Four of the major animal systems studied for the mechanisms of their early embryonic development are treated in this volume. The articles address the specific questions studied in the various systems, discuss the fundamental questions raised by the particular organism and explain the techniques used to find answers to these questions. Questions of patternformation, early organogenesis and the genetics of the early development arecovered as well as the question of parental imprinting phenomena in mammals which are important for the early differentiation. The development of the mouse, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis and the zebrafish is emphasized by leading experts of their fields, and current problems in each system are exposed. For the zebrafish the advantages of this new system for developmental biology studies are summarized and discussed in their values, while in the other system the emphasis is laid on one of the actual field of research.

According to the Resource Allocation Theory, an individual's genetic potential can only be realized in an environment in which essential food resources are adequately supplied. This book describes resource allocation patterns in natural populations, the costs, preferences and trade-offs of maintenance, growth, reproduction and immune function, the consequences of selection for high production efficiency in livestock species, methods that can be used to quantify resource allocation patterns, and the application of resource allocation theory to improve animal production and wellbeing.

Animal Biotechnology: Models in Discovery and Translation, Second Edition, provides a helpful guide to anyone seeking a thorough review of animal biotechnology and its application to human disease and welfare. This updated edition covers vital fundamentals, including animal cell cultures, genome sequencing analysis, epigenetics and animal models, gene expression, and ethics and safety concerns, along with in-depth examples of implications for human health and prospects for the future. New chapters cover animal biotechnology as applied to various disease types and research areas, including in vitro fertilization, human embryonic stem cell research, biosensors, enteric diseases, biopharming, organ transplantation, tuberculosis, neurodegenerative disorders, and more. - Highlights the latest biomedical applications of genetically modified and cloned animals, with a focus on cancer and infectious diseases - Offers first-hand accounts of the use of biotechnology tools, including molecular markers, stem cells, animal cultures, tissue engineering, ADME and CAM Assay - Includes case studies that illustrate safety assessment issues, ethical considerations, and intellectual property rights associated with the translation of animal biotechnology studies

Animal biotechnology is an integral component of agriculture. Supported with over 50 figures and more than 30 tables, this textbook is a must have for undergraduates and postgraduates of various agriculture and animal husbandry academia, teachers, professionals, and researchers in basic as well as applied animal sciences including biotechnology, nutrition, physiology and reproduction. The book covers various topics, including economically important livestock breeds, paradigm shifts in livestock production, biotechnology in animal nutrition and in livestock-assisted reproduction, and genomics and genetic engineering tools in livestock production and management.

This volume is a revised and augmented edition of part of the book Ob"ekty Biologii Razvitiya (Animal Species for Developmental Studies) published in Rus sian in 1975 in the series of monographs Problemy Biologii Razvitiya (Problems of Developmental Biology) by Nauka Publishers, Moscow. That book described the development of organisms most frequently used in developmental biology studies. Data were provided for 22 animal species, belonging to different taxa, from protists to mammals. For the English edition we decided to divide the original book into two parts dealing with vertebrates and invertebrates, respectively. This volume deals with vertebrate species. When choosing these species, their advantages for laboratory studies, infonnation available, and availability for experimentation in the USSR and in Europe were taken into account. This geographical criterion explains the absence in the book of a number of species widely used in the laboratories of the USA, Japan, and other countries, such as Rana pipiens, Cynops pyrrhogaster, and others. Besides the classical laboratory animals, some fish have been described since the study of the mechanisms of their development and attempts to control their on togenesis are of immediate value and the results obtained can be tested on the mass material. A study of the development of laboratory mammals is of special interest since current problems of modern medicine and veterinary sciences are tackled using these animals.

This text part offers a review of the research and developing technologies in the expanding areas of genetics, embryology, and molecular biology from experts in the various fields. It includes sections covering manipulation of the embryo, and the mapping and engineering of the genome, as well as information on nuclear transfer and the development of xenotransplantation. Possibilities for future research and development are also considered.

The advent of biotechnology has the potential to develop a variety of novel or better quality products for the treatment of a large number of diseases in livestock. In addition, as we understand more about the reproductive physiology of animals, the potential exists to dramatically increase the productivity of animals through better therapeutics and diagnostics for the control of many infectious diseases. Productivity can also be increased through animal breeding strategies including gene transfer, micromanipulation of embryos and gamete sex selection. As well as being a valuable reference to current knowledge in these areas, this first supplement to Comprehensive Biotechnology also looks at societal concerns over the use of antibiotics and chemical residues in meat and milk products, which are forcing biotechnologists to investigate more natural means of controlling infection by stimulating the animal's own immune system to combat infection. The identification of a variety of cytokines which are involved in regulating immune responses provides opportunities to use the animal's natural defence mechanisms to combat many infections or increase the animal's resistance to such infections. These approaches should provide tools for eventual elimination of specific diseases from counties, regions or whole continents.

Our knowledge of reproductive biology has increased enormously in recent years on cellular, molecular, and genetic levels, leading to significant breakthroughs that have directly benefitted in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in humans and animal systems. Animal Models and Human Reproduction presents a comprehensive reference that reflects the latest scientific research being done in human reproductive biology utilizing domestic animal models. Chapters on canine, equine, cow, pig, frog, and mouse models of reproduction reflect frontier research in placental biology, ovarian function and fertility, non-coding RNAs in gametogenesis, oocyte and embryo metabolism, fertilization, cryopreservation, signal transduction pathways, chromatin dynamics, epigenetics, reproductive aging, and inflammation. Chapters on non-human primate models also highlight recent advancements into such issues as human in vitro fertilization (IVF) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This book offers animal scientists, reproductive biology scientists, clinicians and practitioners, invaluable insights into a wide range of issues at the forefront of human reproductive health.