Preamble
The Department of Animal Physiology offers postgraduate programmes leading to Postgraduate Diploma, (PGD), Master of Agriculture (M.Agric) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Animal Physiology. The Department aims to produce specialists well grounded in the modern theory and practice of various aspects of animal production aimed at improving reproductive efficiency. Courses in applied techniques such as reproductive management, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer are given equal prominence with advanced courses in endocrinology, environmental physiology and reproductive physiology.
Minimum Credit Units for Graduation
For Masters Degree the minimum number of units required for graduation is 30. Candidates for the PhD Degree are normally required to register only for Research Seminar and Thesis Research.
Courses Offered
The following courses are offered at Masters Level and also as make-up courses at PhD level for students who did not offer them at a lower level.
First semester
|
Course Code |
Course Title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
ANS 805 |
Advanced Techniques in Animal Science Production |
ADVTECRE |
3 |
|
ABG 807 |
Biostatistics |
BIOSTATS |
3 |
|
CSC 801 |
Computer Application to Livestock |
USEOCOMP |
4 |
|
ANP 801 |
Advanced Endocrinology |
ADVENDOC |
3 |
|
ANP 803 |
Environmental Physiology of Farm Animals |
ENVYPHYS |
2 |
|
ANP 805 |
Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer of Farm Animals |
MOETANIM |
2 |
|
ANP 899 |
Thesis Research |
DISSERTN |
6 |
Second semester
|
Course Code |
Course Title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
ANP 802 |
Advanced Reproductive Physiology |
ADVREPPH |
3 |
|
ANP 804 |
Artificial Insemination |
ARTINSEM |
3 |
|
ANP 806 |
Animal Behaviour |
ANIMBEHA |
2 |
|
ANP 808 |
Reproductive Management and Controlled Breeding |
REPMGTCB |
2 |
|
ANP 898 |
Seminar |
SEMINAR |
2 |
Electives
|
Course Code |
Course Title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
ANN 804 |
Metabolism of Protein and Nucleic Acid |
METPRTNA |
3 |
|
ANN 805 |
Metabolism of Carbohydrates and Lipids |
CARFAMET |
3 |
|
ANN 807 |
Bioenergetics |
BIOENERG |
3 |
|
ANN 810 |
Digestion and Metabolism In Ruminant |
DIGANMET |
3 |
|
ABG 806 |
Advanced Biotechnology |
ADV.BIOT |
3 |
|
ABG 808 |
Molecular Genetics |
MOLEBIOT |
2 |
|
ABG 811 |
Immunogenetics |
IMMUNGEN |
2 |
Course Synopsis
ANP802: Advanced reproductive physiology (3 Units)
Theories of sex determination; sex differentiation; postnatal sexual development. Oogenesis, ova physiology and ovulation. Spermatogenesis, sperm physiology and sperm output. Pre-determination of sex; embryo sexing. Ovarian and oestrous cycles; corpus luteum formation; hypophysial regulation of luteal function; corpus luteum in pregnancy; luteal regression. Fertilization; sperm capacitation; implantation; gestation; maternal recognition of pregnancy. Metabolic changes during pregnancy; role of maternal hormones during pregnancy. Role of the foetal-pituitary-adrenal axis in parturition; hormonal changes during parturition. Parturition induction; artificial control of parturition; post-partum physiology. Maternal behaviour and neonatal survival.
Seminar presentation: One (1) topic per student.
ANP803: Environmental physiology of farm animals (3 Units)
Climate and livestock production: Influence of climatic factors on animal productivity. Acclimatization and adaptation: Physiological basis of adaptation; heat stress; physiological responses to heat stress; determination of heat stress index; modification of the micro-climate to enhance animal productivity; management of exotic breeds in a tropical environment.
Seminar presentation: One (1) topic per student.
ANP804: Artificial insemination (3 Units)
Historical development of artificial insemination (AI). Role of AI in livestock improvement. Semen collection techniques in farm animals; semen evaluation; comparative study of the ejaculates of ram, boar, buck, bull and stallion; advanced methods of assessing sperm viability. Principles of semen preservation; sperm damage during preservation; fertility of in vitro stored spermatozoa. Insemination techniques: timing of insemination; determination of conception and parturition rates. Organization of AI practice: management of AI Centre; world trade in frozen semen.
Seminar presentation: One (1) topic per student.
ANP801: Advanced endocrinology (2 Units)
Hormone biosynthesis and secretion; mechanisms of hormone action; hormonal control of male and female reproduction. Neural regulation of reproductive hormones; the pineal gland and mammalian method of birth control; hormonal-nutritional interaction. Anti-steroid immunization and effects on ovulation rate. Use of hormonal growth promoters in livestock fattening; physiologic effects of anti-somatostatin.
Seminar presentation: One (1) topic per student.
ANP805: Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in farm animals (2 Units)
Significance of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) in livestock improvement. Endocrinology, follicular development and ovulation. Hormonal induction of oestrus, enhanced follicular development and ovulation. Comparative evaluation of multiple ovulation protocols in farm animals. Surgical and non-surgical methods of embryo recovery. In vitro storage of embryos; embryo splitting; sexing of mammalian embryos; assessment of viability of embryos. Surgical and non-surgical methods of embryo transfer.
Seminar presentation: One (1) topic per student.
ANP806: Animal behaviour (2 Units)
Animal behaviour and livestock production; Neuroendocrine basis of animal behaviour; Evolutionary aspects of animal behaviour; Adaptive aspects of animal behaviour; Sexual behaviour; Aggression and dominance in farm animals; Behavioural considerations in animal housing and herding; Modification of behaviour patterns in farm animals; Temperament in dairy cattle; Maternal and neonatal behaviour. Seminar presentation: One (1) topic per student