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Reproduction of Farm Animals

Course developer

Prior knowledge

LauZ3046, Dairy Husbandry

LauZ3145, Animal Nutrition

LauZ3146, Animal Nutrition

Vete2022, Animal Physiology

Vete2023, Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to teach students to recognize and solve the problems of reproduction of farm animals. During their studies, students get acquainted with the farm animals (cow, goat, mare, pig) oestrus detection, the methods of natural mating and artificial insemination, and also learn about the anatomy and physiology of the genital organs of these animals before pregnancy, during pregnancy and parturition, as well in the normal postpartum period. Analyses the main causes of infertility and udder health disorders in animals

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge - in-depth knowledge and understanding of the neuro-humoral regulation of the genital organs of female and male animals, the processes of fertilization, pregnancy, parturition and the postpartum period, as well as the physiology and diseases of the mammary glands (udder). Type of knowledge test - 6 tests.
Skills - to organize and carry out zootechnical measures, in the prevention of diseases of the reproductive organs of animals and infertility, including the normal functioning of the mammary glands (udder), which ensures the production of high-quality milk. The ability to provide the first necessary aid during parturition. Testing of practical skills by an animal.
Competence - in accordance with acquired knowledge and skills, to independently assess and solve problems related to animal fertility and/or milk quality changes in any of the freely chosen herds.

Course Content(Calendar)

Kursa saturs (kalendārs) / Course Content (Calendar)
1. Functional anatomy and physiology of reproductive organs in different animal species (cow, pig, mare, ewe, got). Ovogenesis. Examination and dissection of genitalia in the FVM dissection room. – 4 h lectures and 2 h practical works
1st test Functional anatomy of female reproductive organs of different species.
2. Functional anatomy of male genital organs. Spermatogenesis, methods of obtaining sperm. Artificial vagina and its preparation for sperm removal. Obtaining boar sperm, macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of sperm, and its dilution. Peculiarities of artificial insemination in animals of different species. Lectures - 4 hours, practical work - 2 hours.
3. Puberty, sexual cycle, neurohumoral regulation, oestrus, and methods of its determination. Vaginal, rectal and ultrasound examination of cows (work on the animal at the VMF clinic Lectures – 4 hours, practical work - 2 hours.
2nd test. Puberty, sexual cycle, neurohumoral regulation, estrus, and methods of its determination.
4. Fertilization, pregnancy, and evaluation of their results. Trip to the artificial insemination station and milk quality testing laboratory in Sigulda. Lectures - 2h, practical work – 6h. 3rd test. Functional anatomy of male genitalia; methods of obtaining and evaluating sperm; natural fertilization and artificial insemination; and fertilization results evaluation.
5. The duration of pregnancy, the effects of pregnancy on the mother's organism, keeping and feeding pregnant animals, and the pathology of pregnancy are discussed. Lectures - 4h,
6. Signs of approaching parturition. Parturition. Postpartum period. Care of newborns, diseases. Postpartum pathology and its effect on future reproduction. Practical assistance in dystocia using a phantom. Lectures – 4h, practical work – 4h
4 th test. Pathology of pregnancy. The postpartum period and its pathology.
7. The functional anatomy and physiology of the udder. The examination of the cow's udder and milk testing for mastitis at the VMF clinic. Lectures – 2h, practical work - 2h.
5 th test. Functional anatomy and physiology of the udder. Mastitis, its diagnosis, and prevention.
8. Defense of independent work in the form of a practical work/seminar – 2h

Part-time correspondence studies: (lectures – 12 h, practical work – 10h, student’s independent work 86h)
1. Functional anatomy and physiology of reproductive organs in different animal species (cow, pig, mare, ewe, got). Ovogenesis. Functional anatomy of male genital organs. Spermatogenesis, methods of obtaining sperm. Examination and dissection of genitalia in the FVM dissection room. Lectures -2h, practical work – 2h
1st test Functional anatomy of female reproductive organs of different species.
2. Artificial vagina and its preparation for sperm removal. Obtaining boar sperm, macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of sperm, and its dilution. Peculiarities of artificial insemination in animals of different species. Lectures - 2h.
3. Sexual readiness, sexual cycle, neurohumoral regulation, oestrus and methods of its determination. Vaginal, rectal and ultrasound examination of cows. Examination of the cow's udder and milk testing for mastitis (work on an animal at the VMF clinic). Lectures - 2 h, practical work - 2h.
2nd test. Sexual readiness, sexual cycle, neurohumoral regulation, oestrus and methods of its determination.
4. Fertilization and pregnancy, evaluation of its results. Trip to the artificial insemination station and milk quality testing laboratory in Sigulda. Practical work – 4h.
3rd test. Functional anatomy of male genitalia. Methods of obtaining and evaluating sperm. Natural fertilization and artificial insemination. Fertilization results evaluation.
5. Pathology of pregnancy. Duration of pregnancy. Signs of approaching parturition and parturition. Postpartum period. Care of newborns, diseases. Postpartum pathology and its effect on future reproduction. Practical assistance in dystocia using a phantom. Lectures – 2 h, practical work – 2h
4. th test. The postpartum period and its pathology.
6. Functional anatomy and physiology of the udder. Defence of independent work. Lectures – 4h,
5. th test. Functional anatomy and physiology of the udder. Mastitis, its diagnosis, and prevention.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully completed 6 tests.
Absence of lectures and practical works are not more than 30% of the total number of lessons. If missed lectures and practical works are more than 30% of the total number of lessons, then the course must be repeated.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent work related by reproduction of farm animals and/or udder pathologies and changes of milk quality. The description should be supplemented with a study of scientific and specialized literature (at least 10 literature sources) and describe case up to 10 pages. After submitting the written form of the paper, it should be presented orally with an illustrated PowerPoint presentation of 5 to 7 minutes, expressing the most relevant information on subject, answering questions and justifying the information provided. The work must be submitted and defended within the deadline set by the course supervisor

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Oral and written knowledge test (in a 10-point system) during lectures or laboratory work.
The final grade is the average value of the oral exam, 6 tests and independent work.
If the number of late lectures and classes does not exceed 10%, and the colloquiums are passed with good and excellent grades, the exam can be passed automatically. The rest must take the exam orally.

Compulsory reading

1. Afanasjevs I. Veterinārā dzemdniecība un ginekoloģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1983. - 360 lpp. Grāmatas atrodas LBTU abonementā.
2. Brūveris Z., Baumane S., Dūrītis I. Mājdzīvnieku praktiskā anatomija. Medicīnas apgāds, 2018.- 634 lpp. Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā un LBTU abonementā.
3. Moderna piena ražošanas ferma tehnoloģija, tehnika, apsaimniekošana/ J.Priekuļa red. Jelgava: LLU, 2012, 240.lpp. Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā un LBTU abonementā.
4. Mine C.B. Davics Morel (2015). Equine Reproductive Physiology, Breeding and Stud Management, Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā.
5. David E Noakes et all. (2009) Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics. Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā.
6. P.L.Senger. Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturation. Current Conceptions, Inc. 2003.- pp.373 Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā
7. Peter J.Chenoweth, Steven P.Lorton. Animal Andrology Theories and Applications. FSC, 2014.-568 pp. Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā.

Further reading

1. Daugerts R., Garančs A. Laktācijas fizioloģija. Rīga : Zvaigzne, 1985. - 237 lpp. Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā.
2. Garančs Artūrs. Cilvēka un dzīvnieka fizioloģija jautājumos un atbildēs. Rīga: aut.izd., 2006.- 340 lpp. Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā.
3. Richter J., Gotze R. Tiergeburtshilfe. Verlag Paul Parey . Berlin und Hamburg.- 1993.- 642 s. Grāmata atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Veterinārais žurnāls. Latvijas Veterinārārstu biedrības informatīvs biļetens. ISSN1407-0065. No 2008. gada. Žurnāli atrodami VMF Informācijas centrā.
2. Journal Veterinary Medicine sākot ar 1996 gadu. Žurnāli atrodas VMF Informācijas centrā.
3. Journal of Veterinary Science sākot no 2004. gada. ISSN 1229 - 845X. Žurnāli atrodami VMF Informācijas centrā.

Notes

Compulsory course of study programme Reproduction of Farm Animals