Module Identifier RS23710  
Module Title REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Mina C G Davies-Morel  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Basil T Wolf, Dr Neil F G Beck  
Course delivery Lecture   2 x 1 hour lectures per week  
  Practical   3 x 3 hour practicals per semester  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Practical report Outcomes assessed: 1, 2  50%
Semester Exam2 Hours Written examination Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  50%
Supplementary Exam Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  100%

Learning outcomes

On the completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Describe the anatomy of the female and male reproductive tract in farm livestock including the horse and explain the functions of the constituent parts.

2. Discuss the control of reproduction in the male and female.

3. Explain or discuss the role that the maternal system plays both during pregnancy and lactation on the successful production of offspring.

4. Apply the knowledge gained to present day management techniques and critically assess their uses.

5. 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 reproduction, 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 manipulation for meat carcass production and athletic performance.

Module Skills

Research skills The practical report will have to be written in an academic context and adhere to a standard format for reporting a piece of practical investigation, ie: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion.  
Communication The practical report on the dissectionpractical will develop and assess students' ability to write and present information.  
Team work The dissection in anatomy practicals will be done in groups of 3-4 students; as such students' skills of working together will be developed.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Cupps, P T (1991) Reproduction in domestic animals Academic Press 0121965759
Ginther O J (1992) Reproduction biology of the mare. Basic and applied aspects 2nd. Equiservices, Wisconsin USA
Gordon, I (1997) Controlled reproduction in farm animals, Vols 1 - 4 CABI 0851991157
** Recommended Consultation
Davies Morel M C G (1999) Equine AI CABI 085199315X
Davies Morel, M C G (2003) Equine reproductive physiology, breeding and stud management 2nd. CABI 0851996434
McKinnon, A O and Voss, J L (1993) Equine reproduction Lea & Febiger 0812114272

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5