Effect of Adopters' Lifestyles and Animal-Care Knowledge on Their Expectations Prior to Companion-Animal Guardianship

Human expectations can greatly affect the human–companion animal relationship, sometimes putting nonhuman animals at risk for relinquishment. At 20 animal shelters in Southern Ontario, Canada, potential adopters (N = 234) completed a questionnaire regarding their lifestyle, companion animal-care knowledge, and preadoption expectations of their adopted companion animals. Linear mixed models were used to assess the associations of adopters' lifestyles and companion animal-care knowledge with their expectations for animal behavior, the human–companion animal relationship, and the effort required in companion-animal guardianship. Dog adopters had higher expectations than cat adopters for their companion animal's behavior (p < .001), the human–companion animal relationship (p < .001), and the effort required in companion-animal guardianship (p < .001). Adopters' human relationship statuses were also associated with expectations for the human–companion animal relationship (p = .002). As adopters' companion animal-care knowledge increased, so did their expectations for the effort required in companion-animal guardianship (p < .001). An understanding of adopters' expectations prior to adoption will help animal shelters better match, educate, and prepare adopters for their lives with companion animals.     

Subjective and objective sleep among air ambulance personnel

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of shift work on sleep among pilots and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service crew members (HCM) in the Norwegian Air Ambulance. Sleep was assessed by diaries and actigraphy during a workweek (24 h duty for 7 consecutive days) in the winter season and a workweek during the summer season in pilots and HCM (N = 50). Additionally, differences in sleep were studied between the week before work, the workweek, and the week after work in both seasons. Results indicated that bedtime was later (p <.001) and time spent in bed (p <.05) was shorter during the summer, compared to the winter, season. The workers delayed the sleep period in the workweek, compared to the week before (winter: p <.001, summer: p <.001) and the week after (winter: p <.05-.001, summer: p <.001). They spent more time in bed during the workweek, compared to the week before (winter: p <.001, summer: p <.01) and after (winter: p <.001, summer: p =.37). Further, the workers had longer wake after sleep onset during the workweek, compared to the week before (winter: p <.001, summer: p <.01) and the week after (winter: p <.01, summer: p <.01). Finally, the workers had lower sleep efficiency during the workweek recorded by actigraphy compared to the week before (winter: p <.01, summer: p <.001) and the week after (winter: p <.01, summer: p <.001). According to the sleep diaries the total sleep time was 7:17 h in the winter and 7:03 h in the summer season. Overall, the sleep was somewhat affected during the workweek, with delayed sleep period, longer wake after sleep onset, and lower sleep efficiency compared to when off work. However, the workers spent more time in bed during the workweek compared to the weeks off, and they obtained over 7 h of sleep in both workweeks. Our findings suggest that the pilots and the HCM sleep well during the workweek, although it affected their sleep to some extent.     

Differences in workday sleep fragmentation,rest-activity cycle,sleep quality,and activity level among nurses working different shifts

ABSTRACT

Schedule changes associated with rotating shifts can interfere with the circadian rhythms of nurses and thereby affect their sleep duration, sleep quality, work efficiency, and work performance. The objectives of this study was to investigate differences in workday sleep fragmentation, rest-activity cycle, sleep quality, and activity level among nurses working different shifts. After filling out a basic information questionnaire and completing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, participants were asked to wear an actigraph and keep sleep records for seven consecutive days. Data pertaining to wake after sleep onset (WASO), 24-hour autocorrelation coefficient (r24), and daytime activity mean was collected in order to investigate workday sleep fragmentation, rest-activity cycle, and daytime activity level. We obtained complete questionnaires and data from 191 nurses. Day- and evening-shift nurses had more regular workday rest-activity cycles than did night-shift nurses (F = 51.26, p < .001). After controlling for r24 coefficients, we determined that nurses who experienced greater workday sleep fragmentation had higher PSQI scores (β = .18, p = .008). After controlling for WASO times, we determined that nurses who had more regular rest-activity cycles on workdays had lower PSQI scores (β = – .16, p = .036). After controlling for shift type and WASO times, we determined that nurses with higher PSQI scores displayed lower activity levels (β = – .21, p = .015) and those with higher r24 coefficients displayed higher activity levels (β = .18, p = .040) on workdays. We then examined the causal path relationships. Among the shifts, only the day-shift nurses had a higher r24 (β = ?.59, p < .001) than did the night-shift nurses; WASO exerted a significant impact on PSQI scores (β = .20, p = .002); r24 had a significant and negative influence on PSQI scores (β = ?.38, p < .001), and PSQI scores significantly and negatively influenced workday activity levels (β = ?.20, p = .006). This study determined that day- and evening-shift nurses enjoyed more regular and consistent rest-activity cycles than did night-shift nurses; nurses with greater workday sleep fragmentation and/or more irregular rest-activity cycles experienced poorer sleep quality; and nurses suffering from poorer sleep quality displayed lower daytime activity levels on workdays.     

Efficacy of dietary supplemental insoluble fibrous materials in ameliorating adverse effects of coccidial challenge in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

The current experiment was designed to examine effects of dietary supplemental sunflower hulls (SH) and rice hulls (RH) on growth performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, lesion score and oocyst shedding in broiler chickens exposed to coccidial challenge. A total of 540 broiler chickens (Ross 308) were assigned to six dietary treatments based on a factorial arrangement (2 × 3) across 1–14, 14–28 and 28-42-d periods. Experimental treatments consisted of broiler chickens without or with coccidial challenge each offered with three different diets: a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with either RH or SH at 40 g/kg diet, respectively. Infection with Eimeria impaired daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chickens during growing period (p < 0.05) while supplementation of SH or RH reduced the adverse effect of coccidiosis so that birds had similar DWG to those fed the basal diet without infection. However, only dietary SH improved the FCR of broilers challenged with coccidiosis. Regardless of coccidial challenge, dietary access to insoluble fibre improved performance of broilers across the growing period (p < 0.05); however, this effect was not observed during the entire rearing period. Relative weights of liver and pancreas were increased in birds subjected to coccidial challenge on d 21 of age (p < 0.05). Moreover, relative weights of the intestinal segments were enhanced (p < 0.05). Furthermore, gizzard weights were higher in birds receiving diets added with fibre (p < 0.05). Infection with coccidiosis decreased villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum of broilers which received the basal diet compared with those fed the same feed without coccidial challenge (p < 0.05). However, supplemental SH could decrease the negative effect of infection on the noted intestinal morphometric attributes. Similarly, a marked reduction was observed for lesion score and faecal oocyst excretion of challenged broilers fed on dietary supplemental fibre (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of insoluble fibre could ameliorate negative effects of coccidial challenge on DWG of broiler chickens and inclusion of SH in diet of birds exposed to Eimeria infection could be recommended.     

Behavior and Performance of Dairy Cows After Transfer from Tied to Cubicle Housing

Behavior and performance changes when tied dairy cows were moved to a loose housing system in a cubicle system were investigated. Behavioral observations were made for 3 consecutive days in 3 periods after transition. The cows (n = 105) were observed on 18 sampling occasions for 1 month. Recordings were made of body positions and general and social behaviors. Monthly milk records were collected 1 year before and 1 year after transition. Cows walked more during the 1st observation period than during the other periods (p < .05). Walking activity also differed between days when nested to period (p < .05). During the 1st period, cows ruminated while standing more than during the 3rd period (p < .05). Cows ate and groomed less and vocalized more during the 1st period (p < .05). It was concluded that after transition from a tied to a cubicle system, several behaviors were affected during the 1st days, and milk production of multiparous cows was negatively affected, although this effect was not long-term.     

Instituting Dark-Colored Cover to Improve Central Space Use Within Guinea Pig Enclosure

Domestic guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) in laboratories have been shown to actively avoid the centers of their cages. This experiment tested a novel, dark-colored “shader” placed over the central portion of a cage. Based on the observed behavior of wild guinea pig species, it was hypothesized that utilization of the central portion of the cage would increase when the shader was present. Eleven male and 11 female albino, 3-week-old Hartley guinea pigs (Crl:HA) experienced the control and treatment conditions in a crossover study design. They spent more time in central cage sections when the shader was present and spent more time in and around the food hopper when the shader was absent (p < .001). Differences between sexes included increased inactivity in males versus females (p < .05) and a difference in time spent in a corner section of the cage (p < .001), likely associated with location in the room. We concluded that the presence of a shader increased utilization of cage space, which appeared to provide a similar increase in space utilization as structural enrichments.     

Altering meal timing to improve cognitive performance during simulated nightshifts

ABSTRACT

Altering meal timing could improve cognition, alertness, and thus safety during the nightshift. This study investigated the differential impact of consuming a meal, snack, or not eating during the nightshift on cognitive performance (ANZCTR12615001107516). 39 healthy participants (59% male, age mean±SD: 24.5 ± 5.0y) completed a 7-day laboratory study and underwent four simulated nightshifts. Participants were randomly allocated to: Meal at Night (MN; n= 12), Snack at Night (SN; n = 13) or No Eating at Night (NE; n = 14). At 00:30 h, MN consumed a meal and SN consumed a snack (30% and 10% of 24 h energy intake respectively). NE did not eat during the nightshift. Macronutrient intake was constant across conditions. At 20:00 h, 22:30 h, 01:30 h, and 04:00 h, participants completed the 3-min Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT-B), 40-min driving simulator, post-drive PVT-B, subjective sleepiness scale, 2-choice Reaction Time task, and Running Memory task. Objective sleep was recorded for each of the day sleeps using Actigraphy and for the third day sleep, Polysomnography was used. Performance was compared between conditions using mixed model analyses. Significant two-way interactions were found. At 04:00 h, SN displayed increased time spent in the safe zone (p < .001; percentage of time spent within 10 km/h of the speed limit and 0.8 m of lane center), and decreases in speed variability (p < .001), lane variability (p < .001), post-drive PVT-B lapses (defined as RT > 355 ms; p < .001), and reaction time on the 2-choice reaction time task (p < .001) and running memory task (p < .001) compared to MN and NE. MN reported greater subjective sleepiness at 04:00 h (p < .001) compared to SN and NE. There was no difference in objective sleep between eating conditions. Eating a large meal during the nightshift impairs cognitive performance and sleepiness above the effects of time of night alone. For improved performance, shiftworkers should opt for a snack at night.     

Rest-activity circadian rhythm in breast cancer survivors at 5 years after the primary diagnosis

ABSTRACT

Rest-activity circadian rhythm (RAR) is a marker of the circadian timing system. Particular attention has been given to RAR characteristics in cancer diseases. Specifically, alterations of RAR parameters have been found, at different stages of clinical pathway, in breast cancer (BC) patients. No studies to date have analyzed RAR alterations in breast cancer survivors several years after the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine RAR by actigraphy in a population of BC survivors at 5 years after the primary diagnosis, and to compare their RAR characteristics with healthy controls. The study sample was 28 women: 15 BC survivors at 5 years from the primary diagnosis (BC-group) and 13 healthy controls (Ctrl-group), matched for age and body mass index. All participants have been monitored for 7 days by actigraphy to evaluate RAR. A statistically significant circadian rhythm (T = 24) was found in all 28 subjects (p < .001). The group analysis revealed a significant RAR both in BC- and Ctrl-group (p < .001). The acrophase was not different between the BC- and Ctrl-group (15:09 vs. 15:01 hr:min in BC- and Ctrl-group, respectively). In contrast, the MESOR (Midline Estimating Statistic of Rhythm) and the amplitude were lower in the BC-group with respect to the Ctrl-group. Indeed, the MESOR was 192.0 vs. 276.4 activity counts in BC- and Ctrl-group, respectively (p < .001), while the amplitude was 167.0 vs. 222.6 activity counts in BC- and Ctrl-group, respectively (p < .001). These results provide the first experimental evidence of alterations in RAR parameters in BC survivors at 5 years after the primary diagnosis. Larger studies with a prospective design are needed to assess the role of RAR in the quality of life and prognosis in BC survivors.     

Effects of dietary L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 at different supplemental ages on growth performance and some immune response in ascites-susceptible broilers

Abstract

Effects of dietary L-carnitine and coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) at different supplemental ages on performance and some immune response were investigated in ascites-susceptible broilers. A 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design was used consisting of L-carnitine supplementation (0, 75, and 100 mg/kg), CoQ₁₀ supplementation (0 and 40 mg/kg) and different supplemental ages (from day 1 on and from day 10 on). A total of 480 one-day-old Arbor Acre male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 12 groups, every group had five replicates, each with eight birds. The birds were fed a corn-soybean based diet for six weeks. From day 10 – 21, all the birds were exposed to a low ambient temperature (12 – 15°C) to increase the susceptibility to ascites. No significant effects were observed on growth performance by L-carnitine, CoQ₁₀ supplementation, and different supplemental ages. Packed cell volume was significantly decreased by L-carnitine supplementation alone, and ascites heart index and ascites mortality were decreased by L-carnitine, CoQ₁₀ supplementation alone, and L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ supplementation together (p < 0.05). Heart index of broilers was significantly improved by L-carnitine, CoQ₁₀ supplementation alone during 0 – 3 week. Serum IgG content was improved by L-carnitine supplementation alone (p < 0.05), but lysozyme activity was increased by L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ supplementation together (p < 0.05). A significant L-carnitine by supplemental age interaction was observed in lysozyme activity. L-carnitine supplementation alone had no effects on the peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation in response to concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide, but supplemental CoQ₁₀ alone and L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ together decreased the PBL proliferation in response to ConA (p < 0.05). The present study suggested that L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ supplementation together had positive effects on some immune response of ascites-susceptible broilers, which might benefit for the reduction of broilers' susceptibility to ascites.     

A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study of Prevalence and Severity of Bit-Induced Oral Trauma in Polo Ponies and Race Horses

Bit and bridle accessories improperly fitted in ridden horses can cause oral trauma such as bone spurs, commissure ulceration, and tongue lacerations. This study was used to identify, grade, and compare the types of oral traumas commonly found within polo ponies and race horses. Injuries were assessed visually and by palpation on the tongue, lips’ commissures, and interdental space. A total of 50 polo ponies and 50 race horses were sampled in the South of England. A Poisson model was successfully fitted to the data (p < .001), and the variables of discipline (p < .001), injury type (p < .001), and age (p < .001) were significant. Race horses with snaffle bits were predisposed to significantly higher severities and prevalence of oral trauma than were polo ponies in gag bits. Only polo ponies were observed with tongue trauma. Race horses had higher severities of injuries in the commissures and bone spurs. Positive correlations were found between age and/or time in sport and induced biting injuries. Polo ponies had been playing longer before the occurrence of injuries.     

Behavioral indicators of slow growth in nursery pigs

The objective of this study was to determine how feeder-space allowance affects behaviors of slow- and fast-growing pigs during the nursery period. Nursery pigs (n = 192; initial weight = 7.4 ± 1.6 kg) were housed in 24 pens of 8 pigs, with 12 pens provided with either a two-space feeder or a five-space feeder. Pigs were categorized as slow growers (SG) and fast growers (FG) based on adjusted market weight (SG < 105 kg; FG ≥ 105 kg). Behaviors of pigs were video-recorded during the first four days after entering the nursery and on Day 21. Eating speed was measured on 96 focal pigs when they were nine weeks old. SG spent more time at the drinker than did FG (p < .05). SG spent less time in the standing/walking posture (p < .05) in pens with five-space feeders compared with SG in pens with two-space feeders. These results suggest that providing more feeder space may benefit SG in terms of improving the welfare of these pigs.     

In ovo injection with glycerol and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I): hatchability,intestinal morphometry,performance, and carcass characteristics of broilers

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection with glycerol (GLY) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) on hatchability, biochemical parameters, intestinal morphometry, performance, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 400 fertilised eggs were distributed into five experimental groups. The treatments were arranged as non-injected (control), saline solution injected (0.9% NaCl solution), GLY solution injected (10 nmol/ml), IGF-I solution injected (100 ng/ml), and GLY + IGF-I solution injected. At 17.5 d of incubation, 0.5 ml of each solution was injected into the amniotic fluid of each egg of the injected groups. The injection of different solutions did not influence the hatchability and incubation time of the eggs. Compared to intact eggs, IGF-I and IGF-I+ GLY increased (p < 0.01) the blood IGF-I at hatching. Higher hepatic glycogen was observed (p < 0.05) with GLY or IGF-I. The tested substances decreased (p = 0.02) the fructose 1,6-biphosfate phosphatase activity but did not affect glycaemia. No difference in performance was observed in the first week. Higher feed intake and weight gain with lower feed conversion ratio was obtained ( p  < 0.05) with IGF-I at 14 d. At 21 d, higher weight gain was obtained (p = 0.05) with IGF-I, GLY, IGF-I, and GLY + IGF-I, resulting (p < 0.01) in birds with greater weight gain at 35 and 42 d of age. GLY provided higher villus height in the ileum at hatching and at 7 d of age. The tested solutions increased the relative weight of the liver at hatching. At 42 d of age, no carcass characteristics were influenced. It is concluded that GLY and IGF-I, together or separately, can be used in the in ovo feeding to improve the post-hatch performance of broilers, without affecting hatchability and carcass composition.     

Application of the Hands-On Donkey Tool for Assessing the Welfare of Working Equids at Tuliman,Mexico

Equids are still used for diverse chores in Mexico and are essential for the livelihoods of numerous families. Appropriate health and behavior are prerequisites for performing work without affecting welfare. This study aimed to assess the welfare of working equids in Tuliman, applying the hands-on donkey tool. This tool evaluates five dimensions (behavior, body condition score [BCS], wounds, lameness, and other health issues) and was applied to 438 working equids (horses, mules, and donkeys). The Kruskall-Wallis test was applied to investigate differences between species and sex. Donkeys were more common; they also presented more positive behaviors and less lameness (p < 0.05). No differences were found for BCS among species on a scale ranging from 1 to 5 (mean BCS for donkeys = 1.9; mules = 2; and horses = 1.8). Mares had significantly lower BCS (mean = 1.5) than stallions (p < 0.05) and geldings (mean = 1.9). Overall mules had better welfare evaluations. The tool allowed detection of welfare issues in working equids; a practical outcome would be implementing local welfare strategies according to its results.     

Influence of mannan oligosaccharide,Ligustrum lucidum and Schisandra chinensis on parameters of antioxidative and immunological status of broilers

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary supplementation with Ligustrum lucidum (LL, 10 g/kg), Schisandra chinensis (SC, 10 g/kg), LL (10 g/kg) + mannan oligosaccharides (MOS, 50 mg/kg), or SC (10 g/kg) + MOS (50 mg/kg) on growth performance and parameters of antioxidative and immunological status of broilers. The results showed that feeding LL, SC, LL + MOS, or SC + MOS had no significant effect on growth performance of broilers relative to the control. However, compared to the control, LL, SC, LL + MOS, or SC + MOS significantly decreased malondialdehyde concentration in serum, thigh, and heart of broilers. In addition, glutathione reductase activity of heart and sera of the birds were significantly elevated by supplementation LL, SC, LL + MOS, or SC + MOS. Furthermore, LL, SC, LL + MOS, or SC + MOS significantly improved antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus and lymphocyte proliferation of broilers (p < 0.05). Whereas, no cooperating effect between LL (or SC) and MOS on antioxidant status and immunity of broilers were found.     

Sleep duration and social jetlag are independently associated with anxious symptoms in adolescents

Although short total sleep time (TST) is associated with increased anxious symptoms in adolescents, it is unknown whether social jetlag, a misalignment between sleep timing on the weekend and school week, is independently associated with anxious symptoms. In the current study, sleep timing, anxious symptoms, and demographic information were assessed from 3097 adolescents (48% female, mean ± SD age 15.59 ± .77 years) from the age 15 wave of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Social jetlag was calculated as the absolute value of the midpoint of sleep on the weekend minus the midpoint of sleep during the school week. Anxious symptoms were measured through the 6-item anxiety subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory 18. We assessed associations between sleep variables and anxious symptoms using multiple linear regression. Adjusted analyses controlled for sex, race/ethnicity, age in years, body mass index percentile, number of other children below the age of 18 in the household, and primary caregiver (PCG) married/cohabiting with youth’s biological parent, PCG employment status, PCG household income and PCG education level. In fully adjusted models (R² = .034), school night TST (b = ?.04, ?R² = .005, p < .001) was negatively associated with anxiety symptoms, while social jetlag (b = .04, ?R² = .009, p < .001) was positively and independently associated with anxiety symptoms. Findings indicate small associations of school night TST and social jetlag with anxious symptoms. Thus, maintenance of optimal emotional health in adolescents may require both sufficient sleep duration and regularity of sleep timing across the week.     

In ovo silver nanoparticle supplementation for improving the post-hatch immunity status of broiler chickens

Silver nanoparticles (AgNano) are known for their unique physical, chemical and biological properties, enabling cell penetration and anti-inflammatory response. In Experiment 1, the effect of an in ovo administration of AgNano (15 µg/egg; n = 360) at different incubation times (d 7 and d 18) on hatchability parameters was explored. In Experiment 2, post-hatch performance of broilers (42 d, n = 250) was studied after in ovo AgNano administration: Group T1 remained un-injected, Group T2 was the sham control and Groups T3, T4 and T5 were injected with 12.5, 25 and 50 µg AgNano, respectively, at 18 d of incubation. Chick weight, chick to egg weight ratio and hatchability as well average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were similar in all treatment groups. No variation was seen in the weight of thymus; however, the bursa and spleen weight was increased (p < 0.05) in Groups T4 and T5 in comparison to Group T1. The in vivo immune response to phytohaemagglutinin-P was increased in Group T3 in comparison to Groups T1 and T2 (p < 0.05), while the response to sheep red blood cells was increased in all AgNano-treated groups in comparison with Group T1 (p < 0.01). The expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 genes was up-regulated in AgNano groups in comparison with Groups T1 and T2 (p < 0.01). In summary, an in ovo supplementation of AgNano carried out at d 18 of incubation is effective and modulates the post-hatch immune response without affecting the hatchability, growth and other performance parameters in broilers.     

The behaviour of broiler chickens and its modification by lameness

The behaviour of six replicates of broilers obtained from commercial farms, fed ad-libitum and housed on 23-h light:1-h dark schedule at 20 lx was observed using scan sampling. Comparisons were made between sound birds and those of varying degrees of lameness between 39 and 49 days of age. Sound broilers averaged 76% of their time lying and this increased significantly to 86% in lame birds (gait score 3). Lying also increased with age. Although sound broilers spent only a minor part of the day on their feet, they spent significantly more time standing idle (7%), standing preening (3.5%) and standing eating (4.7%) than lame birds. Walking declined with age, but occupied an average 3.3% of the time of a slaughter-weight broiler. Again, lameness significantly reduced this to a minimal 1.5% in the worst affected birds. Sound birds predominantly chose the usual standing posture for eating, whereas, lame birds lay down to eat for almost half their feeding time. Detailed observations using video records revealed that lameness altered the feeding strategy of broilers. Whereas sound birds fed over 50 times in 24 h, the number of visits to the feeder was reduced with increasing lameness to an average of around 30 in the lamest broilers. However, meal duration was adjusted to give no overall differences in time spent feeding per day. Time spent drinking was also the same for all birds, averaging 3% of the day. The alterations of the time budget, in particular the reductions in activities performed whilst standing, and the different feeding strategies adopted, are consistent with lameness imposing a cost on the affected broilers to the detriment of their welfare.     

Melatonin ingestion after exhaustive late-evening exercise improves sleep quality and quantity,and short-term performances in teenage athletes

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to explore the effects of a single 10-mg dose of melatonin (MEL) administration after exhaustive late-evening exercise on sleep quality and quantity, and short-term physical and cognitive performances in healthy teenagers. Ten male adolescent athletes (mean ± SD, age = 15.4 ± 0.3 years, body-mass = 60.68 ± 5.7 kg, height = 167.9 ± 6.9 cm and BMI = 21.21 ± 2.5) performed two test sessions separated by at least one week. During each session, participants completed the Yo-Yo intermittent-recovery-test level-1 (YYIRT-1) at ~20:00 h. Then, sleep polysomnography was recorded from 22:15 min to 07:00 h, after a double blind randomized order administration of a single 10-mg tablet of MEL (MEL-10 mg) or Placebo (PLA). The following morning, Hooper wellness index was administered and the participants performed the Choice Reaction Time (CRT) test, the Zazzo test and some short-term physical exercises (YYIRT-1, vertical and horizontal Jumps (VJ; HJ), Hand grip strength (HG), and five-jump test (5-JT)). Evening total distance covered in the YYIRT-1 did not change during the two conditions (p > 0.05). Total sleep time (Δ = 24.55 mn; p < 0.001), sleep efficiency (Δ = 4.47%; p < 0.001), stage-3 sleep (N3 sleep) (Δ = 1.73%; p < 0.05) and rapid-eye-movement sleep (Δ = 2.15%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher with MEL in comparison with PLA. Moreover, sleep-onset-latency (Δ = –8.45mn; p < 0.001), total time of nocturnal awakenings after sleep-onset (NA) (Δ = –11 mn; p < 0.001), stage-1 sleep (N1 sleep) (Δ = –1.7%; p < 0.001) and stage-2 sleep (N2 sleep) (Δ = ?1.9%; p < 0.05) durations were lower with MEL. The Hooper index showed a better subjective sleep quality, a decrease of the subjective perception of fatigue and a reduced level of muscle soreness with MEL. Moreover, MEL improved speed and performance but not inaccuracy during the Zazzo test. CRT was faster with MEL. Morning YYIRT-1 (Δ = 82 m; p < 0.001) and 5-JT (Δ = 0.08 m; p < 0.05) performances were significantly higher with MEL in comparison with PLA. In contrast, HG, VJ and HJ performances did not change during the two conditions (p > 0.05). The administration of a single dose of MEL-10 mg after strenuous late-evening exercise improved sleep quality and quantity, selective attention, subjective assessment of the general wellness state, and some short-term physical performances the following morning in healthy teenagers.     

Lameness and its relationship with health and production measures in broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to explore lameness and the associations between lameness and health/production measures of animal welfare in commercial broiler production, using the Welfare Quality® protocol for broilers. A total of 50 flocks were included in the sample and farm visits were conducted for lameness scoring at a mean age of 28.9 days. The percentage of animals (n=7500) in the six different gait score (GS) categories were GS0: 2.53%, GS1: 44.19%, GS2: 33.84%, GS3: 16.32%, GS4: 2.36% and GS5: 0.53%. Production and other welfare data were collected for each flock after slaughter. Higher gait scores were associated with increased hock burn score (P<0.02), increased footpad dermatitis score (P<0.01), reduced bird cleanliness score (P<0.01) and peat litter (P<0.01). Although not statistically significant, there was a tendency for increased flock gait score being associated with wet litter (P=0.07). In addition, condemnations at postmortem inspection were associated with increasing gait scores (P<0.05), indicating that at least a portion of the lameness cases display pathological changes on the carcasses. In conclusion, 19%of the birds showed moderate-to-severe lameness, which was associated with several production or health and welfare observations including feather cleanliness and condemnations as unfit for human consumption at slaughter. Although stocking density and growth rate are already known key factors for lameness, associations of lameness with hock burns, footpad dermatitis and cleanliness of the birds suggest that a suboptimal physical environment (e.g. litter- and air quality) may be detrimental to leg health. Further studies are needed to explore these associations in more detail.