University of Jordan
Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Animal Production
AP (0602459) Animal Environmental Physiology (3 Credit hours)
(Syllabus)
Instructor: Dr. A. Al-Fataftah
2nd Semester 2011/2012
2 Credits Lectures
+ Practical: 3 hours/week
Course Description:
Understanding farm animals (Cattle, Sheep, Goat and Poultry) environmental needs and
biological responses to the environments is essential for providing good animal care and
maintaining optimum performance. The course will review aspects of effects of environmental
factors on physiological processes in farm animals. General responses to heat stress, thermoneutral zone, heat and cold stress, thermoregulation, behavioral responses, homeostasis, welfare
and role of genotype. Acclimatization and adaptation, health, economic losses and measurements
of heat stress effects. Effect of heat stress on performance and strategies to reduce it will be
covered.
Course objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To acquire principles of thermal biology of farm animals to the environment with special
focus on heat stress.
To develop a basic understanding of animal physiological responses to the environment
and how these responses influence health, performance and well-being.
To develop the ability to relate principles of thermal biology to problems of farm animal
management caused by adverse environments.
To develop an advanced understanding of the environmental needs of farm animals.
To develop science-based recommendations for farm animals management in hot
climates.
Exams and Grades
Activity
1st Exam
2nd Exam
Lab
Final Exam
Grade %
15
15
20
50
Dates
Tuesday 27/3/2012
Tuesday 1/5/2012
Quizzes, Reports, Exams, Final.
Grading System
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
80-100
77-79
74-76
70-73
67-69
64-66
60-63
57-59
54-56
50-53
47-49
<46
Course outline
Week
1
2
3,4,5 and 6
7 and 8
9 and 10
11
12
13,14,15 and
16
Lecture Topics
 Introduction
 Terminology-Glossary of terms for environmental physiology
 Physical properties of heat and temperature
 Homeostasis
 Animals Environments
Environmental physical factors
Optimal animal environment
Animal welfare
Thermoneutral zone
Heat stress
General responses of animal to heat stress

Thermoregulation
Heat loss
Heat gain
Body heat production
Heat balance
Insulation
Behavior

Effects of heat stress on certain physiological parameters
Rectal temperature
Respiratory rate
Heart rate
Evaporative water loss
Heat production
Feed intake
Water intake
Water, electrolyte and acid-base balance

Environmental adaptation and acclimatization
- Role of genotype

Environment and animal health
Pathogens
Immunity
Defenses and diseases
Sanitation and biosecurity

Economic losses due to heat stress

Effects of heat stress on farm animal performance

Management strategies to reduce heat stress in farm animals
References:
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There is no required textbook. Various reading will be handed out during the semester.
Reading material consists of handouts/internet websites.
Lacetra, N (Ed). Interaction Between Climate and Animal Environments. 2009.
R. J. Collier with J. L. Collier (Ed). Environmental Physiology of Livestock. 2012.
Daghir, N.J. (Ed). Poultry Production in Hot Climates. 2nd edition, 2008.
Moberg, G. (Ed) and Mench, J (Ed). The Biology of Farm Animal Stress: Basic Principles and
Implications for Animal Welfare. 2000.
Ewing, S., Lay, D. and Von Borell, E. Farm Animal Well-Being: Stress Physiology, Animal
Behavior and Environmental Design. 1998.
Curtis, S. Environmental Management in Animal Agriculture. 1983.
Mounts, L.E. Adaptation to Thermal Environment. 1979.
Robertshaw, D. (Ed) Environmental Physiology. Vol. 20. 1979.
Lawrence, J., F. et al. Environmental Stress, 1978.
Philip, C. and Piggins, D. (Ed). Farm Animals and the Environment. 1992.
Payne, W.S.A., An Introduction of Animal Husbandry in the Tropics. 4th ed., 1990.
Bligh, J. Cloudsleg, J.L. and Macdonald, A.G., Environmental Physiology. 1976.
Hafez, E.S.E Adaptation of Domestic Animals. 1968.