Book News, Inc.
You would think that not much has changed in how animals reproduce since the 1997 fourth edition or even the 1980 first. Bearden and Fuquay (both Mississippi State U.), however, revise their undergraduate textbook periodically based on suggestions from teachers and students. They assume the students to be majoring in animal or dairy science and to have a limited background in physiology, so they spend he first two chapters developing the terminology needed to discuss problems associated with the physiology of reproduction and the physiological processes controlling it, including recent information on gonadal proteins and the regulation of hormone receptor sites. Then they discuss reproductive processes, artificial insemination, management, and causes of failure. -- Copyright © 2000 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR All rights reserved

Book Description
Comprehensive, up-to-date, and readable, this book offers unique coverage of both basic physiology as related to reproduction AND the application of physiology to the management of reproduction in livestock species. KEY TOPICS A five-part presentation covers anatomy, function, and regulation; reproductive processes; artificial insemination; management for improved reproduction; and causes of reproductive failure. For animal scientists, reproductive psychologists, animal caretakers, and herd managers.

Book Info
Discusses the problems associated with physiology of reproduction. Provides an understanding of the processes controlling it. Emphasizes the application of basic concepts to the management of reproduction in livestock. DLC: Livestock--Reproduction.

The publisher, Prentice-Hall Career & Technology
This text is intended to give the undergraduate student majoring in animal or dairy science a complete overview of the reproductive processes. Parts one and two are designed to help students develop both the terminology to discuss and an understanding of the physiological processes controlling reproduction. Parts three, four, and five emphasize the application of the basic concepts to the management of reproduction in livestock.

From the Back Cover
Fresh and up-to-date, the sixth edition of Applied Animal Reproduction is perfect for anyone studying in the fields of animal science, dairy science, or pre-veterinary medicine. Providing a complete overview of animal reproductive processes, it is divided into five parts. Parts One and Two are designed to help the reader develop both the terminology needed to discuss reproductive problems associated with physiology of reproduction as well as understand the physiological processes controlling reproduction. Parts Three, Four, and Five emphasize the application of basic concepts to the management of reproduction in livestock. In fact, as the title suggests, this text is unique in the emphasis it places on the applied aspects of reproduction. The authors have successfully endeavored to retain the book's overall writing style. There has been some reorganization and substantial revision with three new chapters replacing two chapters from earlier editions. These chapters are Mating Behavior (Chapter 7), Synchronization of Estrus and Superovulation with Embryo Transfer (Chapter 18), and Reproductive Biotechnology (Chapter 19). Other new features of this edition are sections on hormone-like factors and other hormonal mediators, and methods for measuring reproductive hormones in Neuroendocrine and Endocrine Regulators of Reproduction (Chapter 4), immunological considerations during pregnancy in Gestation (Chapter 9), biosynthesis of milk in Lactation (Chapter 11), and Physiological, Toxicological, and Psychological Causes of Reproductive Failure (Chapter 25). Color plates representative of material covered in the book are found in two locations.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
We are pleased to present the sixth edition of Applied Animal Reproduction. Some significant changes will be apparent in this edition, as compared with earlier editions. Dr. Scott T. Willard is now a part of the author team. Dr. Willard is an emerging reproductive physiologist with an interest in and a philosophy for teaching undergraduate students that is compatable with that of the other two authors of this text. There is some reorganization of chapters in this edition and three new chapters have been included. A new chapter, "Mating Behavior," has combined elements from Chapter 5, "The Estrous Cycle," and old Chapter 11, "Male Mating Behavior." This is the new Chapter 7 and is located in front of the chapter entitled "Ovigenesis and Fertilization." Chapter 18 from earlier editions is now two chapters, Chapter 18, "Synchronization of Estrus and Superovulation with Embryo Transfer," and Chapter 19, "Reproductive Biotechnology." The information in these chapters has been updated and expanded considerably. Several tables and figures have been added to the text, and color plates that are representative of material covered in the book are grouped at two locations. There has been substantial revision of several other chapters. Two new sections, "Hormone-like Factors and Other Hormonal Mediators" and "Methods of Hormone Detection and Measurement," are found in Chapter 4, "Neuroendocrine and Endocrine Regulators of Reproduction:" A section on immunological considerations has been added to Chapter 9, "Gestation," and a section on reproductive toxicology has been added to Chapter 25, "Physiological, Toxicological, and Psychological Causes of Reproductive Failure." Further, Chapter 11, "Lactation," has been expanded to include new information on the biosynthesis of milk. Updated information can be found throughout the text. Even though there is considerable revision in this edition, the writing style has not changed. Also, the reorganization has been minor and should not affect the lecture format of instructors who have been using this text...This text is intended to give the undergraduate student majoring in animal or dairy science a complete overview of the reproductive processes. It is assumed that these students have a limited background in physiology. Therefore, a major effort has been made to maintain clarity. It is hoped that this style of writing will also encourage use of this text in 2-year agricultural curricula and in short courses where participants have a more limited educational background. Sixty combined years of experience in teaching a course in physiology of reproduction-to students with a wide divergence of backgrounds have influenced the level of writing and the organization of the book. Comments and suggestions from students were given careful consideration during the preparation of the text. Parts 1 and 2 are designed to help students develop both the terminology needed to discuss problems associated with physiology of reproduction and an understanding of the physiological processes controlling reproduction. These parts have been updated to provide students with recent information. Chapter 4 will be difficult because the concept of endocrine regulation will be new to most undergraduate students. When this information is reinforced in later chapters on reproductive processes in the female and the male, these concepts will seem less troublesome. Early introduction permits development of a more profound understanding of the neuroendocrine and endocrine regulation of reproduction. Parts 3, 4, and 5 emphasize the application of basic concepts to the management of reproduction in livestock. This text is unique in the emphasis that is given to the applied aspects of reproduction. Five chapters are devoted to artificial insemination. These include collection, evaluation, storage, and utilization of semen through artificial insemination. Five chapters are written on reproductive management with specific chapters on environmental management, nutritional management, pregnancy diagnosis, and diseases affecting reproduction. The goal of these chapters goes beyond description of simple techniques for good reproductive management. They are designed to help students understand the rationale and principles used in developing guidelines for good reproductive management. Several steps have been taken to make this text more readable. Important terms are italicized and defined when first introduced. Only the most prevalent theories are presented, and these have been simplified rather than presented in lengthy discussions on the pros and cons of these concepts. A consensus is presented where disagreement exists in the literature. Also, reference citations are not listed in the text. A carefully selected reading list has been included at the end of each chapter. It is intended to provide the student with references to classical as well as more recent literature pertaining to reproduction. These lists of suggested reading are not intended as a complete and up-to-date bibliography used in the development of each chapter. The references have been limited to encourage additional reading, rather than overwhelming students with the vast number of publications available on each topic. The writing style used in this book may be troublesome to instructors who are accustomed to delving into scientific literature. Referenced texts are currently available, while few have been written specifically for undergraduates. The selected readings after each chapter include both reviews and publications of original research, which will be useful for documentation. H. Joe Bearden John W. Fuquay Scott T. Willard

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this comprehensive text, Bearden and Fuquay profile the reproductive process of animals in vivid detail. Designed for readers with little, if any background in physiology, the authors present the material in a clear, informative manner. The first five sections of the text focus on terminology, a necessary prerequisite to discussing and understanding the physiological processes controlling reproduction. For those hoping for more in-depth coverage, the sections that follow elaborate on the physiological processes and discuss artificial insemination encompassing collection, evaluation, storage, and utilization of semen.

FROM THE CRITICS

Booknews