2024
Animal Reproduction
Name: Animal Reproduction
Code: MVT15238I
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Veterinary Medicine
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Learning Goals
The course's main goal is to understand the mechanisms regulating the reproductive function in domestic animals and develop skills to monitor and manipulate animals' fertility according to the species expectancy.
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate he/she knows the physiologic mechanisms that regulate the reproductive function in the male and female of domestic species, and be able to characterize the species estrous cycle and standard reproductive behavior
- Know and to employ the correct tools to monitor fertility in different species
- Critically analyze a situation and to identify existing fertility disruption
- Correctly use the available methods to support the reproductive management
- Select an appropriate protocol for the manipulation of estrous cycles according to the species and context
- Apply for each species, an adequate method for pregnancy diagnosis, and explain its limitations
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate he/she knows the physiologic mechanisms that regulate the reproductive function in the male and female of domestic species, and be able to characterize the species estrous cycle and standard reproductive behavior
- Know and to employ the correct tools to monitor fertility in different species
- Critically analyze a situation and to identify existing fertility disruption
- Correctly use the available methods to support the reproductive management
- Select an appropriate protocol for the manipulation of estrous cycles according to the species and context
- Apply for each species, an adequate method for pregnancy diagnosis, and explain its limitations
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills
Contents
1. Control of the reproductive function:
The onset of the reproductive activity (puberty, post-partum anestrus & seasonality) in the female or male
Male reproduction sperm characteristics; sperm collection, analysis, and processing
2. Pregnancy and parturition
Gametes transport and interaction at fertilization
Maternal recognition of pregnancy
Pregnancy diagnosis
Parturition mechanism and management
3. The estrous cycles in domestic species (characteristics and chronology)
4. Monitoring and control of the reproductive function
Farm and fertility records and indices of reproductive performance
Manipulation of the estrous cycles in domestic species
Selected domestic species include equine, cattle and small ruminants, pigs, birds, rabbits, and carnivores (dog and cat).
The onset of the reproductive activity (puberty, post-partum anestrus & seasonality) in the female or male
Male reproduction sperm characteristics; sperm collection, analysis, and processing
2. Pregnancy and parturition
Gametes transport and interaction at fertilization
Maternal recognition of pregnancy
Pregnancy diagnosis
Parturition mechanism and management
3. The estrous cycles in domestic species (characteristics and chronology)
4. Monitoring and control of the reproductive function
Farm and fertility records and indices of reproductive performance
Manipulation of the estrous cycles in domestic species
Selected domestic species include equine, cattle and small ruminants, pigs, birds, rabbits, and carnivores (dog and cat).
Teaching Methods
Theoretical classes, in the flipped classroom format, presume a previous autonomous study phase. The themes will be discussed with the students based on the analysis of real situations.
In practical classes in the laboratory practice format, students train the procedures identified as essential to the evaluation and control of reproductive function in the male and female of domestic species, namely the transrectal palpation technique in a bovine model, echographic examination of the reproductive structures, diagnosis gestation, collection and semen evaluation.
Continuous assessment includes the completion of a written frequency (Freq), the assessment of acquired procedural skills (Comp), and the products from participation (Part)
Continuous assessment grade = 40% Freq + 20% Part + 40% Comp
The final evaluation includes two consecutive tests: cognitive and decision-making skills (CC1) and procedural skills (Comp)
Final exam grade = 50% CC1 + 50% Comp
In practical classes in the laboratory practice format, students train the procedures identified as essential to the evaluation and control of reproductive function in the male and female of domestic species, namely the transrectal palpation technique in a bovine model, echographic examination of the reproductive structures, diagnosis gestation, collection and semen evaluation.
Continuous assessment includes the completion of a written frequency (Freq), the assessment of acquired procedural skills (Comp), and the products from participation (Part)
Continuous assessment grade = 40% Freq + 20% Part + 40% Comp
The final evaluation includes two consecutive tests: cognitive and decision-making skills (CC1) and procedural skills (Comp)
Final exam grade = 50% CC1 + 50% Comp
Teaching Staff
Certificações
