Doody's Review Service

Reviewer: Jonathan Hale Foreman, DVM, MS (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description: The 27 chapters in this book on equine reproduction cover the stallion, the mare, the fetus, and the newborn foal in a logical and easy-to-follow sequence. The 27 authors are an eclectic mix of scientific and practical experts on equine reproduction.
Purpose: The preface states the book's two main objectives: "to define what a theriogenologist is" and "to bridge the gap between the scientist and the field veterinarian or breeder so that the information that is generated in laboratories...can be easily understood and applied." These admirable objectives are attained, in part due to the interesting mixture of authors and their fields or scientific endeavors in equine reproduction.
Audience: The audience is never adequately described by the editor, although at various times the book alludes to the audience as veterinarians, veterinary students, and even laymen breeders who perform their own reproductive work without the assistance of veterinarians. Many of the chapters on basic reproductive and endocrine functions will be particularly helpful to veterinary students in conquering one of the many and varied species they are must study in theriogenology courses. The mixture of field practitioners and scientists is helpful in achieving the goal of explaining in an appropriate and useful way the newer scientific findings in the field of theriogenology.
Features: The liberal use of illustrations, most in black-and-white but many in color, is the best feature of the book. The color plates of the anatomy and physiology of the various reproductive functions will prove to be particularly useful for newer students of equine reproduction.
Assessment: This excellent book is appropriate for many levels: beginner students, senior students, practitioners, and scientists. The liberal use of all types of illustrations, including tables, photographs, ultrasounds, and schematics of anatomy and physiology, make this a must for serious students of equine reproduction.