Animal Reproduction Technology

Into the “GENERAL OBJECTIVES” of the Degree in Veterinary Medicine imparted by the USC it is stated: “Education in Veterinary Sciences has the aim of enduing students with the knowledge, techniques, skills and aptitudes appropriate for the profession”.
Therefore, the “General objectives” can be summarized as the training of graduates in the knowledge and professional capacitation needed to guarantee animal and human health, by means of:
- Control of hygiene, inspection and production technology and elaboration of food for human consumption, from the primary production to the end consumer.
- Prevention, diagnosis and individual or collective treatment, as well as fighting against animal diseases, either as individuals or collectives, particularly in the case of zoonoses.
- Control of breeding, management, welfare, reproduction, protection and nutrition of animals, and optimization of animal productions.
- Obtaining, in excellent and profitable conditions, products of animal origin and evaluating their environmental impact.
- Knowledge of laws, regulations and administrative provisions and their application to all fields of the Veterinary profession and public health, understanding ethical implications of health in a worldwide context of transformation.
- Development of professional practice in relation with other health professionals, acquiring skills relative to teamwork, efficient use of resources and quality management.
- Identification of emerging risks in all fields of the Veterinary profession.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE SUBJECT
-Knowledge of the different reproductive technologies available for veterinarians and how to apply them to improve animal production and/or to solve reproductive problems.

INTERACTIVE SESSIONS

Clinical Practice 1 (TRA C1) (4h). Artificial Insemination in cows I: this clinical practice will be done at the Veterinary Hospital “Rof Codina”. Students will learn the technique of artificial insemination in cows.

Clinical Practice 2 (TRA C2) (4h). Artificial Insemination in cows II: this clinical practice will be done at the same facilities as the first one, and it is aimed to consolidate the knowledge learned in the first practice.

Clinical Practice 3 (TRA C3) (4h). Artificial Insemination in cows III: this practice will be done at the same facilities as the previous one, and it is aimed to consolidate the knowledge learned in the previous practice.

Clinical Practice 4 (TRA C4) (4h). Control of oestrus and ovulation and embryo transfer in cows: this clinical practice will be done at the facilities of the Campus Terra Farm. The student will learn how to use protocols for ovulation and heat control, and embryo transfer in cattle.

Clinical Practice 5 (TRA C5) (4h).- Carrying out control of reproduction in a dairy cattle farm. It includes assessment of reproductive parameters using the farm's computer program, animal exploration and decision-making (protocols). Clinical practice to be held at the Campus Terra Farm.


EXPOSITIVE SESSIONS

BLOCK I.-RUMINANTS (11 h)

Chapter 1. Control of ovarian activity. Protocols used for synchronization of oestrus and ovulation in: cyclic cows, seasonal and lactation anoestrus. Control of multiple ovulations.

Chapter 2. Evaluation of reproductive performance. Importance, parameters used for evaluating reproductive performance, assessment and interpretation of different values, factors affecting reproductive performance.

Chapter 3. Technology for pregnancy diagnosis and control of pregnancy length. Indirect methods: control of oestrus return, progesterone value, pregnancy associated proteins, other factors of foetal origin. Direct methods: rectal palpation, ultrasonography. Control of calving.

Chapter 4. Embryo transfer. Applications. Election and preparation of donor and receptor females. Induction of multiple ovulations. Collection, evaluation, and preservation of embryos. Embryo transfer to receptor females.

Chapter 5. Other embryonic technologies: Preimplant sex diagnosis. Embryo production by in vitro fertilization. Production of cloned and transgenic individuals.

Chapter 6. Artificial insemination. Advantages and drawbacks. Techniques for semen collection. Semen quality evaluation. Semen dilution and straws identification. Semen freezing, thawing and post-thaw evaluation. Management of frozen semen. Insemination technique and instruments. Evaluation of insemination success. Sexed semen.

BLOCK II.-HORSES (4 h)

Chapter 7. Control of the oestrous cycle. Induction of oestrus and ovulation. Oestrus suppression.

Chapter 8. Artificial insemination: indications, breed restrictions, stallion preparation, methods for semen collection and preservation, insemination technique, pregnancy rates.

Chapter 9. Other methods for assisted reproduction: embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, ICSI.

Chapter 10. Pregnancy diagnosis. Voluntary pregnancy interruption. Induction of parturition: indications, methods.


BLOCK III.-PIGS (2 h)

Chapter 11. Control of the oestrous cycle: indications. Cyclic sows. Acyclic sows

Chapter 12. Artificial insemination: semen collection, cooled semen, frozen semen. Insemination technique. Pregnancy rates

Chapter 13. Pregnancy diagnosis. Return to oestrus. Ultrasonography. Induction of parturition.

BLOCK IV.- RABBITS (1 h)

Chapter 14. Reproductive management of rabbits: band management. Artificial insemination.

BLOCK V.- SMALL ANIMALS (6 h)

Chapter 15. Artificial insemination in the canine species. Semen collection in the dog. Use of fresh, cooled, or frozen semen. Insemination of the bitch.

Chapter 16. Control of reproduction in the bitch and queen. Induction of oestrus and ovulation. Permanent or temporal suppression of reproductive activity in canines and felines.

Chapter 17. Other reproductive biotechnologies used in carnivores.

RUMINANTS

- Ball PJH, Peters AR (2004) Reproduction in cattle. 3th Edition. Blackwell Publishing.
Fields MJ, Sand R, Yelich JV (2002). Factors affecting calf crop biotechnology of Reproduction. CRC Press.
- Gordon I (1996). Controlled Reproduction in cattle and buffaloes. CAB International. 3th Edition.
- Gordon I (2003). Laboratory production of cattle embryos. 2nd Edition. CABI Publishing.
- Hafez ESE. (1996) Reproducción e inseminación artificial en animales. 3ª edición en español. Inter-americana McGraw-Hill. México.
- Hopper, RM (2015). Bovine Reproduction. John Wiley & Sons Inc. Iowa. USA.
- Illera Martín M. (1994) Reproducción de los animales domésticos. Aedos. Barcelona.
Joy KP, Krishna A, Haldar C. (1999) Comparative endocrinology and reproduction. Springer-Verlag. Berlín.
- Knobil E, Neill JD. (1994) The Physiology of Reproduction. Second edition. Volumes 1 y 2. Raven Press, New York.
- Knobil E, Neill JD. (1998) Encyclopedia of reproduction. Academic Press. San Diego.
McDonald LE, Pineda MH (1991). Endocrinología veterinaria y reproducción. Interamericana McGraw-Hill. México.
- Palma GA (2001). Biotecnología de la Reproducción. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria.
- Pate JL, Smith MF, Spencer TE (2010). Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants VII. Nottingham Uni-versity Press.
- Thibault C, Levasseur MC. (1991) La reproduction chez les mammifères et l’homme. INRA. París.
- Senger PL. (2003). Pathways to pregnancy and parturition. Current Conceptions, Inc. 2nd Edition. Washington.

HORSES

- BLANCHARD, T.L.; VARNER, D.D. Y SCHUMACHER, J. (1998). Manual of equine reproduction. Mosby-Year Book. Inc. St. Louis, Missouri.
- BRINSKO, S.P., BLANCHARD, T.L.,VARNER, D.D., SCHUMACHER, J., LOVE, C.C., HINRICHS, K., HARTMAN, D. (2011). Manual of equine reproduction. 3ª Ed. Editorial Mosby elsevier. Maryland Heights, Missouri. Pp. 325.
- DAVIES, M.C.G. (1999). Equine artificial insemination. Editorial CAB International. UK. Pp 406.
GORDON, I. (1997). Controlled reproduction in horses, deer and camelids. Editorial Cab Internatio-nal. Cambridge. Pp. 215.
- KAHN, W.. Veterinary reproductive ultrasonography. Ed. Mosby-Wolfe, con. London. 1994.
Ley, B.W. (2004). Broodmare reproduction for the equine practitioner. Editorial Teton NewMedia. Jackon, Wyoming. Pp. 255.
- MAGNI, L. (1993). Inseminazione strumentale nel caballo. Editorial La Goliardica Pavese. Pavia. Pp. 162.
- McKINNON, A.O. Y VOSS, J.L. (1993). Equine reproduction. Editorial Willians and Wilkins. EEUU. Pp. 1137.

PIGS

- Buxade, C., Marco, E, López, D. (2007). La cerda reproductora: claves de su optimización productiva. Editorial Euroganadería. España. Pp. 559.
- GORDON, I. (1997). Controlled reproduction in pigs. Editorial Cab International. Cambridge. Pp. 247.
- MARTINAT-BOTTÉ, F.; RENAUD, G.; MADEE, F.; COSTIOU, P. Y TERQUI, M. (2000). Ultrasonography and reproduction in swine: Principles and practical applications. INRA editions. Paris.

SMALL ANIMALS

- Johnston SD, Root Kustritz MV, Olson PNS. (2001). Canine and feline theriogenology. WB Saunders Company. Philadelphia.
- Simpson GM, England GCW, Harvey M. (1998) Manual of Small Animal Reproduction and Neonatol-ogy. British Small Animal Veterinary Association. Cheltenham.
- England GCW, von Heimendahl A. (2010). Manual of Canine and Feline Reproduction and Neonatol-ogy. British Small Animal Veterinary Association. Gloucester.

1.-General competences:

GVUSC01: learning and adaptation ability.
GVUSC02: analysis and synthesis ability.
GVUSC03: general knowledge on the work area.
GVUSC04: job planning and management.
GVUSC05: ability to apply knowledge to practice.
GVUSC06: ability for autonomous and teamwork.
GVUSC07: ability to work in an international context.
GVUSC08: leadership, initiative, and entrepreneurial spirit.
GVUSC09: communication abilities in different areas.
GVUSC10: ethical commitment and responsibility assumption.

2.-Disciplinary specific competences:

CEDVUSC18: Knowledge of the basic procedures to warrant the correct reproductive activity as well as the technological processes and methods for the resolution of obstetrical problems.

3.-Professional specific competences:

D1VUSC09: Application of the basic procedures to warrant a correct reproductive activity, the technological processes, and methods for resolution of obstetrical problems.

4. Academic specific competences:

CEAVUSC01: analysing, synthesizing, problem solving and decision making in professional areas of the veterinarian.
CEAVUSC02: exhibiting ethical behaviour in the practice of their responsibilities either to the veterinary profession and society.
CEAVUSC03: divulgation of the information obtained during the professional exercise as a veterinarian, with fluency either orally or written, with colleagues, authorities, and the society in general.
CEAVUSC04: searching and management of information related to veterinary activity.
CEAVUSC05: knowledge and application of the scientific method in the professional practice including evidence-based medicine.
CEAVUSC06: knowing how to search advice and professional help.
CEAVUSC07: having basic knowledge of a foreign language, especially in technical aspects related to veterinary sciences.
CEAVUSC08: being aware of needing updated knowledge, abilities, and attitudes of professional competences by means of a permanent education process.

5.-Cross competences:

CTVUSC01: ability for reasoning and argumentation.
CTVUSC02: ability to obtain adequate, diverse, and updated information by different media, such as bibliographical information or the internet, and critically analyse it.
CTVUSC03: ability to elaborate and present an organized and understandable text.
CTVUSC04: ability to do a clear, coherent, and concise public exposition.
CTVUSC05: ability for ICTs management.
CTVUSC06: use of information in a foreign language.
CTVUSC07: ability for solving problems by the integrated application of knowledge.

As this is a subject oriented to veterinary professionals, we intend to accomplish with the following methodological conditions:
a. Keep a balance between the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and practical abilities.
b. Encourage continuous search of new information: reproduction is not a static discipline, but it is continuously evolving, so the student needs to learn how to get new information and analyse it critically.
Inside this structure, we can describe several parts for this course:
A. A first part of theoretical work, in which the professor will expose the chapters included in the program and the student should acquire the basic knowledge of the discipline. The students should complete the assistance to lectures with the reading of recommended texts to increase their knowledge.
B. Practical work: During the course, the students should assist and actively participate in the practical sessions of the subject, to learn the practical abilities needed for their future professional exercise.

For the final evaluation of students, all activities done during the course, as well as knowledge and skills acquired, will be taken into account.
The following aspects will be considered:

1. Attendance and active participation in practical sessions (30% of the final score).

2. Written exams (60% of the final score): theoretical and practical knowledge achieved by the students will be evaluated. The written exam will consist of 50 questions, some of them will be test type with multiple answers and some of them will be short assay questions. For the test questions, incorrect answers will never rest points, but for a question to be considered correct all the options chosen should be correct. A minimum score of “5” will be necessary to pass the subject; a lower score in the exam cannot be averaged with those of the practical sessions or follow-up tests. . Only one final exam will be done on the date established in the Academic Programming of the Veterinary Faculty. After the publication of the provisional exam scores, students could review their exercises and pose the doubts, suggestions or claims they may consider appropriate. Dates and place for the exam review will be published along with the exam scores.

3.- Follow-up tests using online questionnaires at the end of each theoretical block (10% of the final score)

Recommendations for the remedial exam:
It is important to consider several aspects in case the student does not pass the subject in a particular call:
- Scores obtained for all tasks (practical sessions, assays, tests…) will be saved, except for the exam score.
- The exam of the extraordinary call will have a similar format to the one of the official call.
- The final note for students examined in extraordinary calls will be calculated in the same way as in official calls.

Attendance at scheduled activities will be compulsory, but the scores obtained in the previous course in the practical sessions will be kept.

For cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for the evaluation of students' academic performance and the review of qualifications will apply.

Classroom work:
-lectures: 24 h
-clinical practices: 20 h
-small group tutorials: 1 h
-total physical working: 45 h

Personal work:
-individual study: 34.5 h
-preparation of report: 10.5 h
-literature review, library, etc.: 8h
-assistance to meetings /other recommended activities: 2 h
-cases/problems resolutions: 8h
-oral presentations: 2 h
-exams: 2.5 h
-total personal working: 67.5 h

Total working of the student: 112.5 h

Students enrolled in this subject must be aware that their work during practical sessions and follow-up tests will account for 40% of the final score of the subject. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to participate in both as it will make it easy to pass the subject.
As an example, if a student has not done practices or the follow-up tests, he/she should have an exam note of at least 8.3 to pass the subject.
Concerning the written exam, a careful reading of questions and optional answers is recommended. Short assay questions should be clearly answered attending exactly to what is asked. It is remembered that some questions, to be correctly answered, may require concepts or reasoning involving different topics of animal reproduction.