Postgraduate - UnitGRS4201 - Animal sciences

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Synopsis

This unit will focus on the reproductive biology and breeding of animals. The lectures and tutorials will build on an understanding of basic reproductive physiology and endocrinology to explore ways in which reproduction can be manipulated to increase the reproductive efficiency and genetic gain in farm animals and animals in danger of becoming extinct. How this information can be applied to the monitoring and regulation of reproduction in pets, zoo animals, Australian native animals and vertebrate pest species will also be explored. The approaches that will be examined include hormonal and immunological manipulation of reproduction, artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm. A facility that is using these approaches will allow students to see first hand how fundamental information can be applied to achieve environmental and/or commercial outcomes.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

1. possess a thorough knowledge and understanding about the reproductive biology of farm animals, animals in danger of becoming extinct, pets, zoo animals, Australian native animals and vertebrate pest species;
2. be familiar with the techniques that are available to manipulate reproduction in animals, including the hormonal and immunological manipulation of reproduction, artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the cryopreservation of semen, and embryo production and transfer;
3. understand the limitations of the procedures that are applied to manipulate reproduction in animals and have gained first hand experience of ICSI in animals;
4. understand the commercial, environmental and ethical issues related to the use of reproductive technologies on animals;
5. know how to evaluate contemporary research papers and communicate a critical review of several scientific papers and appreciate how fundamental can be applied to achieve environmental and/or commercial outcomes.

Assessment

Open-book written examination (1.5 hours): 50%
Practical work and report: 30%
one mini-seminar 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith

Contact hours

This unit will be held over six weeks in second semester. In addition to attendance at lectures and tutorials students are required to attend practical demonstrations and site visits. Attendance from 9 am to 5 pm for a 3 day laboratory project is also required.