Advanced Studies in Animal Nutrition

Code: ZOO10420M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Animal Science

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

The objective of the curricular unit is to provide a solid and integrated knowledge of the nutrition of the domestic animals through the development of some topics at an advanced level. Besides to develop capacities of inter-relation, explanation and interpretation of diets of ruminants and monogastrics, the student will develop capacities of evaluation and communication through the development, presentation and discussion of a specific subject on animal nutrition area.

ENERGY: Utilization of energy by the animal. Energy requirements of the animal for maintenance and production (gestation, lactation, liveweigh gain, eggs). Systems for expressing the energy value of foods and the energy requirements of ruminants and monogastrics.

PROTEIN: Digestion, absorption and use of the protein in monogastrics and ruminants. Mesures of protein quality for monogastrics and ruminants. Utilization of non-protein nitrogen coumpounds by the ruminant. Protein and amino acids requirements for maintenance, growth and milk production. Systems for expressing the protein value of foods and the protein requirements of monogastrics and ruminants.

FIBER: Concept, methodologies for its quantification and characterization. Effects of dietary fiber in nutrition and feeding of ruminants an monogastrics.

FOOD INTAKE: Theories of voluntary intake control. Voluntary food intake and diet selection in ruminants and non ruminants.

FEEDSTUFS: Evaluation of foods. Feed components and feed categories. Factors influencing the nutritive value of foods. Additives for use in animal nutrition.

FEEDING AND NUTRITION OF NON RUMINANTS: Amino acid digestibility in formulation of diets for pigs and poultry. Ideal protein. Utilization of exogenous enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and plant extracts in pig and poultry diets. Modification of carcass and meat quality and egg quality trough nutrition. Particular aspects of equine and animal companion animal nutrition.

diets for pigs and poultry. Ideal protein. Utilization of exogenous enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and plant extracts in pig and poultry diets. Modification of carcass and meat quality and egg quality trough nutrition. Particular aspects of equine and animal companion animal nutrition.

NUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENT: Animal nutrition and environmental interactions. Feeding strategies for reducing environmental impact in intensive and extensive systems. Diets to reduce the excretion of nitrogen, phosphorus and methane emission.

RATION FORMULATION: Methods of formulating rations. Feed tables and databases of feed composition. Tables of nutrient requirements. Formulation of rations for monogastrics. Ration formulation and analysis of diets for dairy and beef cattle.

Teaching Methods

TEACHING:

During the classes a theoretical exposition of the subjects will be conducted followed by the resolution of practical exercises or study cases. The auto learning will be privileged by the discussion of scientific papers related with the principals topics of syllabus. During the course each student will elaborate a specific topic related to animal nutrition or a nutrition programme for an animal specie. This work will be presented and discussed at the end of the course. When possible the lectures will be complemented with laboratory practicals, computer practicals, monitoring of feeding trials and technical visits.

Assessment

EVALUATION:

The evaluation will consist of a written or oral examination (50%) an elaboration, presentation and discussion of an individual work (40%) and the resolution of practical exercises or study cases (10%).