STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 5: UROLOGICAL AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS - 2025/6

Module Overview

The urological system plays a key role in excretion and homeostasis. This module aims to introduce the structure and function of the urological and reproductive systems and how they vary across the veterinary species. This module will combine lecture-based learning and practical sessions. Students will understand how a healthy reproductive system allows an animal to express normal behaviour. 

Module provider

School of Veterinary Medicine

Module Leader

RATCLIFFE Christina (Vet Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

 Subject


Lectures


Practical




Anatomy


Introduction to the organs of the urological systems – species comparison


Dissection of the urological system: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, ureters, urethra. To include species comparisons.

 

Ultrasound and radiographic images of the urinary tract

 




 


Innervation and vascularisation of the urinary system including the nephron

 




 


Anatomy of urological system birds, fish and reptiles


Dissection of poultry in juvenile, layer, rooster and a reptilian representative species

 




 


Introduction to the organs of the male reproductive systems – species comparison


Male reproductive system: dissection of testicle, penis, vas deferens, accessary sexual glands, comparison between species

 

 




 


Introduction to the organs of the female reproductive systems – species comparison


Female reproductive system

Vaginal tract, uterus, tubes, ovary and development of follicles- comparison between species

 




Histology


Microanatomy of the urinogenital tract


Practical examining histology of the urogenital tract




Physiology and Endocrinology

 


Regulation of excretory function

 


Urinalysis (specific gravity, microscopy, dipsticks)

 

 




 


Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the functions that affect it.

 




 


Filtration – components & functions.




 


Regulation of H2O and Na/K balance.




 


The role of NaCl in extracellular fluid volume regulation.




 


NaCl and H2O reabsorption in the proximal tubule, the loop of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule.




 


Introduction to the influence of drugs on the kidney and its ability to conserve water and electrolytes.




 


How growth, pregnancy, lactation andrenal failure influence the regulation of Ca/Mg/PO4




 


The process of micturition: Detrusor and micturition reflexes, neurological control


 




 


Overview of gametogenesis and regulation of gonadal cycles


 




 


Comparative physiology of the female reproductive tract: oestrus cycle, ovulation, corpus luteum, folliculogenesis


Assessment of adult animals (different species) for breeding suitability – body condition scoring, palpation of male reproductive organs  




 


Comparative physiology of the male reproductive tract: libido, erection and ejaculation


Rectal examination cattle- haptic cow, cadaver material of different ovaries and follicles

Pregnancy diagnostics

Rectal examination horse, haptic horse – organ examination, fertility and pregnancy




 


Copulation and fertilisation




 


Physiology of pregnancy

 


Vaginal examination, insertion of a speculum




 


Parturition and looking at ultrasound images of the reproductive tract


Ultrasonic examination for fertility – different species

Fertility and pregnancy




 


Reproduction in birds, fish and reptiles


 




Embryology

 


Embryo development and placentation

 


Oestrus cycle synchronisation, superovulation, Artificial insemination




 


Development of the female reproductive system


 




 


Development of the male reproductive system


Semen analysis




Biochemistry


Biosynthesis of sexual hormones


 




 


Introduction to clinical examination reproductive system


 




Integration


Behaviour of animals in season, breeding age (male), pregnancy


 




 


Population medicine: Production of food animals


 




 


Nutrition of breeding animals for different physiological states


 



 
Self-directed study on lambing procedures and techniques
Lambing Practical 




 

 
 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A  

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of the laboratory components, content knowledge and integration of the various components of practical materials.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Content knowledge examination – 100%

(Exam Units are onsite closed-booked invigilated fixed-time assessments. They are delivered through SurreyLearn using campus PC Labs)

Formative assessment and feedback

Verbal feedback in practical sessions

Verbal feedback during clinical examination practicals

There will be a formative practical report

Module aims

• To describe development of the reproductive and urological systems to students.
• Provide students an understanding of the comparative gross anatomical and histological structure of the urological and reproductive systems.
• To provide students an overview of the way in which the urinary system participates in homeostasis and excretion.
• To provide students with an understanding the importance of reproduction in animal production systems.
• To provide students with an understanding of the importance of reproduction in normal animal behavior and social interaction with other animals and human beings.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Enhance the students technical skills using dissection practicals

Enhance the students technical skills by microscopy practicals

Initiate the students physical examination skills by introducing Clinical Examination practicals

 

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

Lectures, flipped classroom, small group discussions and practicals involving dissection, microscopy, review of radiographic and ultrasound images, nutrition practical and clinical examination of various species

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: VMS1007

Other information

The School of Veterinary Medicine is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities: 

The use of online teaching and learning activities such as flipped learning, virtual microscopy, online discussion forum and online assessments provides students with the opportunity to develop their digital capabilities.

Resourcefulness and Resilience:

Student-led practicals where students can have opportunity to fail, learn and try again provides students an opportunity develop their resourcefulness and resilience.

Sustainability:

The use of donated anatomical specimens and models for teaching on this module provides students with an awareness of sustainability.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.