This illustrated introduction to Central American Chironomidae offers extensive photographic material, as well as detailed morphological and ecological descriptions of chironomid subfossils found in Central American lake sediments. The book uniquely provides two identification keys: one for living larvae occurring (or potentially being present) in Central America and one for the recorded subfossil remains, using limited morphological characters. Paleolimnological investigations using chironomid remains have undergone a resurgence of interest, and this taxonomic guide will aid the thorough analysis of the diversity and distribution of the taxa encountered to date in Central America. Out of the total 64 described genera, the book brings 20 endemic genera, and more than half of the presented morphotypes are new. Plates are included for each taxon with generic characters and also provide a key to morphotypes, if present, their specific characters, distribution, and ecology. Authored by a (paleo)limnologist and a taxonomist, the guide draws on a thorough taxonomical knowledge of the region's recent chironomid fauna. It uses a paleolimnological approach to transmit this information to morphotypes that can be linked with ecology and used to reconstruct the past development of nature. The book thus helps paleo-workers and taxonomists to learn more about these fascinating insects and, through them, to discover the world around us. Providing a comprehensive reference for aquatic ecologists, paleolimnologists, students, and researchers, the guide will also be of interest to non-academic professionals working on applied research and biomonitoring of lakes. It will be useful for people studying both recent and subfossil material, not only in Central America, but in the whole Neotropical region.

Dr. Anjali Aggarwal is working as a Senior Scientist at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (India). She holds a PhD degree in Animal Physiology and is involved in research and teaching at post-graduate level. Her area of research work is stress and environmental physiology. She has more than 50 publications, two technical bulletins, four manuals and many book chapters to her credit. She has successfully guided many post-graduate and PhD students. Her major research accomplishments are on microclimatic modification for alleviation of heat and cold stress, mist and fan cooling systems for cows and buffaloes, and use of wallowing tank in buffaloes. Her work involves the use of technology of supplementing micronutrients during dry period and early lactation to crossbred and indigenous cows for alleviating metabolic and oxidative stress and improved health and productivity. Studies are also done in her lab on partitioning of heat loss from skin and pulmonary system of cattle and buffaloes as a result of exercise or exposure to heat stress. Dr. R.C. Upadhyay is working as Head, Dairy Cattle Physiology Division at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (India). He graduated in Veterinary Sciences and obtained his PhD degree in Animal Physiology. His area of recent research is climate change, stress, and environmental physiology. His major research accomplishment is on climate change impact assessment of milk production and growth in livestock. His work also involves studying methane conversion and emission factors for Indian livestock and use of IPCC methodology of methane inventory of Indian livestock. Heat shock protein-70 expression studies in cattle and buffaloes are also done in his lab. Draught animal power evaluation, fatigue assessment, work-rest cycle and work limiting factors form the highlights of his work. Studies on partitioning of heat loss from skin and pulmonary system of cattle and buffaloes and electrocardiographic studies in cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat are also undertaken in his lab. He has more than 75 research papers, four books and several book chapters to his credit. Technologies developed and research done by him include methodology of methane measurement: open and closed circuit for cattle and buffaloes; inventory of methane emission from livestock using IPCC methodology; livestock stress index: thermal stress measurement based on physiological functions; and draught power evaluation system and large animal treadmill system. He received training in Radio-nuclides in medicine at Australian School of Nuclear Technology, Lucas heights, NSW, Australia in 1985 and Use of radioisotopes in cardiovascular investigations at CSIRO, Prospect, NSW, Australia, during 1985-86. He has guided several post-graduate and PhD students. He is recipient of Hari Om Ashram Award-1990 (ICAR) for outstanding research in animal sciences.

The book provides details on carbohydrates, fiber, dietary fats and fatty acids, energy, protein and amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, while also reviewing the importance of adequate amounts of water. Specifically, it includes: - Updated estimates of requirements for all nutrients.- Factors affecting food intake.- Commentary on nutrient metabolism, toxicity, deficiency, and nutritionally related disease.- Impacts of physiologic status, temperature, breed, age, physical activity, and environment on nutrition.- Unique biological characteristics affecting nutrient digestion and utilization.- Considerations of feed ingredients, diet formulation, and feed processing and manufacturing.- Principles of feeding pet and laboratory animals. The committee also reviews advances in dog and cat nutrition since the last edition was published in the mid-1980's, discusses government regulation of the dog and cat food market, and deals with a variety of issues of interest.

This illustrated introduction to Central American Chironomidae offers extensive photographic material, as well as detailed morphological and ecological descriptions of chironomid subfossils found in Central American lake sediments. The book uniquely provides two identification keys: one for living larvae occurring (or potentially being present) in Central America and one for the recorded subfossil remains, using limited morphological characters. Paleolimnological investigations using chironomid remains have undergone a resurgence of interest, and this taxonomic guide will aid the thorough analysis of the diversity and distribution of the taxa encountered to date in Central America. Out of the total 64 described genera, the book brings 20 endemic genera, and more than half of the presented morphotypes are new. Plates are included for each taxon with generic characters and also provide a key to morphotypes, if present, their specific characters, distribution, and ecology. Authored by a (paleo)limnologist and a taxonomist, the guide draws on a thorough taxonomical knowledge of the region's recent chironomid fauna. It uses a paleolimnological approach to transmit this information to morphotypes that can be linked with ecology and used to reconstruct the past development of nature. The book thus helps paleo-workers and taxonomists to learn more about these fascinating insects and, through them, to discover the world around us. Providing a comprehensive reference for aquatic ecologists, paleolimnologists, students, and researchers, the guide will also be of interest to non-academic professionals working on applied research and biomonitoring of lakes. It will be useful for people studying both recent and subfossil material, not only in Central America, but in the whole Neotropical region.

Key features: Written by the scientist who named this parasite and was the first to set up proper diagnostic techniques Serves as the first ever book to provide information on the parasite structure, biology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, epidemiology, prevention, and control of neosporosis Covers both approaches toward preventing & controlling this disease: Developing an efficacious vaccine and sound cattle management practices Contains a wealth of illustrations, including many of the author's original photographs of the parasite Provides basic information on immunologic and molecular aspects of the disease Abortion is a worldwide problem in the livestock industry accounting for annual economic losses of billions of dollars, and N. caninum is a major cause of it. Neosporosis is a newly recognized disease of animals. Until 1988 it was misdiagnosed as toxoplasmosis. Considerable progress in understanding the biology of neosporosis has been made in the last 30 years, resulting in more than 2,000 scientific publications. The economic importance of abortion in cattle, and the availability of knowledge, reagents, and technology used to study toxoplasmosis, have contributed to the rapid progress in understanding the biology of neosporosis. Written by pioneers in this field, Neosporosis in Animals presents a comprehensive summary of the biology of neosporosis, starting with chapter 1 on the historical background of the discovery of the disease. Subsequent chapters deal with general aspects of the biology of N. caninum (chapter 2), techniques (chapter 3), and the disease caused by this parasite in cattle (chapter 4), dogs (chapter 5), and all other animals including sheep, pigs, primates and humans (chapters 6-18). This book provides, for the first time in a single authoritative source, a complete account of the structure, biology, clinical disease, diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, attempts at immunoprophylaxis, and control in all hosts. There are 175 illustrations and tables devoted to the life cycle, structure of parasitic stages, and lesions. More than 2100 references are cited, allowing the reader to locate additional information on specific topics in an efficient way. This book will be useful to a broad range of researchers in biology and veterinarians.

This comprehensive volume focuses on recent trends and new technologies used in the management of reproduction in major farm animals, focusing on both males and females of bovine, equine, and porcine species. With chapters written by scientists who specialize in their respective topics, the volume presents a selection of different technologies that have been developed to assure reproductive success by improving reproductive efficiency, generating germplasm banks, and maintaining genetic diversity in cattle, horses, and pigs. In the last decade, reproductive technologies in veterinary medicine have progressed considerably, providing high profitability to livestock farms. This book provides basic and applied information on the most used reproductive technologies in bovine, equine, and porcine species for academics, scientists, and veterinarians. The volume discusses reproductive and postpartum management, reproductive ultrasound, sperm management, egg retrieval, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, nutrition, genetics, and certain clinical aspects, such as endocrinology and robustness of reproductive systems.

Scentwork for Horses is the first practical guide on how to implement scentwork into the lives of domesticated horses, enhancing behaviour, welfare, and the human-animal bond. Scentwork is a new discipline in the field for horse and handler, and expert author Rachael Draaisma arms the reader with a palette of information to enable them to put this technique into action. As well as theoretical background information on the nose of the horse and biomechanics, Draaisma discusses how scentwork improves horses' learning abilities, development, socialisation, and their bond with the handler. Readers will learn how to have their horses explore their environment, participate in scentwork games and follow a footstep track to find a missing person or food bag. Easily accessible for anybody working with horses at any level, scentwork can be done in small areas as well as in larger spaces on various surfaces. Whether veterinarian, behaviourist, trainer, animal-assisted therapist, equine physiotherapist, osteopath, or interested horse owner, this book promises to bring both you and the horse enormous benefits, strengthening the human-animal bond. Rachael Draaisma has always lived with and had a passion for dogs and horses. In 2002, she decided to make it her profession. Achieving several diplomas, she started to work full time as a trainer and behavioural consultant, first with dogs, later with horses. Her best-selling book Language Signs and Calming Signals of Horses, published by CRC Press in 2017, has been translated into several languages. Another pillar of Draaisma's working life with horses revolves around equine mental stimulation and scentwork, and she has developed an extensive method to undertake scent tracking with horses, a new tool in enriching the human-equine relationship. Draaisma travels throughout Europe and the globe to provide workshops and lectures on calming signals of horses, equine mental stimulation, and scentwork. You can purchase scent bags to aid your scentwork practice at the author's personal website: www.scentworkforhorses.com or www.calmingsignalsofhorses.com

This compendium provides a concise and up-to-date assessment of critical recent issues related to erythroid biology. Developmental, epigenetic, methodological, biochemical, and clinical aspects are integrated to provide a powerful overview of their interrelationships and importance to the generation of the red cell. The excitement generated by these novel observations and the anticipation of future directions in studies of the red cell is a highlight of this volume.
*The first comprehensive volume covering the breadth of the topic
*The latest advancements that lead to novel directions in the study of red cells
*An informative discussion of red cells as they relate to the essential oxygen-carrying component of the body

The eye is a complex sensory organ, which enables visual perception of the world. Thus the eye has several tissues that do different tasks. One of the most basic aspects of eye function is the sensitivity of cells to light and its transduction though the optic nerve to the brain. Different organisms use different ways to achieve these tasks. In this sense, eye function becomes a very important evolutionary aspect as well. This book presents the different animal models that are commonly used for eye research and their uniqueness in evaluating different aspects of eye development, evolution, physiology and disease.
* Presents information on the major animal models used in eye research including invertebrates and vertebrates
* Provides researchers with information needed to choose between model organisms
* Includes an introductory chapter on the different types of eyes, stressing possible common molecular machinery

With the staggering amount of pet health information available on the Internet, it is often difficult to find exactly what you are looking for. The Internet Guide to Pet Health is a one-stop guide that weeds through all the clutter to bring you only the most dependable sources and relevant content. This comprehensive compilation of annotated links will serve as a handy, useful, and easy-to-consult guide for persons who appreciate animals and/or own domestic pets of all kinds, especially cats and dogs. This text also features a full glossary of medical terms, bibliography, and a quick-find index. The health needs of pet animals have become as complex and specialized as those of humans. Pet owners, veterinarians, and animal lovers alike need authoritative, reliable, and up-to-date information about caring for the health and well-being of pets. The Internet Guide to Pet Health offers a quick, easy, and comprehensive reference to quality Web sites that focus on the health and welfare of animal companions. The Internet Guide to Pet Health will help you pinpoint reliable information on: * the health benefits of pet ownership * diseases transmitted by pets * pet food safety * animal care and welfare societies and organizations * death, dying, and euthanasia * poisons, dangerous situations, and other hazards * spaying and neutering * traveling with pets * pet-specific care for dogs, cats, small animals, and fish * surgery, surgical procedures, and hospitalization * exercise and training * dental care, diet, and nutrition * disabled pets * service and therapy animals * and much, much more! The Internet Guide to Pet Health is an ideal resource for anyone who is directly involved in the lives of pet companions or simply an animal lover. Medical librarians in academic medical centers and teaching hospitals; consumer health and public librarians; veterinarians and veterinary clinic staff; public health personnel; animal trainers; and groomers will also find this to be an invaluable text.

To study physiology is to examine how organisms have evolved solutions to the business of living in an inanimate world. Our world is and has always been dominated by physical and chemical forces. A physicist might tell us that all things are physical, while a chemist is more concerned with the elementary nature of reactions. A physical chemist sees the bonds between these views, and a biochemist draws out the organic symphony of the vital pathways. A structural biologist adds shape to the chemical building blocks of life, while a molecular biologist tinkers with these structures.This book is intended as a resource for students and researchers interested in developmental biology and physiology and specifically addresses the larval stages of fish. Fish larvae (and fish embryos) are not small juveniles or adults. Rather they are transitionary organisms that bridge the critical gap between the single-celled egg and sexually immature juvenile. Fish larvae represent the stage of the life cycle that is used for differentiation, feeding and distribution.This book aims at providing a single-volume treatise that explains how fish larvae develop and differentiate, how they regulate salt, water and acid-base balance, how they transport and exchange gases, acquire and utilise energy, how they sense their environment, and move in their aquatic medium, how they control and defend themselves, and finally how they grow up.

Key features New chapter on nutrition Includes new section of case studies Completely revised and updated chapters throughout This systematic yet concise guide to equine pediatric medicine covers etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnosis, and management. Beginning with a thorough explanation of the physical examination, the chapters then take the reader through the different disorders associated with each body system, including liver, cardiovascular, respiratory, opthalmologic, endocrine, and muscoskeletal diseases. A brand new chapter on nutrition has been added to this fully revised text. The book is superbly illustrated throughout with photographs, diagrams, radiographs and tables, while a new section of in-depth case studies brings the information to life and is ideal for students. Equine practitioners will value this as a ready reference, while veterinary students and technicians can use it as a complete guide to equine pediatric disease.

Sarcocystis is one of the most prevalent parasites of livestock and also infects many wild mammals, birds, and humans. Written by the authors who pioneered studies of Sarcocystosis of domestic animals, Sarcocystosis of Animals and Humans, Second Edition provides a current and comprehensive review of Sarcocystis and the infections it causes in animals and humans. The book reviews the history, structure, life cycle, pathogenesis, lesions, clinical signs, diagnosis, immunity, epidemiology, treatment, prevention, and control of Sarcocystosis. See What's New in the Second Edition: New section on molecular diagnosis and DNA characterization of Sarcocystis species New section on clinical sarcocystosis outbreaks in humans is added with a summary of all reports, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment New section on acute fatal outbreaks of sarcocystosis in birds Complete description of the life cycles of all Sarcocystis species List of all species whose life cycles are known Comprehensive information on diagnosis, including molecular diagnosis Additional information on zoonoses In-depth coverage of treatment, control, and prevention Maintaining the format that made the first edition so popular, this new edition covers recent developments and excludes information that has become redundant. The authors include all literature and provide a comprehensive review of biology, clinical disease, economic losses, public health concerns, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. They have tabulated information on all Sarcocystis species by host and listed species that should be considered species inquirende/invalid.

There is now enough basic work to sketch out the principal systems at all levels of the brain, from prefrontal cortex to lower brainstem, which are orchestrated to provide control of food selection, preference and consumption. At the same time, the complex interplay between central systems and signals generated from peripheral systems include the gut, liver and fat stores, as well as the interactions with the neuroendocrine system can be described in some detail. A continuing theme throughout the book is that the functional analysis of appetite and food intake cannot be limited to a single focus, e.g. hypothalamic neuropeptides and their interactions, but must be based on a fully integrated view of the several contributing systems.
Appetite and Body Weight: Integrative Systems and the Development of Anti-Obesity Drugs provides an expert guide to the neural, neurochemical, autonomic and endocrine interrelations which underpin appetite and the controls of food intake and body weight. The book covers many of the neurochemical entities that are currently under investigation, including: neuropeptides, leptin, insulin, monoamines and endogenous cannabinoids in relation to appetite and body-weight control. In addition to the neuroscience analysis, there are also chapters that provide an expert guide to some of the key psychological concepts that the researchers believe are essential in trying to understand the phenomena under investigation. The volume will also serve as an authoritative guide to the current emphasis on the development of novel, efficacious anti-obesity medication.
* Provides an integrative view of the many systems involved in appetite and how they interact to effectfood intake (i.e. the brain, endocrine, gut, liver etc.)
* Considers psychological aspects such as incentive, preference, liking and palatability, and sets these concepts in their behavioural, pharmacological and neural contexts
* Examines the development of novel anti-obesity drugs, drawing on experience of pharmacological development work, pre-clinical tests for anti-obesity efficacy, and clinical trials of candidate anti-obesity compounds

Laboratory animals are becoming increasingly important for biomedical research. It is said that approximately 70% of biomedical research is associated with the use of experimental animals. Laboratory animal research not only expands our knowledge of science, but also greatly improves human and animal health. The field of laboratory animal science is ever-growing and changing as new experimental techniques are developed and new animal models are created. It is essential to know not only the biological features of each laboratory animal but also how to use and care for them responsibly in order to perform high-quality experiments. Courses in beginning Laboratory Animal Science are starting to be offered in many universities throughout the world. However, a practical introductory textbook that contains state-of-the-art techniques is still lacking. Fundamentals of Laboratory Animal Science provides comprehensive information on the principles and practices of using laboratory animals for biomedical research. Each individual chapter focuses on a key sub-discipline of laboratory animal science: animal welfare and best humane care practices in the laboratory; the quality control of laboratory animals; the anatomy, physiology, and husbandry of commonly used species; the principles of creating and using animal models for studying human diseases; practical techniques used for laboratory animal experiments; experimental design; and animal experimentation management. Knowledge of this broad spectrum of concepts and skills will ensure research goes smoothly while greatly reducing animal pain and distress. Well-illustrated and thoroughly referenced, this book will serve not only as a standard textbook but also as a handy guide for veterinarians, researchers, animal care staff, administrators, and other professionals who are involved in laboratory animal science.

The use of small animal models in basic and preclinical sciences constitutes an integral part of testing new pharmaceutical agents prior to their application in clinical practice. New imaging and therapeutic approaches need to be tested and validated first in animals before application to humans. Handbook of Small Animal Imaging: Preclinical Imaging, Therapy, and Applications collects the latest information about various imaging and therapeutic technologies used in preclinical research into a single source. Useful to established researchers as well as newcomers to the field, this handbook shows readers how to exploit and integrate these imaging and treatment modalities and techniques into their own research. The book first presents introductory material on small animal imaging, therapy, and research ethics. It next covers ionizing radiation and nonionizing radiation methods in small animal imaging, hybrid imaging, and imaging agents. The book then addresses therapeutic research platforms and image quantification, explaining how to ensure accurate measurements of high-quality data. It concludes with an overview of many small animal imaging and therapy applications that demonstrate the strength of the techniques in biomedical fields.

Health and welfare issues of brachycephalic (flat-faced) animals are one of the most pressing problems facing companion animals right now. Dogs, in particular, are suffering from a 'brachycephalic crisis' resulting from a perfect storm where predispositions to an array of health issues are amplified by a population boom for certain brachycephalic breeds such as the French Bulldog and Pug. But yet, for many owners, these dogs represent the perfect companion: endearing personas and cute looks in a socially desirable package. So where is the truth in all of this? This book will equip veterinary professionals, animal welfare scientists, breeders and owners with the fuller story about brachycephalic health and welfare. The first half of the book provides the context of how and why we are in this crisis, offering in-depth historical, social, ethical, communication, nursing, welfare, epidemiological, genetics and international perspectives. The second half shifts towards the clinical arena, with chapters that cover the background, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the many unique healthcare needs of brachycephalic animals. Cutting-edge knowledge is shared on a range of disciplines including respiratory disease, ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry, neurology, obesity, reproduction and anesthesia. With twenty chapters written by world-leading experts, lifetimes of experience and knowledge are condensed into the first book dedicated exclusively to brachycephaly in companion animals. This essential reference resource will inform, challenge and stimulate; it will open your mind to new opportunities for you to improve the welfare of brachycephalic animals by your personal and collective choices and actions. But prepare to be surprised: you may just find that your views on brachycephaly in companion animals will be changed forever.

Originally published in 1972, Homo Sapiens examines how humans emerged from among the millions of other species and achieved our unique position within the animal kingdom. The book examines what direction future evolution will take and what may be regarded as the 'meaning' of human existence. It stipulates that these are the questions for which no real basis of discussion existed before the 20th century, and at the time of publication, some were still without a definite answer. The book sets out analyse these questions and the continuing debate that has arisen from their study. This is an account of the uniqueness of man in the animal kingdom, how this uniqueness arose during evolution, and what traces of it can be detected in animals other than man. The book describes the mental and physical evolution of man, from his earliest ancestors to the present day. He also gives an account of man's cultural development seeking to establish that there is an underlying principal of cultural evolution, a principle that has been denied by many historians. Later chapters deal with the future and with possible forecasts of mankind's further physical, intellectual and cultural evolution.

Erythrocytes of the Rhesus and Cynomolgus Monkeys addresses the morphologic, quantitative, and generative aspects of the erythrocytes of the rhesus monkey Macaca mulatta and the cynomolgus monkey Macaca fascicularis (long-tailed macaque, crab-eating monkey). These two species are the most commonly selected nonhuman primates for basic science and clinical medical investigations. The hemopoietic cells of man and the rhesus monkey display an intimate homogeneity. Their functional activities are close and at times identical. The cynomolgus monkey was enlisted in biomedical studies at a time when rhesus monkeys were not available in sufficient quantities. It has gained increased use in the Far East and in the Western world. It is, for example, employed in the current development of a vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus. The authors of the book discuss the erythropoietic profiles of normal and abnormal macaques of both sexes and of all age groups as investigated with contemporary electronic methodologies. They cover the role of stress as it is perceived by the monkey and how it impacts erythrocellular values, and how to train the monkey to be a cooperative, unperturbed subject for hematologic study. Additional topics include the role of medication in deriving normal physiologic erythrocellular data, the development of the precursors of the erythrocyte (normoblasts), the morphologic analysis of the megaloblastic series of abnormal erythroid cells, the analysis of erythropoiesis in bone marrow, the relationship of the simian immunodeficiency virus and erythropoiesis, erythrocyte life span, and parasitic invasion of the red cell.

This book covers the wide area of developmental physiology of the intestine: changes in the structure and function of the gut during perinatal period and weaning in mammals, role of nutrients (in particular colostrum and milk), neuroendocrine function of the intestine, intestinal motility, secretion and absorption and their neurohormonal regulation, novel knowledge on gut metabolism, and the structural and functional expression of circadian variability in the gut. It also contains unique information on the luminal action of gut regulatory peptides, and the role of the electric current generated by intestinal smooth muscle on gastrointestinal microbial growth.

Advances in Insect Physiology is committed to publishing eclectic volumes containing comprehensive and in-depth reviews on all aspects of insect physiology. First published in 1963, these volumes are an essential reference source for invertebrate physiologists, neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists, and insect biochemists. This latest volume now has a new four-color laminated cover.
In 1999, the Institute for Scientific Information released figures showing that Advances in Insect Physiology has an Impct Factor of 4.5, placing it second in the highly competitive category of Entomology.
Key Features
*NEW (and improved) cover!!!!
* Comprehensive reviews, written by experts
Key Features of the Series:
*first vol published in 1963.
* Adv Insect Physio ranked 2nd in Entomolgy list (acc to ISI data released in 1999) with an Impact factor of 4.5

Mammalian oocytes occupy a critical nexus in reproduction as they not only contribute half the genetic makeup of the embryo but also provide virtually all of the cytoplasmic building blocks required for sustaining embryogenesis. The journey that transforms a primordial germ cell into a mature oocyte (or egg) capable of fertilisation and embryonic development is of unrivalled complexity. The end-product of this remarkable developmental process is the "mature" egg, now replete with macromolecules and organelles, and poised to support embryonic development if fertilisation should occur. Given the importance of the oocyte for embryonic development, it is of no surprise that the oocyte holds centre stage in fertility clinics and greatly influences the outcome of assisted reproductive treatments (ARTs). Mammalian Oocyte Regulation: Methods and Protocols provides a highly diverse compendium of detailed methodologies - primarily focusing on the murine model but also including chapters on human oocytes - for enabling researchers to interrogate every aspect of mammalian oocyte development including recombination, meiotic maturation, oocyte substrate uptake, chromosomal segregation and fertilisation. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Mammalian Oocyte Regulation: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide to novice oocyte researchers, experts who wish to add another dimension to their established portfolio, as well as the wider research community.

Handbook of Mammalian Metabolism of Plant Compounds provides an extensive survey of how mammals metabolize compounds found in higher plants. Information about these compounds is important to researchers in pharmacology, toxicology, medical and natural products chemistry, and food sciences. Although there is plenty of literature about mammalian metabolism of plant compounds, it is scattered, and summaries of specific plant compounds are often difficult to obtain. This book contains 11 chapters discussing the metabolic fate of individual plant compounds grouped according to chemical class. It also features structural formulas of the compounds and their metabolites, including probable pathways of metabolism. This book provides a convenient single-volume reference source that will benefit all researchers requiring this type of information.

Gives an account of the morphologies of vertebrate respiratory organs and attempts to explicate the basis of the common and different structural and functional designs and stratagems that have evolved for acquisition of molecular oxygen. The book has been written with a broad readership in mind: students of biology as well as experts in the disciplines of zoology, physiology, morphology, biological microscopy, biomedical engineering, and ecology and those that work or may contemplate working on materials and aspects concerning respiration in whole organisms will find it useful. Scientists in earth sciences with particular interest on the outcomes of past interactions between environmental factors (the physical domain) and evolution and adaptation (the biological domain), mechanisms that have set the composition, patterning, and anatomies of extant animal life, will find the book of interest.

Neuroplasticity, Development, and Steroid Hormone Action explores the effects of steroid hormones on brain development, function, and aging and is a compilation of cutting-edge research of concern to the disciplines of neurobiology, neuroendocrinology, endocrinology, and developmental biology. The experimental approaches covered range from molecular to behavioral and endocrine to neurobiological. The authors are noted neurobiologists and active researchers from the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Divided into five sections and containing scientific photographs, line drawings, tables, color illustrations, and graphs, this interesting and timely text covers the neuroplastic effects of steroid hormones throughout the lifetime of various animal models, such as bees, fish, lizards, turtles, birds, mice, rats, and primates. These sections focus on:
Ÿ The development and differentiation of neuroendocrine systems
Ÿ Steroid dependent brain differentiation
Ÿ The central regulation of hormone secretion
Ÿ Steroid hormones and neuroplasticity in the mature brain
Ÿ Steroid mediated mechanisms of cell growth and survival