBER BULLET. 3. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WILD CHIMPS IN GUINEA DRINK FERMENTED PALM SAP, WHICH CONTAINS ABOUT 3 PERCENT ALCOHOL BY VOLUME. 4. THE CHEVROTAIN IS AN ANIMAL THAT LOOKS LIKE A TINY DEER WITH FANGS.  5. CAPUCHIN MONKEYS PEE ON THEIR HANDS TO WASH THEIR FEET. 6. ONLY THE MALES ARE CALLED PEACOCKS. FEMALES ARE CALLED PEAHENS. 7. DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES FORM A HEART WITH THEIR TAILS WHEN THEY MATE. 8. BABY ELEPHANTS SUCK THEIR TRU NKS FOR COMFORT. 9. TIGERS HAVE STRIPED SKIN AS WELL. EACH PATTERN IS AS UNIQUE AS A FINGERPRINT. 10. THERE WAS ONCE A TYPE OF CROCODILE THAT COULD GALLOP. 11. A GRIZZLY BEAR'S BITE IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CRUSH A BOWLING BALL. 12. SEA OTTERS HOLD HANDS WHILE THEY'RE SLEEPING SO THEY DON'T DR

S.O.A.S  looked far and wide to find some pretty awesome and controversial facts about ladyies — and here is what we got. Which one is the biggest surprise for you? 1. Women see more colors. Ever argued with your female friend over those white curtains that she claimed to be either eggshell or cream? Well, that’s due to women seeing on average  20% more differences  in colors and shapes. 2. The female body has a lower resistance to alcohol. Believe it or not, but alcohol is even  more dangerous for women  as they are more prone to liver disease like hepatitis (an inflammation of the liver) and are more likely to die from liver cirrhosis (a chronic disease). It is also more likely that women will suffer brain damage from alcohol like loss of mental functions and reduced brain size. 3. Maturity is attractive. And not only because of the Oedipus complex. Various studies have shown that a woman is more attractive the more fertile she looks, so women who have

SCIENCE REWILDING SUCCESS: IT’S NOT JUST... by  Linda DaVolls  on December 5th, 2018 By Dr Sophie Wynne-Jones Understanding that nature conservation is intensely political, and unavoidably social, is not... SCIENCE NOTES FROM THE FIELD - MAURITIUS... by  ZSL  on December 1st, 2018 ZSL London Zoo keeper Claire McSweeney gives us a first-hand account of working in the field in Mauritius, helping to boost kestrel populations.... SCIENCE REWILDING NEEDS A CONCEPTUAL... by  Linda DaVolls  on November 30th, 2018 JOHAN T. DU TOIT AND NATHALIE PETTORELLI Rewilding means different things to different people but in applied ecology it... SCIENCE WHAT DOES THE GODFRAY REVIEW... by  Rosie Woodroffe  on November 14th, 2018 The Godfray Review provides a welcome reminder to all sides of just where the weight of