ANIMAL WELFARE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
cod. 1012186

Academic year 2024/25
4° year of course - Second semester
Professors
Academic discipline
Fisiologia veterinaria (VET/02)
Field
A scelta dello studente
Type of training activity
Student's choice
32 hours
of face-to-face activities
4 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

At the end of the training activity the student should have acquired knowledge relating to the physiology with reference to animals of zootechnical interest with respect to the control of thermal stress and thermoregulation
In particular, the student should be able to:
a) Know the physiological mechanisms or mechanisms that control thermoregulation
b) behavioral adaptations of livestock animals to high temperatures.
b) To be able to use the specific language of the discipline and the appropriate scientific terminology.
c) Understand the interactions and functioning between the various organic systems and the effects of thermal stress on well-being
d) Be able to clearly explain the physiology, ethology and well-being of domestic animals
e) Know how to discuss pet physiology topics based on the knowledge acquired and the need for adaptation to climatic variations
f) Connect the different topics covered with each other and with the disciplines related to animal production.
f) Understand the neuro-physiological bases of animal behavior. Develop critical analysis skills aimed at solving problems related to the future profession.
Training objectives of the practical part: to reinforce the principles discussed during the lessons and allow direct experience of acquisition and interpretation of physiological and behavioral parameters.

Prerequisites

none as described in the didactic statment

Course unit content

The course concerns the climatic effects and thermal stress of physiological mechanisms that control organic functions especially of the reproductive, digestive and endocrine systems. The systems that control the body's homeostasis to counteract thermal stress, such as the acid-base system and electrochemical balance, will therefore be covered. The hormonal mechanisms that supervise the production of animals of zootechnical interest subjected to climatic variations will be taken into consideration. It will continue with a detailed and in-depth description of the thermoregulation system and the different ethograms of the species of zootechnical interest used to counteract thermal stress. Topics on the welfare of animals of zootechnical interest in relation to the climate will then be covered.
Finally, breeding systems that can improve the well-being of domestic animals raised in intensive and semi-intensive farms subjected to subtropical and tropical climates will be presented.

Full programme

1 CFU
The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. in animals subjected to thermal stress. The effects of thermoregulation on the gastrointestinal, respiratory, muscular and reproductive systems
The digestive processes of ruminants and equines subjected to thermal stress. CFU The body's water and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance and thermoregulation

1 CFU The management of the effect of climatic variations in intensive and semi-intensive livestock farms. Stress in pets and the mechanisms that control it. Wellbeing in domestic animals and systems to implement their welfare even in intensive or semi-intensive farming in the presence of a non-thermoneutral environment.

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 teaching methods and teaching methodologies in relation to the educational objectives stated above will consist of lectures, exercises, seminars, laboratory activities, research in the archive or library.
The activities will take place in telepresence through the use of the Teams and Elly platforms. In particular, they will be
lessons were carried out both in synchronous mode (via Teams) and asynchronously (uploaded on the Elly page of the course). During the lessons the general problems connected with physiology will be discussed, with particular attention to pets.
The practical exercises, if carried out, will have the purpose of providing the possibility for each student to be able to measure themselves in the design of autonomous solutions to the real problems that will be posed. These activities will be programmed so that within each exercise the student can practically realize the solutions of the problems outlined in theoretical form during the lessons.
and Elly platforms. In particular, they will be
lessons were carried out both in synchronous mode (via Teams) and asynchronously (uploaded on the Elly page of the course). During the lessons the general problems connected with physiology will be discussed, with particular attention to pets.
The practical exercises, if carried out, will have the purpose of providing the possibility for each student to be able to measure themselves in the design of autonomous solutions to the real problems that will be posed. These activities will be programmed so that within each exercise the student can practically realize the solutions of the problems outlined in theoretical form during the lessons.

Assessment methods and criteria

The exam includes a written test with open answers , multiple answers and an oral test. The duration of the written test is 30 minutes. The weight of the individual questions is equal. The total score will be of 30 points. The results of the written test are communicated to the students on the day of the oral test. Students with SLD, SEN or disability must send requests to be able to take advantage of compensatory and / or dispensatory measures during the exam at least 10 working days before the date scheduled for the exam by e-mail addressed to the teacher holding the '' teaching and cc to the Department Coordinator (list of contact persons and related email addresses available here http://cai.unipr.it/it/student-con-dsa-e-con-bes/42/) and to the Reception Center and Inclusion (cai@unipr.it)

Other information

- - -