Biology of Nutrition in Growing Animals

The title of this book is somewhat misleading and does not do justice to its contents. One expects a book with such a general title to contain basic descriptions of digestion, absorption and utilisation of nutrients, with sections on nutrient requirements and growth rate just like any other standard text. Instead, it contains very detailed critical reviews of the biotechnology of animal nutrition. According to the Preface, the omission of quantitative aspects of nutrition and feed evaluation was intentional. Having said that, the book is excellent and, to be fair, it does cover the topics listed on the back cover. Much of the information that the book does contain is on topics of current importance, particularly in view of the ban on antibiotic growth promoters in Europe. These growth promoters provided producers with a degree of insurance against possible effects of dietary ingredients on digestive upsets. More attention has to be paid now to the quality of animal feed ingredients and how they might lead to responses other than changes in growth rate and feed conversion efficiency, although these are still important.The book focuses mainly on dietary modulation of gastrointestinal function, but also considers the immune response and other aspects of animal health that are influenced by nutrition. The general theme is that specific feed ingredients alter the gut microflora, enzymes and absorptive capacity, and that these alterations have implications for animal performance. In terms of dietary components, the emphasis is on feed additives, bioactive components and anti-nutritional factors rather than macronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein and lipids. In addition, there are chapters covering safety and legal aspects of ingredients for animal feeds. Each chapter stands alone and there is therefore some inevitable overlap. However, the overlapping topics are usually considered from a different perspective each time.The 21 reviews have been written by active researchers who are acknowledged experts in their respective fields. Each review is up to date and is written to a high scientific level. The technical editing has also been performed to a high standard to provide continuity of style. There are many clear illustrations that support the text, explaining concepts such as nutritional effects on gut morphology, intracellular mechanisms for absorption, metabolic pathways and disease. The tables and graphs are generally clear and useful, although a few graphs are below standard and used defaults offered by spreadsheets.Overall, the book is very informative and should be useful for anyone who wants a comprehensive set of topical reviews on the biotechnology of animal feed additives, gut microbiology and physiological responses. It is not, however, a book on the biology of nutrition.Dr Phil GarnsworthyReader in Dairy ScienceUniversity of NottinghamThe review is now in press with the Elsevier Journal Livestock Science.

• Contents Keynotes to the series Preface & acknowledgements Contributors Part I. Feed additives and bioactive components in animal nutrition 1. Intestinal fermentation: dietary and microbial interactions, by A. Piva, F. Galvano, G. Biagi and G. Casadei 2. Fermentable carbohydrates: potential dietary modulators of intestinal physiology, microbiology and immunity in pigs, by E. Bauer, B.A. Williams, M.W.A. Verstegen and R. Mosenthin 3. The quality of dietary protein digestion affects animal performance and regulates gut bacteria growth: hypotheses and facts, by S.G. Pierzynowski, D. Kruszewska and B.W. Weström 4. Carboxylic acids as bioregulators and gut growth promoters in nonruminants, by Z. Mroz, S.-J. Koopmans, A. Bannink, K. Partanen, W. Krasucki, M. Øverland and S. Radcliffe 5. Metabolic modifiers in animal nutrition: potential benefits and risks, by G.K. Murdoch, E.K. Okine and R.J. Christopherson 6. Inorganic feed additives, by J. Pallauf and A.S. Müller 7. Enzymes, bacterial direct-fed microbials and yeast: principles for use in ruminant nutrition, by K.A. Beauchemin, C.R. Krehbiel and C.J. Newbold 8. Control of intestinal diseases by dietary supplementation with antibodies, by T. Stefaniak 9. Legal aspects for functional feed ingredients in the EC, by J. Zentek and M. Lahrssen-Wiederholt Part II. Nutrition in relation to immune response and health 10. Handling of dietary antigens: nutritional interactions with the gut immune function, by J. Zentek 11. Immune response and nutrient intake, by P. Bosi and P. Trevisi 12. Dietary manipulation of infectious bowel disease, by D.E. Hopwood, J.R. Pluske and D.J. Hampson 13. Feeding and disease resistance in fish, by R. Waagbø Part III. Antinutrients in animal nutrition 14. Effects of antinutritional factors and mycotoxins on feed intake and on the morphology and function of the digestive system, by J.P.F. D'Mello 15. Decontamination and detoxification of mycotoxins, by J. Leibetseder 16. Minerals: functions, requirements, excessive intake and toxicity, by T. Studzin´ ski, J. Matras, E.R. Grela, L. Valverde Piedra, J. Truchlin´ ski and M.R. Tatara PART IV. Biotechnological, molecular and ecophysiological aspects of nutrition 17. GMO in animal nutrition: potential benefits and risks, by A. Pusztai and S. Bardocz 18. Genetic influences on nutrient utilization in growing farm animals, by C.F.M. de Lange and K.C. Swanson 19. Manipulation and characterization of the rumen ecosystem through biotechnology, by T.A. McAllister, R.J. Forster, R.M. Teather, R. Sharma, G.T. Attwood, L.B. Selinger and K.N. Joblin 20. Manipulation of the ecosystem of pigs through biotechnology, by C. Moran 21. Manipulation of the poultry ecosystem through biotechnology, by S. Smulikowska Index