Applied Animal Reproduction

AS 515 – section 0795                                                                                                Spring 2009

Professor: Dr. Leland S. Shapiro

Office:      AS4107B

Phone:      818-710-4254

WEB:       http://faculty.piercecollege.edu//shapirls/Drcowsindex.html

E-mail:     Shapirls@piercecollege.edu

 

Class:        125 minutes/week lecture

 

Course Description: Considers techniques in the collection, evaluation, processing, storage, and shipment of semen. Course includes the study of insemination procedures and practices and fertility problems, basic reproductive anatomy and physiology.  Heat detection, disease control and other management skills needed in artificial insemination are discussed.

 

Course Objectives: The student will outline, describe and define basic reproductive anatomy and physiology of livestock - concentrating on the bovine species. The student will solve, using some of the techniques of problem based learning, various livestock reproductive problems in group discussion and research teams. The student will prepare for a one week hands-on laboratory in artificial insemination that follows this course.

 

General Course Outline:

Week 1. Orientation and problem based learning

Week 2.  Reproductive anatomy

Week 3.  Reproductive physiology

Week 4.  Endocrinology as it relates to reproduction

Week 5.  The estrous cycle, heat detection and synchronization

Week 6.  Artificial insemination

Week 7.  Use of sexed semen, advantages, disadvantages

Week 8.  Sire selection (beef, dairy, goats, swine), heredity

Week 9.  LN2R care and maintenance

Week 10. Maintaining breeding records

Week 11. Herd reproductive health

Week 12. Collecting, freezing, processing, thawing of semen

Week 13. A.I. in other species (goats, swine)

Week 14. Review for final exam

Week 15. Final Exam (comprehensive)

 

 

Class Assignments: The student is responsible for reading all assigned readings in the text, supplemental material, directed readings and group problem based learning assignments.  The class will be divided into groups of four students. Each group will be assigned a problem based learning (PBL) assignment to present to the class.

 

Attendance and Grading: The student’s attendance and participation will be evaluated as part of his/her overall performance (grade). It is the student’s responsibility to drop from class.  If the student stops attending he/she will receive the default grade of fail. Positive participation is required for a passing grade in this class. The student must be prepared by reading and project participation and contribution.

 

Methods of Evaluation:

Attendance                 10%

Class Participation      15%

Quizzes                       10%

PBL                             25%

Tests                            40%

 

CHEATING – Students caught cheating on any assignment or test or quiz will receive a grade of Fail for the course.

 

Final Exam: All students are required to take a written final exam. Those students who are not near the college will need to have a previously approved proctor monitor the exam. The exam will be comprehensive and may include multiple choice and short answer questions.