The Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) stands at the forefront of veterinary education, delivering two specialized courses within the undergraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program under the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. These courses equip students with essential knowledge in genetic principles, breeding strategies, and biotechnological applications critical for modern animal husbandry and sustainable livestock production. By integrating cutting-edge research with practical training, the department fosters the next generation of veterinarians capable of addressing global challenges in animal health, genetic diversity, and food security. The courses are as follows-
Course Code: ABG 201 Course Title: Animal Genetics Credits: 3.0+1.0
Rationale of the Course:
Genetics is the study of heredity, dealing with observable or measurable resemblances and differences of organisms subsequent from the previous generation. Inheritance of genetic materials and traits is the principal component of genetics, where the laws of inheritance provide the foundations of the understanding of the transmission of genetic materials from parents to their offspring. Cell division and gametogenesis are the necessary steps of animal reproduction, where the cell cycle and the chromosome structure are critical. This course will provide an understanding of the principles and concepts of genetics in relation to the transmission, distribution, arrangement, and alteration of genetic information in individuals and populations.
Course Content
Theory
Concept, development and application of Genetics in the filed of animal agriculture; Mendelian Inheritance and Modifications; Cell and its organelles and function, cell cycle, chromosome structure and functions, karyotypes and banding of farm animals; Cell division, Gametogenesis and fertilization process; Chromosomal aberration and mutation; Linkage, crossing over and multiple alleles with their significance, types and application; Sex determination in different types of animals; Sex-linked, Sex-influenced and Sex-limited traits in farm animal; Genetic materials of biochemical interests (DNA and RNA, protein, extra-nuclear genetic materials), Central dogma; Replication of DNA, Transcription process, Genetic code, Protein synthesis apparatus, Translation; Genetic technology (Recombinant DNA technology, cloning, Transgenesis and genome editing).
Practical
Materials used for genetic study and their handling; Problems of mendelian genetics; Karyotyping of domestic animals by cell culture techniques; Study on cell division (Mitosis and Meiosis); Blood group multiple alleles in human; Morphology of Drosophila; Preparation of culture media of drosophila; Sex determination of different types of organisms; DNA Amplification: PCR technology.
Course Code: ABG 361 Course Title: Animal Breeding Credits: 3.0+1.0
Rationale of the Course:
Breeding is the backbone of livestock production through which simultaneous genetic improvement and conservation of FAnGRs are achieved. Therefore, precise knowledge and skills on different breeding systems, mating design along with appropriate breeding strategy are necessary. Furthermore, reproduction is the practical application of breeding principles. This course describes the population genetics, genetic parameters, breeding strategy, and mating systems with the aim to improve and conserve the FAnGRs along with suitable reproductive tools and assisted reproductive technologies.
Course Content:
Theory
Concept, history of animal breeding and domestication of animals; Genetic constitution, Hardy-Weinberg law and its application in animal production; Traits of economic importance, Values and means, Variation; Genetic parameters of animal population and their methods of the estimation and use; Most probable producing ability (MPPA) and Transmitting ability; Selection, types, objectives and criteria of selection, aids to selection, performance testing, progeny testing, sib testing, single and multi-trait selection methods; Selection programs for livestock improvement and predict the selection response, Breeding systems and their effects on the animal population; Designing a breeding strategy based on the existing policies and plans for the improvement of FAnGRs for specific purposes; Breeding policy, Community based livestock breeding system, Nucleus breeding system (NBS) and Breeding for threshold traits; Animal reproduction and Application of assisted reproductive technologies for the improvement and conservation of FAnGRs.
Practical
Identification of indigenous livestock genetic resources of Bangladesh; Calculation of gene and genotype frequencies in different populations; Identification of animals to record the production and reproduction data; Systems of keeping breeding records in farm animals; Estimation of heritability, repeatability and combining ability; Estimation of inbreeding coefficients and relationship coefficients; Study on various mating strategy and calculation of heterosis; Estimation of breeding value, transmitting ability, most probable producing ability, heterosis and combining ability; Demonstration of assisted reproductive technologies used for successful breeding program.