Learning objectives
At the end of the training the student must have acquired knowledge related to the physiology of the digestive system, endocrine digestive with reference to animals of zootechnical interest.
In particular, the student should be able to:
a) Know the physiological mechanisms of domestic pets that control reproductive, digestive and behavioural functions.
b) Be able to use the specific language of the discipline and the appropriate scientific terminology.
c) Understanding the interactions and operations between the various organic systems and the effects of behaviour on welfare
d) Be able to clearly explain the physiology, ethology and welfare livestock animals
e) Knowing how to discuss the topics of physiology of pets on the basis of acquired knowledge and zootechnical needs with independent judgment.
f) Link the various topics discussed with each other and with the disciplines related to animal production.
g) Understanding the neuro-physiological bases of animal behaviour.
h) Develop critical analysis skills aimed at solving problems related to the future profession. Training objectives of the practical part: reinforce the principles discussed during the lessons and allow a direct experience of acquisition and interpretation of physiological and behavioral parameters.
Prerequisites
none as described in the didactic statment
Course unit content
The course consider the study of physiological mechanisms that supervise the organic functions that control reproduction, the digestive system, locomotor system, metabolism and animal welfare. Then re treated the systems that control homeostasis of the organism with a close attention to acid-basic and electrochemical system. Are considered in detail the hormonal mechanisms that control the main production in livestock animals. During the course is carried out a depth description of neurohormonal mechanisms that control stress in domestic animal raised under intensive farming. The course considers the ethology of domestic animals and describes the different etogram of livestock species. During the course are treated the technological systems and the biotechnology that can be apply in improving animal welfare and breeding of the livestock farming.
It will be also treated technology that can be applied in intensive farm to adapt the animal to the intensive farming and how to improve their welfare.
Full programme
1 CFU The control of movement and the metabolism of muscolar system.The metabolism: The neuroendocrine control of the metabolism. The effects of nutrient on metabolism. The catabolism and anabolism.
1 CFU. Physiology digestive system in monogastric and ruminant species. The rumen metabolism and the control of the ruminal activity in dairy cow.
1 CFU The physiology of acid-basic system and the buffer system. Thermoregulation: The control of thermoregulation in domestic animals and effect of heat stress on animal production
1 CFU The management of reproduction: The neurohormonal control of physiology of reproduction. The physiology of oestrus cycle. The control of oestrus cycle, ovulation induction and synchronization. The heat behavior and the system to detect it. The system to synchronize ovulation and fixed time artificial insemination.
1 CFU The stress and the neuroendocrine mechanism that control of the stress. The hyphothalamus pituitary and adrenal cortecs axis. The adrenal system.
Homeostasis and the neuroendocrine mechanism that control of physiology of homeostasis.
Bibliography
Notes taken during the course. Recent publish article on the topic of the corse
• Gobetto, Pelagalli, Anatomia e Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici, UTET
• Guyton, A. Trattato di Fisiologia Medica,.C., PICCIN, Padova.
• Cunningham,J.G., Texbook of Veterinary Physiology, Saunders Company, USA.
• Duke's, Physiology of Domestic Animals, Melvin, J.S., Cordell University press.
• De Rensis Fisiologia degli Animali domestici
• Eckert R, Fisiologia animale, Zanichelli, Bologna.
• Moruzzi G. Fisiologia della vita di relazione, UTET, Torino.
• Gordon Fisiologia Animale Piccin
• Schmidt Nielsen Fisiologia Animale Piccin
Siaastad, K. Hove, O. Sand: Physiology of Domestic Animals, 2nd Edition, Scandinavian Veterinary Press, P. Jensen: The Ethology of Domestic
Animals, 2nd Edition, An Introductory Text, CABI Publishing.
• Carenzi, Corrado; Panzera, Michele, Etologia applicata e benessere animale a cura di Corrado Carenzi e Michele Panzera. Milano: PVI Point vétérinaire Italie, 2008. Parte 1 e Parte 2
• Grandin, Temple, Improving animal welfarea practical approachby Temple Grandin. Wallingford: Oxfordshire, Cambridge (MA), CABI, 2010
Teaching methods
The itinerary of teaching in relation to the objectives stated above will consist in lectures, exercises, seminars, workshops, research at the library. In class it will be discuss the general issues associated with the animal physiology related to livestock production. The practical exercises will aim to provide the opportunity for each student in taking autonomous solution to real problems that have been placed. These activities will be programmed so that within each exercise the student can achieve virtually solutions to problems delineated in theoretical form during class.
Assessment methods and criteria
Discussion during the lecture
Oral exam that will be based on multiple question and discussion of one or two specific subject. It will be required to show the ability to discuss a subject of the program and link the different subject between them
To the students with diagnosis of specific learning disability (DSA) certified under law n. 170/2010, proper specific support will be provided.
