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M M Shea

Publications and source records attributed to M M Shea.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

The interaction of dominance status and supplemental tryptophan on aggression in Gallus domesticus males.

In previous studies, we have found that supplemental dietary tryptophan (TRP) decreases aggression in feed-restricted male chickens (Gallus domesticus). The objective of this study was to determine if social status influences the effect which TRP has on aggression. In both experiments, Gallus males were placed on a commercial feed restriction program in which measured amounts of feed are delivered on alternate days beginning at 4 weeks of age. In the first study, birds were fed either 0.19 (control), 0.75 and 1.5% dietary TRP. In the second study, birds were fed either 0.19, 0.38, 0.75 or 1.5% dietary TRP. Dominance hierarchies were linear (p less than 0.05) in all treatment groups as indicated by Landau's indices, which ranged from 0.87 to 0.98. A significant interaction was found between dominance status and supplemental TRP for aggression, with TRP decreasing pecking more in dominant than subordinate birds. In Experiment 1, there were positive correlations (p less than 0.05) between body weight and dominance status in both the control and 0.75% TRP group (p less than 0.05) and no correlation in the 1.5% TRP group. The decrease in aggression by dominant males may have allowed subordinate birds to gain greater access to the feed. Our results indicate that dominant and subordinate males show a differential sensitivity to the effects of dietary TRP, with TRP decreasing pecking more in dominant birds.

Aggression↗
PubMed1990

The effect of dietary tryptophan on aggressive behavior in developing and mature broiler breeder males.

Broiler breeders display high levels of aggressive activity as a result of feed restriction. The objective of this study was to determine if aggressive activity in developing and mature broiler breeder males is influenced by increased dietary L-tryptophan (Trp). Broiler breeder males were raised using a skip-a-day feed restriction regimen. In Experiment 1, three levels of dietary Trp, .19 (control), .75, and 1.5%, were fed from the start of feed restriction at 4 wk of age and throughout development. All occurrences of aggressive behavior were recorded during three 20-min observation sessions per week on mornings on which feed was not delivered through Week 20. The Trp significantly decreased (P less than .05) aggressive pecking in birds fed supplemental Trp as compared to controls. No differences in threatening behavior were found. In the second part of Experiment 1, the effect of continued Trp supplementation on mature flocks of male broiler breeders and time-of-day effects on aggression were investigated. A depressing effect of supplemental Trp on pecking and threatening was observed. Maximum aggressive activity in all treatment groups occurred on mornings when feed was delivered. In Experiment 2, four levels of Trp, .19 (control), .38, .75, and 1.5%, were fed to developing birds as in Experiment 1. Birds fed supplemental Trp pecked less (P less than .05) than controls and .38% Trp was as effective in decreasing pecking as was 1.5%. It was concluded that increased levels of dietary Trp decrease aggression in both developing and mature, socially stable flocks of broiler breeder males.

Aggression↗
PubMed1984

Bone involution decrease in exercising middle-aged women.

Physical activity is an important stimulus in the prevention of bone involution. Bilateral bone mineral mass and width of the radius, ulna, and humerus were measured by single photon absorptiometry on 200 women between the ages of 35 and 65 over a 3-4 year period. Two groups were formed: 80 in a control group and 120 in a physical activity group exercising 45 min/day, 3 days/week. The control and physical activity groups were similar in age, height, weight, and level of physical fitness at the beginning of the study. The control group lost bone mineral mass at a rate similar to that of the general population. The left radius bone mineral declined 2.44% per year. Similar rates of decline were observed in the other bones measured. The physical activity group increased in fitness by 13% in the first year of the study. The bone mineral mass of the exercise group declined the first year and then increased; thereby the bone mineral data for the exercise group was analyzed in two sets. During the first year of the program, a decline of 3.77% in bone mineral mass of the left radius, a significantly greater loss than that of the control group, was observed. Decline rates were similar in the other bones measured. In the second and third years, bone mineral mass of the left radius increased by 1.39% per year, and the rate of change was significantly different from that of the control group. There were similar increases in the other bones measured. The data from this study support the importance of physical activity in the prevention of bone mineral loss in the aging female.

Aging↗
PubMed1975

Repair of massive septic abdominal wall defects with Marlex mesh.

Marlex mesh was used to close the abdominal wall defect in six patients with septic wound dehiscence and intra-abdominal infection. The mesh was implanted under local anesthesia and served as a protective covering for the bowel and allowed early ambulation, including prone positioning of the patient for easier wound care. In four surviving patients, the Marlex mesh was covered by full thickness skin flaps after granulation tissue had covered the material. No patients had infected sinus tract formation or extrusion. Two patients had incisional hernias develop when the Marlex mesh was not sutured to the abdominal wall permanently. The use of Marlex mesh to cover infected defects in the abdominal wall when primary closure cannot be accomplished is suggested by our experience.

Abdominal Muscles↗