Unit PHYSIOLOGY OF LIVESTOCKS ANIMALS

Course

Animal science

Study-unit Code

85114808

Curriculum

In all curricula

Teacher

Olimpia Barbato

Teachers

Olimpia Barbato

Hours

72 ore - Olimpia Barbato

CFU

Course Regulation

Coorte 2025

Offered

2026/27

Learning activities

Caratterizzante

Area

Discipline della sanità animale

Sector

VET/02

Type of study-unit

Obbligatorio (Required)

Type of learning activities

Attività formativa monodisciplinare

Language of instruction

Italian

Contents

Overview of electrophysiology and physiology of muscle contraction. Elements of blood physiology; elements of respiratory and renal system physiology. Physiology of digestion. Physiology of reproduction and lactation. Endocrine system

Reference texts

Books:
Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici con Elementi di Etologia; Autori: G. Aguggini, V. Beghelli, L.F. Giulio; UTET.

Fisiologia degli animali. Dai geni agli organismi. 2010. Sherwood L., Klandorf H. Yancey P., Zanichelli, Bologna.

Educational objectives

D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The student must demonstrate:
- basic knowledge of electrophysiology, the physiology of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle contraction;
- the functions of the respiratory and renal systems, the endocrine system, male and female reproductive activity, lactation, and the digestive system.
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D2 - ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the training activity, the student must demonstrate:
- ability to approach applied problems in veterinary physiology;
- critically evaluate functional parameters;
- be able to establish connections between the various topics covered in order to be able to adequately address subsequent studies.

D3 - JUDGMENT MAKING
The student must have acquired knowledge that enables them to:
- evaluate the mechanisms underlying electrophysiology, the physiology of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle contraction, and the functions of the nervous, respiratory, renal, circulatory, endocrine, digestive, and reproductive systems.
- independently and reasonedly evaluate any 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 thoughts on the various topics covered;
- be able to present the topics in a structured manner and use scientific language to adequately express the knowledge acquired, both in writing and orally;
- be able to use sufficiently appropriate terminology for a proper approach to the profession, which is also important for job interviews.

D5 - LEARNING ABILITY
The student must be able to:
- examine and understand scientific texts, industry journals, and popular science publications, so as to use them in everyday contexts throughout their education and professional career;
- possess a sufficiently broad mastery of the subject matter to provide an acceptable foundation for continuing professional development throughout their future career.

Prerequisites

The oral exam consists of at least three questions on the topics covered in the course.

For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities (LD), visit http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa

Teaching methods

The course is organized as follows:
- classroom lectures on all program topics;
- in-depth classroom seminars on topics of particular interest;
- possible on-farm observations conducted at the Department of Veterinary Medicine's teaching farm.

Other information

Students are invited to consult the class schedule page on the Department of Veterinary Medicine website (http://www.medvet.unipg.it/) for further details on the start and end dates of teaching activities. Lectures and seminars will be held at the Teaching Center (Department of Veterinary Medicine). Some practical exercises will be conducted at the Teaching Zootechnical Farm (Sant'Angelo di Celle).

Learning verification modality

Extended program

A) General Physiology of the Cell
- Homeostasis
- Cell Membrane
- Contraction Physiology in Striated, Smooth, and Cardiac Muscle
- Neurons, Synapses, Neurotransmitters
B) Digestive System of Monogastrics and Polygastrics
- Chewing, Salivary Secretion, and Swallowing
- Stomach: Digestion, Motility, and Secretion
- Small and Large Intestine: Enzymatic and Fermentative Digestion, Motility, Secretion, and Absorption
- Forestomachs: Microbial Population, Fermentations, Volatile Fatty Acids, Absorption, and Motility
- Pancreas and Liver
C) Reproduction and Lactation in the Female
- Pituitary Hormones: LH, FSH, Prolactin
- Ovarian Functions: Folliculogenesis, Ovulation, and Corpus Luteum
- Biosynthesis and Action of Estrogens, Progesterone, and Inhibin
- Estrous Cycles in Livestock Species
- Control Hormonal aspects of gestation and childbirth
- Breast development and lactation
- Spermatogenesis and hormonal control
- Sexual and maternal behavior
- Breast development and lactation
D) Male reproduction
E) Endocrine system
- Cellular communication
- Nature, synthesis, and mechanism of action of hormones
- Organization of the endocrine system and interrelationship with the nervous system
- Biosynthesis, secretion, transport, and action of hormones produced by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, pancreas, and pineal gland
- Hormones produced in other organs: renin-angiotensin system, erythropoietin, atrial natriuretic factor, gastrointestinal hormones
F) Cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems
- Notes on cardiac activity, blood pressure regulation, circulation, and blood
- Notes on respiratory mechanics, ventilation, gas exchange, gas transport, and control of respiration
- Notes on glomerular filtration, absorption, secretion and excretion and on acid-base regulation.
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