General Zootechnics and Genetic Improvement
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the basics of genetics applied to domestic animals. The aspects related to genetic pathologies and genomic selection will be treated, the principles of their transmission with hints to the diagnostic possibilities offered by molecular genetics. The course also provides the principles of genetic improvement applied to zootechnical productions with particular reference to reproductive biotechnologies, molecular genetics and genomic selection available today. Finally, information on the selection programs active in the main zootechnical populations of the national territory will be provided.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to formulate a genetic improvement program in a dairy cattle farm. They will be able to use the tools available for choosing the sires with genetic evaluation applying the skills acquired in the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist into 1 written test.
Brief description of the test procedures:
Open and multiple choice exercises and questions
The final report of the practical labs must be enclosed to the written evaluation and will contribute to grade the final exam
Brief description of the test procedures:
Open and multiple choice exercises and questions
The final report of the practical labs must be enclosed to the written evaluation and will contribute to grade the final exam
Zootecnica generale e miglioramento genetico
Course syllabus
Organization of the module
The module is structured with 32 lecture hours and with supervised practical training in class (4 hours) and on dairy farms (12 hours)
Program
1. Steps in a genetic improvement program
2. The infinitesimal model, the population genetics parameters (heritability repeatability);
3. Organization of breeders and farmers and the national scheme of genetic improvement in farm animals;
4. Productive traits and functional traits;
5. Lactation curve, fertility, health in dairy cattle farms;
6. Selection objectives, selection criteria, economic selection indexes;
7. Breeding value and its reliability;
8. Selection schemes;
9. Progeny and performance test
10 Tools for genomic selection
11 Selection schemes integrated by the genomic selection tools
12 Information recorded in the herd book and analysis of an animal certificate
13 Expected genetic gain
14 The use of reproductive and molecular biotechnologies to improve the efficiency of selection programs;
15. Dairy cattle breeds in Italy, description and their genetic improvement scheme;
16. Beef cattle breeds in Italy, description and their genetic improvement scheme;
17. Sheep and goats breeds in Italy, description and their genetic improvement scheme;
18. The Haflinger horse, as an example of selection in this specie;
Supervised practical training will occur in Dairy Farms and in lab (12 hours in farms 4 hours in lab)
The practical training will be repeated to subgroups of students
The module is structured with 32 lecture hours and with supervised practical training in class (4 hours) and on dairy farms (12 hours)
Program
1. Steps in a genetic improvement program
2. The infinitesimal model, the population genetics parameters (heritability repeatability);
3. Organization of breeders and farmers and the national scheme of genetic improvement in farm animals;
4. Productive traits and functional traits;
5. Lactation curve, fertility, health in dairy cattle farms;
6. Selection objectives, selection criteria, economic selection indexes;
7. Breeding value and its reliability;
8. Selection schemes;
9. Progeny and performance test
10 Tools for genomic selection
11 Selection schemes integrated by the genomic selection tools
12 Information recorded in the herd book and analysis of an animal certificate
13 Expected genetic gain
14 The use of reproductive and molecular biotechnologies to improve the efficiency of selection programs;
15. Dairy cattle breeds in Italy, description and their genetic improvement scheme;
16. Beef cattle breeds in Italy, description and their genetic improvement scheme;
17. Sheep and goats breeds in Italy, description and their genetic improvement scheme;
18. The Haflinger horse, as an example of selection in this specie;
Supervised practical training will occur in Dairy Farms and in lab (12 hours in farms 4 hours in lab)
The practical training will be repeated to subgroups of students
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons and practical labs in the classroom and on farm
Teaching Resources
-) Lecture notes available in pdf format
-) Genetics for the Animal Science. L.D. Van Vleck, E.J. Pollak, E.A. Oltenacu. Ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-1800-6
-) Educational material on the ARIEL portal
-) Genetics for the Animal Science. L.D. Van Vleck, E.J. Pollak, E.A. Oltenacu. Ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-1800-6
-) Educational material on the ARIEL portal
Genetica veterinaria
Course syllabus
Program
1. Principles of Genetics (locus, genes, genetic and genotypic frequencies)
2. Mendel's laws and exceptions
3. Hardy Weinberg's law, random mating, non random mating systems, migration, selection,
4. Genetic markers
5. Mendelian diseases, genetic tests, management of affected reproducers, eradication from population. Use of genomic technologies in identification of carriers.
6. Principle of quantitative genetics
7. The 1 locus model: population mean, dominance deviation, breeding value;
8. Relationship and inbreeding; methods to calculate additive genetic relationship and inbreeding
1. Principles of Genetics (locus, genes, genetic and genotypic frequencies)
2. Mendel's laws and exceptions
3. Hardy Weinberg's law, random mating, non random mating systems, migration, selection,
4. Genetic markers
5. Mendelian diseases, genetic tests, management of affected reproducers, eradication from population. Use of genomic technologies in identification of carriers.
6. Principle of quantitative genetics
7. The 1 locus model: population mean, dominance deviation, breeding value;
8. Relationship and inbreeding; methods to calculate additive genetic relationship and inbreeding
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons in the classroom
Teaching Resources
-) Lecture notes available in pdf format
-) Genetics for the Animal Science. L.D. Van Vleck, E.J. Pollak, E.A. Oltenacu. Ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-1800-6
-) Educational material on the ARIEL portal
-) Genetics for the Animal Science. L.D. Van Vleck, E.J. Pollak, E.A. Oltenacu. Ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-1800-6
-) Educational material on the ARIEL portal
Genetica veterinaria
AGR/17 - LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Bagnato Alessandro
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Bagnato Alessandro
Zootecnica generale e miglioramento genetico
AGR/17 - LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professors:
Bagnato Alessandro, Strillacci Maria Giuseppina
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Bagnato AlessandroTurno 1 per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Bagnato AlessandroTurno 2 per un gruppo di studenti
Professor:
Strillacci Maria GiuseppinaEducational website(s)
Professor(s)