- Docente: Roberta Davoli
- Credits: 6
- SSD: AGR/17
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Animal Production (cod. 8882)
Learning outcomes
The course of animal genetic improvement aims to give to the students the basic elements of quantitative genetics, selection and genetic merit estimation methods of animals selected for reproduction and then to go to the application of principles of quantitative genetics in practising breeding. Moreover the course aims also to underline that the knowledge of the theory of selection is an essential step very important in the applicative field of gentic improvement of farm animals .
Course contents
Course contents-
Prerequisites. The student approaching to the course has at least a basic knowledge of mendelian heredity, of the structure of a gene and of genetic material of the cells. Moreover the student has also a basic knowledge on essential elements of ststistics related to correlation and regression, variance analysis of a variable and the fundamental knowledge on genetics of population. It's necessary that the student can be able to read basic and simple english written texts to can understand the content of the slides that the teacher could utilise during the course.
Programme and content -
Module of Genetic Improvement - Heredity of quantitative traits. Genetic and environmental factors influencing the variability of quantitative traits. Normal distribution ( Gauss curve). Basic element of variance analysis of quantitative traits . Coefficient of heritability and repeatability. Coefficient of relationship. The kinship and genetic improvement. Inbreeding. The operative steps of selection. New rules on genetic programmes on farm animals as defined by the Ministry of Agriculture on the organisation of selection programmes in livestock . The choice of the animals for reproduction on the basis of genetic merit.Genetic evaluation of the animals on the basis of the individual phenotype (performance test) and or of related animals :pedigree index, sib-test, progeny test . Minimal outline on BLUP and Animal Model techniques . Selection for more than one trait. Use of genomic markers for selection Realization of selection in Italy for the main bred specie. Minimal outline of new approaches and new opportunities based on genetic markers applied for selection of farm animals.Use of the genomic markers to improve the efficiency of selection.-Short talk on genomic selection- Some examples.
The course of lessons will be implemented with exsercises and practical examples of the arguments on quantitative genetics, seminars, visit to farms to meet technics onvolved in practical problems of livestock genetic improvement and also meetings will be organised to meet operators and technicians working in National Associations of breeders in Italy.
Readings/Bibliography
The materials for the exam of Genetic Improvememt is represented by Class notes of the lessons and slides available for the students on iol.unibo.it platform and previously on AMS Campus during the lessons .
Moreover for the module of Genetic Improvement the following text books are suggested
G.Bittante, I.Andrighetto, M.Ramanzin. "Fondamenti di Zootecnica" -Liviana Editrice
G.Pagnacco "Genetica animale applicata" Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Teaching methods
The course is represented frontal lessons with slides presentation and 40% of the hours will be dedicated to more practical aspects with visits to livestock farms, seminars and discussions with experts and various operators and technicians in the specific field and involved in National Associations of breeders of livestock for meat or milk production
Assessment methods
The final vote of the exam of "Genetic Improvement " is represented byf the evaluations regarding an oral examinations of the students with at least three questions on the explained arguments. The exam will be concluded approx in 20-25 minutes. The evaluation concerns of questions on themes and exercises developed during the lessons reported in the programme ( see also prerequisite). The exam will consider also both the degree of knowledge of the matter, and the capacity of the student to develop the reasoning process to answer to the questions together with the ability to discuss on the arguments demonstrating the level of comprehension of the discipline. The propriety of language and the skill to evaluate in critical way the subjetcs will determine the final vote The evaluations obtained don't have any deadline.
Teaching tools
Teaching tools:
Slides presentation on the presented themes . The slide presented will be included as attached files in the web site of AMS Campus
Exercises and problems on specific themes
Some time will be spent time (a few hours) to further explain the more complex item already presented to invite the studnets to ask for a new explanatio and invite them to a free discussion on these themes more difficult to understand.
Visit to livestock farms
Experts of selection in farm animals wil be invited for seminars to the student
Office hours
See the website of Roberta Davoli