Part-time grouping of rabbit does in enriched housing: effects on performances, injury occurrence and enrichment use.

Collective housing is perceived as a possible way to improve rabbit welfare, especially among adult females, which are normally individually housed. Part-time group housing seems to allow a better balance between welfare and health than continuous group housing, but practical implementation and consequences for reproductive performance have not been extensively studied. The aim of this work was to compare weight, feed intake, litter size, injury occurrence, body integrity, and spatial location of female rabbits housed part-time in group housing (PGH group, n = 32) or housed individually (IH group, n = 8). Females were grouped by opening connecting hatches between four individual enriched cages (platform, wood stick and gnawing block). Collective housing started 12 days after artificial insemination and was interrupted at the 10th day (instead of the 15th day later as originally planned) due to high injury rates and severe injuries caused by fighting. The proportion of injured females increased from 25% on the first day of grouping to 63% on the 10th day. Female weight gain during the experiment was similar in the two groups. Litter size at weaning was 9% lower in the PGH group than in the IH group (9.2 vs 10.0, P < 0.01). Platform use was recorded in 32% of the observations and was the highest during the 2 weeks before weaning (46% and 47% of total observations, P < 0.05). During the grouping period, there were at least two females in the same housing unit in 59.4% of the cases, at least two females were located on the same level in 31.3% of the cases. In conclusion, connecting individual cages is an ergonomic solution for part-time group housing, but does not prevent fights for the establishment of a social hierarchy. This is detrimental to the health and body integrity of female rabbits.

Research and innovation as a catalyst for food system transformation.

BACKGROUND: Food systems are associated with severe and persistent problems worldwide. Governance approaches aiming to foster sustainable transformation of food systems face several challenges due to the complex nature of food systems. SCOPE AND APPROACH: In this commentary we argue that addressing these governance challenges requires the development and adoption of novel research and innovation (R&I) approaches that will provide evidence to inform food system transformation and will serve as catalysts for change. We first elaborate on the complexity of food systems (transformation) and stress the need to move beyond traditional linear R&I approaches to be able to respond to persistent problems that affect food systems. Though integrated transdisciplinary approaches are promising, current R&I systems do not sufficiently support such endeavors. As such, we argue, we need strategies that trigger a double transformation - of food systems and of their R&I systems. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Seizing the opportunities to transform R&I systems has implications for how research is done - pointing to the need for competence development among researchers, policy makers and society in general - and requires specific governance interventions that stimulate a systemic approach. Such interventions should foster transdisciplinary and transformative research agendas that stimulate portfolios of projects that will reinforce one another, and stimulate innovative experiments to shape conditions for systemic change. In short, a thorough rethinking of the role of R&I as well as how it is funded is a crucial step towards the development of the integrative policies that are necessary to engender systemic change - in the food system and beyond.

The extent and nature of television food advertising to children and adolescents in the Russian Federation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency, healthfulness and promotional techniques of television food advertising to children and adolescents in the Russian Federation. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted to monitor food and beverage television advertising. For the five most popular TV channels among children and adolescents, TV broadcasts were recorded for two weekdays and two weekends (320 h) during March-May 2017. Recordings were screened for advertisements. Food advertisements were categorised by food categories and as either 'permitted' or 'not permitted' for advertising to children in accordance with World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe Nutrient Profile Model (NPM), and promotional techniques in advertisements were recorded. RESULTS: Overall, 11 678 advertisements were coded. Across all channels, food and drink (19·2 %) were the most frequently advertised product type. The most common food categories advertised were beverages (except juices, milk drinks and energy drinks) (24·1 %); yoghurts and other dairy foods (15 %); and chocolate and confectionery (12·3 %). A majority (64·2 %) of food and drink products advertised should not be permitted for advertising to children according to the NPM. The most frequently used persuasive appeals in the food advertisements were low price (15·4 %), product novelty (11·8 %) and enjoyment (10·0 %). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents in the Russian Federation are likely exposed to a substantial number of unhealthy food advertisements. There is a need to consider policies to restrict children's exposure to unhealthy food advertising on television in the Russian Federation.

Inequalities in education and national income are associated with poorer diet: Pooled analysis of individual participant data across 12 European countries.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition linked to noncommunicable diseases presents major health problems across Europe. The World Health Organisation encourages countries to conduct national dietary surveys to obtain data to inform public health policies designed to prevent noncommunicable diseases. METHODS: Data on 27334 participants aged 19-64y were harmonised and pooled across national dietary survey datasets from 12 countries across the WHO European Region. Weighted mean nutrient intakes were age-standardised using the Eurostat 2013 European Standard Population. Associations between country-level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and key nutrients and nutrient densities were investigated using linear regression. The potential mitigating influence of participant-level educational status was explored. FINDINGS: Higher GDP was positively associated with total sugar intake (5·0% energy for each 10% increase in GDP, 95% CI 0·6, 9·3). Scandinavian countries had the highest vitamin D intakes. Participants with higher educational status had better nutritional intakes, particularly within lower GDP countries. A 10% higher GDP was associated with lower total fat intakes (-0·2% energy, 95% CI -0·3, -0·1) and higher daily total folate intakes (14µg, 95% CI 12, 16) in higher educated individuals. INTERPRETATION: Lower income countries and lower education groups had poorer diet, particularly for micronutrients. We demonstrate for the first time that higher educational status appeared to have a mitigating effect on poorer diet in lower income countries. It illustrates the feasibility and value of harmonising national dietary survey data to inform European policy regarding access to healthy diets, particularly in disadvantaged groups. It specifically highlights the need for strong policies supporting nutritional intakes, prioritising lower education groups and lower income countries.

Modulation of iris sphincter and ciliary muscles by urocortin 2.

Urocortin 2 (UCN2) is a peptide related to corticotropin-releasing factor, capable of activating CRF-R2. Among its multisystemic effects, it has actions in all 3 muscle subtypes. This study's aim was to determine its potential role in two of the intrinsic eye muscle kinetics. Strips of iris sphincter (rabbit) and ciliary (bovine) muscles were dissected and mounted in isometric force-transducer systems filled with aerated-solutions. Contraction was elicited using carbachol (10(-6) M for iris sphincter, 10(-5) M for ciliary muscle), prior adding to all testing substances. UCN2 induced relaxation in iris sphincter muscle, being the effect maximal at 10(-7) M concentrations (-12.2 % variation vs. control). This effect was abolished with incubation of indomethacin, antisauvagine-30, chelerytrine and SQ22536, but preserved with L-nitro-L-arginine. In carbachol pre-stimulated ciliary muscle, UCN2 (10(-5) M) enhanced contraction (maximal effect of 18.2 % increase vs. control). UCN2 is a new modulator of iris sphincter relaxation, dependent of CRF-R2 activation, synthesis of prostaglandins (COX pathway) and both adenylate cyclase and PKC signaling pathways, but independent of nitric oxide production. Regarding ciliary muscle, UCN2 enhances carbachol-induced contraction, in higher doses.

What national and subnational interventions and policies based on Mediterranean and Nordic diets are recommended or implemented in the WHO European Region, and is there evidence of effectiveness in reducing noncommunicable diseases?

This review focuses on national and subnational Mediterranean diet (MD) and Nordic diet (ND) interventions and policies in the WHO European Region. In the context of increasing noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden and unhealthy diets, there is a need to continue identifying optimal, evidence-informed diets and interventions for the prevention and control of NCDs. The MD and ND have been identified as region-specific healthy diets. To support decision-makers in shaping context-specific diet and nutrition policies, this review provides a summary of the NCD burden and activities in the Region; outlines the NCD-related health benefits of the MD and ND; describes interventions and policies in 15 countries; reviews four identified studies into the effectiveness of MD and ND policies on NCD outcomes; and discusses policy implications and options. In the context of MD and ND interventions for NCDs, there remains a Region-wide need to increase translation of evidence into action, monitor and evaluate the impact of existing policies on NCD outcomes and share activities through public platforms to support information sharing.

An exploration of socio-economic and food characteristics of high trans fatty acid consumers in the Dutch and UK national surveys after voluntary product reformulation.

Trans fatty acids (TFA) increase the risk of mortality and chronic diseases. TFA intakes have fallen since reformulation, but may still be high in certain, vulnerable, groups. This paper investigates socio-economic and food consumption characteristics of high TFA consumers after voluntary reformulation in the Netherlands and UK. Post-reformulation data of adults aged 19-64 was analysed in two national surveys: the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (DNFCS) collected 2007-2010 using 2*24hr recalls (N = 1933) and the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) years 3&4 collected 2010/11 and 2011/12 using 4-day food diaries (N = 848). The socio-economic and food consumption characteristics of the top 10% and remaining 90% TFA consumers were compared. Means of continuous data were compared using t-tests and categorical data means using chi-squared tests. Multivariate logistic regression models indicated which socio-demographic variables were associated with high TFA consumption. In the Dutch analyses, women and those born outside the Netherlands were more likely to be top 10% TFA consumers than men and Dutch-born. In the UK unadjusted analyses there was no significant trend in socio-economic characteristics between high and lower TFA consumers, but there were regional differences in the multivariate logistic regression analyses. In the Netherlands, high TFA consumers were more likely to be consumers of cakes, buns & pastries; cream; and fried potato than the remaining 90%. Whereas in the UK, high TFA consumers were more likely to be consumers of lamb; cheese; and dairy desserts and lower crisps and savoury snack consumers. Some socio-demographic differences between high and lower TFA consumers were evident post-reformulation. High TFA consumers in the Dutch 2007-10 survey appeared more likely to obtain TFA from artificial sources than those in the UK survey. Further analyses using more up-to-date food composition databases may be needed.

Socioeconomic inequalities in childhood overweight: heterogeneity across five countries in the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI-2008).

BACKGROUND: Excess risk of childhood overweight and obesity occurring in socioeconomically disadvantaged families has been demonstrated in numerous studies from high-income regions, including Europe. It is well known that socioeconomic characteristics such as parental education, income and occupation are etiologically relevant to childhood obesity. However, in the pan-European setting, there is reason to believe that inequalities in childhood weight status may vary among countries as a function of differing degrees of socioeconomic development and equity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we have examined socioeconomic differences in childhood obesity in different parts of the European region using nationally representative data from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Portugal and Sweden that were collected in 2008 during the first round of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. RESULTS: Heterogeneity in the association between parental socioeconomic indicators and childhood overweight or obesity was clearly observed across the five countries studied. Positive as well as negative associations were observed between parental socioeconomic indicators and childhood overweight, with statistically significant interactions between country and parental indicators. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have public health implications for the WHO European Region and underscore the necessity to continue documenting socioeconomic inequalities in obesity in all countries through international surveillance efforts in countries with diverse geographic, social and economic environments. This is a prerequisite for universal as well as targeted preventive actions.

Health care costs attributable to overweight calculated in a standardized way for three European countries.

This article presents a tool to calculate health care costs attributable to overweight in a comparable and standardized way. The purpose is to describe the methodological principles of the tool and to put it into use by calculating and comparing the costs attributable to overweight for The Netherlands, Germany and Czech Republic. The tool uses a top-down and prevalence-based approach, consisting of five steps. Step one identifies overweight-related diseases and age- and gender-specific relative risks. Included diseases are ischemic heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, colorectal cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer and osteoarthritis. Step two consists of collecting data on the age- and gender-specific prevalence of these diseases. Step three uses the population-attributable prevalence to determine the part of the prevalence of these diseases that is attributable to overweight. Step four calculates the health care costs associated with these diseases. Step five calculates the costs of these diseases that are attributable to overweight. Overweight is responsible for 20-26% of the direct costs of included diseases, with sensitivity analyses varying this percentage between 15-31%. Percentage of costs attributable to obesity and preobesity is about the same. Diseases with the highest percentage of costs due to overweight are diabetes, endometrial cancer and osteoarthritis. Disease costs attributable to overweight as a percentage of total health care expenditures range from 2 to 4%. Data are consistent for all three countries, resulting in roughly a quarter of costs of included diseases being attributable to overweight.

Cyanidin 3-O-ß-D-Glucoside Improves Bone Indices.

Oxidative stress (OS) promotes bone loss after menopause, and there is evidence that dietary antioxidants may reduce the level of OS in vivo. This study examined dose-dependent effects of blackberries (BBs) containing mainly cyanidin 3-O-ß-d-glucoside (C3G) in preventing bone loss in an ovariectomized (Ovx) rat model. Nine-month-old female (N=38) Sprague-Dawley rats were scanned using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for baseline whole body, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD). One group was sham operated (Sham) and three groups were ovariectomized (Ovx). The groups and corresponding diets were Sham+control diet (n=12), Ovx+control diet (n=12), Ovx+5% BB (n=7), and Ovx+10% BB (n=7). Control diet was AIN-93M rodent diet, and the Ovx+5% BB and Ovx+10% BB were a diet modified to contain powdered, freeze-dried BB at levels of 5% and 10% (w/w). Following 100 days of treatment, whole body BMC and BMD were reassessed and bone specimens, blood, and 24-h urine samples were collected for analyses. Findings indicate that ovariectomy (Ovx) compromised whole body BMC and trabecular microarchitecture of the proximal tibia and fourth lumbar vertebra. C3G-rich BB at the level of 5% modestly protected BMDs, loss of the tibia, lumbar vertebra, and femur by 2.4%, 2.7%, and 4.3% (P<.0013; .0437; .0004), respectively. BB 5% treatment significantly prevented loss of tibial trabecular bone volume and trabecular number by 37% and 21%, respectively (P<.05), and also significantly prevented tibial trabecular separation by 22%. We conclude that C3G-rich BB treatment at the level of 5% (w/w) but not at 10% (w/w) may modestly reduce Ovx-induced bone loss evident by improved tibial, vertebral, and femoral BMD values, and tibial bone microstructural parameters. Bone protective effects may be as a result of the synergistic effects of phenolic compounds; however, further work is required to determine BBs' specific mechanisms of action.

WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative 2008: weight, height and body mass index in 6-9-year-old children.

UNLABELLED: What is already known about this subject Overweight and obesity prevalence estimates among children based on International Obesity Task Force definitions are substantially lower than estimates based on World Health Organization definitions. Presence of a north-south gradient with the highest level of overweight found in southern European countries. Intercountry comparisons of overweight and obesity in primary-school children in Europe based on measured data lack a similar data collection protocol. What this study adds Unique dataset on overweight and obesity based on measured weights and heights in 6-9-year-old children from 12 European countries using a harmonized surveillance methodology. Because of the use of a consistent data collection protocol, it is possible to perform valid multiple comparisons between countries. It demonstrates wide variations in overweight and obesity prevalence estimates among primary-school children between European countries and regions. BACKGROUND: Nutritional surveillance in school-age children, using measured weight and height, is not common in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO Regional Office for Europe has therefore initiated the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. OBJECTIVE: To present the anthropometric results of data collected in 2007/2008 and to investigate whether there exist differences across countries and between the sexes. METHODS: Weight and height were measured in 6-9-year-old children in 12 countries. Prevalence of overweight, obesity, stunting, thinness and underweight as well as mean Z-scores of anthropometric indices of height, weight and body mass index were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 168 832 children were included in the analyses and a school participation rate of more than 95% was obtained in 8 out of 12 countries. Stunting, underweight and thinness were rarely prevalent. However, 19.3-49.0% of boys and 18.4-42.5% of girls were overweight (including obesity and based on the 2007 WHO growth reference).The prevalence of obesity ranged from 6.0 to 26.6% among boys and from 4.6 to 17.3% among girls. Multi-country comparisons suggest the presence of a north-south gradient with the highest level of overweight found in southern European countries. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight among 6-9-year-old children is a serious public health concern and its variation across the European Region highly depends on the country. Comparable monitoring of child growth is possible across Europe and should be emphasized in national policies and implemented as part of action plans.

Prevalence of obesity among Portuguese children (6-8 years old) using three definition criteria: COSI Portugal, 2008.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies place Portugal among the five countries with the highest prevalence of childhood obesity in Europe. This paper describes the prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity in Portuguese children of 6-8 years of age, based on the first data collection from Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative Portugal, which took place during the 2007/2008 school year. METHODS: This study uses a semi-longitudinal design with repeated cross-sectional national representative samples. Specific prevalence of overweight (including obesity) and obesity was determined using three different diagnostic criteria. Across the seven geographic regions, 3765 children were enrolled from 181 schools; 50.3% of participants were males. RESULTS: Using the International Obesity Task Force reference, the prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity were 4.8%, 28.1% and 8.9%, respectively; using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reference they were 2.1%, 32.2% and 14.6%, respectively; and according to the World Health Organization reference, they were 1.0%, 37.9% and 15.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a higher risk of obesity in older children, in boys and in the Azores region. The islands of Madeira and the Azores were the regions with the highest prevalence of overweight at 39.4% and 46.6%, respectively, and Algarve was the one with the lowest (21.4%). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the need for urgent action in Portugal and provide policy-makers with comprehensive and detailed information to assist with this.

Complementary feeding and non communicable diseases: current knowledge and future research needs.

Early diet and nutrition may set in place growth patterns and/or metabolic pathways that promote risk factors for later NCDs. Most relevant studies so far available have a cross-sectional or retrospective design and are thus of limited validity for evaluating the impact of early feeding on later disease. Standardised protocols for prospective research should be developed. The contribution of protein intake in early life to later NCD development has been the object of several studies; however future research should specifically target the effects of early protein intake on (a) how protein intake influences body composition, (b) how different body composition in infancy contributes to later NCDs, (c) whether there is an age 'window' when high protein intake is particularly associated with later overweight and obesity, (d) what levels of protein intake may protect against later overweight/obesity, (e) what level of cow milk intake in the first years of life minimises risk-inducing growth whilst meeting recommended calcium intakes. The role of the quality of fat and carbohydrate intakes at early ages should be better investigated. There is a dearth of data from many communities about the foods introduced as complementary feeds, the ages at which they are introduced and why mothers use these foods. Definitely more information is needed on how and to what extent mothers' behaviour is influenced by media, advertising and other commercial pressures and why formula fed infants are started on other foods much earlier than breast fed infants. Standardized protocols are needed to develop more data on complementary feeding in different regions, different countries and different socio-economic environments.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis in an immunocompromised infant: a case report and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of bilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) in an immunocompromised infant. METHODS: A 4-month-old male infant with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome was examined for the presence of CMVR. Ocular involvement was recorded and monitored by digital imaging. RESULTS: The child had bilateral CMVR, with a fine granular pattern, present both in the peripheral retina and posterior pole. There was no vitritis. The active areas of retinitis progressively resolved with intravenous ganciclovir treatment. At the 3-month follow-up examination, no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: Ganciclovir treatment was effective in this case. The prognosis depends on rapid institution of effective antiviral therapy and on a patient's systemic immunocompetence.

Determination of rates of cerebral blood flow during the gestation period under 33 weeks colour doppler pulse study

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[A general measure of well-being: outline of a quantitative approach]. / La mesure générale du bien-être: esquisse d'une approche quantitative.

This article deals with the empirical study of well-being. We made an inventory of the research literature, while establishing an overview of the different possible approaches. First, there seems to exist a variety of viewpoints on the subject of study. It is possible to either focus on the situation at a precise moment and observe the living conditions existing at that moment (housing, employment, etc.); or at the presence of sources one can have for modelling the own living conditions (such as income, level of education, etc.). Apart from these studies looking at the situation at a given moment, certain authors are interested in the events occurring in the course of an elapsed period of time (such as a relocation of residence, or a change in employment). In addition to this diversity in the central object of investigation, the researcher has the choice of processing objective and/or subjective data. In this article, we attempt to develop an index of well-being for the Belgian population, following the "living conditions" approach, while using only objective data from a vast sample of individuals and Belgian families. The index presented here therefore constitutes a specific combination of diverse data. These were chosen from indications in the literature concerning the nature and the elements of "well-being", and the characteristics of the available data base. The "fields" integrated into the index are: housing, state of health, social participation and sociability. The established index offers a synthetic instrument from which people can be classified according to the overall measure of their situation in diverse areas of life. This overall view shows that a large majority of Belgians find themselves with average to very positive overall living conditions, while a limited minority is situated below, accumulating negative scores in several areas of life. Another application of this instrument deals with the comparison of the overall profile of specific groups. Such comparisons are developed in this article between groups with diverse demographic, socio-economic and geographic characteristics. Complementary to this development and this application of the objective index, we separately explored the subjective data from the same sample for the level of satisfaction of the respondents and for their experience with diverse emotions. The comparison of this subjective information with the index of objective information shows that, although there is a link between these two phenomena, the correlation remains limited.

Impaired immune responsiveness in Plasmodium berghei immune mice.

Mice immunized against Plasmodium berghei parasites by drug-controlled infection exhibited decreased immunoresponsiveness against rabbit red blood cells (RRBC). Increasing RRBC antigen dose increased responsiveness, but agglutinating anti-RRBC antibodies of the IgG class remained undetectable. Clearance of colloidal carbon from the bloodstream of malaria-immunized mice was not different from controls. Removal of all the persistent parasites from immune mice did not restore responsiveness until 140 days after treatment, suggesting that the parasite per se did not influence responsiveness directly. Because of this, and because of the fact that priming of mice with RRBC before P. berghei immunization was not more effective than priming after immunization, it was concluded that antigen uptake and subsequent presentation were not impaired in P. berghei immune mice, in contrast to infected mice. Anti-RRBC antibodies were detected in serum of P. berghei immune mice, but regulation of responsiveness to RRBC by transfer of such immune mouse serum was not found. Immunoglobulin levels, especially of the IgG2 and IgG3 subclass were elevated in sera of P. berghei immune mice, which indicated an LPS-like polyclonal activation. The results also suggest that during drug-controlled infection, which leads to immunity against infection, a state of B-cell tolerance is induced.

Protective and pathological activity in serum of mice developing resistance to Plasmodium berghei infection.

The serum from mice developing resistance against Plasmodium berghei infection using chemotherapeutic treatment has been analysed in vivo and in vitro. During the immunization period pathological as well as protective activities which could be transferred by serum were generated. The pathological activity, which was defined as destruction of erythrocytes in normal recipient mice, was generated early in the immunization procedure, peaked at day 21, and decreased to undetectable levels by day 35. After reinfection of the donor mice the pathological activity reappeared in the serum, and was maintained for at least 56 days. Analysis of the transferred serum samples showed the presence of anti-erythrocyte antibodies (ELISA), but no correlation with the in-vivo anti-erythrocyte effect could be found. The anti-erythrocyte effect of the serum samples indirectly increased the parasitaemia in the recipient mice through the induction of reticulocytosis. The protective effect of the serum samples could only be detected in samples taken from animals beyond day 61 of the immunization procedure. This net protective effect was reflected in a decreased parasitaemia at 7 days after challenge of the recipient mice with P. berghei infected erythrocytes. The protective activity of the serum was correlated with high titres of anti-erythrocyte antibodies. Anti-erythrocyte antibody titres were strongly correlated with titres against heterologous red blood cells as well as total immunoglobulin content of the serum samples, indicative of polyclonal activation of lymphocytes. Except for IgG1, all (sub-)classes were elevated during the immunization procedure, of which IgG3 was abundant. After immunity was obtained these immunoglobulin levels remained high, and the relative amount of IgG1 in the serum was restored.

The formation of autofluorescent granules in cultured human RPE.

Although the incomplete degradation of phagocytosed outer segment discs is thought to result in the formation of lipofuscin, there has to date been no proof of this concept. We report for the first time that cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells fed daily doses of isolated rod outer segments for periods of up to 3 months were capable of developing intracellular autofluorescent granules whose morphology and fluorescence characteristics were similar to lipofuscin. These autofluorescent granules were observed as early as 2 weeks following daily challenge with rod outer segments and the number of granules increased with the number of challenge doses until the experiment was terminated after 3 months of daily feeding. We also studied the effects of the antioxidant vitamin E and a drug, Centrophenoxine, which has been purported to slow the formation of lipofuscin formation in vivo. Neither of these additives given either with the challenge or subsequently had any effect on the formation of the intracellular granules. In conclusion, the development of these "lipofuscin-like" inclusions in cultured RPE may provide a model with which to study ageing processes and may provide an understanding of the increased lipofuscin accumulation observed in certain retinal pathologies.