ZOOTECHNICS AND GENETIC IMPROVEMENT

Integrated educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2018/2019

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

5-year Single Cycle Master's Degree Programme in VETERINARY MEDICINE

Language:

Italian

Moduls:

GENETIC IMPROVEMENT

3 credits
GENERAL ZOOTECHNICS

3 credits

Credits:

Programme Year:

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

Good knowledge in Anatomy and Physiology of the domestic animals, ruminants and monogastrics.

AF code:

40003746

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

The evaluation procedures provide a test in progress (optional) on the canine and feline species to be carried out before the end of the lessons of the course, a writing of General Zoothecnics (also optional) concerning breeds of domestic animals and an examination final oral that, if the previous tests have not been taken, will focus on the whole of the course program, otherwise it will only affect the remainder of the program, ie the genetic Improvement.
On examination (both written and oral), the student must demonstrate:

- To know how to express in a clear and relevant mode, using specific terms;
-to have knowledge and ability to understand the subject to make logical connections to answer the questions posed during the examination;
- to correctly describe and evaluate a subject morphologially
- To know the characteristics of each breed based on its destination
- To highlight the morphological differences arising from selection for a specific purpose and understand what is the final meaning a given character;
- To know exactly how the control and evaluation of reproductors in order to obtain an improvement in the population;
- To be independently able to outline the guidelines of a selection plan aimed at obtaining a genetic improvement;
- To know what are the genes involved in the improvement plans and how their study will lead to a real improvement in the selection.

Teaching period

First semester

Objectives

During the the integrated course of Zoothecnics and Genetic Improvement the breeds of domestic species both livestock and pets are presented with particular attention to the morphological differences that arise from the different productive and / or working attitude. The selection made by human translates into a strengthening of the specific characteristics already present in nature. In this way the student acquires skills related to the meaning of the distinctive morphological characters of each breed. At the end of the course, the student will be able to visually recognize the breeds of domestic animals; to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative aspects of morphological traits; to understand the main differences in the production traits with particular attention to the importance of safeguarding biodiversity; to morphologically evaluate an animal on the basis of its own production direction; to recognize the traits that make an animal suitable for reproduction. Moreover the student will know the main traits for the morphological evaluation in companion’s animals and the main evaluation methods for assess a genetic improvement plans.
Furthermore the student will know the molecular basis of the genetic information and its expression; the traits inheritance; the main quantitative genes involved in the milk or meat production; the understanding of the main methods of selection within the breeds, on the basis of their productive attitude. At the end of the course the student will be able to use his/her knowledge to organize a mating plans within a population and he/her will be able to use the main techniques of molecular biology to genotype the animals for the main genes involved in the production traits.

Contents

General Zootecnics:Animal species of zootechnical interest; breeds and genetic types classification on the basis of production traits; morphological and productive characteristics of the major bovine, ovine, caprine, swine, equine, canine and feline breeds. Productive parameters for meat and milk. Biotechnologies relative to improvement of reproductive efficiency: oestrus synchronization, superovulation, embryo-transfer Ovum-pick up, in vitro fertilization, semen and embryo sexing.
Genetic Improvement: Outline of genetics, genetic polymorphisms, allelic and genotypic frequencies, kinship test (paternity, maternity), interaction between genes. Mutations in livestock animals. Genotype/Phenotype. Genotype-environment interaction. Qualitative vs quantitative traits. Heterosis. Traits inheritance. Maternal effect and cytoplasmic heredity. Environmental vs genetic variability. Feline and canine genetics: genes involved in the appearance: coat colours, coat patterns, ear conformation, etc. Genetic improvement in pet’s breeding: genetic improvement vs “genetic abuse”, consequences of excessive selective pressure and genetic isolation, identification of problems and strategies to reduce the incidence of genetic diseases. Heterosis and hybrid vigor vs inbreeding depression. Genetic tests. Templates of genetic improvement for species and for productive attitude. Morphological and genetic evaluation of the candidate reproducers.
P
ractise:
morphological and functional evaluation, recognition of breeds and income productive capacity in animals and pets (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, dogs and cats).
Molecular biology applied to genetic improvement: PCR technique for the isolation and amplification of one or more genes from animal DNA already extracted; Landscaping of horizontal electrophoresis on agarose gel and visualization of the PCR results.

Recommended Bibliography

- DIALMA BALASINI: Zootecnica generale. Edagricole.
- DIALMA BALASINI: Zootecnica speciale, principali razze di animali domestici e tecniche di allevamento per le diverse porduzioni. Edagricole.
- Giulio Pagnacco: Genetica Animale (Seconda edizione) Casa editrice Ambrosiana
The slides and other materials used for lectures is made available to the students on the online platform.

Teaching Methods

Teorethical face to face lessons in classroom, using Power Point support; practice in small groups (10-12 students) in presence of animals, or in lab.

Contacts/More Information

The teacher receives in the following days and times:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.00am to 12.00am, Tuesday and Thursday from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.

ZOOTECHNICS AND GENETIC IMPROVEMENT

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