# ANSC30340
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**Parent**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ANS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
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#### Equine Reproduction and Breeding Management (ANSC30340)
Subject:
: Animal Science
College:
: Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
: Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
: 3 (Degree)
Credits:
: 5
Module Coordinator:
: Assoc Professor Barbara Murphy
Trimester:
: Spring
Mode of Delivery:
: On Campus
Internship Module:
: No
How will I be graded?
: Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module is core for Animal Science - Equine students and focuses in detail on the physiology and endocrinology of reproduction and breeding management within the Thoroughbred and Sport Horse industries. The module encompasses lectures on equine seasonality, the hormones of reproduction, ovarian and testicular function, sperm and oocyte development, establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and parturition, neonatal care, and breeding soundness examinations. Emphasis will be placed on the current state of research knowledge in these areas and identification of areas where advances in reproductive knowledge of the equine species need to be made. Topics covered will include current advances in equine reproductive technologies and pharmacological manipulation of the mares reproductive cycle. A written essay involving a review of current scientific literature concerning a relevant aspect of equine reproduction will form part of the assessment criteria for this module. Student module feedback led to the incorporation of two class quizzes during the term as part of the module assessment. For 2021, continuous assessment will comprise submission of two worksheets covering course content during term. \
This module is a 7 week module and will be assessed during term time in 2021. A final MCQ Exam will take place during during week 7 in 2021.
## About this Module
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### What will I learn?
###### Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to: \
Describe the anatomy and function of mare and stallion reproductive tracts;\
Explain the endocrine control of reproduction in the stallion and the mare; \
Discuss factors that influence sperm production, reproductive cycles, ovarian follicular growth and the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in the horse; \
Evaluate the efficiency and impact of pharmacological manipulation of the mare's reproductive cycle; \
Discuss how seasonality and photoperiodic management impacts fertility for the mare and stallion and the growth and development of the foal;\
Explain the different management strategies employed for artificial insemination versus natural cover breedings; \
Evaluate assisted reproductive technologies and their effectiveness;\
Discuss care and management of the neonate in health and disease; \
Apply knowledge of reproductive physiology to formulate solutions to breeding management problems in horses;\
Critcally assess the current state of knowledge in relation to specific equine reproductive topics.
### How will I learn?
###### Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
| --- | --- |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 70 |
| Lectures | 30 |
| Practical | 2 |
| Field Trip/External Visits | 4 |
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 106 |
\
###### Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The approaches to teaching and learning for this module include lectures, critical writing, self-assessment quizzes and class discussions.
### Am I eligible to take this module?
###### Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
**Learning Recommendations:**\
It is highly recommended that students registering for this course have previously taken a basic animal reproduction module.
\
###### Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
\
\
### How will I be assessed?
###### Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Assignment(Including Essay): Class test covering content from weeks 1-3 | Week 3 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 25 | No |
| Assignment(Including Essay): Class test covering content from weeks 4-7 | Week 7 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 25 | No |
| Exam (In-person): Final exam is a multiple choice questionnaire. | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 50 | No |
\
###### Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
### What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
| --- | --- |
| Autumn | Yes - 2 Hour |
*Please see [Student Jargon Buster](https://www.ucd.ie/students/services/ucdstudentjargonbuster/) for more information about remediation types and timing.* \
### Assessment feedback
###### Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
• Self-assessment activities\
###### How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Group feedback on worksheet questions provided in class. Formative review quizzes are held online most weeks to review content and answer questions. Review sessions are held intermittently throughout term to identify any areas requiring further attention.
### Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
| --- | --- |
| Professor Lisa Katz | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Niamh Lewis | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Ms Julie Storme | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
### When is this module offered?
**Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.**
| | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 | Mon 10:00 - 11:50 |
| Spring | Field Trip | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 26 | Mon 13:00 - 18:00 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 | Tues 09:00 - 09:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26 | Tues 15:00 - 16:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 | Wed 10:00 - 10:50 |
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