In the past decade, animal scientists have learned that administering recombinantly derived somatotropin (growth hormone) to cows improves milk production and that giving beta-adrenergic agonists to meat animals improves productivity and leanness. In order for these metabolic modifiers to yield benefits, however, sound management of the animals' nutrition is necessary. This volume reports on how these substances work in the animals' metabolism, what effects they might have on nutrient requirements of domestic livestock, and what information should be developed further by investigators. The book explores the current understanding of the biology, structure, mechanisms of action, and treatment effects of somatotropin, beta-adrenergic agonists, and anabolic steroids. A companion volume to the Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals series, this authoritative volume will be required reading for animal scientists, researchers, veterinarians, livestock farmers, and faculty and students in university animal veterinary science programs.

The advent of new methods in shaping the performance characteristics of plants, animals, and microbes dramatically expands the possibilities for advances in agriculture -- a new "Green Revolution" in the offing. This book examines the impact of such developments on agricultural institutions, agribusiness, and farmers: What happens when a fundamenta

Biotechnology in Growth Regulation focuses on mechanisms of action of growth hormones and how immunological and transgenic procedures can affect growth response. The book first examines species specificity and structure-function relationship of growth hormones. Microheterogeneity of growth hormones; variations in amino acid sequence and biological properties of growth hormones; and structure-function relationship are discussed. The text also looks at growth hormone receptors and binding proteins; regulation of growth hormone receptors; modulations of growth hormone release; and neuroregulation of growth hormone secretion. The book then discusses the role of growth hormones in the regulation of adipocyte growth and function. Chronic effects of growth hormones on insulin action and lipid synthesis; effects of growth hormones on lipolysis; and adipogenesis are also described. The text looks at growth-promoting properties of recombinant growth hormones and mechanisms by which porcine growth hormone enhances growth in pigs. The book also highlights the direct effects of growth hormones on osteogenesis and chondrogenesis; action of IGF-I on mammary function; antigen-antibody complexes that enhance growth; and transgenics. The text also presents experiments that show the effects of growth hormones on animals. The book is a good source of information for readers wanting to study growth hormones.

Genetic-based animal biotechnology has produced new food and pharmaceutical products and promises many more advances to benefit humankind. These exciting prospects are accompanied by considerable unease, however, about matters such as safety and ethics. This book identifies science-based and policy-related concerns about animal biotechnologyâ€"key issues that must be resolved before the new breakthroughs can reach their potential. The book includes a short history of the field and provides understandable definitions of terms like cloning. Looking at technologies on the near horizon, the authors discuss what we know and what we fear about their effectsâ€"the inadvertent release of dangerous microorganisms, the safety of products derived from biotechnology, the impact of genetically engineered animals on their environment. In addition to these concerns, the book explores animal welfare concerns, and our societal and institutional capacity to manage and regulate the technology and its products. This accessible volume will be important to everyone interested in the implications of the use of animal biotechnology.

THE ONLY SINGLE-SOURCE GUIDE TO THE LATEST SCIENCE, NUTRITION, AND APPLICATIONS OF ALL THE NON-BOVINE MILKS CONSUMED AROUND THE WORLD Featuring contributions by an international team of dairy and nutrition experts, this second edition of the popular Handbook of Milk of Non-Bovine Mammals provides comprehensive coverage of milk and dairy products derived from all non-bovine dairy species. Milks derived from domesticated dairy species other than the cow are an essential dietary component for many countries around the world. Especially in developing and under-developed countries, milks from secondary dairy species are essential sources of nutrition for the humanity. Due to the unavailability of cow milk and the low consumption of meat, the milks of non-bovine species such as goat, buffalo, sheep, horse, camel, Zebu, Yak, mare and reindeer are critical daily food sources of protein, phosphate and calcium. Furthermore, because of hypoallergenic properties of certain species milk including goats, mare and camel are increasingly recommended as substitutes in diets for those who suffer from cow milk allergies. This book: Discusses key aspects of non-bovine milk production, including raw milk production in various regions worldwide Describes the compositional, nutritional, therapeutic, physio-chemical, and microbiological characteristics of all non-bovine milks Addresses processing technologies as well as various approaches to the distribution and consumption of manufactured milk products Expounds characteristics of non-bovine species milks relative to those of human milk, including nutritional, allergenic, immunological, health and cultural factors. Features six new chapters, including one focusing on the use of non-bovine species milk components in the manufacture of infant formula products Thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the many advances that have occurred in the dairy industry since the publication of the acclaimed first edition, Handbook of Milk of Non-Bovine Mammals, 2nd Edition is an essential reference for dairy scientists, nutritionists, food chemists, animal scientists, allergy specialists, health professionals, and allied professionals.

Assists policymakers in evaluating the appropriate scientific methods for detecting unintended changes in food and assessing the potential for adverse health effects from genetically modified products. In this book, the committee recommended that greater scrutiny should be given to foods containing new compounds or unusual amounts of naturally occurring substances, regardless of the method used to create them. The book offers a framework to guide federal agencies in selecting the route of safety assessment. It identifies and recommends several pre- and post-market approaches to guide the assessment of unintended compositional changes that could result from genetically modified foods and research avenues to fill the knowledge gaps.