Larry Reynolds, University Distinguished Professor of animal sciences, is teaching for the “Biology and Technology of Reproduction In Mammals” master’s program at the University of Murcia in Murcia, Spain.
The program, which is in its 13th year, enrolls 20 students per year. Each student must complete formal coursework in reproduction in mammals during the academic year and a 12-credit internship during the summer semester, and also must write a master’s dissertation. Graduates of the program are employed in assisted reproduction or infertility laboratories in research and commercial or clinical settings throughout the world. Numerous graduates have gone on to pursue their doctorates.
The faculty are from the veterinary faculty (where Reynolds is working) and the Faculty of Medicine. Program instructors are typically from the University of Murcia, other universities and private companies.
Reynolds has lectured on “Histological organization of the Reproductive Tract,” “Physiology of Pregnancy in Domestic Animals” and “Physiology of Parturtion,” and has assisted with several laboratory exercises, including “Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System in Humans and Livestock,” “Identification of Stage of the Estrous Cycle by Observing the Ovary” and “Collection of Oviductal Fluid and its use in Culture of Oocytes.” He also has directed student seminars on “Effects of steroid and other endocrine disruptors on testicular function,” “Steroids and endocrine disruptors in female reproductive function” and “Effects of maternal stressors on fetal and placental development.”
Reynolds also is taking part in research by the animal physiology group of the veterinary faculty, which is primarily focused on improved methods of in vitro fertilization in livestock and humans.
Reynolds was one of three keynote speakers at the closing and opening ceremony for the program, in which the graduating students from 2016-17 received diplomas and the incoming 2017-18 students were welcomed. In addition, he participated in a public outreach event for STEM disciplines at the University of Murcia’s downtown campus as well as a meeting in Lorca, Spain, sponsored by a regional pork producers’ group.
During the academic year, students in the program have lectures and laboratories for eight to 10 hours per day, five days per week. The formal coursework covers 16 subjects in mammalian reproduction, ranging from morphology and function of the male and female reproductive systems to reproductive problems to assisted reproductive techniques to ethics of reproductive technologies.
Reynolds arrived in Spain on Sept. 23. His participation in the program and research at the University of Murcia is being funded by a Senior Fulbright Scholar award. Reynolds and his wife, Kay, are staying in Las Torres de Cotillas, a small city near Murcia. He will be at the University of Murcia until Dec. 20.
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