Unit GENERAL AND SPECIAL VETERINARY PHISIOLOGY

Course
Veterinary medicine
Study-unit Code
GP001135
Curriculum
In all curricula
Teacher
Silvana Diverio
CFU
16
Course Regulation
Coorte 2021
Offered
2022/23
Type of study-unit
Obbligatorio (Required)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa integrata

VETERINARY ENDOCRINOLOGY

Code GP001188
CFU 4
Teacher Margherita Maranesi
Teachers
  • Margherita Maranesi
Hours
  • 40 ore - Margherita Maranesi
Learning activities Base
Area Discipline della struttura e funzione degli organismi animali
Academic discipline VET/02
Type of study-unit Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction Italian
Contents General endocrinology overview. Hormones. Organization of the endocrine system. Functions, principal endocrine glands mechanism of action and dysfunction: epiphyses, hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid glands, endocrine pancreas, adrenal gland, gonads, and placenta. Physiology of reproduction and lactation.
Reference texts Reccomended:
Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici; Authors: O.V. Sjaastad, O. Sand, K. Hove, Edizione Italiana; Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Manuale di Fisiologia Veterinaria; Author: J.G. Cunnigham, Edizione Italiana; Antonio Delfino Editore.
Optional:
Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici con Elementi di Etologia; Authors: G. Aguggini, V. Beghelli, L.F. Giulio; UTET.
Educational objectives D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY
- the bases for understanding the organization of the endocrine system (endocrine glands and diffuse endocrine system, classification of hormones, synthesis, secretion and transport, circadian rhythms);
- the bases for understanding the interactions between the endocrine and nervous and immune systems;
- the elements for the understanding of the main endocrine mechanisms that control large animal functions, such as regulation of glycaemia and metabolism, development and growth, water and mineral balance, reproduction and milk secretion, states of emergency and stress;
- the elements to anticipate the effects due to "excess" or "defect" of specific hormones.
D2 - ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
- critically evaluate functional endocrine parameters and adaptation mechanisms;
- identify the main causes capable of altering the normal functioning of the endocrine system;
- the basis for understanding the pathophysiology and pathology of the endocrine system and their repercussions on general homeostasis.
D3 - AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT
At the end of the training the student will be able to:
- assess the presence of dysendocrinias in the animal;
- assess the physiological status of the animal with respect to puberty, estrus cycles, pregnancy, lactation;

D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS
At the end of the training the student will be able to:
- demonstrate language properties in both written and oral form, as well as the ability to use terminology that is sufficiently appropriate for a correct approach to the profession, which is also important for job interviews.

D5 - LEARNING SKILLS
At the end of the training the student will be able to:
- consult and understand scientific texts, even innovative ones, bibliographic updates, so as to employ them in contexts not only usual for the profession, including research, but also originals,
- possess a sufficiently broad mastery of the subject to guarantee an acceptable basis for continuing professional updating throughout life, through ongoing lifelong learning.
Prerequisites
Teaching methods Course organization:
- lectures on all the main topics covered by the program;
- journal club on endocrinology issues;
-practical activities at the Livestock teaching center/clinic for reproductive physiology and endocrinology. Students will be divided into groups and will follow 2 tutorials, 4 hours and 2 hours respectively;
- seminars on topics related to the course: principal hormone dysfunction in domestic animals, physiology of reproduction.
The official course material can be downloaded from the Unistudium platform.
Other information
Learning verification modality
Extended program Theoretical lessons:
Lesson 1: Course introduction. General Endocrinology. Hormones as specific chemical messengers. Endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine action. Hormones: chemistry, synthesis, secretion. Lesson 2: Hormones: transport, metabolism. Main receptors and second messengers. Lesson 3: Organization of the endocrine system and interaction with the S.N.C. Epiphysis. Hypothalamus. Hypothalamic pituitary connections. Adenohypophysis. Neurohypophysis. Somatotropic hormone. Physiology of reproduction: Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Sexual determinism and sexual differentiation.
Lesson 4: Gonads. Physiology of puberty. Regulation of ovarian hormones secretion. Estrous cycle: general aspects and species-specific characteristics. Seasonal reproductive activity. Hormonal control of the estrous cycle. Lesson 5: Follicular phase: Follicular wave and ovulation. The luteal phase: corpus luteum. Lesson 6: Luteolysis: peculiarity of species. Male reproductive system: hormonal regulation of the reproductive function. Gametogenesis, fertilization and embryo development. Lesson 7: The endocrinology of pregnancy and parturition. Placental hormones and maternal recognition of pregnancy. Postpartum. Physiology of lactation: mammary development and growth, lactogenesis, and galactopoiesis. Milk ejection. Endocrine control of lactation.
Lesson 8: The thyroid. Lesson 9: Parathyroid glands and hormones regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis (parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin. Lessons 10 – 11: The endocrine pancreas. Gastrointestinal hormones. Lesson 12: The adrenal glands. Adrenal cortex. Lesson 13: Mineralocorticoids. Renin-angiotensin system. Glucocorticoids. The adrenal medulla.
For each endocrine gland, the main hormonal dysfunctions will also be treated.
Practical lessons:
Training at the Livestock Teaching Center/ clinic of reproductive physiology and endocrinology. Students will be divided into groups and will follow guided practices:
1) reproductive physiology and endocrinology training (4 h).
Self-directed learning:
1) journal club on endocrinology themes (2 h).

VETERINARY PHISIOLOGY I

Code A000603
CFU 6
Teacher Silvana Diverio
Teachers
  • Silvana Diverio
  • Olimpia Barbato (Codocenza)
  • Margherita Maranesi (Codocenza)
Hours
  • 22 ore - Silvana Diverio
  • 18 ore (Codocenza) - Olimpia Barbato
  • 20 ore (Codocenza) - Margherita Maranesi
Learning activities Base
Area Discipline della struttura e funzione degli organismi animali
Academic discipline VET/02
Type of study-unit Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction Italian
Contents Overview of the electrical activity of the heart, electrophysiology and physiology of muscle contraction.
Reference texts Books:
Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici con Elementi di Etologia; Autori: G. Aguggini, V. Beghelli, L.F. Giulio; UTET.

"Neuroscienze", Purves D., Augustine G.J., Fitzpatrick D., Katz L.C., LaMantia A-S., McNamara J.O., 2000. Zanichelli, Bologna. ¿

Suggested Books:
Fisiologia degli animali. Dai geni agli organismi. 2010. Sherwood L., Klandorf H. Yancey P., Zanichelli, Bologna.
Educational objectives Educational objectives

D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY
The student must demonstrate to possess:
- basic knowledge of electrophysiology, the physiology of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle contraction;


D2 - ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the training activity the student must demonstrate:
- know how to set up the treatment of application problems in the general veterinary physiology;
- critically evaluate the functional parameters and mechanisms of nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction;
- identify the main causes capable of altering the normal functioning of the nervous system;
- understand the basic mechanisms of pathophysiology concerning the nervous system and muscle tissues, including the heart;
- know how to establish links between the various topics covered, and in particular between animal physiology and behavior, in order to be able to adequately deal with subsequent studies of animal ethology and welfare, pathology and veterinary clinic.

D3-AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT
The student must have acquired knowledge that allows him to:
- to evaluate the mechanisms underlying electrophysiology, the physiology of skeletal muscle contraction, cardiac and smooth muscle, nervous system functions and sensory perception;
- assess independently any different opinions on problematic aspects of general veterinary physiology.

D4-COMMUNICATION SKILLS
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- organize one's own thoughts in an appropriate way around the different topics of the course;
- know how to expose the topics in an organic form and with a scientific language with which to express adequately the acquired knowledge, in both written and oral form;
- know how to use a terminology that is sufficiently appropriate for a correct approach to the profession, which is also important for job interviews.

D5-LEARNING SKILLS
The student must be able to:
- examine and understand scientific texts, magazines in the field and scientific dissemination, in such a way as to employ them in everyday contexts in the continuation of their educational path and their working career;
- possess a sufficient mastery of the subject to guarantee an acceptable basis for continuing professional updating during his future profession.
Teaching methods Theoretical activity:
The course is organized as follows:
- Classroom lessons on all subjects of the course.

Practical activity:
- two hours guided exercises each held in the classroom or at the laboratory of Veterinary Physiology; Students will be divided into 4 groups (maximum 20 students)
- Supervised lessons
- expert seminars in the field of the program carried out
- written tests in classroom
Extended program Physiology of the nervous system: The somatic nervous system, evolution and functional organization. The blood-brain barrier. (2 hours).
Sensory physiology: The sense organs and receptors: classification, coding of sensory information. Role of neuromediators and their modulation in the nervous system. (4 hours).
Physiology of the nervous system: vegetative nervous system: sympathetic and parasympathetic: similarities and differences between vegetative and somatic reflex arc. Neurochemical transmission. (3 hours).
Nervous system physiology: conduction and trophic functions of the spinal cord. Ascending routes. (4 hours).
Nervous system physiology: conduction and trophic functions of the spinal cord. Descending routes. (2 hours).
Sensory physiology: Coding of sensory information: the perception of pain. (3 hours).
Physiology of the nervous system: Reflex functions of the spinal cord. (2 hours).
Physiology of the nervous system: Brain trunk and cranial nerves, implications for neurological examination.
Cerebellum and its relationship with the segmental brain. (1 hour).
Physiology of the nervous system: Basal ganglia. Balance regulation, voluntary and involuntary movement. Thalamus and cerebral hemispheres. (3 hours).
Physiology of the nervous system: The hypothalamus as the homeostatic center of the organism. (2 hours)
The limbic system: control of behavior and emotions. (2 hours).
Physiology of the nervous system: regulation of wakefulness and sleep, biological rhythms. (2 hour)
Sensory physiology (taste, hearing, balance, vision) (2 hours).
Physiology of the nervous system: Smell, primary and secondary cerebral cortex. Cerebral cortex and control and regulation activities of the higher centers. Associative areas. Physiology of cognition and relationship (3 hours).

VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY II

Code A000602
CFU 3
Teacher Silvana Diverio
Teachers
  • Margherita Maranesi (Codocenza)
Hours
  • 30 ore (Codocenza) - Margherita Maranesi
Learning activities Base
Area Discipline della struttura e funzione degli organismi animali
Academic discipline VET/02
Type of study-unit Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction ITALIAN
Contents The heart, functions and neuroendocrinological control. Cardiovascular system: blood and hemostasis, hemodynamics, arterial system, microcirculation, peripheral circulation control.
Respiratory system: respiratory mechanics, pulmonary circulation and pulmonary ventilation, perfusion, distribution, gas transport, respiratory control.
Reference texts Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici; Authors: O.V. Sjaastad, O. Sand, K. Hove, Edizione Italiana; Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Manuale di Fisiologia Veterinaria; Author: J.G. Cunnigham, Edizione Italiana; Antonio Delfino Editore.
Optional:
Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici con Elementi di Etologia; Authors: G. Aguggini, V. Beghelli, L.F. Giulio; UTET.
Educational objectives D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY

The main objective of the module is to provide students with an adequate knowledge of the physiology of domestic animals, with particular emphasis on the general principles and the control mechanisms that regulate the functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems that participate in an integrated way in maintaining the homeostasis of 'body.
The main knowledge acquired will provide:
- the bases for understanding the functioning of specific bodies / systems;
- the bases for the understanding of the regulation mechanisms of the single organs / systems and of the functional interactions between the different organs / systems;
- the essential elements for understanding homeostasis and the causes that modify it.

D2 - ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The main skills arising from the application of the knowledge described above will be:
- critically evaluate functional parameters and adaptation mechanisms;
- identify the main causes capable of altering the normal functioning of the cardio-circulatory and respiratory system;
- the basis for understanding the pathophysiology and pathology of the cardio-circulatory and respiratory system.

D3 - AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT
At the end of the training the student will be able to:
- evaluate the main physiological parameters relative to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
- recognize the presence of alterations in the physiological state of the cardiovascular and respiratory system;

D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS
At the end of the training the student will be able to:
- demonstrate language properties in both written and oral form, as well as the ability to use terminology that is sufficiently appropriate for a correct approach to the profession, which is also important for job interviews.

D5 - LEARNING SKILLS
At the end of the training the student will be able to:
- consult and understand scientific texts, even innovative ones, bibliographic updates, so as to employ them in contexts not only usual for the profession, including research, but also originals,
- possess a sufficiently broad mastery of the subject to guarantee an acceptable basis for continuing professional updating throughout life, through ongoing lifelong learning.
Prerequisites
Teaching methods The course is organized as follows:
- classroom lectures on all the topics in the program;
- exercises in the AZD / clinic of physiology of the cardiovascular system and respiratory system. Students will be divided into groups and will practise 4 hours of practical activity;
- classroom seminars on topics related to the course: scientific databases (Wos, Scopus, Pubmed, Google Scholar) and their use for bibliographic research.
The slides and material produced in the official course can be downloaded from the Unistudium platform.
Other information
Learning verification modality
Extended program THEORETICAL LESSONS:
Lesson 1-2: Physiology of cardiovascular system. The heart: heart cycle. The heart as a pump: the electrical conduction of the heart. Role of the pacemakers. Lesson: 3-4: Cardiac electrophysiology: the electrocardiogram (ECG). Lesson 5: Mechanics associated with the heart cycle and their repercussions on the vascular system (wrist, tones). Cardiac output, control factors (nervous, hormonal) and regulation. Lesson 6: Nervous heart control, afferent and efferent nerves, receptor system (bariceptors and chemoceptors), and heart regulation centres. The heart: Bainbridge reflex and sinus respiratory arrhythmia, regulating aspects of the nervous system. Responses to Exercise. Integrated cardiovascular functions.
Lesson 7: Pressure, volume, flow and resistance. Blood vessels. Blood pressure and its regulation. Arterial resistance. Lesson 8: The distribution of blood to the tissues. Exchange at capillary level. The lymphatic system. Blood physiology: the blood. Plasma and cellular component. Blood physiology: homeostasis, platelet and coagulation.
Lesson 9: Respiratory apparatus physiology: Introduction: the respiratory system. Ventilation. Gas exchange and transport. Lesson 10: Respiratory Mechanics. Mechanics: pulmonary volumes and respiratory cycle.
PRACTICAL LESSONS:
Heart and respiratory function evaluation (4 hours).

VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY

Code A000601
CFU 3
Teacher Silvana Diverio
Teachers
  • Massimo Zerani (Codocenza)
Hours
  • 30 ore (Codocenza) - Massimo Zerani
Learning activities Base
Area Discipline della struttura e funzione degli organismi animali
Academic discipline VET/02
Type of study-unit Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction Italian
Contents
Digestive and polygastric digestive system functions.
Renal System: Functional renal transport elements, solute and water
along the nephron and tubular function, fluid volume control and
osmolality, renal regulation of ions and acid- base.

Reference texts
Material provided by the teacher.

"Physiology of Domestic Animals" 2nd edition
Sjaastad O.V., Sand O., Hove K.
2010, Scandinavian Veterinary Press.

Educational objectives
D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The student must
- have the necessary knowledge to understand the physiological mechanisms regulating the activities of the renal and digestive systems in animals of veterinary interest.
D2 - APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the training activity the student must:
- be able to evaluate the functional parameters of the digestive and renal systems;
- be able to evaluate the homeostatic alterations of the physiological state of the digestive and renal systems.
D3 - MAKING JUDGMENT
At the end of the training the student must be able to:
- to evaluate the appropriateness of technical-scientific publications in the field of the physiology of the digestive and renal systems.
D4 - COMMUNICATION
At the end of the training activity, the student must be able to:
- organize, prepare and present, with appropriate evaluations and arguments, to an audience of equal technical-scientific level, a presentation on renal or digestive function of animals of veterinary interest,
- demonstrate language skills in both written and oral form, as well as the ability to use terminology sufficiently appropriate for a correct approach to the profession which is also important for job interviews.
D5 - LIFELONG LEARNING SKILL
At the end of the training the student should be able to:
- research and consult the appropriate technical-scientific publications to be used in the professional field;
- have a sufficient command of the subject to face, through continuous training, the future and necessary professional updates.

Teaching methods
The course is organized as follows:
- lectures on all subjects of the program;
- seminars in the classroom on topics of particular interest;
- possible observations in the farm carried out at the experimental teaching farm of the Department of Veterinary Medicine; students will be divided into groups (maximum 10 students);
- simulation of a written exam

Extended program
THEORETICAL LESSONS
Introduction to the course.
Digestive physiology: digestive function, chewing, salivation (2 hours)
Digestive physiology: monogastric stomach (2 hours)
Digestive physiology: Liver and pancreas (2 hours)
Digestive physiology: Small intestine monogastric (2 hours)
Digestive physiology: Monogastric crude intestines and digestion in
polygastric animals (2 hours)
Digestive physiology: the ruminal environment. Saliva (2 hours)
AGV, Ruminary Cycles, Rumination (2 hours)
Digestive physiology: omaso, abomasum (2 hours)
Kidney physiology: Fundamental renal processes, renal function (2 hours)
Kidney physiology: VFC filtration and regulation (2 hours)
Kidney physiology: Active and passive absorption (2 hours)
Renal physiology: Angiotensin and aldosterone renin system (2 hours)
Kidney physiology: Tubular secretion and clearance (2 hours)
Kidney physiology: Urine and water balance (2 hours)
PRACTICAL LESSONS
Monitoring of outdoor and indoor bioaerosol in animal husbandry at the AZD (4 hours)

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