Kg Of Food Research Articles

Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the active substances, sodium borohydride and palladium acetate for use in active food contact materials

This scientific opinion of EFSA deals with the risk assessment of sodium borohydride (CAS No 16940-66-2 and FCM substance No 981), and palladium acetate (CAS No 3375-31-3 and FCM substance No 982), reduced to palladium (CAS No 7440-05-3; FCM substance No 993) in the plastic during the manufacturing process, when used in combination as an oxygen absorbing system in food contact materials. The CEF Panel considers that palladium is non genotoxic and a low exposure to palladium resulting from a concentration up to 0.05 mg/kg food is not of toxicological concern. In addition, the CEF Panel used the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 0.16 mg boron/kg bw per day equivalent to 10 mg boron/person per day in adults established by the EFSA NDA Panel in 2004, instead of the previously derived TDI of 0.1 mg boron/kg bw (SCF, 2001a). Migration of palladium into food was not detectable (detection limit = 0.0005 mg/kg) while the migration of boron into food was up to 0.09 mg/kg. Based on the default assumption for food contact materials that an adult may consume daily up to 1 kg of food in contact with food contact materials containing boron, the migration of 0.09 mg/kg food would correspond to an intake of 0.09 mg boron/adult/day which is 111 times lower than the UL set by the NDA. The CEF Panel concluded that there is no safety concern for the consumer from the use of these substances in oxygen absorbing systems in food contact materials.

Productive performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed at different frequencies and periods with automatic dispenser

The performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised in cages furnished with an automatic dispenser, supplied at different frequencies (once per hour and once every two hours) and periods (daytime, nighttime and both) was evaluated. Eighteen 1.0m³ cages were placed into a 2000m² pond, two meters deep with a 5% water exchange. One hundred and seventy tilapias, with initial weight of 16.0±4.9g, were dispersed into each 1m³ cage and the feed ration was adjusted every 21 days with biometry. Data was collected from March to July (autumn and winter). Significant difference to final weight (P<0.05) among treatments was observed. The increase in feeding frequency improves the productive performance of Nile tilapias in cages and permitted better management of the food. The better feed conversion rate for high feeding frequency (24 times day-1) can result in saving up to 360kg of food for each ton of fish produced, increasing the economic sustenance for tilapia culture and suggesting less environmental pollution.

Immune response and performance of growing Santa Ines lambs to artificial Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections

This study was carried out to evaluate the immune response and the impact of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections on the performance of growing Santa Ines lambs. Thirty male lambs, 3–4 months of age, were maintained in individual pens and restrictively randomised by weight into 3 treatment groups: (1) infected group, artificially infected with 2500 T. colubriformis larvae, three times a week, for 13 weeks, and fed ad libitum; (2) Pair-Fed Group, non-infected and fed with the same amount of food consumed by the infected animal of the same class on the previous day; and (3) control group, non-infected and fed ad libitum. Refused feed was weighed daily to assess the food intake of each lamb. Animals were weighed weekly and blood and fecal samples were collected. At the end of the trial, all lambs were euthanized to determine worm burden and collect intestinal tissues and mucus samples for histological and immunological analysis. The infected group presented eosinophilia, increased number of inflammatory cells in the mucosa, in addition to an increased production of specific immunoglobulins against T. colubriformis, which partially prevented the establishment of infective larvae. As a consequence of parasitism, the infected lambs presented reduced serum albumin concentrations and demonstrated severe small intestine lesions, such as villous atrophy and epithelial erosion, which impaired the digestion and absorption of nutrients, causing a significant loss in performance. The infected group presented a 37% reduction in daily weight gain (107.26±10.8g/day), when compared with the control group (171.07±7.15g/day). The infected lambs also demonstrated the worst food conversion, i.e., each animal needed to consume on average 10.05±0.52kg of food to gain 1kg live weight. The voluntary hay intake depression in infected animals was small, and statistical difference (P<0.01) was seen only on two occasions (ninth and 12th weeks), in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, Santa Ines lambs infected with T. colubriformis demonstrated a reduction in performance, caused by the damages produced by the adult nematodes in intestinal mucosa, and also by the immunopathological changes associated with the infection.

Effects of long-term silymarin oral supplementation on the blood biochemical profile of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Silymarin, an extract from "milk thistle" (Silybum marianum) plant is traditionally used as herbal medicine. The present study was conducted to investigate the clinical effects and possible side effects of silymarin on biochemical blood parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fishes were treated with 0 (control), 100, 400, and 800 mg of silymarin per kg of food during 4 weeks. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), glucose, total protein, creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, uric acid and liver cellular total antioxidant, and protein content were measured after 7, 14, and 28 days of silymarin treatment. The results showed that oral administration of silymarin in fish significantly reduced plasma glucose and cholesterol levels and relatively increased plasma total protein and globulin concentrations (P < 0.05). Increasing plasma albumin levels indicate the important role of albumin in drug transportation in circulatory system of fish. Silymarin also stabilized cellular membrane structure and regulated the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, CK, and LDH activity. In conclusion, on the basis of these results, oral administration of silymarin up to 400 mg per 1 kg of food has no side effect on blood biochemical and clinical parameters of fishes. However, oral administration of 800 mg/kg- of silymarin caused cytotoxicity and modifications in blood biochemical parameters of fish.

Massive gastric dilatation and sudden death

A 50-year-old man was found dead in bed having been seen alive 15 minutes earlier. He had been in full time care since the age of 9 years, as he was severely intellectually disabled. He was mildly anaemic and had recurrent urinary tract infections. On the day of his death, there had been no unusual behaviour, symptoms or clinical signs and he spent the day in bed in his usual fashion. Autopsy examination showed the man to be of thin build, but with massive abdominal distension. In association with stomach distension, which extended from the upper chest to the pelvis, was rectal prolapse. The stomach containing over 3 kg of food and measured 35 × 25 × 20 cm before decompression, expanding to 45 × 36 × 24 cm on release of pressure. Sudden gastric dilatation and death have been reported in cases associated with anorexia nervosa, bulimia and psychogenic polyphagia. The cause of dilatation in this case is unknown, but may be multifactorial. In emaciated individuals, gastric dilatation can occur after a sudden increase in normal food intake. The diagnosis in this case may have been delayed because of inherent difficulties in examining and imaging such an individual. The findings with respect to the dimensions of the stomach indicate the stomach may dilate to massive proportions and cause mechanical complications to other organs relatively late during the illness. Acknowledgement This case originally attributed to Dr K. A. P. Lee, formerly Senior Staff Specialist Forensic Pathologist, Newcastle Department of Forensic Medicine.

Packaged food intake by British children aged 0 to 6 years

The European Union approach to assessing exposure to chemical migrants from plastic food-contact materials has been to assume an intake of 1 kg of food in contact with a particular material, per 60 kg person per day, which equates to 16.7 g kg−1 body weight. A food packaging surface area–food mass ratio of 6 dm2/1 kg is assumed, equivalent to 0.1 dm2 kg−1 of body weight. Children might be at increased risk to exposure from migrants as they have higher intakes of food per kg body weight compared with adults. In addition, much of the food marketed for/to children is in small portions and therefore the food-contact material area–food mass ratio is relatively high. To determine if, and how, the European Union model might be modified to ensure specific protection against chemical migration into food marketed for children, data on 4-day food intakes of 297 children aged 0–6 years were collected including information on pack size, pack type and food-contact material area–food mass ratio. The 297 children consumed a total of 1646 kg of food and drink (including tap water), of which 978 kg (59%) was packaged with 67% of this packaged in plastics. Mean intakes of food packaged in plastic ranged from 27 g kg−1 body weight (for the infants under 1 year) to 51 g kg−1 body weight (for the 1–4-year-olds). This was higher than the 16.7 g kg−1 body weight derived from the European Union convention. The mean area of packaging in contact with the food consumed daily per kg body weight were 0.65 dm2 kg−1 for the infants under 1 year, 0.81 dm2 kg−1 for the 1–4-year-olds, and 0.66 dm2 kg−1 for the 4–6-year-olds. All 297 children had intakes that exceeded 0.1 dm2 of packaging per kg of body weight assumption.

Quantifying Predation on Galaxiids and Other Native Organisms by Introduced Rainbow Trout in an Ultraoligotrophic Lake in Northern Patagonia, Argentina: A Bioenergetics Modeling Approach

AbstractExotic rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss support an economically valuable recreational fishery in Patagonia but also create concern for impacts on native organisms. These concerns are intensified by the possibility of hatchery release programs in this region. We estimated losses of different prey from predation by rainbow trout in Lake Moreno, Río Negro Province, Argentina, using a bioenergetics model combined with input data from directed sampling on growth, seasonal diet, distribution, and thermal experience. The fish community was sampled seasonally using gill nets, hydroacoustics, and ichthyoplankton nets. Pelagic galaxiid larvae and benthic juvenile and adult small puyen Galaxias maculatus were the most important components of the diet. Bioenergetics simulations showed that over a 6‐year life span in the lake (ages 1–7), rainbow trout attained a body mass of 2.3 kg and consumed 74.7 kg of food, of which 20% consisted of galaxiid larvae and 16% consisted of adult small puyen. Based on an estimated abundance of 29,000 rainbow trout of ages 1–7, this predator exerted significant but sustainable mortality on the native prey populations, consuming 44 metric tons or an estimated 23% of the annual larval galaxiid production and 35 metric tons of adult small puyen, which represented an unknown fraction of the postlarval population. Galaxiids supported the estimated predation demand under current conditions. However, simulations of stocking strategies normally proposed for this region showed that consumption demands on prey would increase to unsustainable levels, reducing native fish populations and likely reducing growth of rainbow trout. It is also probable that the fish community composition would shift further in response to the increased demand for prey by stocked predators. This implies that in some cases, stocking could jeopardize sport fisheries; stocking strategies should be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis to be consistent with specific objectives for native fish conservation and sustainable food web interactions.

Side effects of anastrozole in the experimental pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis

The aim of this study was to assess side effects of aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in the prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea - induced pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats. This model mimicked situation in healthy, but from the point of view of the development of breast cancer, high-risk pre-menopausal women. <p align="justify">Aromatase inhibitor anastrozole was used as a chemopreventive agent taken by the animals in the food during the whole period of time of the experiment. Group 1 - the control group had taken food without anastrozole, the groups 2 and 3 with anastrozole in various concentrations - 0.05 mg/1 kg of food (ANA 0.05) and 0.5 mg/1 kg of food (ANA 0.5). </p><p align="justify">In anastrozole-treated animals in comparison with untreated animals, macroscopic changes of uterus and vagina were not found. The values of absolute and relative wet weight of uterus and vagina in the groups ANA 0.05 and ANA 0.5 were comparable with the control. Histological examination did not show atrophic changes in endometrium of uterus and in epithelium of vagina in anastrozole-treated animals. In the group ANA 0.5 myometrium was significantly grosser than in the group ANA 0.05 (P<0.05). Anastrozole neither affects parameters of plasma lipid metabolism (triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, low - density lipoprotein cholesterol and high - density lipoprotein cholesterol) nor serum levels of sex hormones (estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone). Compact bone thickness in the groups with anastrozole was significantly increased in comparison with untreated animals (P<0.001). A significant increase in body weight was found in the group ANA 0.5 compared with the control group (P<0.01). The significant increase in body weight gain was not attended by the significant increase in food intake.</p><p align="justify">The side effects of aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in the prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea - induced pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats on myometrium, compact bone thickness and body weight gain were observed. </p> pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis, chemoprevention, aromatase inhibitors, anastrozole, side effects, female rats.

Anti-inflammatory Activity of an Oil Derived from Perna canaliculus (New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel).

Background: There is considerable evidence that the New Zealand green-lipped mussel has beneficial effects for the treatment of chronic joint conditions through its anti-inflammatory activity. A new oil product based on an extract from the mussel has been prepared and its efficacy and possible mechanism of action for alleviating joint conditions investigated. Method: The effect of the oil on the production of superoxide by activating primary rat neutrophils in culture was measured. The dose-response effectiveness of it in reducing the inflammatory response in pristane-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats was assessed. The results were statistically significant in both cases. Results: The oil was shown to suppress superoxide production by activated neutrophils by 32% even when diluted 4000 fold. When administered orally to rats it significantly inhibited the development of rheumatoid arthritis even at doses as low as 125 mg per kg of food. Conclusions: This oil has a potent effect on the production of superoxide by activated neutrophils and also is a strong inhibitor of rheumatoid arthritis in rats, probably through its antiinflammatory activity.

THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC SELENIUM ON CARP ALEVINS’ REARING

This research has in view the use of organic selenium in the alimentation of Cyprinus Carpio alevins. The experiment was carried out during 23 days at the fish farm of Martinesti, situated in Cluj County. Two batches were implied: a witness batch and an experimental batch, each of them consisting of 450,000 carp larvae, hatched two days before. The experiment took place in two tanks lined with aquatic vegetation that offered the same rearing conditions. The experimental batch received 0.03 mg of organic selenium (Sel-plex) per kg of food, and at the end fish reached an average weight of 1.5g/specimen and a rate of survival of 65.33%, comparatively to the witness batch where an average weight of 1.2g/specimen and a rate of survival of 34% were registered. The findings confirm that the administration of organic selenium can lead to a lower mortality and an increase in carp alevins body mass.

Techniques and Trap Models for Capturing Wild Tufted Capuchins

The difficulty of capturing capuchins(genus Cebus)via anesthetic projectiles, as well as the scarcity of methodological descriptions of operational trapping programs, are widely known. The limitations hamper studies focusing on the conservation and evaluation of the health of capuchins that depend on their capture. We report on techniques and trap models used for capturing black tufted capuchins(Cebus nigritus)in Londrina, Telemaco Borba, and Porto Rico, municipalities of the State of Parana, Southern Brazil. Captures occurred in forest fragments, continuous forests, and gallery forests belonging to several vegetational formations. The trap model we developed was a 2×2×3 m cage equipped with a 2×1 m door that we operated manually from a distance. We used live traps measuring 0.5×0.5×0.5 m simultaneously with large traps. We provided weekly bait stations using ca. 20 kg of food 1–2 mo before capture, during which we developed a whistle emulating a type of vocalization emitted by the primates that we used to habituate and attract the group to the bait station. The technique was very useful to find groups and to attract them more easily to the traps. We physically contained the captured individuals with nets, followed by manual restraining. For chemical restraining, we applied an anesthetic protocol based on the use of Zoletil ®.We kept the subjects in smaller cages until they recovered from anesthesia, and maintained them in the cages thereafter, facilitating the attraction of other individuals to the larger cage.Wecaptured 85 capuchins in the State of Parana. Of the individuals that could be sexed, 65.1% were males and 34.8% were females. In addition to the capture of primates, we showed that the type of cage described here was versatile enough to capture other mammals such as tayra(Eira barbara), peccary(Pecari tajacu), and coatis(Nasua nasua). Because of the similarity in the foraging behavior and diet among capuchin species, we suggest that the program described here could be extended to the capture of other species in thegenus Cebusthroughout its geographical range. We also describe a list of steps that need to be taken, based on our satisfactory results in several different localities, to conduct a capture program that is both efficient for researchers and safe for the subjects.

Provisioning strategies and growth patterns of Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses Phoebetria palpebrata on Macquarie Island

Provisioning regimes and growth of Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses (LMSA) (Phoebetria palpebrata) were investigated on subantarctic Macquarie Island using an automatic tracking system and automatic weighing nests. The nests were deployed under five chicks in the post-brood provisioning period in 2000 and 2001. Adults typically utilised a cyclical foraging strategy consisting of a long foraging trip followed by three to four shorter trips. Chicks received an average (±SE) of 37.5±2.3 kg of food in the post-brood provisioning period and were fed every 1.6±0.1 days with a mean meal size of 520±10 g. Chicks grew at a rate of 61.3±1.0 g day-1 to a peak mass of 4.4±0.1 kg. Mean chick fledging mass was 3.0±0.1 kg. LMSA on Macquarie Island fed their chicks more frequently and showed a lower mean trip duration than conspecifics at South Georgia, which is likely related to proximity of productive Antarctic shelf waters, differences in prey availability and competition with other Procellariiformes.

Desenvolvimento de núcleos de Apis mellifera alimentados com suplemento aminoácido vitamínico, Promotor L®

Estudou-se o desenvolvimento na área de cria de 14 núcleos com quatro favos a partir da divisão de nove colméias de abelhas Apis mellifera africanizada, distribuídos em dois tratamentos: TPL - núcleos alimentados com açúcar invertido + 3,5ml do suplemento de aminoácido vitamínico (Promotor L®), composto por seis núcleos e o TAI - núcleos alimentados com açúcar invertido, composto por oito núcleos. Os núcleos foram alimentados semanalmente em alimentadores individuais tipo bandeja, e as avaliações realizadas em quatro períodos, totalizando 74 dias Os tratamentos não apresentaram diferença significativa, sendo que, numericamente, o TPL apresentou área de cria inferior ao TAI (233,63 vs. 273,02cm², respectivamente). Quanto aos períodos o quarto período foi superior (P&lt;0,05) ao primeiro e ao segundo, sendo que o terceiro período não apresentou diferença significativa (P&lt;0,05) em relação aos demais. A utilização do TAI foi economicamente mais favorável em relação ao TPL em R$0,21 em relação ao custo para produção de 1kg de alimento.

Comparing two concentrate allowances in an automatic milking system

AbstractThis study investigated the potential for applying an automatic milking system (AMS) to the management of high-yielding cows offered a total mixed ration (TMR). The null hypothesis was that it is desirable to maintain even in AMS, the TMR feeding management practice recommended for high-yielding cows and therefore it can be attained by ‘reducing the concentrate allocation in the robot without reducing the number of milkings’. Two feeding regimes were used: the ‘candy concept’, with only 1·2 kg of food concentrate – the minimum to attract the cow – provided at each visit to the milking robot; and the provision of a maximum of 7 kg of food concentrate per day. Approximately 100 cows were subjected to one or other of these two treatments. Although the cows in the first treatment consumed approximately 3·5 kg of concentrate per day and those in the second treatment approximately 5 kg per day, no significant differences were observed in the numbers of voluntary milkings.

Food Provisioning and Nestling Diet of the Black Stork in the Czech Republic

The food composition, prey size, quantity of prey, feeding frequency and diurnal pattern in the feeding frequency of chicks of Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) were studied in six nests in the Czech Republic during the breeding seasons 1998-2003. Video cameras were used to record prey brought to the nests. Regurgitations and pellets were also analyzed. In total, 474 prey items were collected. Aquatic animals, mainly fish, prevailed in the nestlings’ diet. Six species of fish, undetermined frogs and snakes, two mammal species and eight insect species were found. Adults provisioned their young nestlings with smaller fish. The length of fish and total mass of consumed prey significantly increased with nestling age. No relationship between chick age and feeding rate was found. In total, each chick consumed 14-20 kg of food up to fledging.

The effect of zinc diet on distribution of fatty acid in blood plasma chylomicrons

The effect of dietary zinc on the distribution of fatty acids in blood plasma chylomicrons was studied. The experiment was performed on male Mongolian Gerbils, fed ad libitum for 3 weeks with standard diet, containing 8 or 38 mg of Zn per kg of food (low zinc diet group, LZ, and saturated zinc diet group, SZ, respectivelly). At the 21st day gerbils were given sunflower oil by gavage. After 2.5 hours, blood was collected from abdominal vein, and samples were pooled (five animals per one sample). Chylomicron fractions were isolated by ultracentrifugation and mass of dried chylomicrons was measured. Fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Significantly higher amount of chylomicrons in blood plasma of SZ than in LZ group was found. In chylomicrons, following fatty acids were found: 16:0, 16:1, 17:0, 17:1, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 18:3, 20:0, 21:0 and 20:4. The amount of individual fatty acids in chylomicrons in both groups was similar, except 20:4 where lower amount in SZ group was found. Zinc diet did not affect fatty acid distribution in chylomicrons of both groups. Animals fed with zinc saturated diet had higher amount of fatty acids in blood plasma. Observed results suggest that dietary zinc influences the quantity of fatty acids absorption but not its distribution in chylomicrons.

Efeito da vitamina C no ganho de peso e em parâmetros hematológicos de tambaqui

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação dietária com ácido L-ascórbico (vitamina C) no ganho de peso e em parâmetros hematológicos de juvenis de tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. Após dez semanas, em que foram alimentados com dietas contendo 0, 100 e 500 mg de ácido L-ascórbico por kg de ração, os peixes foram capturados e imediatamente anestesiados para a coleta de sangue da veia caudal e determinação dos parâmetros hematológicos. Animais alimentados com maiores níveis de ascorbato mostraram pesos corpóreos maiores, melhores taxas de conversão alimentar e sobrevivência. A asência de ácido L-ascórbico na ração, além de causar redução nos valores de hematócrito e no número de eritrócitos, que caracteriza anemia, provocou aumento no volume corpuscular médio, na hemoglobina corpuscular média e na concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média. Esses resultados revelam a importância do ácido L-ascórbico na dieta dos juvenis de tambaqui. O nível de 100 mg de ácido L-ascórbico/kg de ração é adequado, garantindo bom ganho de peso e manutenção da homeostase do organismo.

GYRFALCON DIET IN CENTRAL WEST GREENLAND DURING THE NESTING PERIOD

Abstract We studied food habits of Gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) nesting in central west Greenland in 2000 and 2001 using three sources of data: time-lapse video (3 nests), prey remains (22 nests), and regurgitated pellets (19 nests). These sources provided different information describing the diet during the nesting period. Gyrfalcons relied heavily on Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) and arctic hares (Lepus arcticus). Combined, these species contributed 79–91% of the total diet, depending on the data used. Passerines were the third most important group. Prey less common in the diet included waterfowl, arctic fox pups (Alopex lagopus), shorebirds, gulls, alcids, and falcons. All Rock Ptarmigan were adults, and all but one arctic hare were young of the year. Most passerines were fledglings. We observed two diet shifts, first from a preponderance of ptarmigan to hares in mid-June, and second to passerines in late June. The video-monitored Gyrfalcons consumed 94–110 kg of food per nest during the nestling per...

Moult in adult Royal Penguins, Eudyptes schlegeli

Mass change during moult was measured in Royal Penguins at Macquarie Island during 1995, in order to estimate the energetic costs and prey-consumption rates required to fuel the moult. Masses of 30 birds were taken during each of the following stages: upon their return from the pre-moult foraging trips; in the middle of the moult; and at the completion of moulting. During the 36-day pre-moult foraging trip individuals increased in mass by 3 kg, accumulating 83.3 g day−1. The moult lasted 28 days and 99% of birds moulted at their breeding sites. During moult birds lost 46–47% of their pre-moult mass, with males expending an estimated 57997 kJ and females 57229 kJ during this period. It was estimated that 1.39 × 107 kg of food are required to fuel this stage in the life cycle of Royal Penguins at Macquarie Island, which therefore constitutes an important component of their overall energy budget.

Provisioning Rate and Attendance Patterns of Wandering Albatrosses at Bird Island, South Georgia

Abstract We investigated foraging behavior of Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) breeding at South Georgia to assess how sex and season-specific foraging patterns relate to provisioning performance. We estimated Wandering Albatross chicks require 60–65 kg of food over the chick-rearing period; males deliver 54% of this total. Meal size delivered by both sexes remained essentially constant throughout the post-brooding chick-rearing period, but foraging trip duration varied considerably. Females made consistently longer foraging trips and delivered smaller meals but transported an average load that was 20% heavier in proportion to their body mass than males. We suggest that chick-rearing places greater demands on females compared with males and Wandering Albatrosses work hard to deliver food during the first half of chick rearing (at the expense of their own condition), thereafter reduce their work rate, presumably so as not to compromise their survival.