Module Identifier RS23710  
Module Title REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Mina Davies-Morel  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Basil Wolf, Dr Neil Beck  
Pre-Requisite RS10510 or equivalent  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours  
  Practical   3x3 hours  
Assessment Practical report   See also institue's rules on consequences of failing a module   50%  
  Exam   2 Hours   50%  
  Exam      

Learning outcomes


On the completion of the module, students will be able to:
i. describe the anatomy of the female and male reproductive tract in farm livestock including the horse and explain the functions of the constituent parts.
ii. discuss the control of reproduction in the male and female.
iii. explain or discuss the role that the maternal system plays both during pregnancy and lactation on the successful production of offspring.
iv. apply the knowledge gained to present day management techniques and critically assess their uses.
v. describe the effects of breed, sex and nutrition on the growth and development of carcass tissues and relate this knowledge to the rearing of meat animals and sports horses.

Brief description


A course of 22 lectures and 3 practicals which will consider in detail the reproductive anatomy and physiology of farm livestock, including the horse, along with their growth and development. The content of the module will include: the reproductive anatomy of the non-pregnant and pregnant female (mare, ewe, sow,cow) and the male (stallion, ram, boar, bull); the endocrine control of repoduction, the effect of the enviroment and management; the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, conception, maternal recognition of pregnancy, embryo and foetal development, endocrine control of pregnancy; the anatomy and physiology of parturition, its initiation and control; the anatomy and physiology of milk production, anatomy of the mammary gland, endocrine control of lactation (lactogenesis, galactopoesis, milk ejection), milk production and secretion, the lacation curve; the growth patterns and curves of livestock from conception to maturity, growth manipultaion for meat carcass production and athletic performance.

Reading Lists

Books
Gordon, I. (1997) Controlled reproduction in farm animals, Vols 1 - 4. CABI
Davies Morel, M C G. (1999) Equine reproductive physiology, breeding and stud management. CABI
McKinnan, A O and Voss, J L. (1993) Equine reproduction. Lea & Febiger
Ginther O J. (1992) Reproduction biology of the mare. Basic and applied aspects. 2nd. Equiservices, Wisconsin USA
Davies Morel M C G. (1999) Equine AI. CABI
Berg R T and Butterfield R M. (1976) New concepts of cattle growth. Sydney University Press