The aim of this course is to introduce students in the field of animal science (zootechnics) to the fundamental concepts and application areas of biotechnology in livestock production, and to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge on reproductive biotechnologies, molecular genetic techniques, genomic approaches, and advanced phenotyping technologies. The course aims to enable students to understand, on a scientific basis, modern biotechnological methods used in reproduction and genetic improvement of farm animals (such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, PCR, genomic selection, CRISPR-Cas, etc.), and to evaluate these technologies in terms of productivity, genetic progress, and sustainability in animal production systems. In addition, the course seeks to develop students’ ability to follow, interpret, and integrate advanced biotechnological developments into professional applications in livestock production.

1- The concept of biotechnology, its historical development, and applications of biotechnology in animal husbandry. 2- Basic principles of molecular genetics; DNA, RNA, genes, genomes, inheritance, and genetic variation. 3- Biotechnological foundations of reproductive physiology in farm animals, hormonal control mechanisms, estrus synchronization, and superovulation techniques. 4- Sperm collection, evaluation, dilution, storage, cryopreservation, and artificial insemination technologies. 5- Sperm sex selection technologies, embryo production, embryo transfer, in vitro embryo production (IVP), oocyte pickup (OPU), and embryo freezing techniques. 6- Cloning technologies, transgenic farm animals, and the applications of biotechnological methods in animal production. 7- The use of PCR, DNA markers, genotyping, marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and CRISPR-Cas-based gene editing technologies in animal breeding. 8- Evaluation of imaging and precision phenotyping technologies in livestock, such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, DEXA, TOBEC, BIA, and automated data collection systems, in terms of productivity, genetic progress, and sustainable production.