LACTATION BIOLOGY (ANIMAL SCIENCE 337)
Spring Semester, 2016
11:00 – 12:15 T-Th, 0105 CURTISS
Instructors:
Dr. Leo Timms, 123C Kildee Hall, 294-4522, 515-291-7371 ltimms@iastate.edu
Dr. Howard Tyler, 123A Kildee Hall, 294-6434, htyler@iastate.edu
Aislinn Pomfret, 715-441-8097, apomfret@iastate.edu
Logan Goff, 563-260-4660, lpgoff@iastate.edu
Emily Davis, 651-249-9416, emdavis@iastate.edu
Course objectives: 1. Understand the development, morphology, physiology, biochemistry,
and immunology of mammary glands of many mammalian species.
2. Understand the chemical and biological properties and functional
importance of lacteal secretions, and milk synthesis and secretion.
3. Application of obj. 1 & 2 for manipulating mammary glands (“real world”).
 Have FUN while learning!
References:
Textbook: (recommended, not required) : Lactation and the Mammary
Gland. R. Michael Akers. 2002. Iowa State Press. ~$75 ($60 used). Available
at both book stores.
Lactation Biology Website (AnS 308 University of Illinois): REQUIRED.
Other references: (available in my office or 305 Kildee)
Lactation. 1985. Larson.
Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences (2002)
Course materials:
Lecture notes / access to U of IL: computer lab under AS 337; handouts.
Projects:
1. 5 page paper on any aspect of lactation in any species but dairy cattle.
Paper must contain 5 references. Paper due date is Thursday March 10,
2016 by midnight! Topics due to me by February 12, 2016 (in person).
(Aislinn)
2. Magical minutes of mammals: 2-3 minute oral presentation highlighting
key findings from paper. (2-4 ppt. slides submitted prior – last 1/3 semester)
(All)
3. Lactation ethics discussions/ debates: Students will be assigned to groups
of 6-8. Two groups will be assigned to each topic (one pro and one con)
and will write a short bulleted (1-2 page) position paper on the topic.
Positon paper (bullet points and references) is due at debate!!!!
Each group will present a 5-8 minute oral defense (formal presentation)
followed by a 5-10 min Q and A. Everyone in a group must present.
Presentations will be during the final exam slot time. Grades for paper,
presentation, response to Q’s, and discussion. (70% group; 30% individual).
(Emily)
4. Current events and/ or lactation topic: each student 2X/ semester/Front of
class/discussion: Find a current event (preferred) or lactation topic and/ or facts
Send site / topic to Emily and Dr. Timms. Bring article to class: 2-3 min. to
present. State your name / the article title/ where you found/ article summary!
Exams:
There will be 3 exams during the semester and no final exam.
Exam dates: February 9, March 29, April 21. (not comprehensive).
Quizzes: Eight. See syllabus!
**** Extra credit ****
**** Extra credit ****
**** Extra credit ****
 Multiple problems / searches over the semester ( help on exam and grades!!)
Grading/evaluation:
Total course is worth 675 points: (excludes extra credit!!)
Exams: 100 points apiece or 300 points.
Paper: 125 points (20% oral or 25 points–“magical minute” moments!)
Ethics: 100 points (70% group, 30% individual)
Current Events: 50 points (25 points each – 2 presentations)
Quizzes: Eight of them! 80 points or more (can drop or omit one quiz)
Class participation: PRICELESS! (But worth 20 points)
Proposed 2016 Class Schedule:
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Fr
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Jan.
Feb
Mar.
.
Apr
12
14
19
21
26
28
2
4
9
11
12
16
18
23
25
1
3
8
10
10
15
17
22
24*
29**
31*
5*
7*
12*
14*
19*
21**
26*
28*
Introduction, syllabus, Assign. Illinois AS 308 Lactation Biology Webpage
Evolution of the mammary gland and secretions. (QUIZ)
Morphology and development of the mammary gland
Mammary cell cytology: Organelles involved in milk synthesis (Aislinn) (QUIZ)
Hormonal control of mammogenesis, lactogenesis/ galactopoiesis
Neuro-endocrine control of lactation (QUIZ) (Logan)
Other systems: Support, Circulation, Nervous, Lymph (Sarah)
Comparison of mammary gland of different species (Emily) /(Wet Lab-Emily)
*** First Exam!
First Exam!
First Exam!
Milk components and their precursors
Paper topics due!!!
Mammary carbohydrate synthesis and secretion
Mammary protein synthesis and secretion (QUIZ)
Mammary lipid synthesis and secretion
Minerals and vitamins (QUIZ)
Physical and chemical properties of milk / colostrogenesis (Tyler)
Colostral composition/ colostral substitutes / milk formulas (Tyler)
Maternal support- lactation / Nutritional properties of milk (Emily)
Genetic / Nutritional manipulation of milk composition (QUIZ) (Logan)
Paper due! (by Midnight Thursday March 10).
SPRING BREAK – ENJOY!
SPRING BREAK – ENJOY!
Nutritional manipulation affecting composition and yield of milk
Management factors affecting milk yield /comp. (Aislinn) /(Wet Lab –Logan)
Second Exam!
Second Exam
Second Exam!
Basics of Immunology
Mammary gland immune system (Immune system (cookie) lab / Aislinn)
Mammary immunity and mastitis (QUIZ)
Mastitis detection / interpretation
Mastitis control and therapy (QUIZ)
New approaches to mastitis control/ Current topics in lactation!!! (Aislinn)
Third Exam
Mag.minutes/ Current topics in lactation!!! (Logan)
Magical minutes / Current topics in lactation!!! (Emily) Ethics Papers due!
!!!! (class evaluation – computerized!!! –mandatory) Written class evaluation due!!!!.
* During these dates, the last 25 minutes of class will encompass 7-8 presentations (2-3 minute oral
presentations on highlighted findings from your lactation papers) – “Magical Minutes of Mammals”!
** Exam Review sessions: Sun. Feb 7, Sun. March 27, Tues. April 19.
Final Exam slot:
7 PM? 104 Kildee?
Lactation Ethics Presentations and discussions Mon. May 2 9:45 – 11:45 am