65863 - Innovative Reproductive Technologies in Zootechnical Species

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have in-depth knowledge on the physiology of animal reproduction, on male and female gametogenesis, on embryonic development up to the pre-implantation stage. He also knows the most recent reproductive biotechnologies such as maturation and in vitro fertilization of gametes and embryo culture. In particular, the student is able to evaluate the quality of gametes and the application of reproductive biotechnology in a livestock farm.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course “35918 BIOTECNOLOGIE APPLICATE ALLE PRODUZIONI ANIMALI”. Upon completion of the Integrated Course unit, the student will be able to:

- an in-depth knowledge of the physiology of animal reproduction and of the main reproductive biotechnologies applied to farmed animals;

- acquire knowledge on the applications of molecular genetics and genomics in animal breeding and selection.

SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR THE COURSE:

To better understand the topics covered in this course, students are advised to have already acquired knowledge in the following areas: anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems in farm animals and of embryology.

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided into two modules (1 and 2).

Module 1 (Lecturer: Dr. José Manuel Ortiz Rodriguez)

The program includes the following theoretical lectures:

• General endocrinology: chemical nature of hormones and their mechanism of action (2 hours)

• Hypothalamic and pituitary hormones. Hormonal secretion control (2 hours)

• Sex determination during embryonic development and physiology of puberty (2 hours)

• Female reproductive endocrinology (2 hours)

• Estrous cycle: general and species-specific aspects (2 hours)

• Estrus detection in different species (2 hours)

• Ovulation detection (2 hours)

• Male reproductive endocrinology (2 hours)

• Sexual behavior and copulation (2 hours)

• Gametogenesis, fertilization, and embryonic development (2 hours)

• Physiology of pregnancy and parturition (2 hours)

• Lactation (2 hours)

• Reproductive physiology in poultry (2 hours)

Module 2 (Lecturer: Prof. Eleonora Iacono)

The program includes the following theoretical lectures:

• National and international regulations on reproduction in farm animals (2 hours)

• Collection of male gametes (2 hours)

• Evaluation of semen quality (basic spermiogram) (2 hours)

• Sperm sexing (1 hour)

• Semen preservation (2 hours)

• Artificial insemination techniques using fresh/chilled or frozen semen (2 hours)

• Estrus induction and synchronization (1 hour)

• Superovulation, embryo recovery and transfer in cattle (2 hours)

• Embryo recovery and transfer in horses (2 hours)

• Collection, classification, and preservation of female gametes (1 hour)

• In vitro embryo production (3 hours)

• Embryo classification (1 hour)

• Embryo preservation (1 hour)

Laboratory sessions (shared between both modules, 4 hours):

• Review of female reproductive physiology using slaughterhouse-derived organs (testes, uteri, ovaries)

• Spermiogram analysis using frozen semen

• Artificial insemination trials on bovine, porcine, and equine uteri from the slaughterhouse and bovine models

• Oocyte recovery from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries

In Module 2, a field trip to the Artificial Insemination Institute of the University of Bologna is also planned (4 hours). Students are expected to reach the facility independently, as it is part of the university infrastructure.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for the course are available on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

The required bibliography consists of the recommended textbooks:

• Fisiologia degli animali domestici. Sjaastad O., Sand O., Hove K., 2013, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.
• Riproduzione negli animali d'allevamento. Hafez E.S.E. & Hafez B. 2011, libreriauniversitaria.it [http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/].
• Dukes, Fisiologia degli animali domestici. Swenson M.J. & Reece W.O., 2002, IDELSON-GNOCCHI, Napoli.
• Reproduction in Cattle. Ball PJH, Peters AR. 3a ediz. 2004 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
• Equine Reproduction. McKinnon A, Squires EL, Vaala WE, Varner DD. 2a ediz. 2011 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
• Gordon I. “Reproductive technologies in farm animals” 2. ed. Wallingford : Cabi, 2017.

Additional bibliography:

Scientific publications related to the most recent reproductive biotechnologies.

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical/laboratory sessions, as well as an educational field trip to the Artificial Insemination Institute of the University of Bologna.

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 course “65863 - Innovative Reproductive Technologies in Zootechnical Species” consist of a written exam aimed at verifying the acquisition of both theoretical and practical knowledge covered during the course.

The written exam is administered via the EOL platform (https://eol.unibo.it ).

The exam consists of:

• 40 multiple choice questions (20 per module), each worth either 0 (zero) or 0.5 points

• 4 open-ended questions (2 per module), each worth a maximum of 2.5 points

Unanswered questions are considered incorrect for both types. Students have 90 minutes to complete the exam.

The exam is considered passed with a minimum final grade of 18/30.

The use of support materials or electronic devices (calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) is not permitted during the exam, except for those explicitly authorized by the instructor.

Exam results will be published within five working days on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it ).

The course "Tecnologie riproduttive innovative negli animali di allevamento" is part of the integrated course “35918 - Biotecnologie applicate alle produzioni animali” along with the course "Metodologie di genetica molecolare per il miglioramento delle produzioni zootecniche". Therefore, the final grade for the integrated course, expressed out of thirty, is calculated as a weighted average of the final grades of the individual courses based on their CFU. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required to pass.

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 for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en) by the designated course contact within 5 working days of the exam.

Students may reject the final grade up to three times (NB: according to University Regulations, at least once), by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days. 

The designated course contact for this course is Dr. José Manuel Ortiz Rodríguez.

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.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations using a PC and videos. Quiz in class.

In case of difficulties in understanding the subject, the instructor is available for clarification meetings by appointment via email.

Office hours

See the website of José Manuel Ortiz Rodríguez

See the website of Eleonora Iacono