1. Active participation of the student in at least 12 practical lessons.

2. Complete the missing practical lessons in a substitute form with proof of mastery of the learned topic.

3. Demonstrate adequate theoretical knowledge of the subject of practical lessons by a written test (minimum 55%) in the 8th and 13th weeks.

4. In case of failure in knowledge testing, the student can take the test in 2 more dates, namely in the 14th and 15th weeks.

5. Acquisition of knowledge and skills acquired during the manipulation and investigation of physiological processes.

The student should be able to explain the relationships between the structure and function of various tissues, organs and organ systems of selected species of companion animals. He/she should be able to apply his/her knowledge to explain the adaptation of regulatory mechanisms under different conditions. Explain how an animal perceives its environment through the sensory system. He/she should be able to describe the regulatory mechanisms, both nervous and humoral, which are necessary to maintain homeostasis. The student will acquire skills in handling animals and master basic investigative and laboratory methods.

1. Homeostasis of the organism, physiology of body fluids, acid-base balance.

2. Physiology of blood and immune system.

3. Physiology of the circulatory system.

4. Physiology of the respiratory system.

5. Physiology of the urinary system.

6. Physiology of the digestive system.

7. Physiology of the endocrine system.

8. Physiology of the reproductive system and lactation.

9. Physiology of the skeletal and muscular system.

10. Physiology of development, growth and aging.

11. Physiology of the nervous system and special senses.

12. Skin physiology and thermoregulation.

13. Physiological peculiarities of birds and reptiles.

LECTURES

1. Introduction to physiology.

Conditions for passing the subject. Definition of physiology. Levels of organization. Homeostasis and homeorhesis. Cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis. Body fluids and their compartments.

2. Blood physiology.

Composition and functions of blood. Regulation of haemopoiesis and haemostasis.

Basics of the immune system.

Innate and acquired immunity. The lymphatic system as part of immunity.

3. Introduction to neurophysiology

Organization of the nervous system, neuron, supporting cells. General neurophysiology, action potential, synaptic transmission.

Physiology of the heart

Physiological properties and metabolism of heart muscle. Electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. Cardiac cycle. Regulatory mechanisms.

4. Circulatory system

Vascular function, hemodynamics, arterial pulse, pressure and blood flow. Regulation of blood circulation. Lymphatic system.

Respiratory system

Mechanics and functions of breathing, defense mechanisms. Exchange of respiratory gases. Regulation of breathing.

5. Digestion in monogastric animals

Functional morphology of the digestive system. Regulation of food intake. Food processing in individual sections of the digestive tract. Regulation of secretion of digestive juices and motility. Defecation reflex. Participation of pancreas and liver in digestion. Regulation of gallbladder contractions.

6. Metabolism.

Intermediate metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. Energy metabolism. Absorption and postabsorption state, regulatory mechanisms.

Urinary system

Kidney functions, urine production. Regulation of volume, osmolarity and pH. Regulation of fluid intake and urination.

7. Physiology of the endocrine system

Mechanism of action of hormones. Endocrine secretion and regulatory functions of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and pineal gland. Endocrine function of adrenal glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, pancreas. Hormones affecting growth and growth factors. Thymus, tissue hormones.

8. Reproductive system I

Gender differentiation. Functions of male and female genital organs. Estrous cycle of the bitch. Activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. Functions of sex hormones.

9. Reproductive system II

Neuroendocrine regulation of male sexual reflexes, dog mating. Fertilization, implantation, pregnancy - regulatory mechanisms. Childbirth and puerperium.

Lactation

Mammogenesis, lactogenesis, galactopoiesis. Neurohumoral regulation of milk secretion and ejection. Composition and properties of colostrum and milk.

10. Nervous system

Embryonic development of the CNS. Organization of the brain and spinal cord. CNS protection.

Functions of nerves and ganglia. Reflexes. Autonomic nervous system.

11. Sensory department of the CNS

Sensory cells, distribution and adaptation of receptors, signal transmission. Physiology of vision, taste, smell, touch, pressure, temperature perception. Physiology of hearing and balance.

12. Muscle physiology

Types and characteristics of muscles. Skeletal muscle – neuromuscular connection, contraction, energy metabolism, fiber types. Tendons. Physiology of smooth and cardiac muscle. Regulatory mechanisms.

Growth and Development

Physiology of bones and joints. Growth and ontogenesis, aging.

13. Skin and thermoregulation.

Skin functions, body temperature. Regulatory and adaptation mechanisms.

Physiological peculiarities of birds and reptiles.

Peculiarities of respiration, digestion and reproduction.

PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES

1. Introduction

Exercise management system, recommended literature, work safety during exercises. Manipulation and restraint of animals during clinical examination and blood sampling.

2. Blood physiology

Methods of determining the basic parameters of blood.

The immune system

Examination of the leukogram. Methods of examination of hemostasis. Blood groups.

3. Physiology of the heart

Basics of electrocardiography (ECG). Taking a dog's ECG.

4. Circulatory system

Examination of the heart sounds, pulse and blood pressure.

Respiratory system

Assessing the breathing. Auscultation of the lungs. Lung volumes and capacities, spirometry, making a pneumogram.

5. Digestion in monogastric animals

Assessment of feed intake. Assessment of digestion in the oral cavity, stomach and small intestine. Assessment of properties of bile and pancreatic juice.

6. Metabolism

Basal and standard metabolism, measurement methods. Energy balance.

Urinary system

Urine collection. Sensory, physical, chemical and microscopic evaluation of urine. Functional examination of the kidneys.

7. Physiology of the endocrine system

Glucose tolerance test. Evaluation of vasopressin functions. Endocrine regulatory mechanisms of stress reactions.

8. Reproductive system I

Assessment of the phases of the sexual cycle of bitches - vaginoscopy, vaginal cytology, crystallization test, progesterone test. Vaginal smears in a mouse.

9. Reproductive system II

Methods of diagnosis of pregnancy and parturition. Vital functions of newborns.

Lactation

Physical, chemical and microscopic analysis of milk and colostrum. The effect of oxytocin on milk ejection (video).

10. Central and peripheral nervous system

Functional examination of the brain, electroencephalography. Higher neural activity, learning, and memory. Examination of the reflex activity.

11. Sensory department of the CNS

Examination of sight, smell, taste, hearing and statokinetic analyzer and tactile sensation.

12. Muscle physiology

Myography, tetanus, muscle fatigue, rigor mortis. Muscle tone. Types of muscle contractions.

Growth and development

Calcium and phosphorus metabolism and its regulation. Physiological gaits of a dog.

13. Physiological peculiarities of birds and reptiles

Monitoring of starch digestion in poultry, assessment of hematological parameters of birds and reptiles.

1. Ondrašovičová, S. et al.: Veterinarny physiology I, Editorial centre of the UVMP Košice, 2017.

2. Vlčková, R. et al.: Physiology of Endocrine System and Reproduction. Editorial centre of the UVMP, 2020.

3. Vlčková, R. et al.: Practical Exercises and Seminars in Physiology. Editorial centre of the UVMP in Košice, 2015.

4. Reece, W.O.: Functional Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Fourth Edition, Wiley-Blackwell Publication, 2009.

Continuous assessment:

The student is obliged to successfully pass 2 credit tests on the topics of practical exercises:

1st credit test - fixation, blood, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems

2nd credit test - endocrine and reproductive systems, lactation, nervous system, sensors, muscles

Conditions for completion of course:

1. Active participation of the student in at least 12 practical lessons.

2. Complete the missing practical lessons in a substitute form with proof of mastery of the learned topic.

3. Demonstrate adequate theoretical knowledge of the subject of practical lessons by a written test (minimum 55%) in the 8th and 13th weeks.

4. In case of failure in knowledge testing, the student can take the test in 2 more dates, namely in the 14th and 15th weeks.

5. Acquisition of knowledge and skills acquired during the manipulation and investigation of physiological processes.

Final assessment:

The student is obliged to successfully pass the exam on the learned topics in a written form.

A student who failed the test has the opportunity to look at the corrected credit test the next day after writing it, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.