58189 - Artificial Insemination and Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has learnt the techniques of artificial insemination, collection and cryopreservation of gametes and embryos and the assisted reproduction techniques more frequently used for embryo production and manipulation in vivo and in vitro. and sex determination. The student will be able to perform artificial insemination, oocyte and embryo recovery, transfer and or cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos in livestock species.

Course contents

The student will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the control of ovarian activity, the oestrus cycle, oestrus synchronization and detection. Techniques for artificial insemination in livestock species (cattle, buffalo, equines, swine, small ruminants). Techniques for recovery, storage and use of oocytes and embryos produced in vitro or in vivo by superovulation, the techniques for embryo transfer. From a theoretical point of view the techniques for cloning (by nuclear transfer) and genetic engineering will also be presented and discussed.

At the end of the teaching course:

·       KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING – the student knows methods of semen collection and artificial insemination, the techniques for recovery, use and or cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, protocols for oestrous synchronization and timed artificial insemination, use of different assisted reproductive techniques in different livestock species.

 

·     ABILITY OF KNOWLWDGE'S APPLICATION AND UNDERSTANDING -  the student is able to:

-       develop a protocol for hormonal control of ovarian activity;

-       perform artificial insemination in those species where this technique has largely replaced natural breeding (bovine, equine, swine)

-      handle the semen  for artificial insemination with fresh, refrigerated or frozen semen

-       recover oocytes and / or embryos for the required scope or for cryopreservation

-      perform an embryo transfer

Readings/Bibliography

-        Hafez E.S., Hafez E.B., “Riproduzione negli animali da allevamento”, libreriauniversitaria.it, 2011;

-        Youngquist R.S., Threlfall W.R."Current Therapy in Large Animal Theriogenology”, Saunders Elsevier, 2007;

-        Noakes E.D., Parkinson T.J., England G.C.C. ”Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics”, Saunders Elsevier, 2009;

-        McKinnon A.O., Squires E.L., Vaala W.E., Varner D.D. “Equine Reproduction”, Second Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011;

-        Sali G. “Manuale di teriogenologia bovina”, Edagricole, 1996;

-        Gordon I. “Reproductive Technologies in Farm Animals”, CABI Publishing, 2004;

-        Cibelli et al., “Principles of cloning”, Second Edition, Academic Press, 2014.

Teaching methods

The course is composed of theoretical part in the lecture rooms (18 hours) and of practical sessions (6 hours)

 

a.     lectures

In the lecture emphasis will be put on themes more relevant from the profession point of view, for the broader issues of general interests they will be referred to the textbooks.

 

b.      practical sessions

The students will be divided in four groups and each group takes a session of two hours for a total of 6 hours and will be performed on cows and or mares.

Assessment methods

The course is part of the integrated course of Physiopathology of Animal Reproduction and Assisted Reproductive Techniques that includes the courses of Physiopathology of Reproduction and Veterinary Andrology. The final score will be defined by an average of the scores of the three modules. Examination commission will include the teachers of the courses that are part of the integrated course.  

The evaluation test consists in a written examination followed by an interview.   Written test: (20 scores max) the test is passed with at lest 12/20 in 30 minutes time 10 questions (8 with multiple answers and 2 short assay). The non-response is considered incorrect (0) in both the type of questions. During the test the use of support material as textbooks, notes, and computer is not allowed.
Interview: (10 scores max). The score can be from 0 (zero) to 10. The examination is passed if the student has achieved a score of at least 6 points. If the student obtains a lower score, he has to repeat the entire examination (written and interview).

The final grade (out of thirty) will result from the sum of the 2 scores. If the student obtains a full score in both the examinations, the final mark can be 30 cum laude.

Registration on Alma Esami

The date of the examination indicates the date of the written part, the interview will be in the following days after the evaluation of the written test. During the same day all 3 modules of the integrated course can be taken (30 questions in 1,5 hours). If the interview is not passed the student will have to repeat the written test.

Teaching tools

Use of PC with multimedia projector, VHS, DVDs, scientific publications in specialised journals, specialised web sites. For practical courses specialised equipment will be used for recovery, handling, manipulation of gametes and embryos and for artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

Office hours

See the website of Cesare Galli