Educational offer - University of Padova

Syllabus

ATTENTION: due to Coronavirus emergency, teaching and examination methods may be different from what was originally planned. It is recommended to check on Moodle platform, Uniweb or contact the didactic secretariat for examination methods of the first session A.A. 2020/21.

Prerequisites:	Basic knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology is recommended.
Target skills and knowledge:	General principles of pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics. Use of drugs and disinfectants in aquaculture, with particular reference to dosage forms, prescriptions, and administration methods. Different criteria and rules for the use of pharmaceuticals in food producing and in ornamental fish: understanding specific problems and the related legislation. Fate of active principles in the environment. Drug residues and contaminants from industrial and natural sources in fish products and in the aquatic compartment: risk assessment for the consumer and the environment. The student will gain the ability to configure active ingredients in aquaculture, understand their appropriate use and the need to respect animal life and the aquatic environment. The student should also be capable of applying measures to protect animals and consumers against the hazards posed by environmental contaminants. The welfare of farmed fish: influencing factors, related issues and assessment methods. The birth and evolution of the concept of animal welfare and its applicability to fish. Pain perception and suffering in fish. Human interactions with fish and effects of such interactions on fish welfare. The main factors of farming affecting fish welfare. The most appropriate physiological, behavioural and health indicators for the evaluation of fish welfare in farming. Students will acquire the capacity to critique animal and fish welfare approaches in a range of human-animal interactions; they will have a detailed knowledge of the farming conditions needed to guarantee fish welfare and to specify a comprehensive set of analytical measures to evaluate them.
Examination methods:	There is an oral examination at the end of the Course. The exam includes at least five questions based on the topics covered, and aimed at assessing comprehension, critical thinking skills and the ability to identify interrelationships between issues, as well as a good command of scientific language. Alternatively, if it is impossible to carry out the assessment in presence, the oral exam will be taken remotely, using the 'zoom' software.
Assessment criteria:	Special consideration will be given to the ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the interests of protecting the health and welfare of farmed fish and guaranteeing the wholesomeness of fish products and ensuring a good quality aquatic environment.
Course unit contents:	Pharmacotoxicology module (5 credits) General principles of pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics. The use of pharmaceuticals and disinfectants in aquaculture, with particular reference to dosage forms, prescription, and administration methods. Different criteria and rules for the use of pharmaceuticals in food-producing and in ornamental fish: understanding the specific issues and the related legislation. Fate of active principles in the environment. Drug residues and contaminants from industrial and natural sources in fish products and in the aquatic compartment: risk assessment for the consumer and the environment. Laboratory activities: 1) Setting up aquatic toxicity tests on crustaceans - Acute immobilization test in Daphnia magna - Embryonic toxicity test in Daphnia magna 2) Processing of acute and chronic aquatic ecotoxicity test data - ECx calculation - Determination of LOEC and NOEC 3) Algal-stocks preparation - Method for culturing the unicellular green alga Scenedesmus dimorphus - Algal cell count on Burker's chamber - Centrifugation, pellet resuspension and storage of algal stocks Welfare module (3 credits) Definition of animal welfare, related legislation and applicability to fish. Human interactions with fish and effects of such interactions on fish welfare. Fish physiology with particular reference to the welfare of farmed fish. The stress response and the ability to feel pain and fear in fish. The main factors affecting the welfare of farmed fish. Physiological, behavioural and health indicators for the evaluation of fish welfare in farming and related analytical methods. Laboratory activities: 1) Preparation of aquatic toxicity tests on crustaceans 2) Dissection of Sea Bass; sampling of tissue and organs for the evaluation of fish welfare; hematocrit and erythrocyte and leukocyte cells count by hemocytometer; preparation and evaluation of blood smear . 3) Radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry and Western Blot analysis to evaluate fish welfare.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods:	The course (8 credits) consists of two modules organized in lectures (5 credits) and laboratory activities (3 credits) which take place respectively in the classroom, with support of slides and videos, and in anatomy, physiology and ecotoxicology labs, or in aquaculture facilities with support of technical staff. If it is impossible to carry out the above activities in presence, they will be carried out synchronously or asynchronously through the use of the 'zoom' software and the moodle platform; replacing, where possible, laboratory experiences and guided visits with specific videos.
Additional notes about suggested reading:	Any slides shown during lessons are provided directly to the students in pdf format or available on the e-learning page (https://elearning.unipd.it/cmela/) as well as any in-depth scientific reviews and articles discussed.
Textbooks (and optional supplementary readings)	K.M. Treves-Brown, Applied Fish Pharmacology. --: Springer, 2000. Mikko Nikinmaa, An Introduction to Aquatic Toxicology. --: Elsevier (Academic Press), 2014. Edward Branson (Editor), Fish Welfare. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2008.