ANS 4203 ANIMALPHYSIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Lecturer:
Dr. Constantine Katongole: BSc.(Agric) - Makerere University; MSc. (Agric.) - Makerere University;
PhD – Makerere University
Course Type:
CORE for BSC. AGRIC. IV – Animal Science Option
1. COURSE STRUCTURE
Course Credits (CU):
4 CU i.e. 60 Contact Hours i.e. 45 LH, 15 PH
Course Duration: 15 weeks (60 hours)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Importance of reproduction on an animal production enterprise; Functioning anatomy of the female reproductive
system; Puberty; Pregnancy maintenance and parturition; Physiology of lactation; Functioning anatomy of the male
reproductive system; Hormonal control of Spermatogenesis; Growth of animals; Biotechnology in animal
reproduction.
2. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The profitability of any livestock enterprise depends on the reproductive efficiency, of the animals that constitute the
enterprise. Hence, the overall objective of this course is to equip the student with knowledge regarding the
functioning anatomy and endocrinology of both male and female animals.
The specific objectives
By the end of this course, the students should be able to:
a) describe the functioning anatomy of the reproductive systems of male and female animals.
b) describe the endocrine control of the male and female reproductive systems and ways how it can be used to
improve animal productivity.
c) cite causes and reduction of reproductive failures in animal production enterprises.
3. RECOMMENDED REFERENCES
a) Senger, P.L. 2003. Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition, 2nd Edition. Pullman, WA: Current Conceptions
Inc, Washington State University and Technology Park, USA.
b) Hafez, E.S.E. and Hafez B. 2000. Reproduction in Farm Animals, 7th Edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins,
USA.
c) Hill, Richard W. and Wyse, Gordon. 1989. Animal physiology. Harper Collins Publishers.
d) Gordon, I.R. 1997. Controlled Reproduction in Sheep and Goats. CABI International, Wallingford, UK.
e) Fuchs, F. and Klopper A. 1983. Endocrinology of Pregnancy, 3rd Edition. Harper and Row, Philadelphia. USA .
f) Nalbandov, A.V. 1976. The Reproductive Physiology of Mammals and Birds, 3rd Edition. W.H. Freeman, San
Francisco, USA.
g) Frandson, R.D., and Spurgeon, T.L. 1992. Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, 5th Edition, Lea and
Febiger, Philadelphia.
4. COURSE CONTENT, METHODS OF INSTRUCTION, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
TOPIC
CONTENT
METHOD
OF TOOLS
INSTRUCTION / Time EQUIPMENT
/
1. Importance of
reproduction on an
animal production
enterprise
2.
Functioning
anatomy
of
a
female reproductive
system
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3.
Functioning
anatomy of the
male reproductive
system
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4. Puberty
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5.
Pregnancy, 
maintenance and 
parturition
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6.
Physiology
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of 
allocated
Reproductive efficiency and factors Interactive lecture
2 hour
affecting it
Definition of Infertility and Sterility
Why study reproduction?
Interactive lecture
The Ovary
The secondary female reproductive 6 hours
organs and their functions
Laboratory work on
female goat and pig
reproductive
system
(Dissection - 6 hours)
Interactive lecture
The Testis
5 hours
Endocrine function of the testis
Exocrine function of the testis
Laboratory work on
Pituitary control of testicular function
male goat and pig
Testicular descent, cryptochidism
reproductive
system
Spermatogenesis
(Dissection
6
hours)
The secondary male reproductive
organs and their functions
The accessory glands
Erection and Ejaculation
The role of LH, FSH, Testosterone in
male physiology
Interactive lecture
Definition of puberty
Onset and factors controlling the onset 5 hours
of puberty
Body changes associated with puberty
The oestrus cycle vs. menstruation in
humans
Oestrus synchronisation
Multiple ovulation
Interactive lecture
Process of fertilization
9 hours
Phenomenon of polyspermy
Implantation
Placentation
Pregnancy recognition
Pregnancy
maintenance
–
Progesterone production, Luteotrophic
complex in rats, Rabbits, Sheep,
Goats, Cow and Woman.
Parturition
Pregnancy termination
Role of Releasing Factors, ACTH,
Glucocorticoids, Estrogens, Oxytocin,
Vasopressin, PGF2α and in foetal
expulsion and placenta expulsion
Retained placenta & treatment
Interactive lecture
Functioning anatomy of the udder
NEEDED
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Chalk/BB or Markers
lactation
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8. Hormonal control 
of Spermatogenesis
7. Endocrinology
Glandular and duct system of the
udder
Milk synthesis and milk letdown
Agalactia – causes and implications
The milk curve and reasons for its
shape
Classification of glands
Nervous vs Endocrine control
Chemical nature of hormones
Mechanisms of hormone action
Hormone receptors
Examples of endocrine glands
Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Leydig cells,
Sertoli cell interaction
4 hours
/ Flip charts
Handouts
cycles
Interactive lecture
3 hours
on
life
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Handouts on male
hormone profile
Interactive lecture
4 hours
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Handouts on male
hormone profile
9. Growth of
animals
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10. Biotechnology in 
animal production
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Definition of growth
The growth curve
Description of growth
The process of growth
Control of growth
Factors that affect growth rate
Growth promoting agents
Porcine and bovine somatotrophin
(PST and BST)
Definition of Biotechnology
Embryo transfer (Multiple ovulation
and embryo transfer - MOET)
In vitro fertilization
Cloning/Splitting of embryos
Oestrus synchronization
Artificial insemination
Use of Porcine and Bovine
Somatotrophin (PST and BST)
Growth stimulants
Synthetic hormonal compounds
DNA manipulation
Vaccines
5. SUMMARY OF TIME NEEDED
Interactive lectures covering theory
5 hours
Interactive lecture
7 hours
Field visit (on AI – 3
hours)
Chalk/BB or Markers
/ Flip charts
Laboratory-based practicals
Field visits
2 hours
3 hours
60 hours
6. OVERALL COURSE EVALUATION
Continuous Assessment Test
Laboratory and Field visit Write-ups
Final examination
30%
0%
60%