General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement

The course aims to provide the basics of genetics applied to domestic animals. The aspects related to genetic pathologies and genomic selection will be treated, the principles of their transmission with hints to the diagnostic possibilities offered by molecular genetics. The course also provides the principles of genetic improvement applied to zootechnical productions with particular reference to reproductive biotechnologies, molecular genetics and genomic selection available today. Finally, information on the selection programs active in the main zootechnical populations of the national territory will be provided.

Students will be able to formulate a genetic improvement program in a dairy cattle farm. They will be able to use the tools available for choosing the sires with genetic evaluation applying the skills acquired in the course.