B8426 - Veterinary Cytology, Histology, and Embryology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student acquires basic understanding of the cellular structures and their organisation in tissues, as well as the main events of the early stages and mechanisms of embryonic development. In particular, the student: acquires the basic principles of cytology, histology, and embryology, with the appropriate scientific vocabulary; is able to recognise cells, subcellular structures, and the different tissues and organs using the optical microscope; is able to describe components and characteristics of the different tissues; understands the dynamics of development from the gametogenesis to the three germ layers formation, and the formation of fetal membranes and placenta of the different considered species; uses properly the optical microscope for observation of histological slices.

Course contents

This Course is part of the Integrated Course "The Cell from Molecules to Tissues".

The Integrated Course aims to provide the student with proper knowledge of cellular structure, organization, and functions, as well as the chemical and biochemical aspects underlying metabolism and information transmission in cells and tissues.

The Integrated Course "The Cell from Molecules to Tissues" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.5, 1.9, 1.22.

Specific Course contents:

Through lectures and practical labs, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of cytology, histology and embryology, and the basic practical principle on studying cells and tissues using the optical microscope.

For the cytology part of the course, the basic cellular structures and their main functions will be covered: the cell membrane, the nucleus, the other main organelles (RER, SER, ribosomes, Golgi complex, mitochondria, peroxisomes) and the cytoskeleton (microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments).

The student will be than introduced to the embryology, explaining the gametogenesis and the embryogenesis through the formation of the germ layers. Moreover, the structures of the fetal membranes and placenta in different species will be explored.

The histology part will cover the epithelium (surface epithelium, glandular epithelium and glands, epithelial stem cells), the connective and supportive tissues (connective tissue cells and fibers, ground substance, composition in embryos and adult tissues, adult supportive tissues), the muscle tissue (smooth, skeletal, cardiac muscles, and muscle stem cells), the nervous tissue (neurons, macroglia, microglia, peripheral nervous tissue, central nervous tissue, meninges, blood vessels and cerebrospinal fluid, and neural stem cells), and blood and bone marrow.

During the practical activities the student will learn to use the optical microscope and the main techniques (conventional and advances) used to study the cell and the tissues.

Readings/Bibliography

· Jo. Ann Eurell, Brian L. Frappier – Dellmann’sTextbook of Veterinary Histology – Blackwell Publishing, 2006, 6^th edition

· William J. Bacha, JR. and Linda M. Bacha - Color Atlas of Veterinary Histology – Wiley-Blackwell, 2012, 3^rd edition

· Cell Biology, TD Pollard - C William – J Lippincott-Schwartz – G Johnson, Elsevier, 2023, 4th edition.

· Essentials of veterinary histology & embryology, RK Ghosh, Current Books International, 4th edition.

· Veterinary Embryology, TA McGeady – PJ Quinn - ES Fitzpatrick, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2017, 2nd edition.

Teaching methods

The course will be organized in 24 hours of frontal lessons and 6 hours of interactive practical activities, during which students will have the opportunity to learn the main techniques aimed to study the cell and the tissues.

They will approach the use of the optical microscope, then using histological slices to learn how to study and recognize the main characteristic of the different tissues, and their contextualization in organs and systems of the considered animal species.

This hands-on approach will give to the student the basic principle of conventional microscopy analysis of cells and tissues.

Assessment methods

The final exam of the Integrated Course "The Cell from Molecules to Tissues" consists of two parts.

· The first part is a written test comprising 30 multiple choice questions, covering topics from all components of the Integrated Course, and is designed to assess the student's comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter.

Each correct question will earn 1 point; no points will be subtracted in case of wrong answer or unanswered question. The use of supporting material or devices such as calculators, books, notebooks, class notes, etc. is not authorized during the test. If needed, a follow-up discussion will allow the Candidate to comment on the wrong answers.

The test assignment will last 1h and will be considered as successful with a minimum grade of 18/30.

· The second part is a practical examination, which includes the identification and oral description of a histological specimen, aimed at also evaluating the acquisition of adequate verbal competences. The exam is passed if the student identifies at least the tissue presented.

The final grade of the Integrated Course corresponds to that obtained in the written test.

Students can register for the exam through the online AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). In case of failure, the exam may be retaken after a minimum of three weeks. In accordance with Unibo teaching regulations, Article 16, Paragraph 5, students are entitled to refuse a passing grade on one occasion.

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

Slides, anatomical preparations and models, and interactive resources. Slides will be made available to students.

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 Vito Antonio Baldassarro