Description
CABI Publishing A Quantitative Biology of the Pig 1999 Edition by Ilias Kyriazakis
A large amount of qualitative information has been gathered on many aspects of pig biology over recent years, in areas such as genetics, growth and physiology, and welfare. It is now widely recognised that there is a need to use this data as a basis for the development of quantitative models, in order to further improve performance and productivity. This has been achieved in some areas, notably physiology, but no previous attempt at bringing together and integrating this material has been made. This book, written by leading researchers from Europe, the USA and Australasia, fills that gap. It begins with descriptions of the animal, its feed and its environment. The latest mechanistic mathematical models which describe particular physiological processes are then provided by specialists in those areas, taking into account the external factors which influence them. In conclusion, the advantages and implications of a quantitative approach to pig biology are discussed. The ideas presented will be essential reading for animal scientists, particularly applied physiologists, with an active interest in pigs and will also have relevance to research on other farm animals. Table of contents :- Introduction: I Kyriazakis 1: Describing the Elements of the System 1.1: Describing the Pig 1.2: The Chemical and Physical Description of Feedstuffs 1.3: The Thermal and Infectious Environment 1.4: Describing the Social Environment and its Effects on Food Intake and Growth 2: Processes and Control 2.1: Mating, Pregnancy and Pre-natal Growth 2.2: Lactation and Neonatal Growth 2.3: Growth and Body Composition 2.4: Quantitative Regulation by Endocrine Systems 3: Food Intake and Metabolism 3.1: Voluntary Food Intake and Diet Selection 3.2: Digestion, Absorption and Excretion 3.3: Quantification of Absorbability and Requirements of Macroelements 3.4: Protein Metabolism in the Growing Pig 3.5: Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism 3.6: Energy Flows 4: Conclusions 4.1: Future Directions for Models in Pig Biology