Study Programmes 2015-2016
VETE2058-1  
Embryology and histology of domestic animals
  • Embryology of domestical animals
  • Histology of domestical animals
Duration :
Embryology of domestical animals : 26h Th, 6h Pr
Histology of domestical animals : 10h Th, 16h Pr
Number of credits :
Bachelor in veterinary medicine5
Lecturer :
Embryology of domestical animals : Luc Grobet
Histology of domestical animals : Nadine Antoine, Luc Grobet
Coordinator :
Luc Grobet
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Embryology of domestical animals
The course gives access to the essentials for understanding the development of the most common domestic animals, from the zygote stage to birth. Beyond a purely descriptive part, principles of developmental biology and associated technologies are evoked and illustrated by concrete examples.
Histology of domestical animals
The course of Histology I aims at describing the various healthy tissues of the animal organism. These tissues are integrated in organs ensuring the great functions of the organism.
The Hitology part I is integrated in the curse of Embryology and describes simple, pseudostratified, stratified and glandular epithelia evoked during organogenesis. The structural, ultrastructural and functionnal characteristics of these tissues will be approached.
Learning outcomes of the course :
Embryology of domestical animals
The lectures proposed here aim at allowing students to learn about embryonic development, and to get insight into some aspects of modern developmental biology, and associated technologies.
1) Descriptive embryology
The embryonic development from fertilization on until birth is described. The most common species of domestic mammals and birds are considered, and interspecies differences are also pointed out. Relevant connections with anatomical, histological and physiological data are shown.
A) Gametogenesis
Or gametes formation (ova and spermatozoa) from the primordial germ cell stage.
B) Gametes and fertilization
Or the different stages ending up with the zygote formation, which is the first embryonic stage.
C) Cleavage stages
Or the different division steps leading from the zygote (one cell) to the blastocyst stage. D) Gastrulation
The embryo proper will undergo a clear cell differentiation in three primordial cell layers, from which all body tissues originate.
E) Extraembryonic membranes and placentation
The development of these extra-embryonic tissues allow mechanical protection, feeding, oxygen supply and toxin elimination of the foetus. In mammals, the feto-maternal placental connections are examined in respect with species particularities.
F) Organogenesis
Or development of the organs: we examine:
- Heart and blood vessels
- Nervous system
- Urinary system
- Reproductive organs
- Digestive system and annexes
- Respiratory system
- Body cavities
- Skeleton and joints formation
- Muscles development
- Skin and annexes
 
2) Modern biology of development, associated techniques and the stem and primordial germ cells revolution
Here are given the essentials of (i) present status of knowledge on stem cells, induced pluripotent cells and primordial germ cells biology and their potential use, and (ii) the most common techniques in use for developmental biology studies. Their potential use as new biotechnological tool in applications such as farm animal improvement, disease resistance, therapeutic proteins production and xenograft supply are discussed based on concrete examples.
A) Transgenesis
Or integration by biotechnological means of (trans)genes in live organisms.
B) Gene targeting
Or precisely directed genome alterations in an organism. The most commonly reported use of gene targeting is gene inactivation by its partial or total elimination (Knock out). This technique can also generate minute insertion or deletions or site-directed integration of transgenes.
C) Cloning
Or genesis of a new organism without sexual reproduction, starting from a more or less differentiated somatic cell.
D) Biology and potential applications of stem and primordial germ cells.
Or description of the origin, particular properties and potential applications of these cells. Somatic cells reprogramming towards pluripotency will be described here.
Histology of domestical animals
To know
The objective of the theoric course is to teach the students the morphological and functional features of the different epithelial tissues.
 
To make
Starting from a pure descriptive approach , the student will have to be able to establish a relationship between the examined morphology and the function of epithelial cells, and epithelia being studied.
 
To be
The opportunity of observing virtual histological preparations on e-Campus offer the possibility to the students to work in groups, exchange different point of view, acquire critical spirit, and stimulate mutual aid.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Embryology of domestical animals
The co- and prerequisite teaching units are detailed in the courses program
Histology of domestical animals
The co-and prerequisite teaching units are detailed in the courses program.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Embryology of domestical animals
A theorical course is given in a face-to-face mode. Concerning the practicals, after successful completion of a prerequisite test, every student will assist to three successive practical sessions. They take place in the room of practicals of histology and embryology from late october on, which can vary depending on organisation constraints. These lectures aim at deepening and illustrating data which are taught during the theoretical course with help of multimedia supports, examination of microscopic slides of embryos, micro-seminaries and directed analyses of scientific papers. One booklet will be provided to every student within which personal observations will be recorded, and questions relating to the lectures will be answered.
Histology of domestical animals
Pratical courses
 
During the pratical course sessions, histologiacal preparations of the different epithelial tissues are put at the students disposal so that they can examine cellular morphology, and epithelial tissular organization.
 
Students must attend pratice classes. Unjustified absence will be sanctioned. The student can not be authorized to present the examination of practical course.
The access of the first pratic class is conditioned by the success to 70/100 of a prerequisite test available on line on eCampus.
 
The sessions start with a PP presentation enabling the students to synthsize the structures they had recognize
Then the students work on their own on the basis of syllabus as wellas the other didactic aids at their disposal. If necessary they can ask assistant lecturers or graduate for help to carry out their processes.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Embryology of domestical animals
The practicals and theoretical courses are taught in the first semester, the examination takes place during the session of January.
Histology of domestical animals
Face to face
Recommended or required readings :
Embryology of domestical animals
The course is available in the ad hoc repertoire of e-campus. The recommended readings and references are also mentioned.
Histology of domestical animals
Slides and PDF are available in the ad hoc repertoire of e-campus.
 
Reference books
Applied veterinary histology- William Banks- Third edition-1993 Mosby
 
Internet sites
http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/histologie
http://www.chups.jussieu.fr/polys/histo
http://www.udel.edu/Biology/Wags/histopage.htm
Assessment methods and criteria :
Embryology of domestical animals
The january and september evaluations consist of written exams with multiple choice questions.
Histology of domestical animals
Short written tests online, in the form of QCM, QROC...will be organized during the academic year. One test will be dedicated to the epithelia. Written tests (3) is worth 20% of the final Q2 mark.
During school year, an interactive QUIZZ will enablethe students to get familiar with the questions of the practical work exam of the end of the school year. the only purpose is to allow the students to evaluate their method of working and ti know the requirement level they will have to reach. These exercises will never be marked in any way.
 
The theorical exam, in january; concerning the epithelia, consists on written test in form of QCM, QROL, QROC and illustrations to be annotated. It will be worth 125% of the final mark of the Embryology-Histology courses.
 
The practical exam will take place in Q2 and the subject of examination will concern the epithelial, connective, muscular, vascular and nervous tissues.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
Embryology of domestical animals
Teacher:
Luc Grobet (embryologie), lgrobet@ulg.ac.be, +32 4 366 40 80.
Assistant:
Céline Tonus, ctonus@ulg.ac.be, +32 4 366 40 82.

Téléfax: +32 4 366 40 86.
Secretary:
Nathalie Guillaume, nathalie.guillaume@ulg.ac.be, +32 4 366 40 75
Histology of domestical animals
Nadine Antoine
nadine.antoine@ulg.ac.be
 
Vinciane Toppets
vtoppets@ulg.ac.be
 
Céline Tonus
ctonus@ulg.ac.be
 
Olivier Waroux
o.waroux@ulg.ac.be(owaroux@ulg.ac.be)