Protein Metabolism in Farm Animals: Evaluation, Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism

Farm animals are grown mainly to provide high quality proteins for human use, in the form of meat, milk, eggs, skin and wool. These products are usually formed from lower-quality proteins in complex processes that involve losses through digestion, absorption, and transport. Because proteins are the most expensive major component of the animal diet per unit of weight, the efficiency with which they are used is of great importance biologically and economically. This book begins with a description of the dietary proteins and methods for their measurement. This is followed by detailed accounts of their digestion in ruminants, pigs, poultry and fish. The physiological basis of adsorption of amino acids is discussed in detail. This is followed by reviews of the processes of protein synthesis and degradation and the hormonal and energetic regulation of these processes. Written by a group of experienced scientists, this is the first book in which all of these topics are discussed in detail at a fundamental level. For advanced students and research workers in animal science and agriculture.