APBI_V 312 001 2025W1

APBI 312 – Animal Reproductive Physiology

Course Description:

The course aims to provide a detailed description of the function and processes involved in reproductive physiology and current technologies in domesticated animals. The course will focus on physiological mechanisms related to puberty, reproductive cycle, fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy and parturition. Case scenarios of common problems related to domestic animals will be a key portion of this course.

Learning Outcomes:

This course should help students develop the terminology needed to discuss problems associated with the reproduction physiology of domestic animals. In addition, students should understand the physiological basis for reproductive management practices and strategies to control reproductive processes and the application of current technologies in the different domestic animals.

Learning outcome	Module
Identify the components of the female and male reproductive system and compare their functions.	Module 1: Anatomy of the female reproductive system. Module 2: Anatomy of the male reproductive system.
Describe the structure and functions of the different hormones controlling the reproductive system.	Module 3: Hormone Structure
Explain the origin of gametes (female and male) in domestic animals	Module 4: Gametogenesis - Spermatogenesis and oogenesis
Describe the physiological events occurring in the reproductive cycle	Module 5: Estrous cycle Module 6: Puberty
Explain the main events of the fertilization process and establishment of pregnancy.	Module 7: Fertilization Module 8: Early embryo development and establishment of pregnancy
Describe pregnancy development and compare triggers for parturition in different species.	Module 9: Pregnancy Module 10: Parturition
Exercise oral presentation skills	Presentations
(Optional) Connect reproductive physiology theory with common practices in reproduction of domestic animals (focus - bovines)	(Optional) Laboratory sessions

Day and Location

Lecture: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-2:00pm,

Frank Forward Building, 303

Holidays

Imagine Day (September 2nd) - No class.

Truth and Reconciliation day (September 30th) - No class

TAs

Senior Teaching Assistant – Jessica Marques (jessica.dossantosmarques@ubc.ca)

Teaching Assistant – Nina Kosikova (ninak18@student.ubc.ca) and Natalie Der

Laboratory Sessions

Anatomy of the male and female reproductive system – September 18 and 25
Estrous detection and artificial insemination – October 9 and 16

Assessment Plans:

Quizzes (20%)

Anatomy of the male and female reproductive system – September 24 to 26
Spermatogenesis and estrous Cycle – October 8 to 10
Early embryo development and establishment of pregnancy – November 3 to 5

Case studies (25%)

Estrous cycle, Estrous behaviour, and Artificial Insemination – October 7
Semen quality and Puberty – October 23
Pregnancy – November 4
Dystocia and inducing labour - November 13
Farm tour – November 13

Presentations (25%):

Last three weeks of classes (November 18 to December 2)
30 minutes total (15 minutes presentation + 15 minutes of discussion and questions)
Example of presentation organization: Introduction, Outline, Physiology, Technology, and Application
Evaluated on slides and time (20%), information (30%), and ability to answer AND ask questions (50%)

Proposed topics for presentations

Estrous detection technologies
Estrous synchronization protocols
Display and intensity of estrous behaviour and its associations with fertility
Protocols of superovulation and embryo transfer
In vitro embryo production
Causes of early pregnancy loss
Sexing of spermatozoa and its application
Semen collection and quality evaluation
Twins and Free martins
Reproductive physiology postpartum

Course assignment (30%):

The final examination will be cumulative and composed of short answer and essay questions based on class material – December 4

Last day of classes

December 4

Textbook, Primary Literature:

Reproduction in Farm Animals. E.S.E. Hafez, Any of the later editions

Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition. P.L. Senger, Any of the later editions

There are no required textbooks for this course. All assigned readings will be taken from the primary literature (i.e. journal articles) and will be directly available through Canvas. Peer-reviewed reference materials can also be used to provide background information in areas such as biotechnologies applied to reproduction in domestic animals.

Academic Integrity:

The academic enterprise is founded on honesty, civility, and integrity. As members of this enterprise, all students are expected to know, understand, and follow the codes of conduct regarding academic integrity. At the most basic level, this means submitting only original work done by you and acknowledging all sources of information or ideas and attributing them to others as required. This also means you should not cheat, copy, or mislead others about what is your work. Violations of academic integrity (i.e., misconduct) lead to the breakdown of the academic enterprise, and therefore serious consequences arise, and harsh sanctions are imposed. For example, incidences of plagiarism or cheating may result in a mark of zero on the assignment or exam and more serious consequences may apply if the matter is referred to the President’s Advisory Committee on Student Discipline. Careful records are kept in order to monitor and prevent recurrences.