ANIMAL PRODUCTIONS AND LIVESTOCK BIODIVERSITY

Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide a basic understanding of livestock production systems and illustrate the role of biological diversity in livestock resources raised in agro-livestock production chains.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students

- will acquire the key concepts needed to understand the principles and purpose of livestock production and the production orientation of the main species and breeds.

- will be able to understand the importance of genetic diversity in livestock resources and local animal populations, the importance of enhancing biodiversity in relation to different environmental and socioeconomic contexts, as well as the ethical and management implications associated with genetic improvement in livestock farming.

- will be able to understand some basic molecular biology techniques.

Autonomy of judgment

At the end of the course, students will be able to understand the challenges and potential of livestock production systems and evaluate the possibility and degree of corrective interventions that can increase their efficiency, including those facilitated by genomic tools.

Communication skills

At the end of the course, students will possess the cultural elements and scientific language specific to zootechnics and genetic improvement applied to animal production.

Learning ability

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to independently study and delve deeper into the course topics through the consultation of texts, scientific articles, and online resources.

The course will consist of lectures, exercises, seminars, and field trips.

The course provides 6 credits for a total of 47 hours (35 hours of lectures + 12 hours of other activities). The other activities include seminars and exercises in the classroom and laboratory, as well as field trips, which may also be led by subject matter experts.

If the course is taught in a blended or distance learning mode, any necessary adjustments to the information mentioned above may be made to ensure compliance with the planned program and syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities (SLD):

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures tailored to their learning objectives and specific needs. You can also contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participative Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLDs) teachers of the Di3A Department (http://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

no prerequisites

- Origins and evolution of livestock populations. Livestock statistics. Classification and organization of the central production systems. Origin and Evolution of Selection in Livestock Farming. Livestock species, cosmopolitan and local breeds.

- Basic genetics. Molecular markers and genetic variability. The organization of the animal genome and the physical basis of heredity: chromosomes, DNA and RNA, genetic code, genes, alleles and genotypes, mutations. Technologies for the genetic/genomic characterization of animal species.

- Characterization and measurement of biodiversity. Genetic variability within and between populations. Conservation, increase, and enhancement of livestock diversity as a tool for improving production, welfare, and the resilience of livestock resources.

- Overview of genomic technologies applied to livestock resource management: SNP arrays, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and genome editing.

-          Book: Produzioni Animali (Edises): Anna Sandrucci e Erminio Trevisi (2022), ISBN: 883623075X

-          Teaching materials, provided by the teacher via the STUDIUM platform.

Oral examination. The exam will begin with a presentation on a case study chosen by the student from among those agreed upon with the teacher. The form of presentation will be decided at the end of the course between the students and the teacher. The exam will proceed with questions that may relate to the in-depth study of the presentation and/or the remaining parts of the program. The relevance of the answers to the questions, the quality of the contents, the ability to connect with other topics covered by the program, the technical language properties and the overall expressive capacity of the student will be taken into consideration for the evaluation. The oral examination can also be conducted electronically when necessary.

The grading of the students will follow the following scheme:

- Not Eligible

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: critical shortcomings and significant inaccuracies

Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: irrelevant. Frequent generalizations and inability to synthesize

Deepening skills: Irrelevant

- 18-21

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: low level. Demonstrates numerous deficiencies in knowledge and understanding of the study program.

Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: just sufficient. The arguments are expressed in an inconsistent and fragmented way.

Deepening skills: imprecise and irrelevant.

- 22-25

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: medium level. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of the study program.

Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: sufficient analytical and synthesis skills. The arguments are presented logically and coherently.

Deepening skills: sufficiently relevant.

- 26-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: high level. Demonstrates a high knowledge and understanding of the study program.

Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: high analytical and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed by demonstrating a high critical evaluation and good language properties

Deepening skills: high

- 30-30 with praise

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent level. Demonstrates excellent knowledge and understanding of the study program.

Autonomy of judgment and communication skills: analytical and synthesis skills are noteworthy. The arguments are effectively expressed through excellent critical evaluation and effective language use.

Deepening skills: excellent

Importance of the livestock production sector. The main livestock activities in Italy. Cosmopolitan and local breeds, distribution, and production purposes. Biodiversity and its implications. Distribution of quantitative trait phenotypes in a population. Quantitative and qualitative traits. Measurement of inbreeding. Heterosis and inbreeding depression. Quantitative trait loci (QTL). Strategies for evaluating breeding stock. Genetic markers and their applications in livestock breeding. Examples of major genes functional for genetic improvement.