B8417 - Physiology of the Digestive Tract

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student knows the basics of the physiological function of the digestive tract and the regulatory role of endocrine hormones on animal metabolism. In particular the student: knows the functions of the digestive tract in monogastric animals and cranial and caudal fermenting herbivores; knows the GI neuroendocrine regulation and its role in homeostasis; knows the function of the exocrine glands annexed to the GI and their function in metabolism; knows the metabolic endocrine function; knows how to evaluate normal functional aspects of the digestive system.

Course contents

This Course is part of the Integrated Course "Nutrients, Digestion, and Metabolism".

The integrated course "Nutrients, digestion, and metabolism" aims to provide the student with adequate knowledge of the anatomical organization, function, and biochemical mechanisms underlying the metabolism of the digestive system, essential for recognizing normal clinical aspects in veterinary species. Additionally, the student is familiar with the basic principles of nutrition and feeding in veterinary species.

The Integrated Course "Nutrients, Digestion, and Metabolism" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.5, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.17, 1.21, 1.22, 1.24.

Specific Course contents:

Digestive strategies in domestic animals. Food search and intake. Chewing and salivary secretion. Swallowing and esophageal function. The function and regulation of salivary secretion. The main functions of the stomach. Regulation of gastric secretion and motility. Vomiting. Pancreatic and intestinal juice in the digestion of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. Liver and bile functions. Intestinal absorptions. Intestinal motility and its control. Hunger Control. Digestive physiology of ruminants. Prestomacal motility and its control, rumen fermentations, fate of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates and absorption of fatty acids. Cephalic, gastric and intestinal phases of digestive process control and neuroendocrine regulation.

The thyroid. Synthesis, secretion and transport of thyroid hormones. Metabolic and physiological actions of thyroid hormones. Insulin and glucagon: synthesis and secretion, metabolic and physiological effects. The adrenal glands. Synthesis, secretion and metabolic and physiological actions of glucocorticoids. Hormonal regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis: effects of parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and calcitonin. Growth hormone: regulation of secretion. Metabolic and physiological actions of GH.

Readings/Bibliography

• Klein G. B. Cunningham's Textbook of Veterinary Physiology, 6th ed. Elsevier (2019)
• Sjaastad, Sand, Hove. Physiology of domestic animals. 2nd edition (2013) Scandinavian Veterinary Press

Teaching methods

The course will be organized in frontal lessons (24h) and a problem-based interactive activity (6h) aimed at stimulating students’ active participation in understanding the role of the GI and metabolic hormone in maintaining homeostasis.

Assessment methods

The final examination of the (I.C.) Integrated Course "Nutrients, Digestion, and Metabolism" consists of three parts:

1. Multiple choice test
2. Open-ended questions
3. Practical activity

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed.

1. MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST

The first part consists of a written test comprising 60 multiple choice questions covering all components of the I.C., specifically:

• 18 questions for Physiology of the Digestive Tract;
• 12 questions EACH for Systematic Veterinary Anatomy of the Digestive Tract, for Animal Feed and Nutrition and for Biochemistry of the Digestive Tract and Nutrient Metabolism;
• 6 questions for Imaging and Basic Principles of Semiology of the Digestive Tract.

The test is designed to assess student's comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the course content.
Each correct answer is awarded 0.5 points; no penalty is applied for incorrect or unanswered questions. The duration of the test is 90 minutes.

To pass the test students need to obtain:

• A minimum overall grade of 18/30

• AND at least the 50%+1 correct answers in each component of the integrated course
  

The test will be administered through the EOL platform (http://eol.unibo.it).

The fulfilment of these conditions is required to be admitted to the following parts of the exam.

2.OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS

The second part consists of 3 short open-ended questions for each of the following courses:
 Physiology of the Digestive Tract;
 Biochemistry of the Digestive Tract and Nutrient Metabolism.

The duration of the test is 90 min, on EOL platform.

3.PRACTICAL EXAMINATION

The third part consists of a practical and oral examination aimed at assessing the acquisition of practical skills and verbal competencies acquired during practical activities of the following courses:
 Systematic Veterinary Anatomy of the Digestive Tract;
 Animal Feed and Nutrition;
 Imaging and Basic Principles of Semiology of the Digestive Tract.

This part will be limited to 10 minutes for each course and will include the description and interpretation of images or videos depicting specific anatomical structure and their normal imaging representation, recognition of feeds, feed label and animal requirements interpretation.

ASSESSMENT PARTS 2 AND 3

To pass the open-ended questions and the practical examination, students must demonstrate adequate competence in each component of the I.C., corresponding to:
 5.40 out of 9 for Physiology of the Digestive Tract;
 3.60 points out of 6 for Systematic Veterinary Anatomy of the Digestive Tract and Animal Feed and Nutrition;
 1.8 out of 3 for Imaging and Basic Principles of Semiology of the Digestive Tract.

These grades will be communicated at the end of the practical session.

FINAL GRADE (1, 2 &3)

The final grade of the exam is calculated as the average of the points obtained in the multiple-choice test and the sum of the open-ended questions and the practical examination.
A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

The final grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en) within 5 working days of the date of the exam.
Students may reject the final grade one time ONLY by informing the course examiner via email within 3 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is prof. Ludovica Mammi.
Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar.
The use of supporting material or devices (including calculators, books, notebooks, class notes, etc.) is not permitted during the exam. If needed, a follow-up discussion will allow the Candidate to comment on incorrect answers.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

In compliance with Law 104/1992 and Law 170/2010, and in alignment with institutional inclusion policies, students with certified disabilities or specific learning disorders—as well as those with recognized special educational needs—will receive appropriate accommodations during assessments.

Such students should promptly contact the course instructor and inform the University’s Disability and SLD Support Service [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en]. A faculty member is appointed to oversee this service within the Department [https://scienzemedicheveterinarie.unibo.it/it/dipartimento/organizzazione/referenti-istituzionali].

Teaching tools

Slidesets and other media such as videos and interactive resources will be used during lectures.

Teaching materials are available on the Virtuale platform and could be reached through the link on the teacher webpage.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Laura Bacci