Biophysiology of Reproduction, Sexology and Andrology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Provide students with the main scientific knowledge of reproduction biophysiology, sexology, medical andrology, and preconceptional eugenics.
Know the main problems concerning women's health such as fertility regulation, preconceptional health, menopause, genital infections, diagnostic and surgical techniques of the main benign gynecological pathologies.
Know the methods of family planning and methods of sex education.
Know the mechanisms of transmission and expression of genetic information, in particular preconception screening methods and the main genetic pathologies.
Know the structural and relational vision of couples, families and groups.
Know the definitions of sexuality and its functions and the tools to recognize risk situations related to sexual violence and maltreatment
Know the main problems concerning women's health such as fertility regulation, preconceptional health, menopause, genital infections, diagnostic and surgical techniques of the main benign gynecological pathologies.
Know the methods of family planning and methods of sex education.
Know the mechanisms of transmission and expression of genetic information, in particular preconception screening methods and the main genetic pathologies.
Know the structural and relational vision of couples, families and groups.
Know the definitions of sexuality and its functions and the tools to recognize risk situations related to sexual violence and maltreatment
Expected learning outcomes
Perform a clinical reasoning aimed at identifying the main pathologies studied during the course, to Recognize the most frequent forms of gynecological, endocrinological and genetic diseases, and to Promote prevention and health education related to them. They will also have acquired skills related to the professional figure of the Health Assistant and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination
All the exams take place on the same day.
All the exams take place on the same day.
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Course syllabus
· Anatomy of the female genital tract
· Physiology and pathology of the menstrual cycle
· Contraception: natural and pharmacological methods for controlling fertility
· Infertility and assisted reproduction
· Abortion
· The climacteric: clinical and therapeutic aspects
· Gynecological emergencies: adnexal torsion, hemorrhagic corpus luteum, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy
· Genital tract infections
· Benign gynecological pathology: fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis
· Early diagnosis of cervical tumors (HPV)
· Prenatal diagnosis: amniocentesis, villocentesis, bi-test, DNA test
· Instrumental diagnostics in gynecology: gynecological ultrasound, colposcopy, hysteroscopy
· Physiology and pathology of the menstrual cycle
· Contraception: natural and pharmacological methods for controlling fertility
· Infertility and assisted reproduction
· Abortion
· The climacteric: clinical and therapeutic aspects
· Gynecological emergencies: adnexal torsion, hemorrhagic corpus luteum, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy
· Genital tract infections
· Benign gynecological pathology: fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis
· Early diagnosis of cervical tumors (HPV)
· Prenatal diagnosis: amniocentesis, villocentesis, bi-test, DNA test
· Instrumental diagnostics in gynecology: gynecological ultrasound, colposcopy, hysteroscopy
Teaching methods
Frontal Lessons
Teaching Resources
Ginecologia e Ostetricia - di Zanoio - Barcellona - Zacche' (ediz. MASSON)
La clinica ostetrica e ginecologica - di Candiani Giovanni B. Vittorio Danesino Attilio Gastaldi (ediz. Elsevier)
Ginecologia e Ostetricia - di Zanoio - Barcellona - Zacche' (ediz. MASSON)
La clinica ostetrica e ginecologica - di Candiani Giovanni B. Vittorio Danesino Attilio Gastaldi (ediz. Elsevier)
La clinica ostetrica e ginecologica - di Candiani Giovanni B. Vittorio Danesino Attilio Gastaldi (ediz. Elsevier)
Ginecologia e Ostetricia - di Zanoio - Barcellona - Zacche' (ediz. MASSON)
La clinica ostetrica e ginecologica - di Candiani Giovanni B. Vittorio Danesino Attilio Gastaldi (ediz. Elsevier)
Endocrinology
Course syllabus
Introduction to the course;
- Introduction to the Endocrine System;
- Classification of hormones and their mechanisms of action;
- Description of the hypothalamic-pituitary system and functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes with particular attention to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis;
- Sexual differentiation and gonadal development: determination of chromosomal sex, gonadal sex, phenotypic sex and psychological sex; Classification of sexual differentiation disorders: Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome
- Puberty: physiology, precocious puberty and delayed puberty.
- Ovarian physiology: synthesis and function of estrogen and progesterone; description of the menstrual cycle.
- Description of primary and secondary, hypo-/hyper- and normogondatropic amenorrhea.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Hyperprolactinemic syndromes
- Fertility and thyroid
- Pregnancy and thyroid function
- Physiological and iatrogenic menopause, Premature ovarian failure.
- Peripheral and central male hypogonadism, male late-onset hypogonadism (LOH)
- Cryptorchidism, varicocele
- Gynecomastia
- Erectile dysfuntcion
- Testis tumors
- Introduction to the Endocrine System;
- Classification of hormones and their mechanisms of action;
- Description of the hypothalamic-pituitary system and functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes with particular attention to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis;
- Sexual differentiation and gonadal development: determination of chromosomal sex, gonadal sex, phenotypic sex and psychological sex; Classification of sexual differentiation disorders: Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome
- Puberty: physiology, precocious puberty and delayed puberty.
- Ovarian physiology: synthesis and function of estrogen and progesterone; description of the menstrual cycle.
- Description of primary and secondary, hypo-/hyper- and normogondatropic amenorrhea.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Hyperprolactinemic syndromes
- Fertility and thyroid
- Pregnancy and thyroid function
- Physiological and iatrogenic menopause, Premature ovarian failure.
- Peripheral and central male hypogonadism, male late-onset hypogonadism (LOH)
- Cryptorchidism, varicocele
- Gynecomastia
- Erectile dysfuntcion
- Testis tumors
Teaching methods
Frontal Lessons
Teaching Resources
- Malattie del sistema endocrino e del metabolismo 5/ed - MacGraw-Hill. Autori: G. Faglia, P. Beck-Peccoz, A. Spada
- Core curriculum. Endocrinologia e metabolismo - MacGraw-Hill. Autori: G. Faglia, P. Beck-Peccoz, A. Spada, A. Lania
- Core curriculum. Endocrinologia e metabolismo - MacGraw-Hill. Autori: G. Faglia, P. Beck-Peccoz, A. Spada, A. Lania
Medical genetics
Course syllabus
Human karyotype:
- Chromosome structure, function and classification
- Somatic cell division: the mitosis
- Germ cell division: the meiosis
- Spermatogenesis and ovogenesis
- Numerical chromosome abnormalities: non-disjunction at meiosis I and II
- Balanced and unbalanced structural chromosome abnormalities
- Genetic sex determination: the importance of SRY gene
- Genetic causes of male and female infertility
- Genetic inheritance:
- Dominant and recessive traits
- Monogenic diseases inheritance: the study of family trees
- Introduction to prenatal diagnosis
- Invasive vs non-invasive prenatal test
- Issues related to prenatal diagnosis
- Genetic tests and genetic counselling
- Chromosome structure, function and classification
- Somatic cell division: the mitosis
- Germ cell division: the meiosis
- Spermatogenesis and ovogenesis
- Numerical chromosome abnormalities: non-disjunction at meiosis I and II
- Balanced and unbalanced structural chromosome abnormalities
- Genetic sex determination: the importance of SRY gene
- Genetic causes of male and female infertility
- Genetic inheritance:
- Dominant and recessive traits
- Monogenic diseases inheritance: the study of family trees
- Introduction to prenatal diagnosis
- Invasive vs non-invasive prenatal test
- Issues related to prenatal diagnosis
- Genetic tests and genetic counselling
Teaching methods
Whole class teaching
Teaching Resources
"Genetica Medica Essenziale" Dallapiccola-Novelli, CIC Edizioni Internazionali
Applied medical techniques
Course syllabus
a. The Role of the Health Assistant in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Communication and Brief Counseling on Sensitive Issues
b. Contraception and Family Planning: Brief Counseling and Adherence
c. Preconception Health and Lifestyle Promotion
d. STI Prevention: Screening, Networking, Counseling, Information/Education
e. Menopause and Women's Sexual Health: Needs and Counseling
f. Basic Andrology for Prevention: Fertility and Male Sexuality
g. Ethical-Legal Aspects and Protection: Consent, Privacy, Minors, Violence
h. Sex Education: Designing Effective Interventions (School/Community) Part One
i. Sex Education: Designing Effective Interventions (School/Community) Part Two
b. Contraception and Family Planning: Brief Counseling and Adherence
c. Preconception Health and Lifestyle Promotion
d. STI Prevention: Screening, Networking, Counseling, Information/Education
e. Menopause and Women's Sexual Health: Needs and Counseling
f. Basic Andrology for Prevention: Fertility and Male Sexuality
g. Ethical-Legal Aspects and Protection: Consent, Privacy, Minors, Violence
h. Sex Education: Designing Effective Interventions (School/Community) Part One
i. Sex Education: Designing Effective Interventions (School/Community) Part Two
Teaching methods
Frontal Lessons and practical sessions
Teaching Resources
Istituto Superiore di Sanità - Documents and reports on sexual and reproductive health
· Ministry of Health - Materials on prevention, counseling, and reproductive health
· World Health Organization - Documents on sexual health and sexuality education
· Slides and additional materials (brochures, articles)
· Simonelli C. (ed.), Psychology of sexual and affective development, Carocci Editore
· Sexual and Reproductive Health, Springer
· An Introduction to Sexuality Education, Handbook for Health Care Providers
· Ministry of Health - Materials on prevention, counseling, and reproductive health
· World Health Organization - Documents on sexual health and sexuality education
· Slides and additional materials (brochures, articles)
· Simonelli C. (ed.), Psychology of sexual and affective development, Carocci Editore
· Sexual and Reproductive Health, Springer
· An Introduction to Sexuality Education, Handbook for Health Care Providers
Modules or teaching units
Applied medical techniques
MED/50 - APPLIED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND METHODOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Sgarella Cinzia
Endocrinology
MED/13 - ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Professors:
Bonomi Marco, Colombo Carla
Medical genetics
MED/03 - MEDICAL GENETICS - University credits: 1
Lessons: 10 hours
Professor:
Tabano Silvia Maria
Obstetrics and gynaecology
MED/40 - OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 10 hours
Professor:
Vignali Michele
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday 14-15 (appointment requested)
IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano - Via Mosè Bianchi 90 - 20149 Milano
Reception:
Available on request
RCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Pad. Invernizzi - 5th floor, wing B