Animal Sciences The Biology, Care and Production of Domestic Animals, 4th Ed.

NACTA Journal, Mar 2004 by Borton, Ronald J

Animal Sciences The Biology, Care and Production of Domestic Animals, 4th Ed. by John R. Campbell, M. Douglas Kenealy and Karen L. Campbell, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, 2003, 528 pages, hardback, $110

The authors indicate in their preface that this book is aimed to serve as a text for a comprehensive introductory course in the area of domestic animal production or studies. This is the 4th edition of this book. This edition has three new chapters dealing with companion animals, aquaculture and the state of being of domestic animals all of which are of interest to Animal Scientists. The book is very easy to read. The authors provided a very comprehensive glossary and the glossary words are bolded whenever they appear in the text. At the end of each chapter are 20 50 study questions, which will assist the student in reviewing the material. Also there is a summary at the end of each chapter.

There are 24 chapters in the book. Each chapter covered its topic in an easily readable form and at the proper depth for an introductory course. Also each chapter utilizes very recent information. References are provided for the person who would like more information on a particular topic. Chapter 1 provides an overview of domestic animals and their importance to humans in the world. Chapter 2 deals with breeds, how they were developed and the life cycle and general management of agricultural species including the advantages and concerns for larger livestock units. Chapter 3 is an excellent overview of the products obtained from livestock for human use including the positive contributions to human nutrition and the concerns associated with animal products related to human health. Chapter 4 is a new chapter concerning companion animals. This chapter is good in the discussion of dogs and cats including breeds and their proper care, but does not discuss in any great degree other types of pets. Chapter 5 is an excellent introduction to horses. Chapter 6 is a new chapter discussing aquaculture, which is an excellent introduction to general management and production, nutrition and the anatomy/physiology of the fish. The authors do not discuss diseases or processing as they do for other species. Chapter 7 deals with the issues of the state of being of domestic animals. Topics include "factory farming", crowding, behavioral responses and methods of assessing animals' states of being. Also the need for more scientific information concerning animals' states of being is emphasized. Chapters 8 & 9 are devoted to an introduction to Genetics and Selection and cover this material in an excellent manner. The same can be said of Chapters 10-12, which deal with anatomy/physiology, endocrinology and growth. Chapter 13 and 14 include an excellent introduction to reproduction in domestic animals and how producers use various techniques such as artificial insemination, estrus synchronization, embryo transfer, etc. to enhance the reproduction of livestock.

Chapters 15 and 16 discuss the purpose and processes of lactation and egg laying and how these relate to animal production and human needs. These chapters are excellent introductions to these topics. Chapter 17 deals with Ecology and Environmental Physiology. While the authors introduce the topic and cause the reader to think about aspects of ecology and environmental physiology, this chapter seems to have many short sections which causes the material to be somewhat confusing. Some items are discussed many times in the different sections. However, the student needs to consider this topic and the book does introduce the topic in a through manner. Chapters 18 21 deal with livestock nutrition and the topic is covered very well. The authors emphasize the differences between the ruminant, horse, monogastric and the avian digestive systems and how their nutrition differs. They cover the nutritional needs of energy, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals very thoroughly and excellently for an introductory text. Chapters 22 and 23 discuss Livestock diseases and parasites. The authors begin this section with a discussion of the importance of livestock disease to public health and the livestock industry. They continue with a discussion of an animal's defense against disease and then discuss some of the more common diseases of concern to the animal industry.

The last chapter concerns animal behavior. Again the authors introduce this topic in easily understandable language and provide enough depth so that the students have a basic knowledge of the topic. This chapter could use more information about how innate animal behavior is used to manage animals.

In general, this book meets the objectives of the authors, as the book is an excellent text for an introductory Animal Science class. In this edition, in addition to adding pertinent new chapters, the authors have updated the other chapters to keep the tables, illustrations, etc. up to date. In various areas they have discussed BSE, E. coli 157, anthrax and other disease concerns of the day. They also discuss topics such as animal welfare in view of the current concerns about how animals are treated in the large production units.