Learning objectives
At the end of the course the student will have understood and know in detail the fundamental mechanisms connected to animal production. He/she should possess knowledge of the useful biotechnology in the main species of veterinary interest.
Students should demonstrate to know all the items present in the program; in particular, students should show to be able to link the different arguments, to have a deep knowledge of the topics and to speech properly.
In particular:
MODULE OF BIOTECHNOLOGIES APPLIED TO ANIMAL PRODUCTION
This course is to give to student also the genetic basis of milk production and, in general, possible applications of biotechnologies to the improvement of the dairy-technological quality of milk and the genetic improvement of breeding animals.
MODULE OF GROWTH ENDOCRINOLOGY
This course is designed to give students knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms regulating growth and metabolic activity of domestic animals. He/she should possess knowledge of the useful biotechnology in the main species of veterinary interest.
Prerequisites
Human and animal physiology
Course unit content
The course is divided into two modules:
Biotechnology applied to animal production and Endocrinology of growth.
Module: BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLIED TO ANIMAL PRODUCTION
The first lessons concern milk and its characteristics with particular interest to physical-chemical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of proteins.
traceability f products of animal origin is the second part of the course.
The last lessons are about the genetic improvement, QTL and marker assisted selection.
MODULE: GROWTH ENDOCRINOLOGY
The course begins with fetal programming lessons in relation to the improvement of production performance in livestock species.
The core of the course covers the endocrine system with reference to the main metabolic hormones (natural and synthetic hormones).
The third part of the course is about the regulation of energy metabolism, in particular with reference to the role of adipose tissue and adipokines.
The final lectures concern the rumen and the manipulation of the flora/fauna rumen.
Full programme
Module of “Biotecnology applied to Animal Productions:
Milk: production and basic characteristics; milk structure: the soluble phase, the colloidal system, emulsified substances; milk proteins: physico-chemical, biochemical and genetic (haplotypes) aspects; casein micellar structure and milk coagulation; genetic polymorphism of milk proteins: methods for the identification of genetic variants; effects of protein variants (single locus and haplotypes) on dairy-technological and nutritional properties of milk; k-casein polymorphism of bovine milk: methodological approach for the identification and quantification in milk of the B variant; application of biotechnology to milk production: biotechnology and mastitis, biotechnology and milk adulteration; traceability of animal products; genetic improvement, QTL and marker assisted selection
Module of “Growing Endocrinology”:
Hormones and facotrs involved in growth regulation (GH, IGFs, glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, steroids). Energy balance and food intake: level of control and hormonal regulation ( POMC, orexin, NPY, AGRP). Adipose tissue: a multifunctional organ: the adipokines. The rumen.
Bibliography
Module of “Biotecnology applied to Animal Productions: ALAIS C.: Scienza del latte - principi di tecnologia del latte e derivati. Ed. Tecniche Nuove, Milano,2000
FOX P.F., McSWEENEY P.: Advanced dairy chemistry. Vol. 1 e Vol. 2. Ed. Kluwer Academic, London.
Scientific papers
Module of “Growing Endocrinology”: Sherwood, Klandorf & Yancey "Fisiologia degli animali - dai geni agli organismi" Ed. Zanichelli
Swenson & Reece "Fisiologia deghli aniamli domestici" ed. Idelson-Gnocchi
Scientific papers
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra lectures, seminars, practical activities with some time dedicated to deepening and discussion.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final oral examination. Students should demonstrate to know all the items present in the program; in particular, students should show to be able to link the different arguments, to have a deep knowledge of the topics and to speech properly.
The exam will be considered as passed if the student demonstrates that has sufficient knowledge of the arguments that have been treated during the course.
Other information
Computer slides, lab instruments, scientific papers that are provided to the students during the course. Slides of the lessons are given to the students at the end of the course.
