Physiology and Endocrinology of Domestic Animals

The course illustrates and educates students on the general and special principles of physiological phenomena related to the respiratory, digestive (monogastric and polygastric), renal, reproductive and mammary systems, it also provides indications on the functioning and regulation systems of the main endocrine glands and mechanisms of action of the hormones they produce on the above devices. The course aims to direct veterinary medicine students to apply the information acquired in physiology in the context of the clinic, pathology, zootechnics, genetics, animal nutrition, infectious diseases (resistance and resilience to diseases), immunology and biotechnology.

1) Knowledge and understanding: the student must demonstrate knowledge of the basic physiological functions related to the digestive system, reproduction and lactation, kidneys and respiratory system of domestic animals, as well as the knowledge of the physiological bases of domestic animal endocrinology.
2) Appling knowledge and understanding skills: the student must demonstrate to possess the indispensable concepts to establish links between the various topics covered, and in particular between physiology and animal endocrinology, in order to adequately deal with the studies of pathology, veterinary clinic, animal husbandry, genetics, animal nutrition, infectious diseases, immunology and biotechnology.
3) Making judgments: the student must be able to deal critically with the study of the subject, integrating the information present on the material provided by the teachers with that reported in the recommended texts.
4) Communication: the student must demonstrate to be able to use an appropriate terminology, which allows him / her to express the acquired knowledge in an appropriate manner.
5) Life long learning skills the student must demonstrate to be able, in total autonomy, to increase and integrate his knowledge of topics related to the physiology and endocrinology of small and large animals.