Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics II

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
-To be able to diagnose and treat the main reproductive problems affecting domestic species.
-To know the causes for subfertility, infertility, and sterility, proposing measures for correction.
-To know the biological events concurring before, during and after parturition, to determine potential complications and to correct them.

INTERACTIVE SESSIONS

Clinical Practice 1 (ROII C1) (4 h). Rectal palpation in cows I: this clinical practice will be done at the Veterinary Hospital “Rof Codina”, cattle facilities. Students will learn the technique for rectal palpation of the genital tract of the cow, learning how to differentiate the different parts of the tract and the physiological structures normally found in the ovaries.

Clinical Practice 2 (ROII C2) (4 h). Rectal palpation in cows II: this clinical practice will be done at the Veterinary Hospital “Rof Codina”, cattle facilities, and it is aimed to consolidate knowledge learned in the first practice.

Clinical Practice 3 (ROII C3) (4 h). Study of clinical cases on reproduction in small animals: this clinical practice will be done at the seminar of the subject. The practice will be divided into two sessions of 2 hours each, separated by 7 days. In the first session, a clinical case will be presented to the students, who should solve it during the following 7 days, to present it during the second session. To solve the case, students can ask the professor for any necessary tests.

Clinical Practice 4 (ROII C4) (4 h). Ultrasonographic exam and treatment for reproductive diseases of the cow: this clinical practice will be done at “Campus Terra” farm. Students will face different reproductive diseases in real conditions, according to the reproductive management in a dairy farm.

Clinical Practice 5 (ROII C5) (4 h). Resolution of dystocias in the cow: this clinical practice will be done at the laboratory of the subject. Students will solve different dystocias in the cow using a simulator.


EXPOSITIVE SESSIONS

BLOCK I.-PATHOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION AND OBSTETRICS IN RUMINANTS (11 h of theory)

Chapter 1. Anatomic alterations of the genital tract: Ovarian and/or uterine hypoplasia. White heifers disease. Alterations of the sexual differentiation. Ovarian tumours. Vaginal alterations. Other pathologies of the genital tract.

Chapter 2. Functional alterations of the ovaries: Anoestrus. Alterations of the follicular growth dynamics. Persistent corpus luteum. Ovulation without heat manifestation.

Chapter 3. Infertility of nutritional origin: Importance of nutrition for fertility, alterations caused by misbalance of the different diet components (energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins). Effects of toxic substances.

Chapter 4. Repeat breeding syndrome: definition, incidence, aetiology (heat alterations, ovulation alterations, fertilization failure and early embryo mortality). Repeated heats at irregular intervals: longer or shorter than the normal interestrus interval.

Chapter 5. Abortion: physiopathology of the abortion, incidence, non-infectious causes of abortion. Infectious causes of abortion: bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic.

Chapter 6. Pathology of pregnancy: Extra-uterine pregnancy. Vaginal prolapse. Uterine hernia. Uterine rupture. Diseases involving foetal membranes: hydroamnios, hydroalantoides. Foetal death: mummification, maceration, foetal emphysema. Congenital defects.

Chapter 7. Dystocia: concept and diagnosis. Dystocia classification. Methods used for dystocia resolution. Consequences of dystocia: for the foetus, for the mother.

Chapter 8. Dystocia of maternal origin: Absence of expulsive efforts of uterine or abdominal origins. Obstruction of the birth canal: alteration of the pelvic bones, alteration of soft tissues, uterine topographic anomalies.

Chapter 9. Dystocia of foetal origin: anomalies of presentation, position, or attitude. Large foetal volume. Twin pregnancy. Foetal malformations. Foetal membranes-dependent dystocia.

Chapter 10. Pathology of postpartum: Delay of uterine involution. Uterine prolapse. Placental retention. Uterine infections: metritis, endometritis, pyometra.

Chapter 11. Pathology of the neonate: Effects of obstetrical manipulation on the calf. Traumatisms and lesions of the neonate. Omphalophlebitis. Urachal persistence. Ani and rectum obliteration.

Chapter 12. Male infertility: General alterations. Alterations of the scrotum, prepuce, penis, testis, epididymis, accessory glands, and alterations of sexual behaviour.

BLOCK II.- PATHOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION AND OBSTETRICS IN HORSES (6 h of theory)

Chapter 13. Alterations of the oestrus cycle, ovulation, luteal function, and sexual behaviour. Ovarian tumours.

Chapter 14. Pathology of pregnancy: Uterine torsion, hydroalantoides, uterine rupture, prepubic tendon rupture, prolonged pregnancy. Pregnancy loss: causes of embryonic origin, causes of maternal origin. Abortion: non-infectious and infectious causes.

Chapter 15. Dystocia: incidence, causes, resolution. Postpartum pathology: placental retention, metritis-laminitis, haemorrhage, uterine prolapse, uterine rupture, delay of uterine involution, traumatisms of the genital tract.

Chapter 16. Infectious causes of infertility: endometritis, pyometra, contagious equine metritis, coital exanthema.

Chapter 17. Reproductive pathology of the stallion: semen anomalies, infections, physical anomalies. Psychological problems. Common genital surgeries.

BLOCK III.-REPRODUCTIVE PATHOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS IN PIGS (2 h of theory)

Chapter 18. Infertility of the sow: anatomic alterations, ovarian pathology, infectious diseases, anoestrus, hyperestrogenism.

Chapter 19. Pregnancy loss: non-infectious and infectious causes, detection, and diagnosis.

Chapter 20. Peripartum alterations in the sow: dystocia and obstetrics. Postpartum diseases: placental retention, hematoma, laceration and contusion, uterine prolapse.

BLOCK IV.- REPRODUCTIVE PATHOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS IN DOMESTIC CARNIVORES (5 h of theory)

Chapter 21. Reproductive pathology in the non-pregnant bitch and queen: oestrous cycle alterations, cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex, congenital and acquired diseases of vagina, vaginal vestibule and vulva.

Chapter 22. Pathology of pregnancy and parturition in the bitch and queen: embryo resorption and abortion, metabolic diseases during pregnancy, dystocia.

Chapter 23. Pathology of the postpartum period: Acute metritis, subinvolution of placental sites, mammary gland alterations. Eclampsia.

Chapter 24. Reproductive pathology of the dog and tom: cryptorchidism, testicular tumours, orchitis and epididymitis, prostatic diseases.

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- Hopper, RM (2015). Bovine Reproduction. John Wiley & Sons Inc. Iowa. USA
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1.-General competences:

GVUSC01: learning and adaptation ability.
GVUSC02: analysis and synthesis ability.
GVUSC05: ability to apply knowledge to practice.
GVUSC06: ability for autonomous and teamwork.
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.
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 and information in a foreign language.
CTVUSC07: ability to solve 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. We should not forget that in this discipline a series of necessary abilities should be learnt to conduct the professional veterinary practise.
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, students should assist and actively participate in the practical sessions of the subject, to learn the practical abilities needed for their future professional exercise.
C. Autonomous work: During the course, students should develop an assay, by searching information, discerning the relevant one, writing the paper, and presenting it.
Supports to the course:
During the whole course, the students will have personal support from the different professors of the discipline, in the timetable assigned to tutorials. It is recommended to assist, at least once for each block of chapters. Virtual support is also provided to enable communication with all the docents by means of e-mail, forums, etc.
Such virtual support is given through the virtual course named Reproducción y Obstetricia Veterinaria II to which all students enrolled in the subject will have access. Complementary information and exam models for self-evaluation will be available in the virtual course.

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

1.- Follow-up tests of the expository teaching: several tests will be done during the course to evaluate how the students are following expositive lectures. These tests will consist of questionnaires uploaded to the Virtual Campus at the end of each theoretical block.

2. Active learning and achievements from practical sessions

3. Exam: theoretical and practical knowledge achieved by the students will be assessed. 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. 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 notes, students can 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.


Final scoring for the subject:
The final score of the subject will consist of:
-Follow-up tests of expository lectures: 10%
-Practical sessions: 20%
-Exam: 70%

To pass the subject the student must have a minimum score of “5” in the written exam; a lower score in the exam cannot be averaged with those of the practical sessions or assay.


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 practical sessions will be saved, note will be maintained only while they give the same practices.
- 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: 36 h
-preparation of assays: 15 h
-literature review, library, etc.: 10 h
-assistance to meetings /other recommended activities: 2 h
-oral presentations: 2 h
-exams: 2.5 h
-total personal work: 67.5 h

Total work of the student: 112.5 h

Active assistance to lectures and practical sessions and future reading of recommended texts is strongly advised. Lecture presentations, videos, papers, websites, etc. will be available in the USC virtual course. All the contents proposed should be carefully reviewed.