General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the principles of genetics applied to domestic animals. Aspects related to mendelian, population and quantitative genetics will be discussed. The topics related to molecular genetics will be developed with specific application to diagnostics applied to livestock production and genomic selection. The course also provides the principles of genetic improvement applied to livestock production pinpointing to the molecular genetics and genomics tools available today in livestock breeding. Information on ongoing selection programs in the main livestock populations of the national territory will be provided. The principles of bioethics applied to animal production will also be treated, with specific reference to the genomic and reproductive technologies available today in domestic animals.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to implement a genetic improvement program in a dairy cattle farm using the tools available online for the choice of bulls. They will also have acquired the basic principle for a critical discussion on aspects related to animal breeding and farming.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Lectures will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform, even for those provided in class. Lectures can be followed both in synchronous on the basis of the scheduled class timing, and in asynchronous: they will be in fact recorded and left available to students on the same platform. Exams will be performed orally through the Microsoft Teams platform.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will consist into 1 written test of 2 hours duration.
Brief description of the test procedure:
Open and multiple-choice exercises and questions.
The final report of the practical labs must be enclosed to the written evaluation and will contribute to grade the final exam.
The final score will be determined by 50% by the written test and 50% by the practical labs report.
Brief description of the test procedure:
Open and multiple-choice exercises and questions.
The final report of the practical labs must be enclosed to the written evaluation and will contribute to grade the final exam.
The final score will be determined by 50% by the written test and 50% by the practical labs report.
Bioethics 1
Course syllabus
Frontal lectures
- The main bioethical theories; 2 hours
- The human actions in the animal-human being relationship; 2 hours
- The ethical aspects in the application of advanced biotechnology in zootechnical-veterinary practices; 2 hours
Practical lab
- Guided discussion on bioethical aspects in the application of genomic biotechnology to veterinary practices as an example.
- The main bioethical theories; 2 hours
- The human actions in the animal-human being relationship; 2 hours
- The ethical aspects in the application of advanced biotechnology in zootechnical-veterinary practices; 2 hours
Practical lab
- Guided discussion on bioethical aspects in the application of genomic biotechnology to veterinary practices as an example.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures and class guided discussion.
Teaching Resources
- Lecture notes available in pdf format
- Educational material on the ARIEL portal
- Educational material on the ARIEL portal
General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement
Course syllabus
1. Principles of Genetics (locus, genes, genetic and genotypic frequencies) - 1 hour;
2. Mendel's laws and exceptions - 1 hour;
3. Hardy Weinberg's law, random mating and non-random mating systems, migration, selection - 2 hours;
4. Principle of quantitative genetics - 1 hour;
5. The 1 locus model: population mean, dominance deviation, breeding value - 2 hours;
6. Relationship and inbreeding - 2 hours;
7. Steps in setting a genetic improvement program - 1 hour
8. The infinitesimal model and the population genetics parameters (heritability, repeatability and correlation) - 2 hours
9. Organization of the breeders and farmers national system. The animal recording system - 2 hours;
10. Productive traits, lactation curve and functional traits - 2 hours;
11. Identification of reproducers - Breeding value and its reliability - 3 hours;
12. Genetic Markers - 2 hours
13. Genomic selection and selection schemes - 3 hours;
14. Expected genetic gain - 1 hour;
15. Information recorded in the herd book and analysis of an animal certificate - 1 hour;
16. Selection objectives and mating programs in Italian livestock populations - 6 hours.
Practical labs
Supervised practical training will occur in Dairy Farms and in lab (12 hours in farms 4 hours in lab)
The practical training will be repeated to independent subgroups of students
2. Mendel's laws and exceptions - 1 hour;
3. Hardy Weinberg's law, random mating and non-random mating systems, migration, selection - 2 hours;
4. Principle of quantitative genetics - 1 hour;
5. The 1 locus model: population mean, dominance deviation, breeding value - 2 hours;
6. Relationship and inbreeding - 2 hours;
7. Steps in setting a genetic improvement program - 1 hour
8. The infinitesimal model and the population genetics parameters (heritability, repeatability and correlation) - 2 hours
9. Organization of the breeders and farmers national system. The animal recording system - 2 hours;
10. Productive traits, lactation curve and functional traits - 2 hours;
11. Identification of reproducers - Breeding value and its reliability - 3 hours;
12. Genetic Markers - 2 hours
13. Genomic selection and selection schemes - 3 hours;
14. Expected genetic gain - 1 hour;
15. Information recorded in the herd book and analysis of an animal certificate - 1 hour;
16. Selection objectives and mating programs in Italian livestock populations - 6 hours.
Practical labs
Supervised practical training will occur in Dairy Farms and in lab (12 hours in farms 4 hours in lab)
The practical training will be repeated to independent subgroups of students
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures and practical labs in the classroom and in farms.
Teaching Resources
- Lecture notes available in pdf format
- Genetics for the Animal Science. L.D. Van Vleck, E.J. Pollak, E.A. Oltenacu. Ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-1800-6
- Educational material on the ARIEL portal
- Genetics for the Animal Science. L.D. Van Vleck, E.J. Pollak, E.A. Oltenacu. Ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-1800-6
- Educational material on the ARIEL portal
Bioethics 1
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 8 hours
Professor:
Mormino Gianfranco
General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement
AGR/17 - LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS - University credits: 5
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Bagnato Alessandro, Strillacci Maria Giuseppina
Shifts:
Professor:
Strillacci Maria Giuseppina
Turno 1 per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Strillacci Maria GiuseppinaTurno 2 per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Bagnato AlessandroEducational website(s)