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ANSC42: Introduction to Animal Science
Prepared by: Simon Jasper J. Amante
Unit 1: Introduction to Animal Science (Foundations of Animals, Agriculture, and Society)
Learning Goals
After completing this unit, students should be able to:
Explain the ecological role of animals within agroecosystems.
Describe the historical process of animal domestication and its consequences for civilization.
Evaluate the economic and social importance of livestock and poultry.
Interpret national data on Philippine livestock and poultry production trends.
Distinguish animal science (discipline) from the animal industry (enterprise) and explain their interdependence.
1.1 Introduction to Animal Science
Animals play various roles in human life:
Live with them
Worship them
Consume them
Admire them
Fear them
Love them
Care for them
Depend on them
Animals are integral to:
Nutrition
Sociology
Day-to-day lives
Animal science is the scientific study that focuses on domestic animals.
The primary contribution of animals to humans lies in food supply.
Agriculture Defined:
A complicated resource management system developed by humans to produce food from land.
A combination of science and art used to cultivate crops and livestock.
Vital for daily food supply and thus links to all human occupations.
The urban industrial complex in developed countries relies on agricultural food surpluses.
Uses of domestic animals extend beyond food to:
Sports
Recreation
Manufacturing
Religion
Scientific research
Companionship
Importance of Agriculture:
Animals impact our lives significantly, shaping culture and societal dynamics.
Historical context highlights that human consumption of animals began with hunting and predated domestication.
Cultural Revolution:
Transition from nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled farming lifestyles marked a major cultural shift.
Domestication led to the need for management and care of animals, giving rise to animal science.
Animal Science Defined:
Study encompasses all aspects of domestic animals:
Behavior
Management
Physiology
Nutrition
Reproduction
Product distribution
The discipline has many specialties due to the vast knowledge accumulation.
1.1.1 Specialties in Animal Science
Genetics:
The science focusing on heredity and variation of inherited characteristics.
Heredity:
Transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to offspring.
Animal Breeding:
Use of biometry and genetics for enhancing farm animal production.
Biometry:
The application of statistics in biological contexts.
Genetic Code:
Rules governing how genetic info turned into proteins by cells.
Nutrition:
Studies nutrients and their utilization in the body.
Physiology:
Examines physical and chemical processes in animals.
Animal Health:
Focuses on maintaining animals' health.
Animal Behavior:
Studies behavior control, welfare assessment, and behavioral disorders.
Meat Science:
Handling and marketing of meat products.
Dairy Product Science:
Provision of milk and milk products.
Biotechnology:
Various applications of life sciences for product development or modification.
1.2 Domestication and Origin of Animal Husbandry
Domestication Defined:
Adapting animal behavior to satisfy human needs.
Initial domestication involved confining wild animals for reliable food and materials.
Process of Domestication:
Not a singular event; occurred at various points in history and different locations.
First domesticated animal: dog.
Selective breeding established identifiable breeds with specific desirable traits.
Shift from reliance on hunting to a sedentary lifestyle enabled by domesticated animals.
Animal Husbandry:
Branch of science focused on the management of domesticated animals for food and materials.
Incorporates practices for better product yield (milk, meat, etc.).
Historical beginnings in the Neolithic revolution (~ 13,000 BC).
Evolution of Civilizations:
Domestication encouraged permanent settlements and pastoral lifestyles.
1.3 Domestication of Farm Animals
Cattle
Historical Context:
Cattle domestication traces back ~10,500 years, primarily in the Fertile Crescent.
Modern cattle ancestry:
Bos taurus (derived from Aurochs and Celtic Shorthorn) and Bos indicus (tropical humped cattle).
Uses of Cattle:
Draft, meat, milk production; indicators of wealth.
Every part of the cattle is utilized (food, clothing materials, tools).
By 2024 statistics:
Cattle population: 2.61 million heads (+0.9% from 2023).
Production: 234.42 thousand metric tons (decrease of 0.9% from previous year).
Sheep
Historical Context:
Early domestication happened during the early Neolithic Age, with artworks depicting their significance.
Diversity:
Over 200 sheep breeds exist, showing domestication suitability (social nature, reproduction rates).
Uses:
Meat, wool, milk production.
Goat
Historical Background:
Early domestication traces back to the Fertile Crescent, descended from Wild Bezoar and Grecian Ibex (Capra aegagrus).
Economic Potential:
Recognized as a flourishing industry via low investment but high return on goat's meat production.
Goat's meat is lower in saturated fat than chicken, pork, and beef but high in protein.
Statistics (2024):
Goat population: 3.82 million heads (-2.0% compared to last year).
Production: 70.09 thousand metric tons (decrease of 0.4% from previous year).
Major Differences between Sheep and Goats:
Body structure, tail length, horns, intelligence levels, ability to return to the wild, among others.
1.4 The Role of Livestock
Livestock is crucial for many livelihoods, especially in developing regions.
Functions of Livestock:
Food and Clothing:
Provides high-quality food (meat, milk, eggs) and textiles (wool, leather).
Power Sources:
Contributes to cultivation of immense farmland.
Natural Fertilizer and Fuel:
Enhances soil fertility and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Income Generation:
Livestock as financial assets for many small farmers.
Employment:
Employment sources in various livestock areas (e.g., dairy, meat sector).
Foreign Currency:
Key in producing exportable commodities, generating foreign exchange.
Social Significance:
Affect social status and contribute to welfare, particularly for women and children.
Economic Utility Derived from Animals
Primary Uses:
Food: Meat, milk, eggs, by-products.
Protection/Security/Guide roles.
Power/Work/Beast of Burden: Draft animals assist in agriculture.
Medicine sourced from livestock.
Companion animals (pets) for family.
Sports and entertainment.
Research applications.
Clothing and aesthetic uses.
Other uses (e.g., musical instruments).
Farm Animals
Examples of Farm Animals and Their Scientific Names:
Buffalo: Bubalus bubalis
Cattle (No hump): Bos taurus
Cattle (With hump): Bos indicus
Chicken: Gallus gallus
Goat: Capra hircus
Pig: Sus scrofa
Sheep: Ovis aries
Horse: Equus caballus
Turkey: Meleagris gallopavo
Others include ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and pigeons.
Commonly Used Terms in Animal Science
Cattle and Carabao Terms:
Bull, Bull Calf, Bullock, Calf, Cow, Carabull, Caracow, Caraheifer, Heifer, Ox, Stag, Steer, Proven Sire
Horse Terms:
Broodmare, Colt, Filly, Foal, Gelding, Mare, Stallion
Swine Terms:
Boar, Barrow, Gilt, Sow, Litter, Stag, Suckling, Weanling
Sheep and Goat Terms:
Billy Goat/Buck, Doe, Ewe, Fleece, Kid, Lamb, Pelt, Ram, Shearling, Wether Goat/Sheep
Poultry Terms:
Capon, Chick, Chicken, Cockerel, Drake, Duck, Duckling, Poult, Pullet, Rooster
Unit 2: The Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals
Commonly Used Terms
Parturition: The act of giving birth; terms vary by species (Calving, Farrowing, Foaling, Kidding, Lambing).
Conception: Act of fertilization.
Dam: Female parent.
Fecundity/Prolificacy: Ability to give birth frequently.
Fertility: Ability to produce fertilizable ova/sperm and provide proper environment for embryonic development.
Gestation: Pregnancy duration.
Puberty: Sexual maturity.
Sire: Male parent.