This book aims to bring together the quantitative approaches concerned with elucidating mechanisms used in the study of ruminant digestion, metabolism and related areas from different contributing practitioners, experts and scientists. A great deal of research had been carried out on the digestive system of ruminants and also led to studies on the peculiarities of metabolism that cope with unusual products of microbial digestion. Quantitative approaches to ruminant physiology and special features of the ruminant digestive system together with topics on the rate of rumen digestion; intestinal transit; digesta flow; digestibility measurement; particle dynamics; rumen microorganisms and functions; gas production; glucose and fatty acid metabolism; protein and fat metabolism; metabolic regulation; mineral metabolism; protein and energy metabolism interactions; growth; lactation; mathematical modelling; feed processing; feed evaluation; calorimetry; and relationship between pasture characteristics and animal performance are discussed. This book will be of significant interest to researchers, animal scientists, nutritionists, veterinarians, animal breeders and students.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction / J. Dijkstra, J.M. Forbes and J. France -- Rate and Extent of Digestion / D.R. Mertens -- Digesta Flow / G.J. Faichney -- In Vitro and In Situ Techniques for Estimating Digestibility / S. López -- Particle Dynamics / P.M. Kennedy -- Volatile Fatty Acid Production / J. France and J. Dijkstra -- Nitrogen Transactions in Ruminants / J.V. Nolan and R.C. Dobos -- Rumen Microorganisms and their Interactions / M.K. Theodorou and J. France -- Microbial Energetics / J.B. Russell and H.J. Strobel -- Rumen Function / A. Bannink and S. Tamminga -- Glucose and Short-chain Fatty Acid Metabolism / R.P. Brockman -- Metabolism of the Portal-drained Viscera and Liver / D.B. Lindsay and C.K. Reynolds -- Fat Metabolism and Turnover / D.W. Pethick, G.S. Harper and F.R. Dunshea -- Protein Metabolism and Turnover / D. Attaix, D. Reþmond and I.C. Savary-Auzeloux -- Interactions between Protein and Energy Metabolism / T.C. Wright, J.A. Maas and L.P. Milligan -- Calorimetry / R.E. Agnew and T. Yan -- Metabolic Regulation / R.G. Vernon -- Mineral Metabolism / E. Kebreab and D.M.S.S. Vitti -- Growth / G.K. Murdoch, E.K. Okine, W.T. Dixon, J.D. Nkrumah, J.A. Basarab and R.J. Christopherson -- Pregnancy and Fetal Metabolism / A.W. Bell, C.L. Ferrell and H.C. Freetly -- Lactation : Statistical and Genetic Aspects of Simulating Lactation Data from Individual Cows using a Dynamic, Mechanistic Model of Dairy Cow Metabolism / H.A. Johnson, T.R. Famula and R.L. Baldwin -- Mathematical Modelling of Wool Growth at the Cellular and Whole Animal Level / B.N. Nagorcka and M. Freer -- Voluntary Feed Intake and Diet Selection / J.M. Forbes -- Feed Processing: Effects on Nutrient Degradation and Digestibility / A.F.B. Van der Poel, E. Prestlk̜ken and J.O. Goelema -- Animal Interactions with their Environment : Dairy Cows in Intensive Systems / T. Mottram and N. Prescott -- Pasture Characteristics and Animal Performance / P. Chilibroste, M. Gibb and S. Tamminga -- Integration of Data in Feed Evaluation Systems / J.P. Cant.

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Title from PDF title page (viewed August 16, 2013).