Animal breeding

Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide knowledge of the genetic improvement of animal species in livestock production.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, the student will have

- acquired the key notions to understand the principles and techniques of selection in zootechnics aimed at improving livestock species' productive, reproductive and immune-health aspects.

- will be able to understand the principles of biodiversity, and the reasons for the application of molecular biology techniques, and will be able to interpret the genetic and genomic data useful for preparing appropriate mating plans.

- will be able to apply some basic techniques of laboratory molecular biology and will acquire the basic notions for the computer management of genetic/genomic data

Autonomy of judgment

At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand the problems, rather than the potential of livestock farms according to the socio-cultural and environmental context, and evaluate the possibility and degree of corrective intervention that increases their efficiency, also with the help of genomic tools.

Communication skills

At the end of the course, the student will possess the specific cultural elements and scientific language of genetics, genomics and genetic improvement applied to animal husbandry.

Learning ability

At the end of the course, the student will acquire the autonomous ability to study and deepen the knowledge of genetics and genomics applied to animal husbandry through the consultation of texts, scientific articles, and resources on the web.

The course will be conducted through lectures, exercises, seminars, and educational visits.

The course (6ECS - 63 hours) includes 3 ECTS of lectures (21 hours) held by the teacher and 3 ECTS of other activities (42 hours). The other activities include seminars and exercises (in the classroom and the laboratory, and educational visits) and may also be held by experts in the field.

If the teaching were to be given in a mixed or "remote" way, changes, concerning what was previously stated, may be introduced to respect the program reported in the syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities or learning disorders:

to guarantee equal opportunities in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participated Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or SLDs) of the Di3A Department (http://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Elements of general zootechnics. 

Not mandatory but recommended. Attendance will be recorded for statistical reasons.

- Review of 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.

- The population genetics of livestock. Allelic and genotypic frequencies. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Evolutionary factors: mutation, migration, selection, population size, kinship and inbreeding.

- Measurement and study of biodiversity. Genetic variability within and between populations. Enhancement of livestock diversity as a tool for productive improvement and resilience.

- Quantitative genetics. Genotype and environment. Heritability, repeatability and correlation.

- Selection criteria and objectives. Reproductive value. Indexes and selection schemes.

- The application of genomic knowledge to selection: genome-wide analysis and genomic selection.

- Use of genomics to identify genes responsible for advantageous and harmful traits.

“Teaching’s contribution to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an action plan signed in 2015 by 193 countries, organized into 17 objectives inspired by a global model of sustainability to be achieved by 2030. In this context, this teaching will deal with concepts related to the protection and enhancement of livestock biodiversity that is closely linked to production differentiation and the possibility of increasing the degree of sustainability of the livestock sector. The enhancement of extensive or semi-extensive livestock systems, which "exploit" livestock populations with limited diffusion perfectly adapted to local social and environmental contexts, is the only way to compensate for the effects of the intensive production model by promoting sustainable local micro-economies and enhancing marginal productive areas.

The above concepts recall objectives 12, 13 and 15 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which are reported below:

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Target 12.1 Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries

GOAL 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Target 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

GOAL 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Target 15.9 By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Lectures, dedicated seminars, laboratories, study visits, and in-depth material will present all the course topics.

1) “Genetica Animale – Applicazioni zootecniche e veterinarie” – Giulio Pagnacco – Terza edizione

2020 – Casa editrice Ambrosiana - ISBN: 880852017X

2) “In vivo conservation of animal genetic resources” – FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines. No. 14 Rome – FAO 2013 - – ISBN: 978-92-5-107725-2 (print), 978-92-5-107726-9 (PDF)

Oral examination. The exam will begin with the presentation (oral, possibly supported by multimedia support) of a case study relevant to the course program and chosen by the student. The exam will proceed with questions that may concern the in-depth analysis of the case study 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 the other topics covered by the program, the technical properties of the presentation and the overall expressive skills of the student will be considered for the evaluation. The oral exam can also be carried out electronically if conditions require it.

The grading of the students will follow the following scheme:

- Not Eligible

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: important 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 expressed 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 worthy of note. The arguments are expressed by demonstrating an excellent critical evaluation and excellent language properties.

Deepening skills: Excellent

Biodiversity and its implications. Distribution of the phenotypes of a quantitative trait in a population. Inheritability and repeatability of a quantitative character. Genetic models. Relationship between individuals. Negative effects of inbreeding. Traditional selection vs genomic selection. Genetic markers used in the diagnosis of kinship. Definition of Major Gene. Definition of QTL. Breeding assessment strategies. Breeding value (EBV and GEBV). Genetic markers and their applications in animal husbandry. Genetic progress and the role of reproductive biotechnology. Examples of major genes for animal production. Differences between traditional selection and genomic selection.