B9284 - FISIOLOGIA VETERINARIA II

Learning outcomes

He/she knows the functions of the cardiovascular system and their regulation for the maintenance of homeostasis. Knows the functions of the respiratory system and their regulation for maintaining homeostasis. Knows the functions of the excretory system and their regulation for the maintenance of homeostasis. Knows the functions of blood, hematopoiesis, hemocateresis, coagulation and blood groups. Knows the basics of electrocardiography. Knows the function of the female genital system, its neurohormonal regulation, pregnancy and parturition. Knows the function of the male genital system and its neurohormonal regulation. Knows mammogenesis, lactogenesis and galactopoiesis and their endocrine regulation. He/she is able to a blood sample on an animal model and to carry out a smear and basic evaluations of a blood sample. He/She is able to perform how to carry out and read an electrocardiographic examination of a healthy animal.

Course contents

The Single-Discipline Course Unit “VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY II” contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.2, 1.5, 1.10, 1.18, 1.22, 1.24.

SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR THE COURSE UNIT:

For a better understanding of the contents covered in the course unit, students are recommended to have already acquired knowledge of Cellular Physiology, Metabolism and Biochemistry, and Anatomy of species of veterinary interest I and I.

The prerequisites for the Veterinary Physiology II examination are published on the dedicated page of the Degree Programme website

SPECIFIC CONTENTS OF THE COURSE UNIT:

The Veterinary Physiology II course is divided into three modules. The syllabus is structured according to the following breakdown into teaching modules.

MODULE 1. Physiology of species of veterinary interest 2 - Physiology of the blood, cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems - Theoretical lectures (40 hours) Prof. Diego Bucci.

Physiology of blood (5 hours)

• Blood cells and plasma. Physiological parameters (2h)
• Haemopoiesis and erythrocyte destruction (1h)
• Coagulation and blood groups (2h)

Physiology of the cardiovascular system (17 hours)

• Morphofunctional characteristics of cardiac muscle; pacemaker and working cells. (1h)
• Action potential in pacemaker cells; hierarchy of pacemaker cells; normal sinus rhythm (3h)
• Action potential of working cells; excitation-contraction coupling and the role of calcium (2h)
• The cardiac cycle and the Maestrini-Starling law (2h)
• Haemodynamics: vascular tension and Pascal’s laws (1h)
• Poiseuille’s law; Total Peripheral Resistance (TPR) and arterial blood pressure (2h)
• Starling equation, exchanges at capillary level and venous return to the heart (2h)
• Regulation of blood pressure: intrinsic and extrinsic circulatory priority; baroreceptors, volume receptors and chemoreceptors (2h)
• Special circulations: pulmonary, coronary, cerebral and foetal circulation (2h)

Physiology of the respiratory system (9 hours)

• Respiratory mechanics: upper airways, inspiration and expiration; resistance to air flow; lung volumes and ventilation (3h)
• Gas exchange: gas laws of physiological interest; gas exchange in the lungs and tissues (2h)
• Transport of respiratory gases: oxygen transport - haemoglobin saturation curve and partial pressure of oxygen; carbon dioxide transport. Bohr and Haldane laws (2h)
• Regulation of breathing: bulbo-pontine regulatory centres; central and peripheral chemoreceptors; pulmonary and respiratory-tract volume receptors (2h)

Physiology of the excretory system (9 hours)

• Glomerular function: ultrafiltration. Net filtration pressure and glomerular filtration rate - creatinine clearance. (2h)
• Autoregulation of glomerular flow: myogenic and juxtaglomerular reflex (1h)
• Tubular reabsorption and secretion. The proximal and distal convoluted tubules and collecting duct (2h)
• The loop of Henle: countercurrent mechanism for the creation and maintenance of a hypertonic medulla (1h)
• Hormonal regulation of water and solute reabsorption: ADH, aldosterone, angiotensin 2 (2h)
• Micturition reflex (1h)

MODULE 2. Physiology of species of veterinary interest 2 - Physiology of the blood, cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems - Practical activities (10 hours) Dr Nadia Govoni.

• Taking a blood sample on a simulator in the Clinical Skills Lab; students will acquire manual skills relating to the taking of a venous blood sample. Preparation of a blood smear on a slide and subsequent staining for the differential leukocyte count; students will acquire skills relating to the use of the microscope and slides (2 hours).
• Performance of the erythrocyte osmotic resistance test with preparation of progressively hypotonic solutions; students will acquire manual skills in the use of micropipettes, centrifuge and spectrophotometer. (2 hours)
• Acquisition of a 3-lead electrocardiographic trace, checking the correct positioning of the electrodes, analysis of heart rate and the basics for analysis of the P-QRS-T wave. (2 hours)
• Auscultation of heart sounds using a stethoscope. Assessment of heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial pulse in small companion animals. (1 hour)
• Assessment of arterial blood pressure using a manual aneroid sphygmomanometer. Discussion of issues relating to measurement in domestic animals and of the instruments to be used. (1 hour)
• Assessment of some physicochemical characteristics on simulated urine samples with different pH, specific gravity, glycosuria and proteinuria characteristics. Discussion of the physiological meaning of the various measurements performed. (2 hours)

MODULE 3. Physiology of reproduction. Physiology of the male and female reproductive systems and their hormonal regulation. Theoretical lectures (16 hours) and practical activities (4 hours). Prof. Marcella Spinaci

• Endocrine aspects and factors influencing the onset of puberty. (1 hour)
• Folliculogenesis and its hormonal regulation. Oocyte maturation. Endocrine control of ovulation. Corpus luteum formation. Luteolysis. (3 hours)
• Phases of the estrous cycle. Factors affecting reproductive cycles. The estrous cycle in the bitch and the queen. (3 hours)
• Endocrine control of testicular function. Spermatogenesis. (2 hours)
• Copulation. Sperm transport through the female reproductive tract. Sperm capacitation. Sperm–oocyte interaction, fertilization, and early embryonic development. (2 hours)
• Mechanisms of maternal recognition of pregnancy. Pregnancy. Parturition. (3 hours)
• Physiology of lactation. Mammogenesis, lactogenesis, galactopoiesis, and mammary involution. Synthesis of milk components. Milk ejection reflex. (2 hours)

Practical Activities

• Guided viewing and discussion of videos illustrating reproductive physiology in different veterinary species, including estrous behaviour, parturition, and maternal behaviour. (1 hour)
• Analysis of the functional aspects of the male and female reproductive tracts using organs collected from slaughtered animals. (1 hour)
• Preparation and microscopic evaluation of semen samples, including assessment of sperm viability, concentration, and motility. (2 hours)

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material for the course unit is available on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Required bibliography:

• Klein G. B. Cunningham's Textbook of Veterinary Physiology, Elsevier ed. (2019)
• Sjaastad, Sand, Hove. Physiology of Domestic Animals. Italian ed. edited by C. Tamanini. CEA (2013).

  Further reading:

• Douglas J. Weiss and K. Jane Wardrop Editors. Shalm’s Veterinary Haematology.
• Hafez B. & Hafez H.S.E, Reproduction in Farm Animals, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford (2016).

Teaching methods

The course unit consists of theoretical lectures and practical classes/laboratories.

In view of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance of this learning activity requires completion of modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode, and completion of module 3 of specific training on safety and health in study places. Information on dates and attendance procedures for module 3 can be consulted in the relevant section of the Degree Programme website.

To take part in practical and laboratory activities, it is compulsory to wear a lab coat and suitable footwear. Appropriate PPE for carrying out the specific activities, such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided

Assessment methods

Attendance at lectures and practical classes is compulsory, as required by regulations. Regular attendance at lectures and practical classes is required; absence of no more than 40% of the scheduled hours for each student will be justified (therefore a minimum attendance threshold of 60% is required to obtain lecture attendance). Attendance will be certified through the rps.unibo.it application.

The assessment of learning for the Single-Discipline Course Unit “Veterinary Physiology II” consists of two parts:

• The first part consists of an in-person written test with short open-ended questions, closed multiple-choice questions and fill-in the blank questions.
• The second part consists of a practical examination on the topics covered in the clinical skills lab or ambulatory/laboratory sessions and it is aimed at verifying the acquisition of practical skills.

Regarding the assessment of learning, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

WRITTEN TEST (80% of the final assessment): The examination aims to assess knowledge of the topics covered in class, the skills acquired and the ability to discuss and explain them. In the case of partial or partially correct answers, a score equal to half of the score for the question concerned will be awarded. The examination is considered passed with a score equal to 60% of the total score, and the mark will be expressed out of thirty. At the student’s request, the assessment grid associating the score obtained in the written test with the equivalent mark out of thirty is available.

The time available for the test is 2 hours (120 minutes).

During the test, the use of supporting material or devices such as calculators, tablets, smartwatches and computers is not permitted, except for anything that may be allowed by the teacher.

PRACTICAL TEST (20% of the final mark): the practical test will verify the competences and skills acquired during the practical/laboratory activities of the course. In particular, an OSPE test will be carried out on the electrocardiogram and blood sampling on a model, which will be assessed using the checklist prepared and made available to students during the practical classes. The practical examination will also include the preparation of a blood smear on a slide; the preparation of an isotonic solution; and the interpretation of the outputs of the physicochemical urine test

The assessment of the written test is published within 5 working days on the SOL, Studenti Online, platform by the teacher responsible for recording the marks.

The examination is considered passed if a positive result has been obtained in all the required tests and the final mark is given by the average of the marks for each test, weighted according to the weight of each test (80% written test and 40% practical test); to pass the examination, a minimum final mark of 18/30 must be obtained; if only one of the two tests is passed, the student must repeat the entire examination.

A negative assessment does not result in the award of a mark, but only in an assessment outcome (withdrawn or failed) recorded in the electronic report completed on AlmaEsami; it therefore does not affect the student’s academic record.

The assessments of the individual tests and the final examination mark will be published on the SOL platform (Studenti Online - AlmaEsami) of the teacher responsible for recording the marks within 5 working days from the examination date.

The student may refuse the mark twice, by informing the teacher responsible for recording the marks by e-mail within 5 working days.

The teacher responsible for recording the marks for this Course is Prof. Diego Bucci.

Students can register for examination sessions through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Examination sessions are proposed within the windows indicated in the teaching calendar. Additional examination sessions are reserved for students who are behind schedule.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti). The office will propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted, 15 days in advance, for approval by the teacher, who will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the learning objectives of the course unit.

Teaching tools

Slides and videos will be used for lectures; interactive software such as Wooclap may be used, particularly for self-assessment activities aimed at students.

The teaching material will be uploaded to the official UNIBO repository.

Various laboratory and outpatient-clinic instruments will be used for the practical classes; the activities involving electrocardiogram analysis and venous blood sampling on a model will be carried out in the CSL. In case of difficulties in understanding the subject, the teacher is available to meet students for a clarification interview by appointment via e-mail.

Office hours

See the website of Diego Bucci

See the website of Nadia Govoni

See the website of Marcella Spinaci