The postnatal period is critical for broiler chicks as they are exposed to potentially stressful environmental changes in the hatchery and during transportation to the rearing houses. The ability of broiler chicks to spontaneously drink essential oils (EO) to mitigate the effects of a negative postnatal experience was tested. Chicks were placed in the rearing facility either immediately (C group), or after a 24 h-delay period (D group) to mimic a delay in transportation possible under commercial conditions. In experiment 1, each group had access to either water only or to water and one EO (cardamom, marjoram, or verbena) from D1 to D13. Verbena EO intake was higher in the D group than in the C group from D1 to D6 and cardamom EO intake was lower in the D group than in the C group from D6 to D13. In experiment 2, half of the groups had access to water only and the other half had both water and the three EO simultaneously. Chicks from D and C groups chose the EO similarly except for cardamom EO with a lower intake being observed in the D than in the C group from D6 to D12. The delayed placement of the D group reduced chicken growth until 34 days of age and temporarily increased the feed conversion ratio, but did not affect their welfare or the prevalence of health disorders. The EO intake did not mitigate the growth reduction in D group chicks, but did mitigate the reduced Pectoralis major muscle yield. In conclusion, chicks were able to make spontaneous choices regarding EO intake according to their postnatal experience when EO were presented individually, but not when presented simultaneously as in our experimental design. The EO intake only partially mitigated the decrease in chicken performance after the negative postnatal experience.

This analysis assessed 18-30-month weight loss maintenance following treatment with both behavior modification and supplemented fasting procedures for 400 patients. Fifty-five per cent of the patients who started treatment discontinued prior to completing the program. Patients who completed treatment lost a mean of 83.9 per cent of their excess weight, but regained an average of 59 per cent to 82 per cent of their initial excess weight by 30 months

BACKGROUND: Seasickness is a risk aboard a ship. Histamine is postulated as a causative agent, inversely related to the intake of vitamin C. Persons with mastocytosis experienced improvement of nausea after the intake of vitamin C. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether vitamin C suppresses nausea in 70 volunteers who spent 20 minutes in a life raft, exposed to one-meter-high waves in an indoor pool. METHOD: Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Two grams of vitamin C or placebo was taken one hour before exposure. Blood samples were taken one hour before and after exposure to determine histamine, diamine oxidase, tryptase, and vitamin C levels. Symptom scores were noted on a visual analog scale. On the second day the test persons were asked which day they had felt better. RESULTS: Seven persons without symptoms were excluded from the analysis. Test persons had less severe symptoms after the intake of vitamin C (p < 0.01). Scores on the visual analog scale were in favor of vitamin C, but the difference was not significant. Twenty-three of 63 persons wished to leave the raft earlier: 17 after the intake of placebo and 6 after the intake of vitamin C (p < 0.03). Women (p < 0.02) and men below 27 years of age (p < 0.02) had less pronounced symptoms after the intake of vitamin C. Histamine (p < 0.01) and DAO levels were increased after the intake of vitamin C (p < 0.001) and after placebo (n.s.). The fact that the second test day was rated less stressful by most volunteers is indicative of habituation. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the data show that vitamin C is effective in suppressing symptoms of seasickness, particularly in women and men younger than 27 years of age, and is devoid of side effects. Histamine levels were initially increased after the test persons had been exposed to waves.

SummaryAltitude evokes physiological adjustments that include not only respiratory and cardiovascular properties, but also metabolic function, renal and endocrine responses. The purpose of the present study was designed to expand our understanding of the physiological process involved with acclimatisation to high altitude in equids. The study examined temporal effects on metabolic and osmoregulatory function in horses (n = 6) at rest and postexercise at 3800 m. Animals were studied at 225 m (P b = 743 mmHg) and during a 10 day stay at altitude (P b = 487 mmHg). Rest samples were taken 90 min postprandial at 0830 h and immediately after the gallop phase of a standard exercise test. Changes in glucose, insulin, cortisol, thyroxine, sodium, potassium, chloride and total protein were assessed at both altitudes. Exercise stimulated increases in cortisol, thyroxine, potassium, and chloride; while the concentrations of glucose, insulin, sodium and total protein (regardless of altitude) decreased. Acute (Day 2) altitude exposure (following transport stress) produced significant increases in glucose, cortisol, thyroxine, chloride and protein at rest and exercise. All variables (except cortisol) appeared to stabilise by Day 4 of altitude exposure.Observations from these data (coupled with haematological and blood gases data) indicate that equids acutely acclimate within 2-3 days to this altitude.