Animal Sciences: The Biology, Care, and Production of Domestic Animals

This textbook is intended as a comprehensive introduction to the biology, care, and production of domestic animals and freshwater fish raised to provide food, as well as pets kept for companionship and recreation. The authors teaching and research experiences in agriculture, animal and dairy sciences, and veterinary medicine provide the professional expertise that underpins the clearly written discussions of advances in animal sciences affecting humans globally. Coverage includes breeds and life cycles of livestock and poultry; nutritional contributions of animal products to humans; the principles of animal genetics, anatomy, and physiology including reproduction, lactation, and growth; animal disease and public health; and insects and their biological control. Each chapter stands on its own. Instructors can assign higher priority to certain chapters and arrange topics for study in keeping with their preferred course outlines. The text has been classroom-tested for four decades in more than 100 colleges and universities at home and abroad. Additionally, it is pedagogically enhanced with glossary terms in boldface type, study questions at the end of each chapter, more than 350 illustrations, and historical and philosophical quotations. These useful features aid students in comprehending scientific concepts as well as enjoying the pleasures derived from learning more about food-producing animals, horses, and popular pets. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. Animal Agriculture 2. Breeds and Life Cycles of Livestock and Poultry 3. Animal Products 4. Companion Animals 5. Horses 6. Aquaculture 7. State of Being of Domestic Animals 8. Fundamental Principles of Genetics 9. Principles of Selecting and Mating Farm Animals 10. Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals 11. The Application of Endocrinology to Selected Animals and Humans 12. The Physiology of Growth and Senescence 13. Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction and Related Technologies in Farm Mammals 14. Artificial Insemination 15. Physiology of Lactation 16. Physiology of Egg Laying 17. Ecology and Environmental Physiology 18. Principles of Nutrition: Plant and Animal Composition 19. The Physiology of Digestion in Nutrition 20. The Nutritional Application of Vitamins to Human and Animal Health 21. The Nutritional Contributions of Minerals to Humans and Animals 22. Animal Disease and the Health of Humans 23. Selected Insects and Parasites of Significance to Humans and Animals 24. Ethology and Animal Behavior Appendices: Common Terms or Names Applied to Selected Farm Animals Convenient Conversion Data Tables of Weights and Measures Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations in the United States and Its Territories Alphabetical List of Elements and Symbols / Glossary