Impact of galactooligosaccharides delivered in ovo on mitigating negative effects of heat stress on performance and welfare of broilers

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) delivered in ovo improve intestinal health of broiler chickens. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of in ovo stimulation with GOS prebiotic on day 12 of egg incubation on performance and welfare traits in broiler chickens. The incubating eggs were divided into 3 groups, based on the substance injected in ovo: 3.5 mg of GOS dissolved in 0.2 mL physiological saline (GOS), 0.2 mL physiological saline (S), or uninjected controls (C). Constant heat stress (HS) was induced on days 32 to 42 post-hatch by increasing environmental temperature to 30°C. Thermoneutral (TN) animals were kept at 25°C. The performance (body weight [BW], daily feed intake [DFI], daily weight gain [DWG], and feed conversion rate [FCR]) were measured and mortality was scored for starter (days 0 to 13), grower (days 14 to 27), and finisher (days 28 to 42) feeding phases. Rectal temperature was scored on days 32 to 42. Food-pad dermatitis (FPD) was scored post-mortem (day 42). GOS increased (P < 0.01) BW on day 42 (2.892 kg in GOS vs. 2.758 kg in C). Heat stress significantly reduced (P < 0.01) final BW (2.516 kg in TN vs. 3.110 kg in HS). During finisher phase, DFI was significantly higher in GOS vs. C (173.2 g vs. 165.7 g; P < 0.05). FCR calculated for the entire rearing period (days 0 to 42) ranged from 1.701 in C to 1.653 in GOS (P < 0.05). GOS improved FCR in HS animals during finisher phase (P < 0.05). Rectal temperature of GOS chickens under HS reached 42.5°C 1 day earlier than C and S (P < 0.05), which suggests that those birds recovered earlier from the high environmental temperature. Heat stress increased (P < 0.05) mortality about 5 times compared to TN during finisher phase (from 1.59% in TN to 7.69% in HS). GOS decreased FPD in TN conditions by 20% (no lesions in 81% in GOS vs. 60% in C). GOS delivered in ovo mitigated negative effects of HS on performance and welfare in broiler chickens.

Comparison of 2 commercial turkey hybrids: productivity, occurrence of breast myopathies, and meat quality properties

This study was undertaken to compare productive performance, occurrence of breast myopathies, chemical composition, and technological properties of the meat in 2 dominant commercial turkey hybrids. A total of 972 1-day-old male turkey poults (equally divided in hybrid A and B) were randomly distributed in 18 floor pens. Overall, productive performance resulted similar between the genotypes, although they showed different growth profile (turkeys from group B grew up faster up to 84 d). Regarding the occurrence of myopathies, the percentage of breasts affected by white striping was markedly higher in both genotypes (46 vs. 60% of severe lesions, respectively for A and B; P < 0.05), while the occurrence of spaghetti meat-like condition was negligible. The histological features of the different categories of meat abnormalities resulted similar to those previously described for chicken hybrids. The technological traits such as ultimate pH, lightness, redness, marinade uptake, cooking losses, and shear force were not significantly affected by the genotype. However, turkeys from group B exhibited lower yellowness (b*, 0.50 vs. 1.04; P < 0.05) and higher drip losses (1.34 vs. 1.26%; P < 0.05). The shelf-life test on thigh meat showed no significant changes in meat color over the storage time in both hybrids, whereas thigh meat from group A showed absolute lower values of lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) (P < 0.05). Lipid oxidation of thigh meat significantly increased during storage, although no significant difference was found between the hybrids. Proximate composition and intramuscular collagen properties resulted similar between genetic lines with the exception of total fat content (1.55 vs. 1.21%, respectively for A and B; P < 0.05). The genotype had a moderate effect on fatty acid families of breast meat as only monounsaturated fatty acid content was significantly affected (31.7 vs. 29.8%, respectively for A and B). In conclusion, the overall productive traits of commercial turkeys, including the occurrence of muscle myopathies, as well as quality attributes of fresh and refrigerated meat were only slightly affected by the genotype.

Avian model to mitigate gut-derived immune response and oxidative stress during heat

The tissue injury at the early stages of the heat stress response triggers release of inflammatory and oxidative agents from intestinal content into the milieu of the body. Intestinal homeostasis (i.e., eubiosis) improves the barrier function and mitigates the gut-derived influx of endotoxins. In this study we have analyzed the mitigating role of embryonic stimulation of the gut homeostasis in chickens on immune and oxidative responses to heat. The animal trial was conducted on broiler chickens. The treatment included a single in ovo injection of the galactooligosaccharides (GOS) prebiotic into the air cell of the egg on day 12 of incubation. Control eggs were in ovo injected with the same volume of sterile physiological saline. After hatching, birds were raised in group pens (6 pens/group, 25 birds/pen). Short-term, mild heat stress was induced on day 32 post-hatching by increase in the ambient temperature above the thermal comfort (30 °C for 8.5 h). The spleen was harvested from randomly selected individuals. The relative gene expression study was conducted with RT-qPCR. The two gene panels were analyzed: (1) immune response genes (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12p40 and IL-17) and (2) stress response genes (HSP25, HSP70, HSP90, BAG3, CAT and SOD). Data were evaluated by the analysis of variance in a 2 × 2 factorial design that included in ovo treatment and ambient temperature as factors. We have found that the immune-related and stress-related gene expression signatures were triggered in animals subjected to heat but with unbalanced intestinal flora (i.e., dysbiotic, without in ovo stimulation with GOS). These animals had increased expression of the genes involved in the immune responses (IL-4 and IL17) and stress responses (HSP25, HSP70, HSP90, CAT and SOD) to short-term heat stress that indicated presence of inflammatory and oxidative mediators (P <  0.05). The individuals that were in ovo stimulated with GOS did not mount the anti-inflammatory or antioxidative responses. Heat shock proteins (HSP25 and HSP70) were increased in both groups challenged with heat, which indicated their role in adaptation to heat.

Effect of EU electrical stunning conditions on breast meat quality of broiler chickens

Electrical stunning is still the main stunning method used worldwide in commercial poultry plants. The stunning procedures in water bath stunners affect both bird welfare and meat quality attributes. The European Union (EU) Council Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of the animal at the time of killing established the minimum current flow through an individual bird at a specified frequency to assure an effective stun that must last until the bird's death. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the application of different stunning current flows on the prevalence of hemorrhages (classified as 1 = no lesion, 2 = moderate, and 3 = severe lesion) and some quality traits (pHu, color, drip and cooking losses, and shear force) of chicken breast meat. A total of 12 flocks of broiler chickens, each equally divided into light, medium, and heavy sizes, was submitted either to the stunning condition usually adopted before the entry into force of the current EU regulation (90 mA/bird, 400 Hz) (OLD) or to that enforced by it (150 mA/bird, 400 Hz) (NEW). Overall, the prevalence of severe hemorrhages dramatically increased in the NEW group in comparison with the OLD one (55 vs. 27%; P < 0.001) and particularly in heavy-sized birds (72 vs. 25%; P < 0.001). In general, meat quality attributes were not affected by the stunning conditions with the exception of drip loss that resulted lower in NEW than OLD birds (1.01 vs. 1.27; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the adoption of a higher current flow, as suggested by the EU regulation to protect animals at the time of killing, increases the prevalence of breast hemorrhages while maintaining meat quality traits with a possible beneficial effect on water holding capacity of fresh meat.

Comparison of breast muscle traits and meat quality characteristics in 2 commercial chicken hybrids

A trial was conducted to compare muscle traits and meat quality characteristics of the pectoralis muscle in 2 chicken commercial hybrids having standard (SBY) and high breast yield (HBY), respectively. A total of 2,124 one-day-old male chicks, equally divided into 2 experimental groups represented by strains (SBY and HBY), were grown using homogenous conditions and fed the same standard diets until reaching live weight of 4.2 kg at 53 and 55 d for the SBY and HBY groups, respectively. Thirty-six birds per each genotype were randomly selected, and their pectoralis major muscles were used to assess meat quality properties (color attributes, pH, drip loss, cook loss, Allo-Kramer shear values after cooking, moisture, proteins, total lipids, and ashes) as well as histological traits (cross-sectional area, frequency of abnormal fibers, and intramuscular fat infiltration). As expected, HBY genotype had higher breast yield (31.0 vs. 30.0%; P ≤ 0.05). Histological evaluations showed that HBY pectoralis muscles had higher cross-sectional fiber area coupled with a dramatically higher (P ≤ 0.001) incidence of abnormal fibers and more abundant infiltration of intramuscular fat. Moreover, histopathological anomalous features such as central nuclei, proliferation of endomysial and perimysial collagen, inflammatory infiltrate, and necrosis of the fibers were also observed. As for meat quality, SBY hybrid showed lower ultimate pH values (5.97 vs. 6.07; P ≤ 0.01), whereas overall color parameters were not affected by genotype. Breast meat from the HBY genotype also exhibited significantly lower ability to retain liquid during refrigerated storage (drip loss, 2.46 vs. 2.06%; P ≤ 0.05) and cooking (26.2 vs. 21.1%; P ≤ 0.05) as well as higher shear-force values (2.59 vs. 2.11 kg/g; P ≤ 0.001). Finally, with regard to chemical composition, significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were detected in protein (22.8 vs. 23.5%) and lipid (1.65 vs. 1.82%) contents, which were significantly lower in the HBY hybrid, whereas moisture content tended (P = 0.07) to be inferior in the SBY hybrid.

Effect of sequential feeding on nitrogen excretion, productivity, and meat quality of broiler chickens

The aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of a 24-h cycle sequential feeding program on nitrogen excretion, incidence of foot pad lesions, productive performance, quality traits, and chemical composition of broiler chicken breast meat. In total, 1,320 one-day-old male Cobb 700 chicks were split into 2 groups of 6 replicates each. From 1 to 10 d of age, all of the chickens received the same prestarter diet (ME 3,058 kcal/kg; CP 226 g/kg). The control group (CON) received 1 of 3 diets for 24-h cycles: starter (ME 3,162 kcal/kg; CP 205 g/kg), grower (ME 3,224 kcal/kg; CP 192 g/kg), and finisher diets (ME 3,242 kcal/kg; CP 184 g/kg) from d 11 to 18, 19 to 38, and 39 to 44 of age, respectively. The sequential feeding group (SF) received the same diets as the CON birds for half of the day, and then low-protein and isoenergetic diets for the remaining half of the day. Birds submitted to the SF program showed better utilization of dietary nitrogen compared with the CON birds (45.0 vs. 46.1% of N excreted/N ingested, respectively; P < 0.05), and consequently the SF birds had lower nitrogen excretion compared with the CON birds (24.8 vs. 25.9 N g/kg of BW, respectively; P < 0.01). The SF birds exhibited a significantly lower incidence (7 vs. 13%) of foot pad lesions and consumed 70 g of feed/bird more than the CON birds. The SF birds also had a significantly higher feed conversion rate compared with that of the CON birds (1.84 vs. 1.78, respectively). The SF breast meat exhibited a significantly lower ultimate pH, a higher cook loss, and a lower lipid content compared with the values found for the CON group. The SF approach in poultry husbandry had positive repercussions on environmental and animal welfare aspects, but adversely affected feed efficiency, and altered some meat traits (mainly pH and cook loss).

Influence of partial and complete caponization on chicken meat quality

Caponization is a surgical technique adopted to alter the sexual maturation of male chickens with the aim of improving the quality characteristics of carcass and meat. Under commercial conditions within each flock, about 10% of the birds usually result with incomplete caponization and are called slips. A trial was conducted to compare quality traits of breast and thigh meat from capons (n = 12), slips (n = 12), and cocks (unoperated birds; n = 12) (Hubbard x Golden Comet) reared together and processed at 180 d old under commercial conditions. Capons exhibited the highest (P < 0.01) values of breast and thigh meat lightness and yellowness as well as the lowest values of redness (P < 0.01) compared with cocks and slips. These variations in meat color were related to a lower concentration of heme pigments in both breast and thigh meat from capons. Capons and slips presented lower Allo-Kramer shear values of cooked breast meat (P < 0.05) in comparison with cocks. As for chemical composition, capons showed a higher content of total lipid, cholesterol, and ash both in breast and thigh meat. Total saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were not strongly affected by caponization. However, capons exhibited a significantly higher (P < 0.01) content of linoleic and linolenic acids as well as a lower content of arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids in respect to slips and cocks. Overall, this study indicated that caponization can affect the main meat quality traits with special regards to appearance (color), texture, and composition. Finally, it was found that slips present intermediate meat quality characteristics between capons and cocks.

Survey of chicken rearing conditions in Italy: effects of litter quality and stocking density on productivity, foot dermatitis and carcase injuries

1. A survey was carried out to assess some welfare indicators in broilers reared by the largest poultry companies in Italy, to determine whether they accord with European proposal COM (2005) 221 final. 2. Productive traits, carcase injuries and foot dermatitis were recorded from 279,640 broiler chickens reared in winter and in summer in 5 farms representative of the Italian production system. 3. The densities currently used in Italy are in accordance with the European proposal, which recommends that broilers are kept at a density lower than 30 to 32 kg live weight/m(2) and not exceeding 38 to 40 kg live weight/m(2). 4. Season markedly influenced broiler welfare status, with the worst score collected in winter cycles, when the recommended limit of 50 points for foot pad dermatitis was exceeded. 5. Stocking density is not a straightforward indicator for bird welfare; there was no relationship between stocking density and lesion incidence or mortality rate. 6. The control of environmental conditions, particularly litter quality, appears to be a key issue for broiler welfare.

The Influence of the Season and Market Class of Broiler Chickens on Breast Meat Quality Traits

The influence of the season and market class of broiler chickens on breast meat quality traits was determined on a total of 18 flocks reared and processed under commercial conditions. According to the Italian poultry production system the following classes of birds were considered: light size (1.2 kg of carcass weight; n = 90) and medium size (1.8 kg of carcass weight; n = 90), represented by females slaughtered at 40 and 52 d old, respectively, whereas heavy size were 57-d-old male broilers (2.4 kg of carcass weight; n = 90). After slaughter, 15 carcasses per flock (n = 270) were randomly collected during winter (n = 135) and summer (n = 135) seasons and used at 24 h postmortem to determine breast (pectoralis major) meat color (lightness, redness, and yellowness), pH, drip and cook loss, as well as Allo-Kramer (AK) shear values. Furthermore, pectoralis minor muscles were used to determine lipid, protein, moisture, and ash content. Finally, because the flocks included white- and yellow-skinned broilers, the color of the carcass skin was measured to assess the relationship between skin and raw breast meat color. With regard to the season, breast meat from birds slaughtered during summer exhibited a paler and less red color, lower pH, higher drip and cook losses, lower AK-shear, and a higher content of moisture and a lower content of protein and ash. In respect to medium and heavy birds, light broilers produced breast meat with higher values of redness, lower pH and cook loss, higher AK-shear values, and a higher content of moisture and ash. Finally, a positive correlation (r = +0.92; P < or = 0.001) between skin and breast meat yellowness was found. These results indicate that during summer, broiler breast meat undergoes a depression of its functionality and quality. Moreover, the market class of birds also determined some differences in breast meat quality attributes.

Improvement of stored turkey semen quality as a result of He–Ne laser irradiation

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of He-Ne laser irradiation at various energy doses on the quality of stored turkey semen. Four semen pools were used in Experiment 1. Each pool was divided into 10 aliquots, nine of which were irradiated with energy doses ranging from 0.144 to 10.8 J/cm2 while the tenth one was not irradiated (control). Each sample was evaluated for motility immediately after irradiation, 24 and 48 h later. Energy doses ranging from 3.24 to 5.4 J/cm2 had higher (P <0.01) sperm motility index (SMI) value compared to the control and samples irradiated with lower and higher laser doses. The energy dose of 3.96 J/cm2 was selected for Experiment 2 to obtain further insight on its effects on turkey sperm preservation for up to 60 h. Each pool of four semen was divided into two aliquots: one represented the control and the other one was irradiated with He-Ne laser at an energy dose of 3.96 J/cm2. Each sample was evaluated for motility and viability immediately after irradiation and then at 12 h intervals up to 60 h. The cell energy charge was also measured by HPLC. Exposure to 3.96 J/cm2 increased the SMI and viability of turkey semen stored for 60 h compared to the control (P <0.05). The cell energy charge of irradiated samples was 200% higher than in the control. Laser irradiation increased the longevity of stored turkey spermatozoa, and might be a useful technique to enhance semen quality in long-term storage.

Effect of dialysis on quality characteristics of turkey semen during liquid storage

Low molecular weight substances such as zinc and peroxides are present in seminal plasma and are responsible for deleterious effects in stored semen. On the contrary, molecules larger than 50 kDa are beneficial to in-vitro storage of spermatozoa. Since the effects of different seminal plasma fractions in turkey semen are not completely known, the purpose of the study was to determine the effects of turkey semen dialysis with a 12-14 kDa cut-off on viability, hypo-osmotic membrane integrity, or sperm motility of turkey spermatozoa stored up to 48 h at 5 degrees C. Twelve pools of semen, each pool originating from four toms, were used. Each pool was divided into two aliquots, one of which was dialyzed while the other represented the control. Each semen aliquot was evaluated for sperm viability, membrane integrity and motility after 6, 24 and 48 h of in-vitro storage. Cold storage of turkey semen for 48 h significantly worsened (P<0.01) sperm viability, hypo-osmotic membrane integrity, and sperm motility index of both control and dialyzed samples. After 24 and 48 h sperm viability, membrane integrity and sperm motility index were better (P<0.01) in dialyzed semen compared to the control.

Fatty acid composition and productive traits of broiler fed diets containing conjugated linoleic acid

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the transfer of dietary CLA to broiler chicken tissues (breast, drumstick meat, skin, and abdominal fat) and its effect on productive traits and on carcass yields of birds. Cobb 500 females (n=360), divided into three groups, received from 22 d to slaughtering age (47 d) a grower diet supplemented with 2% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) source containing 60% CLA methyl esters (CLA2) or 4% CLA source (CLA4). The control group had no supplementation. The addition of CLA source to chicken diet decreased the content of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (oleic and palmitoleic acids) in breast and drumstick meat. The deposition of CLA in muscles significantly increased as the dietary CLA increased, whereas only little amounts of CLA were detected in the control group. Arachidonic acid (ARA) content was significantly depressed and linearly related to the addition of CLA to the chicken diet. Other non-CLA polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were little affected by the dietary CLA supplementation. Saturated fatty acids (myristic and stearic acids) significantly increased about 30% in abdominal fat pad of both treated groups enhancing the firmness of abdominal fat. Productive performances--as well as carcass yields--were similar across dietary treatment of birds.

Oxidative stability and sensory and functional properties of eggs from laying hens fed supranutritional doses of vitamins E and C

This study evaluated the effects of two dietary doses of vitamins E and C supplemented separately and together, on the content of vitamin E in the yolk, on the lipid stability of fresh and stored eggs, and on their sensory and functional properties. Hy-Line Brown hens (n = 216) received a basal diet for 8 wk supplemented with 100 or 200 mg DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (E100 or E200, respectively)/kg, 500 or 1,000 mg ascorbic acid (C500 and C1000, respectively)/kg, or 100 mg DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate plus 500 mg ascorbic acid (E100+C500)/kg, whereas the control group received no supplementation. Fresh eggs and eggs stored 30,60, and 90 d at 4 C or stored 28 d at room temperature were analyzed for vitamin E content and TBA-reactive substances (TBARS). We also evaluated functional properties of fresh and cooked eggs and sensory properties of boiled and scrambled eggs. The yolk content of vitamin E depended on the level of dietary addition and decreased after 90 d of storage at 4 C or after 28 d at 25 C. Vitamin supplementation had no effect on fresh or refrigerated eggs, whereas 4 wk of storage at room temperature increased TBARS in the control and the group supplemented with the highest doses of vitamins. Ascorbic acid improved Haugh units and elasticity of albumen gels, whereas cohesiveness and hardness of yolk, albumen and whole-egg gels were not affected by dietary treatment. Panelists were not able to distinguish treated eggs from control eggs.

Nitrogen retention and performance of brown laying hens on diets with different protein content and constant concentration of amino acids and energy

1. The aim of this study was to determine the nitrogen balance and the performance of laying hens fed on diets with a protein content lower than the diets currently used in commercial practice but with adequate concentrations of lysine, sulphur amino acids, tryptophan and threonine. 2. Ninety-six Hy-Line Brown hens, 24 weeks old, were divided into 3 groups of 8 replicates and received, for 16 weeks, diets formulated to have 3 different protein concentrations: 170 (control), 150 and 130 g/kg CP and the same energy content. For each protein concentration, the contents of lysine, methionine, methionine+cystine, tryptophan and threonine were maintained at minimum requirement concentrations by supplying synthetic amino acids. 3. In the first half of the trial, egg production and egg weight were similar in all groups. From the 9th week onwards group 150 CP laid heavier eggs and had a slightly lower egg deposition and total mass. Food conversion ratio was best in the control group. 4. Nitrogen intake was related to the protein concentration of the diet, the food intake being almost the same in the 3 experimental groups. Faecal nitrogen content significantly and linearly decreased with reduction in dietary protein content and was about 50% of the intake. Considering the nitrogen faecal/intake ratio, the 150 CP group showed better nitrogen utilisation at each sampling time.

Effects of dietary vitamin E on the quality of table eggs enriched with n-3 long-chain fatty acids

Because of the proposed cardioprotective benefits of n-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, a trial was carried out to investigate the possibility of enriching eggs with n-3 fatty acid and vitamin E added to the hen's diet. One hundred ninety-two Hy-Line Brown hens, 39-wk-old, were divided into eight groups: four groups received the basal diet supplemented with 3% lard and four doses of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (0, 50, 100, and 200 ppm), whereas the diets of the other groups were supplemented with 3% of fish oil and the same doses of vitamin E. The performances of the hens and egg weights were not affected either by the type of lipid supplement or by the vitamin level. The treatment with fish oil caused a dramatic increase (P < 0.01) of all n-3 fatty acids of the yolk, particularly EPA (19.53 vs. 0.74 mg/egg) and DHA (143.70 vs. 43.66 mg/egg), and an appreciable decrease of arachidonic acid (25.54 vs. 67.72 mg/egg). The different levels of dietary vitamin E slightly affected the fatty acid composition of the yolk. Yolk alpha-tocopherol increased linearly as dietary dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate increased (P < 0.01) from the control level of 90.93 microg/g of yolk to 313.84 microg/g of yolk when 200 ppm were added to the hen diets. Twenty-eight days of storage at room temperature (20 to 25 C) did not alter the yolk fatty acid profile, and, moreover, the levels of vitamin E remained still very close to those observed in fresh egg.

[Medico-biological and psychopathologic aspects of substance dependence]

The paper examines the phenomenon of drug addiction from a bio-socio-pathological point of view. Neurophysiological advances in the field of drug addiction reveal the correlations between biology and behaviour, thus allowing the creation of numerous synergic strategies at different levels of intervention.

[Emergency psychiatric services in Torino. Presentation of the activities]

The paper reports on the emergency psychiatric Unit (EPU) that has been instituted in Turin. A period of transformation in the philosophy of psychiatric departments, has led, among other things, to the approval of a regional law that can be considered as a local interpretation, of national legislation. The EPU is an experimental model that codifies the emergency level of intervention to stand alongside existing emergency medical facilities, including first-aid stations. The purpose of this first investigation is to examine the number and type of calls studying the data obtained so far is a fundamental stage in our understanding of the "emergency" phenomenon and in the construction of other levels of intervention aimed to optimise available resources.

Determination of blood constituents reference values in broilers

Eight hundred broilers were examined to define the reference values of nine blood constituents (total proteins, albumin, total and free cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, and phosphorus). The broilers, coming from 20 different commercial poultry operations, were equally divided into different groups according to age (21 and 45 days), strain (Arbor Acres and Hybro), sex, and sampling season (summer or winter). Age and sampling season were the variation sources that most influenced the values of the hematochemical variables examined. The interaction of age with strain influenced total proteins total and free cholesterol, triglycerides, and ALP. The interaction of age with sampling season influenced all hematochemical constituents except triglycerides. Reference limits defined by .975 and .025 fractiles were computed for each blood constituent according to the significance of different variation sources and their combinations. Reference limits defined herein could be used as indicators of metabolic and health conditions of a poultry farm.

[Time in depression]

Subjective estimation of time varies according to age, to physical state and to the activity we are occupied with. The relationship between time and major depression can be considered from two different point of view. From a clinical-psychological point of view normal subjects with major depression estimate time intervals differently. Future, past and present change their meaning in major depression. These alterations cause important consequences in the cognitive structure of subjects with major depression and therefore influence depressive symptoms. On the other hand also the "biological time" is altered in major depression. Subjects with major depression suffer from many chronobiological alterations. The relationship between these two aspects are considered in the present report.

[Custodianship or abandonment in psychiatry? The neo-contractual hypothesis]

In this report role, possibilities and limits of psychiatry have been taken into account. Starting from a historical analysis, the Authors advance some hypotheses. Psychiatry could possible play a mediation role between sociology and biology, providing every patients with a specific therapy.

[Stress and the psychological profile of the cancer patient]

The results of a retrospective study on the personality traits of a patient with cancer are reported. The research was carried out on a group of cancer patients and on 2 control groups, one consisting of carriers of chronic non-tumoral disease, the other of patients with acute accidental pathology. Statistical processing of the data obtained has permitted the detection of interesting personological details in the 3 groups studied.

[The physiognomic semeiotics of anxiety. A critical review]

This study analyses the physical and physiognomic semiotics characteristic of anxious persons which, together with other symptoms, lead to the diagnosis of the disorder caused by anxiety. The theories of several authors concerning physiognomy, an ancient science based on the assumption that an individual's character and personality traits may be distinguished from his physical form and appearance, are discussed. It is clear that the symptoms apparent in the behaviour and body of the anxious person, such as tremor, sweating, tachycardia and numerous other psychosomatic symptoms, form an important element of assessment in psychiatric diagnosis.

[Psychoimmunology. II. The neuroendocrine system and the immune system in autism and schizophrenia]

In this paper the Authors report on the immunologic alterations in two psychiatric disease: schizophrenia and infantile autism. While a lot of researches have been concluded on the immunologic alterations in schizophrenia, only a few data on infantile autism are available. Based on data from international literature the Authors advance some hypotheses on the role possibly played by the immune system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and infantile autism.

[Psychoimmunology. I. Relationships between neuroendocrine and immune systems]

Recently a lot of studies have pointed to the relationships between the major homeostatic systems of the human body: the neuroendocrine system and the immune system. There is considerable evidence that they make up a psychoneuroendocrine immunologic network. In the present review the most interesting data concerning the relationships between the neuroendocrine system and the immune system are taken into account.

[Clinical usefulness of dexamethasone test in depression]

The paper stresses the importance of the dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of severe depression (major psychiatric disorders). For some decades researchers have been aware of the importance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis in the physiological response to stress, and likewise the importance of possible correlations between emotional and biological factors in psychiatric disorders. Several studies have sustained that in major psychiatric disorders, and in particular in depression, not only is there a hypersecretion of cortisol, but also a resistance to the suppression of cortisol secretion which normally follows the injection of an exogenous steroid, for example dexamethasone. This laboratory test is therefore of value both for diagnostic purposes and for identifying severe depression from other morbid conditions; it may also be usefully employed for prognostic and therapeutic purposes.

[The role of opioid antagonists in the treatment of obesity. Results of a clinical trial with naltrexone]

On the basis of literature data relative to the alteration of beta-endorphin tone in obese subjects, we conducted a clinical trial employing Naltrexone (a receptorial antagonist of endogen opioids) in order to evaluate its efficacy in increasing the compliance of these subjects on dietary treatment. The drug dosage was 50 mg/daily (100 mg/die). The clinical study was carried out following the double-blind crossover method for a period of 4 months in a group of 17 obese subjects who also underwent to psychodiagnostic interviews. Significant weight reduction was observed in the 9 patients who carried out the treatment by assuming Naltrexone (kg 4.00 +/- 3.97) rather than with placebo (kg 0.96 +/- 4.95). The drug was subjectively well tolerated and it did not alter the endocrine, metabolic, psychometric, and cardiovascular monitored parameters. The insulin secretion during OGTT did not show significant alterations. Our data emphasize the Naltrexone efficacy in improving the compliance of the obese subjects during dietary treatment.

[Psychometric evaluations in a group of obese patients]

Several reported cases point out significant alterations in the psychologic profile of obese subjects and the utility of a psychotherapeutic support to the dietetic or pharmacological therapy. Each patient underwent a psychodiagnostic interview and the following rating-scales were applied: QPF (Psychophysiological Test); STAI X-1 and X-2 (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory); Hamilton-D (Depression); ZUNG (Self-administered Depression Test); TSR (Reaction Schemes Test). We observed an increase in the answer of the blocked projection (in the 40% of subjects), of negation (26.6%), of guilt (13.3%), a decrease in the projection answer (33.3%), high scores of QPF (21%). The STAI, the Hamilton, and the Zung were altered in the 10% of the examined subjects. Our data emphasize the importance of an individual psychotherapeutic support in a subgroup of obese subjects.

[Therapeutic treatment of drug dependence during hospital recovery]

The purpose of the research was to ascertain whether hospitalization makes it easier to treat heroin addiction and to what extent. Eighty-six subjects hospitalised in two Turin hospitals were considered. Two different therapeutic protocols were applied. Results obtained are discussed and some interpretation of resulting data are advanced.

[Clinico-nosographic considerations on the relation of depression and alcoholism in a population of 450 hospitalized alcoholics]

The presence of depressive symptomatology in alcoholics has frequently been encountered in clinical practice, but the relationship running between the two pathologies remains a subject for discussion. The methodological difficulty of this evaluation is seen in a major discordance of reported data. Against this background, a group of subjects hospitalized in a neuropsychiatric environment has been assessed for incidence of alcoholic and depressive pathologies and their possible correlations. Of 428 hospitalizations for alcoholism, 350 (82%) presented a depressive pathology. These patients were distinguished by DSM III into three groups [a) adaptation disturbance with depressed mood; b) dysthymic disturbance; c) atypical depression]. Within these groups, the incidence of prior stress-inducing psychosocial events was assessed according to the criterion of growing seriousness of DSM III. The results after statistical processing are discussed and compared with reported data.

[Epidemiologic study of functional disorders in the elderly]

Numerous observations have evidenced the high prevalence of psychosomatic disturbances in the third age, so much so that this type of pathology is second in order of frequency in the elderly. In the light of these data a study has been carried out on functional disturbances in the third age related to certain psychological and sociobiological variables. The purpose of the research was to assess the effective influence of these "extrinsic" variables in the psychosomatic disturbance observed through the psychophysiological test carried out in the different groups examined. The results of the study are discussed and some keys for interpreting the data observed are put forward.

[Balint groups. Investigations on the significance of 2 methodologic variants]

The paper describes how the Balint method may be used in a variety of contexts and for different purposes. The analysis of two experiments, one in Ascona (an intensive seminar) and one in Turin (permanent training courses) revealed certain characteristic aspects of both, in which the same traditional Balint technique was always used. The data emerging from the various aspects covered, from forms of group participation to structuring, from aims to assessment made it possible to examine the two experiences as models for the application of the method. And it was found that despite their different contexts both experiences provided the psychological training that is, in fact, training in interpersonal relationships.

[Hospital emergencies in drug addiction. Analysis and interpretation of data recorded at 3 DEAs of the Turin area]

The present research forms part of a wider research organised as part of an NRC sub-project on the psychotherapy of drug addiction. It aims to examine drug addiction services in order to assess the interrelations between these services, their ways of operating and the use drug addicts make of them. An attempt is also made to identify the response models offered by these structures and their relation to the specific demand by the drug addicted users, the aim being to show that the initial response has in itself a largely unexploited capacity to direct the requirements of the drug addicted patients.

[Services for prevention, cure and rehabilitation of drug addiction in the Vercelli and Novara provinces]

The drug addiction prevention and treatment services in the provinces of Vercelli and Novara are examined. The aim of the present work was to study an area in a transitional stage, where agricultural and industrial work and society is changing as are cultural values but where there is sufficient prosperity both to encourage the spread of drug addiction to permit the establishment of appropriate care. The local services for the prevention and cure of drug addiction and the rehabilitation of addicts were set up in 1978. The present work aims to assess the current situation and function of those services.