AN 239 - Reproductive Physiology

3 Credits

This course covers the anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive systems with an emphasis on farm animal species. Topics include hormones and control of male and female reproduction, puberty, estrous cycles, ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, parturition, and management of physiological factors affecting reproductive efficiency.

Rationale:

This is a required course for Animal Science Technology students. Since reproductive efficiency is one of the prime determinants of profitability in livestock production and the maintenance of healthy animals, students receiving training in related programs must be especially competent in this area of study.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

1. identify structure, location, and function of component parts of the reproductive system for livestock.
2. describe the processes involved in successful reproductive performance in livestock operations.
3. outline and explain the management strategies to improve reproduction efficiency.

Senger, P. L. (2015). Pathways to pregnancy and parturition (3rd revised ed.). Current

     Conceptions, Inc.

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:

This course consists of 3 hours of lecture per week.

The lecture is a formalized classroom situation where the instructor discusses pertinent topics, and the students normally follow the lecture material using the textbook as a guide.

Classroom and laboratory attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports.

1. Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours will be required to withdraw and will automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade.).
2. An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, exams or extended field trips. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:
 

1. Organization and function of the male reproductive system
2. Organization and function of the female reproductive system
3. Puberty
4. Reproductive Cyclicity
5. Endocrinology of the male and spermatogenesis
6. Embryogenesis of the male and female reproductive system
7. Fetal programming
8. Parturition
9. Colostrogenesis and lactation
10. Biotechnology 

Missed Exams:

If, for any reason, a student is unable to write one of the scheduled exams, the weight of that exam will be transferred to the Final Exam as long as the instructor is given at least one week notice prior to the exam. This policy will also be applied to exams missed due to illness as long as a doctor’s note is provided. A “make-up” exam will not be arranged.

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.