95979 - Stress and Dysmetabolic Associated Pathologies

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students: 1. can explain the relationships between stress, inflammation and immune response; 2. know the main hepatic and gastrointestinal pathologies that can interfere with metabolic efficiency; 3. can correlate humoral parameters for estimating metabolic efficiency with physiological or pathological processes.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course “MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL AND PATHOLOGICAL BASIS OF ANIMAL METABOLISM AND STRESS”. The final mark is signed by Prof. Domenico Ventrella, holder of the module 2 PHYSIOLOGY OF ANIMAL METABOLISM AND STRESS

Upon completion of the Integrated Course unit, the student will be able to understand the anatomical, physiological and pathological correlation in animal metabolism, with particular emphasis on stress causes and consequences.

Specific Contents

Lectures (16 hours):

• PRESENTATION OF THE COURSE (2 hours)
  • Definition of Pathology; the work of the pathologist; methods in pathology
• DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES OF SIGNIFICANT STRESSORS IN FARM ANIMALS (2 hours)
  • Environmental Factors. Heat, Cold, Humidity, Noise, Lighting
  • Management Factors. Handling, Transportation, Housing Conditions, Procedures
  • Nutritional Factors. Dietary Imbalances, Lack of essential nutrients, Overfeeding, sudden changes in diet, Water Availability
  • Social Factors. Social Hierarchies, Isolation
  • Health Status. Illnesses, injuries, parasites
  • Reproductive Status. Pregnancy, Parturition, Lactation
• MECHANISMS OF INITIATION OF METABOLIC DISORDERS BY STRESS FACTORS (2 hours)
  • Activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. Cortisol Release; Energy Redistribution
  • Impact on Glucose Metabolism. Insulin Resistance, Hyperglycemia
  • Altered Protein Metabolism. Muscle Catabolism, Reduced Growth
  • Lipid Metabolism Dysregulation. Increased Lipolysis, Ketosis
  • Immune System Suppression. Increased Susceptibility to Infections, Chronic Inflammation
  • Reproductive and Lactation Performance. Reduced fertility, Irregular estrous cycles, Higher rates of pregnancy loss, Reduced milk production
  • Nutritional Imbalances. Feed Intake Reduction, Digestive Issues
• EXAMPLES OF METABOLIC DISORDERS INDUCED BY STRESS (10 hours)
  • Bovines. Ketosis, Fatty Liver Syndrome, Hypocalcemia, Displaced Abomasum, Laminitis, Rumen Acidosis, Pregnancy Toxemia
  • Small Ruminants. Pregnancy Toxemia – Ketosis, Hypocalcemia - Milk Fever, Enterotoxemia - Pulpy Kidney, Acidosis, Laminitis, White Muscle Disease, Hypomagnesemia - Grass Tetany
  • Swine. Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS), Exudative Epidermitis (Greasy Pig Disease), Metabolic Myopathy - Pale Soft Exudative Meat (PSE), Ketosis, Fatty Liver Syndrome, Acidosis, Heat Stress, Hypertension, Gastric Ulcers, Post-Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS); Hypoglycemia in Piglets, Iron Deficiency Anemia
  • Poultry. Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS), Ascites (Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome), Osteoporosis (Cage Layer Fatigue), Hypoglycemia (Sudden Death Syndrome), Gout, Rickets, Sudden Death Syndrome (Flip-Over Disease), Deep Pectoral Myopathy (Green Muscle Disease), White Striping, Wooden Breast Syndrome
  • Farmed fishes. Acidosis, Hypoxia, Nitrite Poisoning, Gill Disease, Metabolic Stress Syndrome, Swim Bladder Disorders, Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia, Muscle Degeneration (Myopathy), Stress-Induced Immunosuppression.

  Practical and interactive sessions (12 hours):

• Analysis of real-life case studies. Student presentations on specific topics (10 hours)
• Visit of the Pathology Museum (2 hours)

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Relevant articles from scientific journals

Teaching methods

Lectures and student presentations on specific topics and case study analysis, with interactive discussions and group work

The course setting is aimed at promoting student's active learning by analyzing and elaborating clinical cases and specific topics, according to the self-directed learning model (working in groups and personal processing). Students will be provided with reference materials (articles from scientific journals, chapters or extracts from books) with which they will have to prepare presentations on the most common stress-induced diseases in farmed animals, also selected based on their personal interests. All students must attend all student presentations.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

• The assessment for the Integrated Course “MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL AND PATHOLOGICAL BASIS OF ANIMAL METABOLISM AND STRESS” consists of a written exam made of:

  • 40 multiple-choice questions (10 questions each 3CFU: 10 for anatomy, 10 for pathology, and 20 for physiology);
  • 2 transversal open questions.

  For the multiple-choice questions, each correct answer will earn 1 point; no points will be subtracted in case of wrong answers or unanswered questions. A minimum score of 24/40 is required to pass this section of the exam.

  For the transversal open questions, each correct answer will earn 20 points. A minimum score of 24/40 is required to pass this section of the exam.

  No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

  The exam is considered passed only if both parts are successfully completed. The final grade is determined by the average of the grades from the multiple-choice and the transversal open questions, expressed out of 30. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

  The grid for vote allocation is as follows:

  • scoring 24: grading 18
  • scoring 25: grading 19
  • scoring 26: grading 20
  • scoring 27: grading 21
  • scoring 28: grading 22
  • scoring 29: grading 23
  • scoring 30: grading 24
  • scoring 31: grading 25
  • scoring 32: grading 26
  • scoring 33-34: grading 27
  • scoring 35-36: grading 28
  • scoring 37-38: grading 29
  • scoring 39: grading 30
  • scoring 40: grading 30L

  Students who will actively participate to laboratory and/or self-employment activities throughout the I.C., will be awarded up to 2 additional points to the grading of the written exam.

  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.

  Grades 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 by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

  The designated course contact for this course is Domenico Ventrella

  Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

  Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

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

Teaching tools

• PowerPoint slides of lectures
• PowerPoint slides of student presentations
• Handout provided by the teacher
• PDFs of relevant articles on scientific journals
• Pertinent videos and selected websites

Students will also be invited to perform a bibliographic research on the assigned topic, on-line or in the library, to obtain further material for in-depth study

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Giuliano Bettini