42944 - Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction

Learning outcomes

The students will acquire reproductive physiology and endocrinology of domestic animals. Collection, handling, storage of gametes and embryos of livestock species. Genomics and epigenomics of gametes and embryos. Assited reproductive techniques, sexing of semen and embryos, nuclear transfer. Genetic modification of livestock. Organisation and management of laboratory and equipment for assisted reproduction. The student shall be able to evaluate and introduce new techniques depending on the type and specialisation of the herd, evaluate the usefulness, pros and cons both for the producer and the consumer. The student will learn to work in a team and work in a laboratory,  he/she will be able to understand the impact on health and welfare of the animals of the technicques both for agriculture and biomedical applications.

Course contents

Life cycle of mammals. Infancy, puberty and reproductive phase. Endocrine regulation  of sexual function in female and male. The oestrous cycle, ovulation, corpus luteum. Follicle waves. The different types of anoestrus. Hypothalamus –pituitary -gonad axe.  Oogenesis, spermatogenesis, fertilisation, embryonic development and placentation. Maternal recognition of pregnancy. Pregnancy maintainance. Delivery. Physiology of lactation. Epigenetic mechanisms of embryonic development, embryonic mortality. Theoretical and practical aspects of collection and preservation of gametes. Techniques of embryo production in vivo and in vitro, storage and cryopreservation and transfer of embryos and cloning by nuclear transfer. Transgene biotechnology. Male pronucleus microinjection and sperm mediated gene transfer.  Characterization of transgenic animal.  Potential application of the transgenic animals. Management of the laboratory and the equipment necessary for assisted reproduction, quality control, national and international legislation regulating assisted reproduction. Effects on health and welfare of animals.  Animal models of human diseases, engineering of animals for protein of pharmacological use or of organs and tissues for xenotransplantation. Ethical and regulatory aspects. Prof. M.L. Bacci will be responsible for teaching physiology and transgenesis parts within the course.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Hafez, B & Hafez ESE. Reproduction in farm animals, 7th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000. ISBN 0-683-30577-8

2. Gordon, I. Reproductive Technologies in Farm Animals, CABI-Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK, 2004. ISBN 0 85199 862 3.

3. Spelta, R & Corbella, E. Tecniche di fecondazione artificiale. CittàStudiEdizioni / UTET Diffusione srl, 2003. ISBN 88-251-0118-X.

4. Nagy Andras. Manipulating the mouse embryo : a laboratory manual. Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. : Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, ©2003. ISBN: 0879695749 0879695919

5. Brew M Noden, Alexander De Lahunta. Embriologia degli animali domestici. Edizione Italiana a cura di Piero Ceccarelli e Bruno Ferrandi. Edi-Ermes, 1991. ISBN 88-7051-083-2

6. Gordon, I. Laboratory Production of Cattle Embryos, 2nd Edition. Biotechnology in Agriculture Series, No 27 Ireland , September 2003, 592 pages HB 0851996663

7. JD Watson, M Gilman, JA Witowsky, M Zoller. DNA ricombinante. Edizione Italiana pubblicata da Zanichelli Editore, Bologna, 1994.

8. National Research Council of the National Academies. Animal biotechnology, science based concerns. The National Academies Press 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 2002. ISBN 0-309-08439-3 (www.nap.edu)

9.  Dukes, Fisiologia degli animali domestici, Idelson-Gnocchi, Napoli (2002)

Classes' notes, teaching materials provided by the  professors

Teaching methods

During lectures there will be the presentation and the discussion of topics connected with animal reproduction and connected technologies of livestock species in particular. Classes will be complemented by practical sessions in the teaching laboratory and with animals. These sessions will be hands on so that each student can immediately practice what he /she has been shown or taught during classes. These activities will be organised in such a way that the students can address problems and find solutions for the techniques discussed during classes.

Assessment methods

There will be an oral examination that will include questions to assess what the student has learnt during  classes and the techniques that have been addressed during the practical training in the teaching laboratory.

Teaching tools

Use of PC with multimedia projector, VHS, scientific publications in specialised journals, specialised web sites. For practical courses specialised equipment will be used for recovery, handling, manipulation and cell culture laboratory equipment.

Office hours

See the website of Cesare Galli

See the website of Maria Laura Bacci