Part I: Regulation of Feed Intake 1: Integration of learning and metabolic signals into a theory of dietary choice and food intake, J M Forbes, University of Leeds, UK and F D Provenza, Utah State University, USA 2: Mathematical models of food intake and metabolism in ruminants, A W Ilius, N S Jessop, and M Gill, University of Edinburgh, UK 3: Control of salivation and motility of the reticulorumen by the brain in sheep, W L Grovum, University of Guelph, Canada and J S Gonzalez, University of Leon, Spain Part II: Rumen Microbiology and Fermentation 4: Molecular ecology and diversity in microbial ecosystems, R I Mackie et al, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA 5: Microbial adherence to the plant cell wall and enzymatic hydrolysis, C W Forsberg, F Forano and A Chesson , University of Guelph, Canada 6: The microbial ecology and physiology of ruminal nitrogen metabolism, M Morrison, University of Nebraska, USA Part III: Nutrient Absorption and Splanchnic Metabolism 7: Tissue, cellular and molecular aspects of peptide absorption and utilization, K E Webb, Jr., Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, USA 8: Influence of gastrointestinal tissue metabolism on substrate supply, C J Seal and D S Parker, University of Newcastle, UK 9: The liver: Integrator of nitrogen metabolism, G E Lobley, Rowett Research Institute, UK, G D Milano, Campus Iniversitario, Argentina and J G van der Walt, University of Pretoria, South Africa Part IV: Tissue Maintenance and Utilization of Endogenous Body Reserves 10: Adipose tissue: beyond an energy reserve, R G Vernon, Hannah Research Institute, UK and K L Houseknecht, Pfizer Inc., UK 11: Regulation of growth and metabolism during postnatal development, B W Breier, M H Oliver and B W Galleher, University of Auckland, New Zealand 12: Direct effects of photoperiod on lipid metabolism, leptin synthesis and milk secretion in adult sheep, Y Chilliard and F Bocquier, INRA-Theix, France Part V: Tissue Growth 13: Muscle growth and genetic regulation, J J Bass et al, Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, New Zealand 14: Control and manipulation of hyperplasia and hypertrophy in muscle tissue, P J Buttery, J M Brameld and J M Dawson, University of Nottingham, UK 15: Regulation of protein synthesis for wool growth, N Adams, S Liu and D G Masters, CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Australia Part IV: Reproduction, Pregnancy and Lactation 16: Regulation of macronutrient partitioning between maternal and conceptus tissues in the pregnant ruminant, A W Bell and R A Ehrhardt, Cornell University, USA 17: The Thermal Physiology of the Ruminant Fetus, H Laburn, A Faurie and D Mitchell, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa 18: Regulation of nutrient partitioning during lactation: Homeostasis and homeorhesis revisited, D E Bauman, Cornell University, USA 19: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the mammary gland: Role for IGFBP-3 binding proteins, C R Baumrucker, Penn State University, USA 20: Integrating the effects of genotype and nutrition on utilization of body reserves during lactation of dairy cattle, J P McNamara, Washington State University, USA Part VII: Ruminant Physiology and Genetics 21: Genetic manipulation of ruminant biochemistry and physiology for improved productivity: current status and future potential, K A Ward, CSIRO Animal Production, Australia 22: Genetics of rumen microorganisms: Gene transfer, genetic analysis, H J Flint and K P Scott, Rowett Research Institute, UK 23: Nutrient-gene interactions: Future potential and applications, P B Cronje, University of Pretoria, South Africa Part VIII: Host Resistance against Parasites and Pathogens 24: Host resistance against gastrointestinal parasites of sheep, S J McClure, D L Emergy and J W Steel, CSIRO, Australia 25: Host resistance to fleece rot and blowfly strike, I G Colditz and R L Tellam, CSIRO, Australia 26: Host resistance against mastitis, K Perrson-Waller, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences