Computer Simulated Endocrine Physiology1

Rosalinda Mercedes E. Castillo

Abstract Experiments in Physiology have always been one of the hardest to perform because these are tedious and time consuming, not to mention the use of live specimens and expensive reagents. In this workshop, participants will remove the ovary of experimental rats, inject estrogen, excise and weight the uterus after a specified time frame. The activity will normally take a week or two to perform, but using the computer software, will be done in 20 30 minutes. Results showed that in the hormone replacement therapy experiment, the injection of estrogen resulted in the development of the uterine lining of the rat. This is manifested by the 6-fold increase in the weight of the uterus. Computer simulation does not always give the expected results. It is incumbent upon the teacher/investigator to explain the discrepancies and draw up his/her own conclusion.

Presented during the 41st Annual BIOTA Convention and Scientific Sessions, April 6 8, 2006, Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City