- Docente: Giovanna Galeati
- Credits: 5
- SSD: VET/02
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Veterinary Medicine (cod. 8617)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should know in details the fundamental mechanisms regulating reproductive and metabolic activity of domestic animals. He/she should possess knowledge of the ethogram of the main species of veterinary interest.
Course contents
Items of general endocrinology: hormone chemistry, receptors and mechanisms of action. Transport of hormones. Pituitary and hypothalamic hormones. Regulation of hormone secretion and activity. The thyroid gland: synthesis, secretion, transport and effects of thyroid hormones. Goiter. Endocrine pancreas: synthesis, secretion and action of insulin and glucagon. The adrenal gland: synthesis and action of glucocorticoids. Hormonal regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Effects of parathormone, calcitriol and calcitonin. Growth hormone: synthesis, regulation of secretion and effects.
Phisiology of reproduction. Physiology of puberty. Factors affecting puberty. Estrous cycle: general aspects 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.
Ethology. Brief history of ethology. Ethograms of farm and companion animals. Animal Learning. Communicative behaviour: visual, auditory and chemical communications. Feeding behaviour. Social and reproductive behaviour in domestic animals. Parturient behaviour and maternal care. Stress physiology and ethology. Approach to animal welfare assessment. Brief mention of the main behavioural problems.
Readings/Bibliography
O. Sjaastad, O. Sand, K. Hove. Physiology of domestic animals. Scandinavian veterinary press.
M.J. Swenson and W.O.Reece. Duke's Physiology of domestic animals (eleventh edition).
E.S.E. Hafez & B. Hafez, Reproduction in Farm Animals, 7th Edition.
McDonald's VETERINARY ENDOCRINOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION. Ed. Pineda & Doooley, IowaState Press (5th edition).
E.J. Squires. APPLIED ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY - CABI PUBLISHING.
C.Carenzi, M.Panzera et al. ETOLOGIA APPLICATA E BENESSERE ANIMALE (vol.I – II). Ed. Le Point Vétérinaire Italie (2009).
J.K. Shaw, D. Martin. Canine and feline behavior for veterinary technicians and nurses. John Wiley & Sons
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra lectures, seminars, practical activities.
Assessment methods
The exam may be either written or oral; in both cases the aim is to evaluate if the student has acquired the knowledge related to the topics that have been treated during the course.
Written exam. The written exam will consist of questions (either multiple choice questions or very short questions with open answers); each multiple choice question will present a little number of alternatives and can have more than one exact answer. The score may be 0 (zero) or 1 (one) for each 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 student will not have the possibility to use textbooks, memos or data storage devices.
The exam will be considered as passed if the total score is equal or above 39 points.
Oral exam. The exam will be considered as passed if the student demonstrates that has sufficient knowledge of the arguments that have been treated during the course.
Teaching tools
PC, video projector, labs.
Office hours
See the website of Giovanna Galeati