Introduction to Animal Science

Introduction to Animal Science

• Animal science involves the study of domesticated animals, their management, production, and health
• It draws from genetics, nutrition, physiology, reproduction, and behavior
• This aims to improve animal productivity and welfare.
• The animal industry provides food, labor, companionship, and other products worldwide

Scope of Animal Science

• Animal Breeding and Genetics focus' on improving livestock traits through selective breeding.
• Animal Nutrition studies dietary needs and feed formulations to improve animal growth and health.
• Animal Physiology focuses on biological systems to optimize animal performance and reproduction.
• Animal Health and Welfare involves managing diseases and ensuring humane treatment.
• Animal Behavior and Management studies animal behavior to improve handling.

The Animal Industry

• Livestock Production involves raising cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry for meat, milk, eggs, and fiber
• Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms for food
• Companion Animals include domesticated pets that contribute to human well-being
• Equine Industry includes horse breeding, racing, and recreational riding.
• Animal By-products and Processing includes leather, wool, pharmaceuticals, and other animal-derived goods.

Importance of the Animal Industry

• Food Security: Supplies high-quality protein and essential nutrients.
• Economic Growth: Creates employment and trade.
• Scientific Advancement: Aids research in medicine, genetics, and biotechnology.
• Sustainability and Conservation: Uses eco-friendly practices for long-term viability

Domestication and Classification of Farm Animals

• Animal science is the study of domestic animal biology, management, and care, especially for agriculture
• Domesticating farm animals has been important in human civilization by providing food, labor, and companionship
• Domestication is when wild animals adapt to human use via selective breeding as they undergo genetic changes for better interaction and agricultural output

History of Domestication

• Animal domestication began approximately 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic Revolution
• Cattle (Bos taurus) were domesticated from wild aurochs in the Middle East and India
• Sheep (Ovis aries) came from Mesopotamia and provide meat, wool, and milk
• Goats (Capra hircus) were first domesticated in Iran's Zagros Mountains
• Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) were domesticated from wild boars in Asia and Europe
• Horses (Equus caballus) were domesticated in the Eurasian steppes for transportation and labor
• Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) originated in Southeast Asia and were raised for eggs and meat

Classification of Farm Animals by Species

• Bovine (Cattle) includes dairy and beef cattle
• Ovine (Sheep) are raised for wool, meat, and milk
• Caprine (Goats) are used for milk, meat, and fiber
• Porcine (Pigs) are raised for pork production
• Equine (Horses, Donkeys, and Mules) are used for transportation, sports, and work
• Avian (Poultry: Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, etc.) are raised for eggs and meat

Classification of Farm Animals by Purpose

• Dairy Animals like cattle, goats, and sheep create milk
• Meat Animals like Angus cattle, broiler chickens, and pigs are raised for meat production
• Work Animals like horses, oxen, and donkeys are used for labor or transportation
• Fiber-Producing Animals like sheep, alpacas, and angora goats provide wool, mohair, and other fibers
• Companion and Sport Animals like horses and pet goats are used for recreation, sports, or companionship

Domestication Criteria

• Temperament- they posses a docile nature
• Growth Rate- they grow quickly for food production
• Reproduction- they breed efficiently in captivity
• Diet- they thrive on readily available food sources
• Social Structure- they have hierarchical social behavior.

Importance of Domesticated Farm Animals

• Food Production - They provide essential nutrients
• Labor and Transportation- They assist in farming and transportation
• Economic Impact- Livestock farming supports rural economies and trade
• Cultural and Religious Significances - They hold animals in religious or symbolic importance

Challenges in Modern Animal Domestication

• Animal Welfare: factory farming and challenging living conditions
• Genetic Diversity: selective breeding reduces genetic variation, and makes the animals more susceptible to diseases
• Environmental Impact: Livestock farming contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.

Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals

• Animal anatomy and physiology are fundamental to animal science that offer insights into structure, functions, and health
• Understanding the biological systems improves livestock management, productivity, and welfare

Anatomy of Farm Animals

• Anatomy focuses on animal body structure, tissues, and framework
• Skeletal System provides support, movement, and protection
• Muscular System enables locomotion and activity
• Digestive System differs across species (monogastric vs. ruminant) and allows for nutrient absorption
• Respiratory System allows oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion
• Circulatory System is made of the heart and blood vessels for nutrient and oxygen transport.
• Reproductive System allows species continuation through reproduction.

Physiology of Farm Animals

• Physiology focuses on body system functions and their maintenance of homeostasis
• Digestive Physiology varies between ruminants (cattle, sheep) and monogastric animals (pigs, poultry)
• Endocrine System maintains hormonal regulation of growth, reproduction, and metabolism
• Thermoregulation allows animals to maintain optimal body temperature
• Reproductive Physiology focuses on efficient breeding and understanding estrous cycles, gestation, and fertility
• Immune System protects against diseases and infections

Importance of Anatomy and Physiology to Animal Science

• Solid anatomy and physiology knowledge support animal health management through early disease/disorder identification
• Enables proper nutrition planning by developing feeding programs based on digestive physiology
• Improves breeding and reproduction via genetic traits and reproductive success
• Creates better conditions for animal welfare and management through proper handling and housing

Physiology of Livestock and Poultry

• Physiology is the function of various system in organism
• Digestion and Metabolism differ across species (ruminants versus monogastric)
• Respiration and Circulation differ across species
• Reproduction and growth - is hormonal and controls cycles and rates
• Immune system Function defends against diseases and infections

System Comparisons

• Cattle (Ruminant) has a four-chambered stomach, large bones, respires with bronchioles and has 4 chambered heart
• Swine (Monogastric) has a simple stomach with a compact bones, and respires and has a four-chambered heart
• Poultry (Avian) has a gizzard and crop, with light pneumatic bones and air sacks with specialized capillaries.

Importance in Livestock for Anatomy and Physiology

• Enhance animal health
• Improve breeding and reproduction,
• Optimize feed efficiency and growth
• Prevent and manage diseases

General External Body Parts

• Body includes eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
• Neck connects to head to the shoulders,
• Shoulder is from of the forelimb
• Withers the highest point, measures height
• Back between the withers and loin
• Loin is between the back and the rump
• Rump (Croup) is the upper part of the hindquarters.
• Flank between ribs and the hindlegs
• Belly (Abdomen) underside of the trunk
• Forlimbs: Includes the shoulder, elbow, knee, cannon bone, fetlock, pastern, and hoof
• Hindlimbs: Includes-Hip, stifle, hock, cannon bone, fetlock, pastern, and hoof
• Tail: Extends to the rump

Species-Specific External Anatomy

• Cattle (Bovine)
  • Dewlap- skin under the neck
  • Brisket-chest area between forelegs
  • Switch- tuft of tail hair
• Horses (Equine)
  • Mane- hair on top of the neck
  • Forelock-Hair between the ears
  • Dock- tail part and solid
  • Gaskin-muscular part of the hind leg
• Sheep and Goats (Ovine & Caprine)
  • Poll is the top of the head
  • Wattles are fleshy neck appendages
  • Hooves-cloven or slipt
• Pigs (Swine/Porcine)
  • Snout for rooting
  • Jowl- lower cheek
  • Ham- the muscular

External Anatomy Importance

• Identifying Breeds and confirming health
• Diagnosing and improving management or productivity

Types of Digestive Systems in Farm Animals

• Monogastric (Simple Stomach): Found in pigs, poultry, dogs, and humans, has a simple stomach with enzymatic digestion
  • Mouth- chews food with saliva
  • Esophagus– Transports food from the mouth to the stomach. -Stomach– Secretes digestive enzymes and acids
  • Small Intestine – Absorbs nutrients Large Intestine (Colon) – Absorbs water and forms feces.
• Ruminant (Four-Chambered Stomach) - cattle, sheep, goats, and deer - fiber plant cellulose with microbial fermentation Mouth – Chews food and produces saliva with enzymes
  • Rumen: Contains microbes
• • Reticulum: Traps objects.
• • Omasum: Absorbs water.
• • Abomasum: Digests enzymes.
• Hindgut Fermenter - horses, donkeys, and rabbits - large Cecum Esophagus – Moves food to the stomach Stomach – Digests proteins Small Intestine – Digests nutrients Cecum – Digests fiber Large Intestine – Absorbs water
• Avian (Bird)(Chickens, ducks) - for consuming grains with no teeth

Avian Digestive Tract

• Beak - Picks up food
• Esophagus – Moves food to the crop
• Crop – Stores food
• Proventriculus – Secretes enzymes
• Gizzard – Uses stones
• Small Intestine – Absorbs nutrients
• Ceca – Ferments fiber
• Large- Absorbs Water
• Cloaca- Excretes

Digestive System Comparison

• Monogastric- Simple w/ enzymatic digestion
• Ruminant- 4 chambers for microbial
• Hindgut- Large cecum for processing
• Avian- Processing food

Implications on Agriculture

• Knowledge aids with feed
• Prevents digestives disorders
• Improves growth and overall health

Farm Animal Production System

• Reproduction with breeding, maintaining populations depending on species with common functions
• The male system is responsible for sperm and to deliver to female

Male Organ systems

• Testes- sperm and testosterone
• Epididymis- matures
• Vas Deferens- transports sperm
• Accessory Glands- seminal fluid
• Urethra- sperm and urine
• Penis- delivers

Species Differences

• Cattle, Sheep, Goats (Have fibroelastic penis)
• Horses: Vascular penis
• Pigs: corkscrew for female
• Poultry (Roosters): cloacal kiss for sperm
• For females for egg, fertilization
• Ovaries produce hormones, eggs
• Oviduct transport the eggs for fertilization
• Uterus supports the embryo
• Cervix- barrier for uterus
• Vagina for birth and mating
• Vulva at outer reproductive tract

Species Differences - Female

• Cattle have bicornuate and uterus
• Horses- bicornuat but less developed
• Pigs highly developed with high litter size
• Poultry has one single ovary

Farm Animal Reproduction Stages: Cycles with Cycles

• Cattle (Cow) :21day, polyestrous
• Sheep: 17 day, Seasonal
• Goat: 21 days, seasonal
• Pigs 21 day polyestrous
• Horse: 21 day , Seasonal
• Chicken : N/A continuous

Fertization

• Mating occurs naturally
• Artificial is when sperm is collected and inserted for the cattle and pigs

Management Implications

• Breeding programs help
• Diseases can be prevented
• Selecting help for greater traits
• Increases yield
• Glands hormones

Endocrine

• Glands that secrete hormones into the stream
• Hypothalmus regulates gland
• Pituitary for metabolism
• Thyroid is maintains function
• Cortex and medulla function under the adrenal
• The rest are self explanatory
• Thymus protects the immune system
• Chickens have reproductive tracts with genders

Female Structure

• Single with a ovary has a yolk and ovaduct that is divided into sections with function
• egg forms in 24 hours

Rooster

• has testes internally
• transfer sperm through cloacal
• eggs get fertilized

6 Stages

• Ovulatino- thousand for yolk
• Infubibulum captures yolk
• Magnum releases albumen for protection
• Isthmus protect membrane is secreted
• Then it goes through contraction

Stages of estrous

• Production
• Esctrus
• Progesterone and fertilization occurs
• And anstrous with hormones of FSH LH progesterone to control body
• Bones differ with shape and function