Introduction to Animal Science

Lesson I. Introduction
1. Definition of Animal Science
Animal science is defined as the art and science on the care and
management of animals dealing with the principles of breeding physiology,
feeding and nutrition in relation to production, processing research and marketing
of animal products for human benefits.
2. The important domestic animals and major economic contrition to man.
Species
Dog
Carabao (Water Buffalo)
Cattle with humps
Cattle w/o humps
Goat
Sheep
Swine
Chicken
Duck Muscovey
Mallard
Goose
Turkey
Quail
Horse
Rabbit
Swan
Guinea fowl

Scientific Name
Canis Familiaris
Bubalus Bubalis
Bos Indicus
Bos Taurus
Capra hircus
Ovis Aries
Sus domesticus
Gallus gallus
Cairina Moschata
Anas boschas
Anser anser
Meleagrio Gallapavo
Coturnix coturnix
Equus caballus
Oryctalagus cuniculus
Anser cygnoides
Lumida meleagris

Major Economic Contribution to man

Protection, pet, companion, azucena
Power, milk, beef, hide
Animal Power, beef, milk, hide, horn
Animal Power, beef, milk, hide, horn
Milk, chevon, mohair, hide
Mutton, wool, milk, worship offerings
Pork, skin, hair, manure
Meat, eggs, feathers, dung
Meat, eggs, feathers
Meat, eggs, feathers
Meat, eggs, feather
Meat, eggs, feather, leather
Meat, eggs
Animal power, meat, recreation
Meat, fur, pet, catgut
Meat, eggs, feathers, pet
Meat, eggs, feathers

Lesson II. Animals and the Ecosystem

Ecosystem Refers to a community of organisms and their environment, how these
organisms adapts to their environment in order to survive.
Ecology the branch of biology which is concerned with the relationship between
organisms and their environment. It is also the study of the interrelationship of
plants, animals and the environment.
Environment refers to the thing, living and non-living found around an organism.
Ecological Classification of Organism
1. Autotrophs organisms that are self-food producers like plants that
manufactures their own food thru the process of photosynthesis.
2. Heterotrophs animals like herbivores and omnivores and scavengers that
eat dead plants or decomposers like parasites and predators.
Photosynthesis - the biological process by which green plants organics
compounds from CO2 and water for their food.
Sunlight energy +6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6
Animals continuously interact with the biological (biotic or living) and the physical
(abiotic or non-living) environment. The living things and non-living things affects in
one way or another the life of an animal. The biotic environment includes the entire
living organism like plants, microorganisms and other animals. The abiotic
environment consists of the soil, water, air temperature, housing, feeds,
management and other climatic factors. The role of sunlight during photosynthesis
sand the activation of vitamin D, directly and indirectly affects animal performance.
It is clear that a symbiotic relationship between plants and animal exist. Plants
are the primary producers of organic matter while organisms that eat plant and plant
product are the primary consumers. The term primary hierarchy of the food chain or
the nutrient cycle, starting with the primary, secondary, tertiary, quarterly are used to

designate ranks of organism in the hierarchy of the food chain or the nutrient cycle,
starting with the primary producers of organic matter (the plants) at the base. The
herbivores that eat plant products are the primary consumers, while the carnivores
are secondary consumers. Other carnivores can become tertiary consumers if they
happen to eat secondary consumers.
Agriculture and animal production goes together. Through the ages, from the
hunting and early domestication of animals to the present highly intensive food,
clothing and shelters. The domestication and the present modern production system
breeding to increase animal population has a negative impact on the environment.
Pollution has become a problem affecting man and other organisms. Animal waste
should therefore be properly managed for a wholesome ecosystem.
Lesson III. History and Development of Animal Science
Animal Science began during the Neolithic or New Stone Age when man
started to domesticate or tame wild animals in captivity. The domestication of wild
animal marked the first step forward the civilization of the most primitive tribes of
man. It was also the beginning of mans transformation from the savage to the
civilized way of life, from a normal hunter and wanderer to eventually an urban
dweller.
The care and management of animals started way back as cited in biblical times
when Noah placed all species of animals (male and female) in his arch before the
punishment by God of rain for 40 days and 40 nights. Cattle fattening was also
mentioned in the old testament, the return of the prodigal son where the king
ordered his servant to butcher the fattest calf for a feast in honor of his sons
homecoming.
Man domesticated animals to serve his needs for food, clothing, companionship,
assistance during his hunting activities, protection as alarm, for aid in crime solving,
as source of power for work and transportation, communication as object of worship
and offerings in various rituals and religious ceremonies. The dog was the first
animal to be tamed by man which started in the old world, followed by some
animals in the new world like the goat, sheep, pig, cattle, horses, carabao or water
buffalo and chicken.
From the domestication of animals, herding became indicative of the superiority
of one tribe over another. History shows that great livestock countries of the world
have been the most advanced in civilization and most powerful.
Through continuous selection and controlled mating through the years the
domesticated species of animals were tailored into better types to serve specific
purposes. These development were the results of experiences and research thru the
past years. The primitive types of animals with poor reproductive, slower growth and
poor carcass quality brought about by better housing, nutrition, breeding will as
cancan quality brought about by better housing, nutrition, breeding techniques and
none efficient control of diseases and parasites.
Domesticated animals, time, place and reason of domestication
Species
Dog

Probable Time
8000-9000 BP

Place
Old & New world

Goat
Pig
Sheep

8000-9000 BP
8000-9000 BP
6000-7000 BP

Old world
Old world
Old world

Major Reason
Protection,pet,
companion, hunting
Food & Clothing
Food & Sports
Food & clothing

Ancestors
Wolf and jackal
Wild goat
Wild Boar
Asiatic
urial
&
European mounflan

Cattle
Chicken

6000-7000 BP
5000-5500 BP

Horse
Duck
Goose
Turkey

4000-5000 BP
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown

Water
buffalo

2500 BP

Source:

India, Old world

India,
Java,
Sumatra
Old World
China
Greece & Italy
Mexico,North
America
North India

Food, clothing, religion

Food, Sports, Religion

Auroch
Jungle Fowl

Transpiration
Food & Feather
Food & Feather
Food & feather

Wild horse (mustang)

Wild duck
Wild goose
Wild turkey

Meat, milk, work

Unknown

The Science of Animals That Serve Mankind by Campbelle and Lasley

Animal Agricultural and Man By Cole and Ronning
BP means before present

Lesson IV. Social and Economic Importance of Animals

1. Social Importance of Animals
As animal increase in population human life has a positive effect on the
various benefits of animals man derive like food, income employment and other
purposes. On the other hand there is also a negative effect on the space for the
rapidly increasing population in addition to environment pollution.
2. Animals and Human Sociology
Animals are being used by man beyond their economic and utility value. It
is known that animals are being used in religious worship and sacrificial offerings
by different people of the world to drive away spirits or solicit good blessing from
their Gods or Supreme Being. Animals in many countries are being used as gifts
or symbols in many rituals such as wedding, and other social cultural activities.
3. Economic Importance of Animals to Man
The economic importance of animals to man has been recognized long
time ago during the hunting stage when primitive man then hunted animals for
food, clothing, and shelter. The domestication of animals further intensified mans
economic dependence on animals. Today animals not only provide man his basic
needs but also income as animal producer or employee man in addition to
various animal products like glue, gut strings, gelatin, casings, surgical ligatures
and medicine preparations in the form of hormones etc.
Lesson V. The Animal Body and Fields of Study of Direct Importance in Animal
Science
1. The Animal Body
Generally the animal body is composed of MUSCLES, FAT, BONE,
BLOOD, WATER, SKIN and HAIRS/FEATHERS. The deposition of bone starts
early in the fetus and is laid down by bone forming cells called osteoblasts. Bone
of young animals are spongy containing much blood and thick layer of cartilage.
Fats are generally found under the skin between muscles, kidney and also in
holes and hollows in the body of animals. Fat is important in providing juiciness
to carcass muscles and also plays a physiological role in animals providing
insulation and heat.
The water content of the animal body is contained mostly in the muscle
tissues. About 75% of muscles weight is actually water.
The muscles in animals are major covering found attached in the bones.
The muscles component is the major body part eaten by humans. Some muscles
are also found in the internal organs of the body.

The blood is the major component found in the circulatory system of

animals carrying nutrients for maintenance of life.
Hairs/feather are the outer covering of the body attached in the skin for
protection and covering of the animal body.
The skin composed of the dermis and epidermis are the major protective
covering of the animal body attached in the muscle.
2. Field of study relative to the animal body important in animal science
A. Anatomy The science that deals with the study of the form and structures
of all organism.
Branches of Anatomy
(1) Gross Anatomy the science that deals on the study of structures that can
be seen with the naked eye. Also called macroscopic anatomy.
(2) Microscopic Anatomy or Histology Deals with the study of the cells and
tissues of the body with the aid of microscope.
(3) Comparative anatomy study of comparison of the body structures of
different species of animals as well as within species.
(4) Embryology or developmental anatomy study of the development of an
organism in the uterus covering the period from conception to parturition
or birth.
(5) Ultrasound anatomy this branch of anatomy deals with the study of cells
and tissues visualized with the aid of electron microscopic.
(6) Systematic anatomy deals with the study of the anatomy or structures of
different body systems.
a. Osteology study of the skeletal system particularly bones and their
structures.
b. Arthrology study of the articular system mainly the joints.
c. Myology the study of muscular system covering mostly the muscles.
d. Splanchnology study of the internal organs covering the following:
- Digestive system with main focus on the stomach and intestine.
- Respiratory system focusing on the lungs and passages.
- Excretory/urinary system - main concern on kidney and urinary
bladder.
- Reproductive system concentrating on the ovaries and testes
e. Endocrinology study of the endocrine system or ductless glands.
f. Neurology study of the nervous system with its main structures, the
brain, spinal cord and nerves.
g. Angiology or cardiology study of the circulatory system with main
organ heart and blood vessels.
h. Dermatology study of the integumentary system with its main organ
the skin.
i. Esthesiology study of the sensory system with main structures the
ear, eye, nose, tongue.
B. Physiology refers to the science that deals with the study of the different
functions of the body system, organs tissues and cells including the different
biophysical and biochemical process involved.
Branches of Physiology Based on System
(1) Cell Physiology
(2) Neurophysiology
(3) Gastrointestinal
Physiology
(4) Cardiovascular Physiology

(5) Renal Physiology

(6) Metabolic Physiology
(7) Respiratory Physiology
(8) Endocrine Physiology
(9) Reproductive Physiology

3. Terms used as planes of reference in the study of the anatomical structures

of the animal
C.
D.
The study of the anatomical structures of the animals it is important
to consider location of each part in relation to the whole body.
E.
A. Cranial and Anterior directional term meaning towards the head, example
the shoulder is cranial to the hip which means that the shoulder is closer to
the head than the hip, or the shoulder is found on the posterior part of the
animal.
B. Caudal and posterior means toward the tail. Example, the rump is caudal to
the lion or the rump is nearer to the tail than the lion.
C. Median plane an imaginary plane passing thru the body craniocaudally and
divides the body into equal right and left halves. Example is the splitting of
the carcass into two equal halves on the median plane.
D. Sagittal plane any plane parallel to the median plane
E. Transverse plane this is found at right angles to the median plane and
divides the body into cranial and caudal segments. Example, a cross section
of the body would be made on a transverse plane.
F. Frontal plane - this is found at right angles to both the median and transverse
plane dividing the body into dorsal and ventral segments.
G. Median adjective meaning close to or toward the median plane. The heart is
median to the lungs, means that the heart is closer to the median plane than
the lungs
H. Lateral means away from the median plane. Example, the ribs are lateral to
the lungs, means that the heart is closer to the median plane than the lungs.
I. Dorsal means toward the backbone or vertebral column. Example, kidneys
are dorsal to the intestines, means that the kidneys are nearer to the back
region than the intestines.
J. Ventral means toward the abdominal wall or front of the animal. The udder
is most ventral part of the cows body.