This book brings together edited versions of the keynote review papers presented at the International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP). Contributors are the leading international authorities from Europe, North America, South Africa and Australasia. Held every five years, the ISRP is the premier forum for the presentation and discussion of advances in our knowledge of the physiology of ruminant animals. The ninth ISRP was held in South Africa in October 1999.

Ideal for advanced students and research workers in animal and veterinary sciences.

CONTENTS:
PART ONE: Regulation of Feed Intake

• Integration of learning and metabolic signals into a theory of dietary choice and food intake, J M Forbes, University of Leeds, UK and F D Provenza, Utah State University, USA
• Mathematical models of food intake and metabolism in ruminants, A W Ilius, N S Jessop, and M Gill, University of Edinburgh, UK
• Control of salivation and motility of the reticulorumen by the brain in sheep, W L Grovum, University of Guelph, Canada and J S Gonzalez, University of Leon, Spain

PART TWO: Rumen Microbiology and Fermentation

• Molecular ecology and diversity in microbial ecosystems, R I Mackie et al, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
• Microbial adherence to the plant cell wall and enzymatic hydrolysis, C W Forsberg, F Forano and A Chesson , University of Guelph, Canada
• The microbial ecology and physiology of ruminal nitrogen metabolism, M Morrison, University of Nebraska, USA

PART THREE: Nutrient Absorption and Splanchnic Metabolism

• Tissue, cellular and molecular aspects of peptide absorption and utilization, K E Webb, Jr., Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, USA
• Influence of gastrointestinal tissue metabolism on substrate supply, C J Seal and D S Parker, University of Newcastle, UK
• The liver: Integrator of nitrogen metabolism, G E Lobley, Rowett Research Institute, UK, G D Milano, Campus Iniversitario, Argentina and J G van der Walt, University of Pretoria, South Africa

PART FOUR: Tissue Maintenance and Utilization of Endogenous Body Reserves

• Adipose tissue: beyond an energy reserve, R G Vernon, Hannah Research Institute, UK and K L Houseknecht, Pfizer Inc., UK
• Regulation of growth and metabolism during postnatal development, B W Breier, M H Oliver and B W Galleher, University of Auckland, New Zealand
• Direct effects of photoperiod on lipid metabolism, leptin synthesis and milk secretion in adult sheep, Y Chilliard and F Bocquier, INRA-Theix, France

PART FIVE: Tissue Growth

• Muscle growth and genetic regulation, J J Bass et al, Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, New Zealand
• Control and manipulation of hyperplasia and hypertrophy in muscle tissue, P J Buttery, J M Brameld and J M Dawson, University of Nottingham, UK
• Regulation of protein synthesis for wool growth, N Adams, S Liu and D G Masters, CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Australia

PART SIX: Reproduction, Pregnancy and Lactation

• Regulation of macronutrient partitioning between maternal and conceptus tissues in the pregnant ruminant, A W Bell and R A Ehrhardt, Cornell University, USA
• The Thermal Physiology of the Ruminant Fetus, H Laburn, A Faurie and D Mitchell, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
• Regulation of nutrient partitioning during lactation: Homeostasis and homeorhesis revisited, D E Bauman, Cornell University, USA
• The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the mammary gland: Role for IGFBP-3 binding proteins, C R Baumrucker, Penn State University, USA
• Integrating the effects of genotype and nutrition on utilization of body reserves during lactation of dairy cattle, J P McNamara, Washington State University, USA

PART SEVEN: Ruminant Physiology and Genetics

• Genetic manipulation of ruminant biochemistry and physiology for improved productivity: current status and future potential, K A Ward, CSIRO Animal Production, Australia
• Genetics of rumen microorganisms: Gene transfer, genetic analysis, H J Flint and K P Scott, Rowett Research Institute, UK
• Nutrient-gene interactions: Future potential and applications, P B Cronjé, University of Pretoria, South Africa

PART EIGHT: Host Resistance against Parasites and Pathogens

• Host resistance against gastrointestinal parasites of sheep, S J McClure, D L Emergy and J W Steel, CSIRO, Australia
• Host resistance to fleece rot and blowfly strike, I G Colditz and R L Tellam, CSIRO, Australia
• Host resistance against mastitis, K Perrson-Waller, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences