Courses
ABG 601 Cytogenetics and Immunogenetics (3 cr.): Development of animal cytogenetics and immunogenetics; immunoglobulins; antigen-antibody interactions; immune response; major histocompatibility complex; genetics of biochemical variants; Ir-genes and disease resistance; major genes; hybridoma; immuno-fertility; chromatin structure of eukaryotes; banding and karyotyping; chromosomal and genetic syndromes; DNA packing in chromosomes; Z+B DNA; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and primed in situ hybridization (PRINS); mutation and assays of mutagenesis; sister chromatid exchanges; recombinant DNA technique.
ABG 602 Population and Quantitative Genetics (3 cr.): Individual and population; genetic structure of population; factors affecting gene and genotypic frequencies; approach to equilibrium under different situations; small population; random genetic drift; effective population size; pedigreed populations; regular and irregular inbreeding systems; quantitative genetics-gene effects; population mean and variance and its partitioning; biometric relations between relatives; genetic and phenotypic parameters; scale effects and threshold traits.
ABG 604 Zoo, Wildlife and Laboratory Animal Breeding (3 cr.): Zoo, wildlife and laboratory animal genetics; breeding colonies of laboratory animals; breeding flocks and herds of wildlife; breeding in captivity; selection and mating systems for monogamous, polygamous and others; development of genetically controlled laboratory animals; rules for nomenclature; inbred strains; outbred stocks; mutant stocks; recombinant inbred strains; transgenic strains; gene targeting and production of ‘gene knock-out’ animals; genetic control and monitoring; record keeping; ethical aspects.
ABG 605 Poultry Reproduction (3 cr.): Basic genetics; poultry reproductive anatomy; microstructure of poultry reproductive systems; reproductive endocrinology; ovulation and oviposition; photostimulation and reproduction; egg characteristics and shell quality; fertility; spermatogenesis; semen collection, evaluation and quality control; artificial insemination; fertilization and embryonic development; hatching management; hatch calculations; hatch residue analysis breakout.
ABG 631 Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (3 cr.): Genesis and importance of molecular techniques; physical and genetic map; molecular markers; DNA replication, transcription, translation; gene expression; DNA and genome sequencing, polymerase chain reaction; transgenesis and methods of gene transfer; quantitative trait loci mapping; candidate gene approach; genomic selection, marker assisted selection; gene conversion, transgenic animals; somatic cell nuclear transfer.
ABG 632 Animal Reproduction (3 cr.): Introduction to reproduction; sexual differentiation and development; male and female reproductive anatomy; reproductive endocrinology; spermatogenesis; testicular descent and thermoregulation; erection; ejaculation; semen physiology; sperm anatomy; folliculogenesis and oogenesis; ovulation; corpus luteum formation; prostaglandins and luteolysis; puberty; the estrous cycle; steroidogenesis; sperm and ova transport; sperm capacitation; fertilization; early embryonic development and maternal recognition of pregnancy; gestation; prenatal development and placentation.
ABG 634 Principles of Bioinformatics (3 cr.): Overview of bioinformatics; database concepts; algorithms; information resources for protein and genome databases; gene bank; EMBL; SWISS- PROT; PROSITE; nucleotide and protein sequence analysis; pair-wise and multiple sequence alignments; phylogeny; micro-array processing; clustering; analysis software; secondary database search; genetic characterization; in silico digestion of biomolecules; use of bioinformatics tools for identifying quantitative trait loci and selection of elite germplasms.
ABG 635 Herd Fertility and Reproductive Management (3 cr.): Introduction to herd fertility; calving interval; submission and pregnancy rate; calving index; fertility records; reproductive cycles; body condition score and reproduction; reproductive nutrition; estrus behavior and estrus detection; prebreeding management; timing of service; holding facilities; sweeper bull; pregnancy diagnosis and management; postpartum management; economics of fertility.
ABG 636 Breeding Male and AI Center Management (3 cr.): Introduction to breeding male farm; housing, feeding and management of breeding males; management before, during and after service and semen collection; teaser male management; male fertility; registration; special care and handling of male used for AI; design and lay-out of an AI center; management of AI center; safety, regulation and ethical aspects for AI center; biosecurity.
ABG 661 Animal Genetic Diversity and Breeding Practice (3 cr.): Biodiversity in animal agriculture; genetic diversity; avenge heterozygosity; farm animal genetic resources and their status; loss and conservation of genetic resources; selection and genetic consequences; breeding principles; breeding methods; breeding parameters; Evaluation of selection experiments; genetic aspects and consequences mating systems; application of various mating system in animal improvement; general and specific combining ability; polymorphism and genetic improvement.
ABG 662 Animal Biotechnology (3 cr.): Biotechnology in animal science; western and southern blot, polymerase chain reaction; microarray, RNA interference; antibody production, immunobiotechnology; gene transfer; transgenic animals; cloning and xenotransplantation; in vitro fertilization; embryo transfer; synchronization of estrus; gamete manipulation; sexing of semen and embryo; genome projects; gene therapy; tissue engineering; stem cell biotechnology; biotechnology in disease diagnosis; forensics and DNA profiling; evolution and biotechnology; safety in biotechnology.
ABG 666 Semen Technology and Artificial Insemination (3 cr.): Concept of semen; formation of semen; collection and comparative study of semen from different animal species; artificial vagina; semen evaluation; extenders and extension of semen; frozen semen; cryogenic storage; transportation; handling; custom freezing of semen; artificial insemination; insemination equipment; direct herd service and herdsman-instructor training; pregnancy determination; reproductive efficiency; breeding problems; conception rates; artificial insemination business; records, accounting, regulations and pertaining to registered male; employment opportunities.
ABG 696 Reading and Conference (Credit to be arranged but not more than 3 cr.): Special study assigned by the Major Professor on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee and/or interest of the student.
ABG 697 Special Problems (Credit to be arranged but not more than 3 cr.): Investigation of special problems in animal breeding and genetics not related to a thesis problem. The investigations may consist of original research and/or literature survey.
ABG 698 Seminar (1 cr.): Discussion on an assigned topic in the field of animal genetics, breeding, reproduction and biotechnology.
ABG 699 Thesis Research (Credit to be arranged but not less than 12 cr.): Original Thesis Research.