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Unit of study_
ANSC3102: Animal Reproduction
2025 unit information
This unit of study provides a comprehensive programme on basic and applied aspects of male and female reproductive biology, with particular emphasis on livestock and domestic animals. The fundamental topics include reproductive cycles, sexual differentiation, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, gestation and parturition. An understanding of the applications of advanced reproductive technologies is developed through lectures, tutorials and the assignments. In addition, practical instruction is given on semen collection and processing, manipulation of the reproductive cycle, artificial insemination, and pregnancy diagnosis in sheep. Classes are held at the Camperdown Campus in Sydney and at the Camden Campus Animal Reproduction Unit. Risk assessments are regularly conducted for units that require the completion of compulsory learning activities that may expose students to zoonotic diseases. These assessments aim to identify appropriate risk mitigation controls, such as vaccination against vaccine- preventable zoonoses. Vaccination against Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) is an inherent requirement for students enrolling in this unit of study. Students must be vaccinated against Q fever before commencing the unit or no later than week one of the enrolled teaching session. Q fever vaccination is only available in Australia with the vaccination process taking three weeks to complete. Students must also submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration upon enrolment. Students who fail to receive vaccination by the specified deadline and/or submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration are precluded from practical learning activities and will not be able to satisfactorily complete relevant units of study and/or progress in their course more generally. Please refer to the University’s website https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/q-fever-vaccinations.html for more information on student vaccinations.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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AVBS1002 and AVBS2XXX |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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A background in animal anatomy and physiology |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. give a definition of reproduction, describe sexual and asexual reproduction and describe the general rules of animal reproduction
- LO2. describe the urogenital systems of male and female farm animals
- LO3. understand the principles of reproduction and breeding strategies in domesticated and wild animals, and be able to describe and give examples of breeding strategies, tactics of sexual congress and the development and consequences of sexual differentiation, and provide an explanation of their significance in the breeding of farm animals
- LO4. describe the oestrous cycle and natural breeding patterns of laboratory animals, companion animals and animals of agricultural significance
- LO5. prescribe methods of controlling oestrus and ovulation in various species and appreciate the relative merits of the various methods
- LO6. prescribe methods of breeding animals outside their normal breeding periods
- LO7. prescribe methods of enhancing reproductive performance including, in broad terms, superovulating females and conducting an embryo transfer program
- LO8. describe the processes of semen production and oocyte maturation in various species
- LO9. describe the factors controlling ovulation and fertilisation in various species
- LO10. analyse the quality of semen in various species, preserve the quality of semen, and store semen in liquid and frozen states
- LO11. prescribe methods of insemination consistent with obtaining a high level of fertility and appreciate the relative merits of different insemination methods
- LO12. describe embryo development and mechanisms of parturition in various species, and appreciate sources of embryo, fetal and neonatal mortality
- LO13. describe the benefits and limitations of the gamete/embryo manipulations involved in various advanced reproductive technologies
- LO14. prescribe methods of pregnancy diagnosis, management of pregnant animals and of induction of parturition
- LO15. recognise reproductive problems in a variety of species and prescribe solutions.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
