Unit VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY
- Course
- Biotechnology
- Study-unit Code
- 55046906
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Margherita Maranesi
- Teachers
-
- Margherita Maranesi
- Olimpia Barbato
- Hours
- 42 ore - Margherita Maranesi
- 5 ore - Olimpia Barbato
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2024
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Affine/integrativa
- Area
- Attività formative affini o integrative
- Sector
- VET/02
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- The course provides a comprehensive overview of the main physiological and endocrinological mechanisms of veterinary animal species, with a particular focus on the organization of the endocrine system, hormonal regulation, and the interactions between the nervous and endocrine systems. It covers the processes of reproduction, puberty, pregnancy, lactation, and the physiology of the major endocrine glands, including the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, pancreas, and adrenal glands.
The second part of the course is dedicated to the physiology of the body's organs and systems, with particular emphasis on electrophysiology, the cardiovascular system, blood and circulation, the respiratory system, the kidneys, and the digestive system. The aim is to understand the mechanisms that regulate homeostasis and ensure the proper functioning of the organism under different physiological conditions. - Reference texts
- Fisiologia degli animali domestici. O.V. Sjaastad, O. Sand, K. Hove. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Manuale di Fisiologia Veterinaria; Author: J.G. Cunnigham, Edizione Italiana; Antonio Delfino Editore. - Educational objectives
- D1 – Knowledge and Understanding
The student must demonstrate:
basic knowledge of the course topics;
an understanding of how these physiological functions are involved in social interactions and in the cognitive processes underlying adaptation in animal species.
D2 – Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the training activity, the student must demonstrate the ability to:
structure and address applied problems in the field of general veterinary physiology;
establish connections among the various topics covered, in order to appropriately approach subsequent studies.
D3 – Autonomy of Judgment
The student must have acquired knowledge that enables them to:
evaluate the mechanisms underlying the topics discussed;
independently and critically assess, with justified reasoning, differing opinions on problematic aspects of general veterinary physiology.
D4 – Communication Skills
At the end of the course, the student must be able to:
appropriately organize their own thoughts around the various course topics;
present the subjects in a coherent manner using scientific language to adequately express the acquired knowledge;
use sufficiently appropriate terminology for a correct professional approach, which is also important for job interviews.
D5 – Learning Skills
The student must be able to:
examine and understand scientific texts, specialized journals, and popular science publications, in order to apply them in everyday contexts throughout their educational path and professional career;
demonstrate a sufficiently broad mastery of the subject to ensure an adequate foundation for continued professional development throughout their future career. - Prerequisites
- Knowledge of topics in General Physiology, and basic principles of Anatomy and Biochemistry.
- Teaching methods
- Theoretical activity:
The course is organized as follows:
-classroom lectures covering all course topics. - Learning verification modality
- Oral examination
- Extended program
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the course. Principles of General Physiology and Endocrinology. (2 hours)
Lesson 2: Organization of the endocrine system and its relationship with the central nervous system (CNS). Pituitary gland. Hypothalamus. Hypothalamic-pituitary relationships. Adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. Growth hormone (somatotropic axis). (2 hours)
Lesson 3: Physiology of reproduction: hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Sex determination and sexual differentiation. (2 hours)
Lessons 4-5: Gonads. Physiology of puberty. Regulation of ovarian hormone secretion. Estrous cycle: general aspects and species-specific characteristics. Seasonal reproductive activity. Hormonal physiological control of the estrous cycle. Follicular phase: follicular waves and ovulation. Luteal phase: corpus luteum. Luteolysis: species-specific features. (4 hours)
Lessons 6-7: Male reproductive system: male gonadal hormones. Gametogenesis, fertilization, and embryonic development. Endocrinology of pregnancy and mechanisms determining parturition. Placental hormones and maternal recognition of pregnancy. Postpartum period. (4 hours)
Lesson 8: Physiology of lactation: mammary development and growth, lactogenesis, and galactopoiesis. Milk ejection. Endocrine control of lactation. (2 hours)
Lesson 9: Thyroid gland. (2 hours)
Lesson 10: Parathyroid glands and hormones regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis (parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin). (1 hour)
Lesson 11: Endocrine pancreas. (2 hours)
Lesson 12: Adrenal glands. Adrenal cortex. Glucocorticoids. (2 hours)
Lesson 13: Electrophysiology: excitable tissues, including nerve cells, striated and smooth muscle cells, and myocardium; resting membrane potential and action potential. (4 hours)
Lessons 14-15: Physiology of the cardiovascular system: the heart and the cardiac cycle. The heart as a pump. Electrical conduction of the heart. Role of pacemakers. The electrocardiogram (ECG). (4 hours)
Lesson 16: Mechanics associated with the cardiac cycle and their effects on the vascular system (pulse, heart sounds). Pressure, volume, flow, and resistance. Blood vessels. Arterial pressure and its regulation. (2 hours)
Lessons 17-18: Distribution of blood to tissues. Exchange at the capillary level. The lymphatic system. Blood physiology: blood, plasma, and cellular components. Hemostasis, platelets, and coagulation. (2 hours)
Lesson 19: Physiology of the respiratory system. Ventilation. Gas exchange and transport. Respiratory mechanics: lung volumes and the respiratory cycle. (2 hours)
Lessons 20-21: Physiology of the kidney: filtration and regulation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Active and passive reabsorption. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Tubular secretion and clearance. Urine formation and water balance. (4 hours)
Lessons 22-23: Physiology of the digestive system: comparative physiology of digestion. Physiology of the large intestine. Physiology of digestion in monogastric animals (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) and ruminants/polygastric animals. (5 hours)