February 10-12, 2005
University of Berne - Switzerland
International Meeting on Milk-fed Farm and Companion Animals: Basic Aspects and Practice for the Future
Goal of the meeting
Provide the scientific basis (physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, pathophysiology, pathology, immunology, nutrition, genetics) and practical basis in animal production and veterinary medicine in milk-fed farm animals and companion animals. Specifically: Presentation of the state-of-the art on:
* Importance of colostrum, milk and milk replacers and particularly of their nutritive and non-nutritive components for young animals, especially in the neonatal period.
* Effects and problems of long-lasting provision of milk and milk replacers (for instance in veal calves).
* Basis and problems around weaning.
* Diseases associated with the ingestion of colostrum and milk.
* Basis.
* Morbidity and mortality rates are generally highest for young animals (and especially of neonates) relative to other stages of life, and this holds for farm and for companion animals. Nutrition and insufficient functional adaptation of organs associated with digestion, and metabolic, endocrine and immunological dysfunctions are of primary importance for high morbidity and mortality rates. It is therefore important to improve the knowledge concerning the aetiology and pathogenesis of these problems. Similar meetings that have concentrated on these themes have, to the best of our knowledge, not been organized during the last 20 years. We therefore expect considerable interest in this conference.
Main Themes
- Mammary function and milk composition (especially of colostrum) with respect to its importance for neonatal animals and for long-lasting effects.
- Importance of milk (especially of colostrum) and of milk replacers for gastrointestinal development and for digestive function (including effects on the pancreas and liver).
- Effects of milk (especially of colostrum) and of milk replacers on systemic metabolism and on endocrine systems.
- Effects of milk (especially of colostrum) and of milk replacers on the nutritional status.
- Effects of milk (especially of colostrum) and of milk replacers on the immune system, on immune reactions and on immune protection.
- Association of milk (including colostrum), morbidity and mortality of young (especially) neonatal animals.
Participants
Animal scientists and veterinarians (specialized in physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology as well as clinicians that are especially working in reproduction and neonatology), biologists and doctors of human medicine (pediatricians) that have an interest in comparative biology and medicine. We are attempting to attract an international audience, especially scientists, but the meeting will be open to persons working in practical fields (feed industry, clinicians, veterinary practitioners).
Upper limit of the number of participants: about 100.
| Responsible: Prof. Dr. Jürg W. Blum |
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