PROSPECTS AND LIMITS OF ANIMAL BREEDING - PHYSIOLOGICAL-ASPECTS

Livestock breeding is characterized by substantial increases in perfor mance in recent years. However, pathophysiological changes have to be considered when increased production levels will exceed maximal physio logical capacities. Gastrointestinal adaptation processes of ruminants kept under aride grazing conditions are discussed in comparison with european sheep breeds. The high stress susceptibility in pigs which is genetically determined is taken as a further example to explain the o nset of diseases on the basis of pathophysiological mechanisms being i nduced by breeding techniques. From this the necessity for a close coo peration between animal breeding and physiology has to be concluded.