SASK20001U Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Volume 2023/2024
Education

MSc Programme in Animal Science - restricted elective

 

Content

The contents of the course covers:
1) Presentation of experimental techniques for assessment of whole animal function and metabolism of nutrients at the whole animal and organ level (in vivo/in vitro). This covers both a theoretical introduction as well as practical demonstrations of key techniques.
2) A 30 h block which fulfills the educational requirements of the EU directive 2010/63/EU (function "a" and "d") and the Danish National Authority Dyreforsøgstilsynet for persons working with experimental animals or assisting in animal experiments (a diploma will be issued upon completion of the course).
3) Principles necessary for planning and implementing in vivo or in vitro scientific investigations as well as for critically evaluating results obtained from such investigations. This includes such aspects as protocol planning, experimental design and data evaluation.

4) Laboratory safety regarding accidents, evacuation, and risk assessment.

Learning Outcome

 

 

Knowledge
- describe the basic principles behind experimental methods for measuring nutritional characteristics of feedstuffs, feed intake, in vivo and in vitro digestibility,
- describe the methods for measuring digestibility in different segments of the digestive tract in monogastic and ruminant animals by use of cannulation and marker techniques, passage rate and digestion kinetics
- describe the theoretical background of energy transfer from cellular to the whole body level, techniques and methods for measuring nitrogen, energy balances, heat production and substrate oxidation
- describe the use of molecular biological techniques in analysis of cell and tissue function
- describe catheter techniques used to study tissue and organ nutrient fluxes, practical guidelines for blood sampling, rumen fluid, tissue biopsies and suturing techniques
- describe appropriate experimental designs and basic statistical approaches for use with these methodologies
- describe the legislation, handling and management of laboratory animals
- integrate the outcomes from the methodologies, experimental design work and legislative aspects to obtain an understanding of the ethical use of animals in research

Skills
- be able to describe principles and methods used in selected in vivo demonstrations
- be able to evaluate experimental results/data from different in vivo measurements.
- be able to discus limitations, advantages and their potential applications of the different experimental methods
- be able to interpret experimental results based on theoretical knowledge
- be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way

- that the student demonstrates the ability to euthanize laboratory rodents.

 

(compulsory)

Competences
- ability to cooperate with other researches, both inter and intra disciplinary at different levels and with different degree of responsibility
- ability to adopt above described knowledge and skills
- ability to disseminate methodology and obtained results to professionals, lay persons and general public
- ability to perform animal experiments legally according to EU directive 2010/63/EU function "a" and "d"

The written examination is obligatory in order to obtain EU approved diploma to be allowed working with experimental animals.

 

 

Selected reviews/research papers and a list of the literature to be used can be obtained from the course coordinators.
 

Dorte Bratbo Sørensen (ed.): Forsøgsdyrkundskab - En håndbog om forsøgsdyr og dyreforsøg. Kapitel 1-2; 4-10. Saxo.com

Dorte Bratbo Sørensen (ed.): Laboratory Animal Science - A handbook on experimental animals and animal experimentation. Chapters 1-2; 4-10. Saxo.com

SASA10143U Dyrs ernæring og præstation
Theoretical course with lectures, some laboratory demonstrations and bi-weekly seminars. Practical exercises on live animals. Individual activities will involve reviewing and presentation of handed-out scientific papers as well as seminar discussions of presented experimental techniques, where emphasis will be on evaluation of experimental design, techniques and approaches in relation to aims, obtained results and conclusions.

Evaluation model: Survey-based model
Combined lectures, practical demonstrations, seminars/journal clubs and exercises. Students will throughout the course be working in groups.
Students should be aware that it is a compulsory component to pass the course that each student euthanize laboratory rodents.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 25
  • Class Instruction
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 69
  • Theory exercises
  • 30
  • Practical exercises
  • 70
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective
Credit
2,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 60 minutes Written under invigilation
Type of assessment details
Written examination, 60 minutes written under invigilation
The written exam SASK20002E 2,5 ECTS at CPH-examvenue consists of 10 Multiple choice questions, 10 short questions and 1 short assay question.
The score count is:
20% multiple choice questions: Maximum score 6 points
40% short questions; Maximum score 12 points
40% short essay: Maximum score12 points
Maximum 30 points in total. To pass the examination, a total of 18 points or more must be awarded.

Every question gives 0, 1, 2 or 3 points, except multiple choice questions, which give either 0 or 3 points.


The written examination is obligatory in order to obtain EU approved diploma to be allowed working with experimental animals.
Exam registration requirements
Each student must pass the Exercise exam SASK20001E to attend the written exam.
Aid
All aids allowed

Written examination (to obtain EU approved diploma): All books, reports etc. allowed. Notes can be uploaded to Digital Notes (Digitale Noter) through Digital Exam. You'll find a link for this in Digital Exam.

Find more information about written on-site exams in the exam rooms, incl. information about standard programs on the exam PCs at KUnet

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall (in an adequate level) be able to:

Knowledge

  • describe the legislation, handling and management of laboratory animals


Skills

  • be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way


Competences

  • ability to adopt above described knowledge and skills
  • be able to discuss limitations, advantages and their potential applications of the different experimental methods 
  • ability to disseminate methodology and obtained results to professionals, lay persons and general public
  • be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way
     
Credit
2,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 minutes Oral
Type of assessment details
The oral examination SASK20003E 2,5 ECTS at the department (20 minutes for for preparation) regarding other topics covered in the course, where the student will draw a question based on demonstrations covered in the course.
Exam registration requirements

Each student must pass the Exercise exam SASK20001E to attend the oral exam.

Aid
Only certain aids allowed

No electronic devices with internet connections may be used during preparation time. The students can bring notes/ presentations etc. on USB-stick. A computer without internet connection will be available during preparation time

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall (in an adequate level) be able to:

Knowledge

  • describe the basic principles behind experimental methods for measuring feed characteristics, intake, digestibility and nutrient physiological regulation and metabolism


Skills

  • be able to describe principles and methods and evaluate experimental results/data from different in vivo measurements


Competences

  • ability to adopt above described knowledge and skills
  • be able to discuss limitations, advantages and their potential applications of the different experimental methods 
  • ability to disseminate methodology and obtained results to professionals, lay persons and general public
Credit
2,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Type of assessment details
100 % active participation in exercises with small laboratory animals.
80% participation in the demonstrations covered in the course.

In order to pass the exam, the four online laboratory safety modules (introduction, accidents, evacuation, and risk assessment) must be completed.

Active participation refers to attendance as well as engaging participation in physical exercises and theoretical discussions.

It is part of the accreditation of the course as basis for participation in animal experiments according to ministerial order No 12 January 7 2016 issued by the Ministry of Food and Environment that course graduates must have participated in practical exercise, which includes handling, as well as some minor procedures and killing by accepted methods of live animals.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall (in an adequate level) be able to:

Knowledge

  • describe the basic principles behind experimental methods for measuring feed characteristics, intake, digestibility and physiological regulation of nutrients and its related metabolism
  • describe the legislation, handling and management of laboratory animals


Skills

  • be able to describe principles and methods and evaluate experimental results/data from different in vivo measurements
  • be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way


Competences

  • ability to adopt above described knowledge and skills
  • be able to discus limitations, advantages and their potential applications of the different experimental methods 
  • ability to discuss and disseminate methodology and obtained results to professionals, lay persons and general public
  • be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way