Principles of anatomy and physiology of livestock. Morphologic evaluation of cattle for dairy and meat production. Quantitative traits and genetics; genetic and environmental effects; heritability and repeatability; Selection: selection intensity; generation interval; Selective scheme: aims, criteria, data and relationship recording, Herdbook, estimation of Breeding value
Meregalli A., Giorgetti A., Martini A., Bozzi R., 1996, Anatomia, Fisiologia e Zoognostica, Liviana Torino.
AA.VV.: Fondamenti di zootecnica: miglioramento genetico, nutrizione ed alimentazione. Liviana
G. PAGNACCO: Genetica animale - applicazioni zootecniche e veterinarie Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. 2016
Other material and notes available at lesson.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
basic elements of anatomy, physiology and morphology of domestic animals and genetics for livestock
Competence acquired (at the end of the course):
Morphological and physiological evaluation of livestock and genetic management in the herds
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Professionalism in the extension service to breeders and in management of the operative staff
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Courses required: ..............................................
Courses recommended:
Mathematics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
Teaching Methods
CFU: 9
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 225
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 144
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 50
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 0
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 21-27
Seminars (hours): 0-6
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Type of Assessment
An oral exam for the entire course. There are no separate exams for parts of the course;
knowledge and reasoning skills will be evaluated
Course program
Principles of anatomy, physiology and morphology: splancnology, skeleton, muscle apparatus and main muscles. Anatomy and physiology of the apparatus: urinary, reproductive, mammary, endocrine. Anatomy of digestive apparatus. Body exterior regions; morpho-functional evaluation in beef and dairy cattle.
Livestock genetics: livestock populations, chromosomal abnormalities; livestock productive system; breed standard, reproductive parameters, genetic variability; application of Hardy-Weinberg law to livestock; selection on mendelian traits; relationship and inbreeding; quantitative traits and genetics; genetic model, environmental and genetic effects; heritability and repeatability in productive traits, correlations; Selection, selective differential and intensity; substitution rate in herd, generation interval; selective scheme, objectives, criteria, phenotype recording, relationships recording and herd book; breeding value and accuracy; performance, pedigree, sib and progeny test. Reproductive methods