Livestock production systems, introduction to anatomy and physiology, milk and meat quality, introduction to quantitative and population genetics, catrle and swine breeding schemes in Italy.
- Meregalli A., Giorgetti A., Martini A., Bozzi R., 1996, Anatomia, Fisiologia e Zoognostica, Liviana Torino.
- Bortolami R., Callegari E., Clavenzani P., Beghelli V., 2009, Anatomia e fisiologia degli animali domestici, Edagricole Bologna
-AA.VV. Fondamenti di zootecnica, Liviana E.D.
- Dialma Balasini. 2000. Bovini e bufali. Edagricole Scolastico.
Learning Objectives
Learn the livestock production basics, together with animal breeding practices. Understanding the factors and parameters that define quality fo animal products.
Prerequisites
Biology (general), genetics (plant and animal).
Teaching Methods
Class lectures, farm visits.
Further information
The course provides the bases and reasons for understanding food animal production.
Type of Assessment
Oral exam.
Course program
Introduction
Livestock farming systems, intensive vs extensive.
Examples of farming systems. Taxonomy of food animals, comparative anatomy of farmed terrestrial species.
Tissues and systems.
Three cavities of a mammal's body. Terminology, histology, skin tissues, connective tissues, cartilage, bone structure and its deposition.
Muscle tissue and contraction. The rigor mortis, the turning of flesh into meat. Muscles, bones and locomotion.
Slaughtering and ageing. Factors and parameters of meat quality.
The male reproductive system and its physiology, semen production.
The female reproductive system and its physiology, oocyte production.
The mammary gland, the formation of milk. The lactation curve, the milk components, the milking procedure, the milk coagulation process.
Body types and breeds.
Morphology, type traits, growth curves, beef breeds, dairy breeds, dual-purpose breeds. The milk testing and recording system.
Genetic improvement.
Basis of Mendelian genetics, selection as a tool, additive and non-additive genetic effects in breeding.
Heritability, selection of domestic animals.
Genetic progress, selection intensity, genetic relationship, the selection index.