The workshop on 'Fundamental Physiology and Perinatal Development in Poultry' was organized by the World Poultry Science Association - Federation of the European Branches - Working Group of Physiology, and the Working Group of Perinatal Adaptation at the Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University of Berlin. The aim of the symposium, which was the second one organized by the two working groups, was to stimulate exchange of ideas and information on topics related to early development of body functions in poultry and fundamental physiology in general. A further aim was to encourage students to participate and present their studies. Indeed 22 students attended, presenting papers or posters. Eighty participants from 17 countries attended the symposium.
Thirty six oral presentations and 22 posters were presented on the following topics: * Metabolism during embryogenesis and post-hatch * The cardiovascular system - embryogenesis and post-hatch * Different aspects of development * Fundamental physiology * Epigenetic adaptation * Muscle development * Cellular and molecular aspects of early development and epigenetic adaptation At the end of the symposium, a round table discussion on "Alterations During Chick Embryogenesis - Does it Meet the Poultry Industry Needs?" was held. The book includes 19 representative manuscripts from different topics presented in the symposium partially summarizing the new insights into fundamental physiology and perinatal adaptation of domestic fowl.