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Metabolism in the rumen
BOOK
especially in the discussion of the role of acetylcholine in altering membrane permeability. However, these speculations are reasonable as well as stimulating and may well be proven to be correct in the near future. This book represents an interestingly written compilation of a great deal of exciting research and may be expected to remain a classic in its field for many years to come. HE:NRY
G. MAUTNER,
New Haven, Connecticut
Metabolism in the Rumen. By E. F. ANNISON and DYFED LEWIS, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Nottingham, England. John Wiley, New York, N. Y., 1959. 184 pp. Price $2.75. As a result of the steadily increasing number investigations of rumen metabolism over the 15 years, a considerable fund of information accumulated, scattered in diverse periodicals many countries. Although several excellent views have summarized limited aspects of the ject, there has been a need for a comprehensive account suited to the general reader and to chemists, biologists, and students of animal trition. The present volume goes far toward
of past has in resubbionusup-
331
REVIEWS
plying this need. As the preface indicates, it is “more than a review but less than a detailed monograph.” The microorganisms of the rumen are described, but the emphasis of the book is on biochemistry rather than microbiology. The origin of the volatile fatty acids in the rumen and their metabolism in the ruminant are described. The relation of acetate metabolism to carbohydrate and protein and to heat increment is particularly well presented. The section on utilization and genesis of protein gives a thorough account of this important and difficult aspect of ruminant metabolism. Considerable attention is devoted to the absorption of fermentation products, salts, and water from the rumen. In the final chapter the metabolism of the healthy ruminant is summarized, followed by a presentation of the aberrations in ketosis, pregnancy toxemia, bloat, acute indigestion, and other abnormal conditions. Although the book does not attempt a monographic account of rumen metabolism, inclusion of pertinent references enables the reader to pursue topics in any desired detail, adding greatly to the value of this timely summary of rumen met’abolism. R. E. HUNGATE,
Davis,
California
especially in the discussion of the role of acetylcholine in altering membrane permeability. However, these speculations are reasonable as well as stimulating and may well be proven to be correct in the near future. This book represents an interestingly written compilation of a great deal of exciting research and may be expected to remain a classic in its field for many years to come. HE:NRY
G. MAUTNER,
New Haven, Connecticut
Metabolism in the Rumen. By E. F. ANNISON and DYFED LEWIS, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Nottingham, England. John Wiley, New York, N. Y., 1959. 184 pp. Price $2.75. As a result of the steadily increasing number investigations of rumen metabolism over the 15 years, a considerable fund of information accumulated, scattered in diverse periodicals many countries. Although several excellent views have summarized limited aspects of the ject, there has been a need for a comprehensive account suited to the general reader and to chemists, biologists, and students of animal trition. The present volume goes far toward
of past has in resubbionusup-
331
REVIEWS
plying this need. As the preface indicates, it is “more than a review but less than a detailed monograph.” The microorganisms of the rumen are described, but the emphasis of the book is on biochemistry rather than microbiology. The origin of the volatile fatty acids in the rumen and their metabolism in the ruminant are described. The relation of acetate metabolism to carbohydrate and protein and to heat increment is particularly well presented. The section on utilization and genesis of protein gives a thorough account of this important and difficult aspect of ruminant metabolism. Considerable attention is devoted to the absorption of fermentation products, salts, and water from the rumen. In the final chapter the metabolism of the healthy ruminant is summarized, followed by a presentation of the aberrations in ketosis, pregnancy toxemia, bloat, acute indigestion, and other abnormal conditions. Although the book does not attempt a monographic account of rumen metabolism, inclusion of pertinent references enables the reader to pursue topics in any desired detail, adding greatly to the value of this timely summary of rumen met’abolism. R. E. HUNGATE,
Davis,
California