Technologies of Animal Reproduction
VETS8017
This Unit of Study is designed specifically for students wishing to extend their skills and knowledge of artificial breeding technologies, and will particularly suit students intending to work in the artificial breeding industries, or in rural mixed practice, and students interested in pursuing research in reproduction and biotechnology. The practical work will primarily focus on sheep and cattle, but the Unit of Study will be of interest to those wishing to work with other species, including companion animals, pigs, laboratory animals and wildlife. The Unit of Study will integrate the disciplines of quantitative and molecular genetics, animal health, nutrition, and reproduction, including advanced reproductive technologies as applied to managed breeding and assisted reproduction programs. Students will gain practical skills in artificial insemination, embryo transfer, gamete preservation and banking, pregnancy diagnosis, molecular genetics (proof of parentage, marker assisted selection), selection of breeding stock, and management of breeding programs. By the end of this unit students will be able to: Advise on implementation and management of artificial breeding programs in production animals, companion animals, and wildlife; Demonstrate proficiency in the legal, ethical and animal welfare aspects in managing artificial breeding programs; Design and manage an artificial breeding program in sheep or cattle, including appropriate selection of breeding stock; Perform breeding soundness examinations on sheep and cattle; Perform artificial insemination, embryo recovery and transfer, and pregnancy diagnosis in sheep and cattle; Advise on appropriate nutritional regimes for breeding stock; Advise on health requirements and management for breeding stock, and on the international transfer of semen and embryos; Students will also be able to describe: Artificial breeding techniques applicable to pigs, companion animals and wildlife; Techniques of gamete and embryo preservation and banking; Advanced biotechnology techniques applicable to the AB industries.
Unit of study details
Unit of study level: Postgraduate
Credit points: 6
Commencing semesters: 103
Further unit of study information
Unit of study handbook: VETS8017
Costs and scholarships information: Costs and Scholarships
Final dates to withdraw from units of study: Census Dates
Available for study abroad and exchange: No