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This course will apprise participants how different hormones can influence life processes and strategies of animals from the perspective of ecology (and also behavioural ecology and ecophysiology), evolutionary biology and physiology (including macrophysiology and conservation physiology). It is mainly focused on vertebrates, the most studied group in this field. However, mechanisms involved in invertebrates will be also mentioned in selected chapters. For its interdisciplinary character it is rather intended for students of the MSc. program. The previous completion of Animal biology, Animal ecology, Basics of animal physiology or Morphology of animals is recommended.
Last update: Kubička Lukáš, RNDr., Ph.D. (26.04.2015)
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Adkins-Regan A.: Hormones and animal social behavior, Princeton University Press Flatt T., Heyland A. (Eds.): Mechanisms of life-history evolution. Oxford University Press Kardong K.V.: Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution (any edition) Nelson R.J.: An introduction to behavioral endokrinology, Sinauer Associates (any edition) Norris D.O.: Vertebrate endokrinology, Academic Press Elsevier (any edition) Norris D.O., Lopez K.H. (Eds.): Hormones and reproduction of vertebrates, vol. 1-5. Academic Press Elsevier Last update: Kubička Lukáš, RNDr., Ph.D. (28.04.2013)
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Exam is primary oral. However, students are allowed to elaborate an assay on one of the main topics of the subject, which may positively contribute to the student evaluation at the examination. More details will be provided at the first lecture of the course. Last update: Kubička Lukáš, RNDr., Ph.D. (26.04.2015)
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• The endocrine system features and evolution of the endocrine system and organs with endocrine function; the origin of major hormones and receptors; cellular and molecular mechanisms of hormone action and its regulation
• Hormonal control of endogenous processes and biological rhythms principles and mechanisms of homeostasis; metabolism, food intake and resource management; fluctuation of homeostatic processes; stressors and the evolution of stress responses, the general adaptation syndrome; temporal adaptive function of endogenous biological clocks and its synchronization with geophysical cycles; endocrine disruptors
• Hormonal control of life cycles the origin of the complexity of life-cycles; vertebrate metamorphosis; metamorphosis in holometabolous insects; sex determination and differentiation; the phylogeny of sex-determining system; sex-changing fish; evolution and ontogeny of sexual dimorphism; puberty; sexual maturity; aging
• Hormonal control of reproduction types of reproduction; organisation and activation of sex-specific traits; ovarian cycles; menopause; sex-specific reproductive behaviour and its components; the origin of viviparity; changes connected with superfetation; endocrine correlates of parental care in individual vertebrate groups; altriciality vs. precociality
• Hormonal control of social interactions affiliation, aggression and its adaptive function; stress in social environment, sensitisation and habituation; the timing of puberty and dispersal strategies; sex-specific differences in associative and non-associative learning and memory Last update: Kubička Lukáš, RNDr., Ph.D. (28.04.2013)
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KNOWLEDGE Students completing the course will be able to: Explain the structure, evolution, and functional diversity of endocrine systems across major vertebrate and invertebrate groups. Describe the origin, regulation, and mechanisms of action of major hormones and their receptors. Understand hormonal regulation of homeostasis, metabolism, stress responses, and biological rhythms in ecological and evolutionary contexts. Summarize endocrine control of life-history traits, including metamorphosis, sex determination, sexual maturation, aging, and complex life cycles. Discuss hormonal mechanisms underlying reproduction, parental care strategies, and other social behaviours from a comparative and evolutionary perspective.
SKILLS Students completing the course will be able to: Integrate endocrinology with ecological, physiological, and evolutionary frameworks to explain animal life strategies. Synthesize interdisciplinary information by connecting endocrinology with concepts from behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology to solve complex biological problems. Analyze the trade-offs involved in hormonal regulation, such as the energy allocation between body maintenance, growth, and reproduction under stress. Compare and contrast the endocrine control of reproduction (e.g., viviparity vs. oviparity, altriciality vs. precociality) to interpret different evolutionary life strategies. Interpret the effects of environmental factors (photoperiod, temperature, social environment, endocrine disruptors) on the hormonal status and subsequent fitness of an organism.
COMPETENCES Students completing the course will be able to: Synthesize knowledge from endocrinology, ecology, physiology, and evolutionary biology to analyze organism–environment interactions. Assess the adaptive significance of hormonal mechanisms shaping behaviour, reproduction, and social systems. Recognize the relevance of endocrine processes in applied contexts such as conservation physiology, environmental stress, and endocrine disruption. Formulate hypotheses related to hormonal control of life-history and behavioural traits. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and practical implications of using animal models in endocrinological research. Last update: Kubička Lukáš, RNDr., Ph.D. (30.01.2026)
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