65863 - Innovative Reproductive Technologies in Zootechnical Species

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have in-depth knowledge on the physiology of animal reproduction, on male and female gametogenesis, on embryonic development up to the pre-implantation stage. He also knows the most recent reproductive biotechnologies such as maturation and in vitro fertilization of gametes and embryo culture. In particular, the student is able to evaluate the quality of gametes and the application of reproductive biotechnology in a livestock farm. The teaching is part of an integrated course whose objective is to give the student: - an in-depth knowledge of the physiology of animal reproduction and of the main reproductive biotechnologies applied to farmed animals; - the knowledge of the animal genome in species of zootechnical interest with reference to the structural and functional genomics to identify the genes that control the productive and reproductive characters and main applications.

Course contents

Module 1 (Dott. Josè Manuel Ortiz Rodriguez)

Items of general endocrinology: hormone chemistry, receptors and mechanisms of action. Pituitary and hypothalamic hormones. Regulation of hormone secretion and activity. Physiology of puberty. Estrous cycle: generalaspects and species-specific characteristics. Hormonal control of the estrous cycle. Follicular wave and ovulation. The luteal phase and the corpus luteum. Luteolysis: peculiaritiesof species. Seasonal reproductive activity. Male reproductive system: hormonal regulation of the reproductive function. Gametogenesis, fertilization and embryo development. The endocrinology of pregnancy and parturition. Physiology of lactation. Physiology of reproduction in birds.

Module 2 (Prof. Diego Bucci)

Semen collection and storage. AI with fresh, cooled and frozen semen. Sperm sexing. Induction and synchronization of estrus. Multiple ovulations and embryo transfer (MOET) in cattle. Embryo transfer in horses. Collection and cryopreservation of oocytes. Principles of cloning and trangenesis.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material includes the textbooks suggested as well as what has been available on Galeati and Spinaci web site:

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/marcella.spinaci

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/diego.bucci3

In particular, the suggested textbooks are:

Fisiologia degli animali domestici. Sjaastad O., Sand O., Hove K., 2013, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.

Riproduzione negli animali d'allevamento. Hafez E.S.E. & Hafez B. 2011, libreriauniversitaria.it [http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/] .

Dukes, Fisiologia degli animali domestici. Swenson M.J. & Reece W.O., 2002, IDELSON-GNOCCHI, Napoli.

Reproduction in Cattle. Ball PJH, Peters AR. 3a ediz. 2004 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Equine Reproduction. McKinnon A , Squires EL, Vaala WE, Varner DD. 2a ediz. 2011 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

Gordon I. “ Reproductive technologies in farm animals” 2. ed. Wallingford : Cabi, 2017.

Scientific papers on the most recent reproductive biotechnologies.

Teaching methods

Frontal and practical lessons.

Assessment methods

Written examination with the aim to evaluate if the student has acquired the knowledge related to the topics that have been treated during the course.

The written exam will consist of 60 questions (either multiple choice questions or very short questions with open answers)(time:120 min); each multiple choice question will present a little number of alternatives and can have more than one exact answer. In case of open questions, the answer must not exceed the available space. The score ranges between 0 (zero) and 1 (one) depending on whether the answer is exact and pertinent to the question. No answer will have a score equal to zero.The exam will be considered as passed if the total score is equal or above 36 points.

The student will not have the possibility to use textbooks, memos or data storage devices.

The final grade of the integrated course of Biotechnologies applied to animal production comes from the final evaluations of the different teachings that make it up, weighted on the CFU of each course.

EVALUATION OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. Particular attention will be given to the evaluation of students certified in accordance with Law 104/90 and Law 170/2010, or students who are recognized as having a special educational need (BES).

Teaching tools

PC presentations and videos.

Office hours

See the website of Diego Bucci

See the website of José Manuel Ortiz Rodríguez