Learning objectives
Students will learn the fundamental notions of general toxicology and the principal toxins present in the environment, expressly added to the diet or unintentionally present in the nutrition used in the production of animal-derived food products. In addition, students will develop knowledge of the toxins that occur most frequently in livestock production in order to evaluate their presence in livestock, and in the feed and other nutritional substances used for animals. This knowledge enables students to evaluate the possible toxic effects of such substances and the resulting pathologies in animals ingesting such toxins. Lastly, students will learn the frequency and degree of danger caused by toxins accumulating in foods of animal origin destined for human consumption, which can be a cause of disease.
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have a satisfactory knowledge of the chemistry, biochemistry and physiology of domestic animals
Course unit content
The course comprises the study of the general principles of toxicology, including toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. The study of the principal toxins in commercial livestock, such as pesticides, heavy metals, microtoxins, nitrogen compounds, pharmaceuticals and anabolising substances. Compounds with a toxic effect are studied in terms of chemical formula, sources of contamination, contaminated foods, mechanisms of action, the principal clinical symptoms, anatomical-pathological reports.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Recommended textbook: Beretta, Tossicologia veterinaria, Ed. Grasso
Teaching methods
The course comprises two types of lesson: frontal, theoretical lessons, and applied practical lessons. The final exam test consists of a written paper and an oral test.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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