M1 Sequence Overview
Endocrine/Reproduction
Sequence Director

Richard Mortensen, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology, Professor, Internal Medicine
Professor, Pharmacology
Email: rmort@umich.edu
Sequence Description

The overall goals of the M1 Endocrine/Reproductive Sequence is to provide the basic scientific knowledge so that the student can correctly understand the scientific basis of endocrine and reproductive endocrine disorders and be able to correctly predict medical consequences of hormonal disorders.

Topics covered are listed below.

  1. Normal function of major endocrine organs, pituitary, thyroid, endocrine pancreas, parathyroid, thyroid C-cells, ovaries, hypothalamus.
  2. Major function and medical effects of over or under production of hormones including insulin, growth hormone, ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH, vasopressin, oxytocin, CRH, TRH, GnRH, GHRH, prolactin.
  3. Importance of hormonal and metabolic feedback systems and the ability to predict the consequences of interruption of feedback at any point.
  4. The structural organization of endocrine organs, the hormones produced by specific cell types and ability to correctly identify cell types and hormones produced by them in histologic or anatomical specimens.
  5. The control of metabolism by hormones and the impact of nutrition on hormonal function and the causes and consequences of obesity.