INSTRUCTING THE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY GRADUATE STUDENT IN HUMAN ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Animal physiology graduate students provide an excellent personnel res ource for laboratories performing human assisted reproductive technolo gy (ART) procedures. However, the basic training of these students fal ls short of what is required for this highly specialized field. We des igned a course to enhance their education in this area via classroom a nd hands-on laboratory instruction in a hospital and university settin g. Topics covered in the course included in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture, embryo transfer, quality control, qual ity assurance, micromanipulation, and cryopreservation. These techniqu es were applied to a group project to evaluate the influence of sperma tozoal quality and quantity on early embryonic development in cattle a nd humans. Student grades were based on 1) oral and written examinatio ns; 2) demonstrated competency in laboratory techniques; 3) presentati on of class project data at a state academy of science meeting; and 4) initiative, determination, and interest in the coursework. Three aspe cts of the course stood out as very positive. First, the team approach to accomplishing a class project was new to some of the graduate stud ents. Second, a bond was formed between hospital- and university-based faculty that did and will continue to foster unique teaching and rese arch opportunities between the two groups. Third, the opportunity for students to present research data in a formal setting was very rewardi ng. This course made the students keenly aware of the many aspects of ART and provided them with specialized skills that should make them mo re marketable in the field of reproductive technology.