Physiological Aspects Of Digestion And Metabolism In Ruminants

This volume is comprised of invited papers presented at the Seventh International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology, held in Sendai, Japan, in September 1989. Papers are invited on the recommendations of 300 international experts. The proceedings of this symposia provides the most comprehensive coverage available of current research in ruminant physiology.

The International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP) is the premier forum for presentation and discussion of advances in knowledge of the physiology of ruminant animals. This book contains the main papers presented at the symposium.

Two questions could not be avoided in the avant-propos of this book; (i) what is the importance to man of ruminant livestock, and (ii) what results of practical relevance in the growing mountain of scientific verbiage could be found in the Proceedings of this Symposium. Herbivores are an integral and critical part of the natural ecosystem which must be preserved because of their impact on human welfare. Wh at makes ruminants especially important to man is that they can thrive on fibrous forage and are thus the only viable enterprise over much of the earth's surface where crop growing is impracti cable. They contribute a wide array of products in addition to 50000 000 tonnes ofmeat (1977) and represent a 'capital reserve' that can be drawn upon in times of emergency: milk for example (450000000 tonnes) can make the difference between subsistence and starvation. About 60% of the world's meat and 80 % of the milk are produced by one third of the world ruminant population in the developed regions and as much as 99 % of the power for agriculture is provided by the ruminant population in developing countries. For the next two decades, a probable increase by 30 % for . cattle and buffalo and more than 40 % for sheep and goats is expected by improving health, fertility, nutrition and genetic potential rather than feed resources.

This book contains key contributions to the Xth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology. Proceedings from past ISRP symposia have had a major influence on research and teaching in animal science over the years. Without a doubt the peer-reviewed chapters in this book, written by some of the best scientists in the field, will live up to this fine tradition. The chapters cover a wide range of topics spanning from digestion and absorption to metabolism, reproduction and lactation. Advancement of knowledge within important issues related to rumen fermentation, absorption mechanisms and splanchnic metabolism is treated in nine chapters. A number of chapters address the relationship between nutrition and gene expression illustrating important progress in scientific knowledge that can be obtained by applying the molecular biology methods to the field. Several chapters address the effects of nutrition on immunology and cover topics related to the health and welfare of production animals. In keeping with the increased attention on the relationship between food and human health, the book contains two important chapters on this topic.

This book contains the proceedings of the XIth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology. The papers address ruminant comparative physiology, the rumen ecosystem and metagenomics, nutrient digestion and absorption, methanogenesis, tissue metabolism and gene expression, pregnancy, lactation and growth, adaptation to heat-stress, nitrogen use, nutrition and reproduction, nutrition and welfare and nutrition for sustainable ruminant production. These topics are in line with the current challenges for animal breeding: production efficiency, meat and milk quality, environment (greenhouse gases, nitrogen use), animal welfare and health. The contributions come from research teams in 49 countries of all continents, showing a world-wide interest in ruminant nutrition and physiology. They show the latest techniques and results on ruminant nutrition physiology, including fundamental and integrative approaches, presented in the book on the following sections: (1) Digestion and absorption; (2) Metabolism and hormonal regulations; (3) Nutrition and reproduction; (4) Nutrition and welfare. Proceedings from past ISRP symposia have had a major influence on research and teaching in animal science over the years. Without a doubt, this book, which is of interest to all professionals and researchers who are concerned with ruminant nutrition and physiology, will contribute to this fine tradition.

Fundamental research on sheep and cows has often provided answers to significant questions, not only for investigators of the gastrointestinal tract of ruminant and other species, but also for workers in practical areas such as world food supplies, animal husbandry, and medical practice. This book is an interdisciplinary survey of some of the most recent advances in ruminant research, especially on comparative aspects of the digestive tract. Fourteen articles by an international group of leading scientists cover a wide range of topics: comparative anatomy related to digestive function; microbial ecology; pathophysiology; neurophysiology; endocrinology; ionic transport; energy, intermediary, and mineral metabolism; and differential rate of flow of digesta.

The International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP) is the premier forum for presentation and discussion of advances in knowledge of the physiology of ruminant animals. This book brings together edited versions of the keynote review papers presented at the symposium.

Excellent for its quality and in-depth coverage! This volume represents a compilation of important information on major topics related to nutrient requirements and nutrient metabolism among ruminants. This outstanding collection facilitates the dissemination of this ever-growing body of knowledge and is a valuable tool for achieving a more complete understanding of the subject. An abundance of photographs, diagrams, and tables illustrate and reinforce the text, serving to enhance student comprehension.