B8999 - SELEZIONE E CONSERVAZIONE GENETICA NELLE SPECIE DI INTERESSE ZOOTECNICO

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have acquired knowledge of the principles of animal breeding and genetics and conservation of animal genetic resources in livestock species, with particular emphasis on the sustainability of animal production systems. Within this framework, students will develop competencies in the use of innovative technologies for measuring novel phenotypes related to resilience, adaptation, disease resistance, and animal welfare. These competencies will be complemented by the acquisition of methods for integrating such phenotypic information with environmental data, enabling their application in animal breeding programmes, with particular reference to recent advances in selection and crossbreeding strategies. Students will also gain knowledge of approaches for integrating novel phenotypes with genetic and genomic information to enhance breeding programmes.

Furthermore, students will become familiar with the principles underlying the monitoring and utilization of genetic diversity in livestock populations for the conservation and exploitation of both local and cosmopolitan breeds. Upon completion of the course, students will possess the knowledge required to design and implement breeding and conservation programmes in the major livestock species, taking into account the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of animal production systems.

This course is part of an integrated course whose overall learning objectives can be summarized as follows: upon completion of the integrated course, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and manage sustainable livestock production systems by integrating complementary competencies in animal breeding and selection, conservation of animal genetic resources, on-farm livestock manure management and its use to maintain soil fertility, management of environmental processes related to soil health and sustainability, animal monitoring and automation technologies for precision livestock farming, and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production while promoting renewable energy generation in integrated crop–livestock farming systems.

Course contents

1) Introduction to the course and fundamental principles of genetic improvement and conservation programmes in livestock species: objectives of breeding and genetic conservation.

2) Domestication and selection processes in livestock species.

3) Organization of breeding programmes in the major livestock species, including optimization of crossbreeding strategies and management of inbreeding.

4) Applications of genomic technologies in animal breeding and genetic conservation.

5) Practical applications of genetic and genomic selection.

6) Genetic diversity in livestock populations: monitoring, signatures of selection, and practical applications.

7) Phenotype recording systems and methodologies: conventional phenotypes, novel phenotypes, and phenomics.

8) Genome editing in animals: technological developments, applications, and regulatory framework.

9) Applications of artificial intelligence in animal breeding programmes.

10) Sustainability of animal breeding programmes and their impact on livestock production systems.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides available in Virtuale of UNIBO.

Pagnacco Giulio (2020) Genetica Animale Applicazioni Zootecniche e Veterinarie - terza edizione. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana / Zanichelli

Online textbook:

Textbook Animal breeding and Genetics - HBO (EN) - Wiki Groen Kennisnet [https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/TAB]

https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/TAB

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and practical/tutorial sessions.

Given the nature of the teaching activities and instructional methods adopted, attendance requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 of the University’s e-learning programme, as well as Module 3 on health and safety in study environments. Information on the schedule and attendance procedures for Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

Assessment methods

Assessment will take place only after the completion of the course and will consist of an oral examination designed to evaluate the achievement of the learning outcomes and the knowledge acquired throughout the course. The overall grade will reflect the student's level of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the lectures.

The oral examination will consist of two parts:

1. An oral presentation (10–15 minutes, supported by PowerPoint slides) on a specific topic related to the course. The topic will be assigned to each student by the instructors during the course.
2. Questions from the instructors covering any of the topics included in the course syllabus.

The oral examination will be assessed on the basis of both the presentation and the student's responses to the questions, according to the following grading criteria:

• 18–22 (Pass): Satisfactory presentation quality. Knowledge limited to a small number of course topics, with analytical skills demonstrated only with the guidance of the instructor. Overall appropriate use of scientific terminology.
• 23–26 (Fair to Good): Adequate presentation quality. Knowledge of a limited range of course topics, with the ability to conduct independent analysis only on straightforward issues. Appropriate and accurate use of scientific terminology.
• 27–29 (Very Good): Good to excellent presentation quality. Broad knowledge of the course topics, ability to perform independent critical analysis, and confident use of discipline-specific terminology.
• 30–30 with honours (30L): Outstanding presentation quality. Comprehensive knowledge of the course content, excellent ability to critically analyse and integrate concepts independently, full command of the relevant scientific terminology, and strong argumentation and self-reflection skills.

The result of the oral examination will be communicated to the student immediately after the examination. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass.

The final grade for the integrated course will be calculated as a weighted average of the grades obtained in the individual course modules.

Teaching tools

Slides shown at a lecture on Piattaforma Virtuale di UNIBO.

Pagnacco Giulio (2020) Genetica Animale Applicazioni Zootecniche e Veterinarie - terza edizione. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana / Zanichelli

Online textbook:

Textbook Animal breeding and Genetics - HBO (EN) - Wiki Groen Kennisnet [https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/TAB]

https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/TAB

Office hours

See the website of Luca Fontanesi

See the website of Francesca Bertolini