Influence of uterine torsion in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with insights into the hematological and biochemical prognostic values regarding to manual correction

Bovine uterine torsion refers to the rotation of the gravid uterus around its longitudinal axis. It is the dominant cause of dystocia in buffaloes. A total of two hundred and seventeen dystocia’s Egyptian buffaloes were examined, and another twenty were apparently normal at the full term (healthy pregnant group). From the dystocia’s buffaloes, twenty-three percentage (n = 50) was uterine torsion after gynecology inspection at presentation (Ut group) and 5 days after the manual correction (Utc group). The buffaloes with uterine torsion exhibited loss of appetite, constipation, colic, and straining. The incidence of torsion was mostly at first parity that accounting for 50% of cases. Regarding to the pregnancy stage, torsion mostly occurred at full term, where it primarily occurred in buffaloes at 3 years of age. Right-sided torsion ensued in 90% of all cases. The survival rate of the pregnant buffaloes was 90% (45 buffaloes), and 10% (5 buffaloes) was directed to the culling. Regarding to the fetal survival outcome, 30% of fetuses was survived where the other 70% was died. The hematological results denoted leucocytosis in Ut and Utc groups that attributed to neutrophilia, monocytosis, and eosinophilia. Biochemical assessments were denoted an augments in the levels of serum AST, LDH, CPK, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, progesterone, cortisol, MDA, NO, TAC, blood lactate (bLac), TNF-α, and IL-6. Where there were a non significant fluctuations in the ALT, GGT, calcium, and phosphorus levels in the torsion cases. The significant declines in 17-β-oestradiol, total proteins, albumin, magnesium, and GSH levels in the dams suffering from Ut were observed. The robust elevations in AST (156 ± 3.47) and bLac (16.12 ± 0.18) with severe hypomagnesaemia (2.69 ± 0.15) were evident in 10% of the torsion cases that directed to the culling. This can conclude that robust elevations in AST and bLac with severe hypomagnesaemia are factors denoting a poor prognosis for uterine torsion in the buffaloes.

     

Influence of multi-enzyme preparation supplemented with sodium butyrate on growth performance blood profiles and economic benefit of growing rabbits

The present study was carried out to explore the impacts of dietary supplementation of enzyme mixture with sodium butyrate on the growth performance, carcass traits, blood profile and economic benefit in two breeds of weanling rabbits adapted to survive in Egypt (New Zealand White and Rex). One-hundred and twenty weaned male rabbits (New Zealand White and Rex) of 6 weeks of age and 770.5 ± 20 g body weight were allotted randomly into four groups in a factorial arrangement. The obtained results indicated that there were non-significant differences in all growth performance traits, blood profile and economic parameters due to the breed effect. However, there were significant differences in most of carcass traits due to the breed effect except total giblets and New Zealand White breed showed the highest value of these parameters including dressing % (p < .01), forequarter and loin % (p < .001) and hindquarter % (p < .003) compared with Rex breed counterparts. The effect of the treatment and its interaction with the breed significantly (p < .05) improved body weight gain, feed consumption and carcass traits (percentage of dressing, forequarter, hind quarter and lion). However, final body weight and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced. Supplementing a diet with treatment significantly decreased blood triglycerides, cholesterol and the ratio between albumin and globulin (A/G ratio), while increased blood total protein and globulin. Although higher feed cost and total costs in treated groups than control ones in each breed, they showed higher total return and net return. Rex non-treated rabbit breed showed the lowest profitability measures compared with other groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of multi-enzyme with sodium butyrate is highly recommended in growing rabbits due to their beneficial effects on the growth performance and profitability.     

Hormonal and metabolic profiles related to placental retention with emphasis on oxidative stress and serotonin receptors in pluriparous buffaloes

This study was designed to investigate the hormonal and metabolic factors associated with placental retention in buffaloes with respect to the roles of oxidative stress biomarkers and serotonin receptors. Blood samples were collected at weeks 3, 2 and 1 pre-partum and at calving from 37 buffaloes; thirty normally dropped their placentae (Non-RFM group) and 7 dropped their placentae after 12 hr post-calving (RFM group). Serum progesterone (P₄), oestradiol, cortisol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), antioxidant/oxidant biomarkers and mineral concentrations were assessed. Histopathology and histochemistry were implemented to detect collagen in foetal placental tissues. Immunohistochemistry for serotonin receptors in placental tissues was performed. Significant elevations in P₄, cortisol, NEFA, BHBA and oxidative biomarkers concentrations were observed in the RFM group. However, oestradiol, antioxidants and mineral concentrations were significantly lower in RFM buffaloes than Non-RFM group. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative changes and necrosis in retained placental tissue compared with that in normal placental tissues. Serotonin receptors were significantly expressed with collagen condensation in retained placental tissues. Furthermore, inferior reproductive performance was pronounced in the retained group. In conclusion, retained foetal membranes in buffaloes were associated with hormonal imbalance, metabolic perturbation, oxidative stress, serotonin receptor upregulation and markedly reduced fertility indices.     

Impact of thermal stress exposure on seminal quality,antioxidant defence system,TNF-α and TIMP-3 in Ossimi ram

Heat stress (HS) occupies huge importance nowadays as it leads to severe economic losses especially in livestock. Preserving sheep against HS is one of the governmental scopes where it represents huge percentage of global ruminant. The present research was conducted to study semen quality, some stress and inflammatory markers in Ossimi rams under both hot and mild climatic conditions. The current study was conducted on selected 46 ram samples divided into two groups during summer and winter. Semen analysis, testosterone (TES), cortisol (COR) and blood glucose (BG) levels, and lipid and protein profiles were done. Concentrations of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and specific activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed. The results in summer compared to winter revealed significant elevation of total defects and number of dead sperms; however, there was reduction in sperm total motility and concentration and external epididymal tail duct diameter. Histological study of epididymal tail lumen exhibited azoospermia. Further, TES, TIMP-3 and GSH levels were decreased and COR, TNF-α, NO and MDA were raised. Specific activities of GPx and SOD were also declined. Additionally, there was a significant increase in concentrations of BG and lipid profiles except high-density lipoprotein. Our data concluded that there were new insights into TNF-α and TIMP-3 as biomarkers can be used in diagnosis of sheep suffering from HS, but further studies are recommended to do in future work about such aspect.     

A comparative study of some hematological features in young reared sturgeons (Acipenser persicus and Huso huso)

The physiological condition in fishes required for their selection as broodfish can be determined by hematological studies. The present study aims at examining the hematological indices in juvenile sturgeons at different stages of growth. The main blood features, such as total albumin content in blood, hemoglobin concentration and the erythrocyte and leukocyte count, were measured in a total of 54 specimens of 1-, 2- and 6-year old sturgeon (Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus and beluga Huso huso), artificially produced at the Shahid Dr. Beheshti Fish Breeding and Rearing Center located in the Gilan Province.In the Persian sturgeon specimens studied, the total albumin concentration in the blood increased from 26.05 to 52.50 g l^–1, the hemoglobin concentration increased from 42.2 to 65.8 g l^–1, the erythrocyte count increased from 240 to 452.5 thousand cell ml^–1 and the leukocyte count increased from 13.43 to 46.48 thousand cells ml^–1. The total leukocyte was composed of 73.25 to 82.70% lymphocytes, 12.3 to 20% neutrophils, 2.25 to 6.50% eosinophils and 0.2 to 2.5% monocytes.In the beluga specimens studied, the total albumin concentration in the blood increased from 20.05 to 42.20 g l^–1, the hemoglobin concentration increased from 46.3 to 78.6 g l^–1, the erythrocyte count increased from 495 to 735 thousand cells ml^–1 and the leukocyte count increased from 31.6 to 57.7 thousand cells ml^–1. The total leukocyte was composed of 54.5 to 67.5% lymphocytes, 22.63 to 33.86% neutrophils, 6.60 to 13.7% eosinophils and 0.6 to 2.25% monocytes.This research reveals the trends of some hematological features during the growth and development of sturgeons in the South Caspian Sea, reared in artificial conditions. It shows that with the increase in age, the hematological indices also increased.     

Dietary astaxanthin modulated the performance,gastrointestinal histology,and antioxidant and immune responses and enhanced the resistance of Litopenaeus vannamei against Vibrio harveyi infection

Aquaculture International - Astaxanthin (AX) is one of the commonly used feed supplements to enhance the growth performance and provide antioxidant and immune functions of several aquatic animals....     

Rice root morphology under contrasting moisture regimes and contribution of molecular marker heterozygosity

Evaluation for root morphology and related characters at three different stages and different moisture regimes was made using 9backcross populations obtained by crossing selected doubled haploid lines derived fromIR64 × Azucena with IR64. Marked genotypic differences were observed for all the characters across three samplings. In samplings at 80 days after sowing, significant reductions in mean root and shoot dry weights were noticed from well-watered to severely-stressed conditions, but higher root to shoot dry weight ratios were observed under severe stress condition. In the samplings at maturity, significant increases in mean values of all characters except shoot dry weight and root number, were observed from both well watered to stress conditions. However, individual backcross populations varied with respect to root and shoot dry weights across the moisture regimes. Estimates of heritability were reduced from the 1^st to 3^rd samplings as well as from WW to SS conditions. In the third sampling, root volume, root thickness and maximum root length were found to be interrelated. The experimental materials were classified into two distinct groups by dendrogram based on 175 markers. This classification was fairly similar to phenotypic classification based on root morphology with IR64 and Azucena falling into the respective main groups. Correlations of marker heterozygosity with hybrid performance and heterosis differed markedly between the 2^nd and 3^rdsamplings as well as between well watered and severe stress conditions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Methods of assessing the efficacy of non-volatile nematicides

In-vivo tests of non-volatile nematicides using a fungal-feeding nematode Aphelenchus avenae were shown to be more reliable than in-vitro tests. Phoxim and carbofuran were as effective as thionazin against the stem nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci in preventing eggs being laid, but they did not prevent nematodes from migrating from treated plants. Aldicarb and phoxim delayed the emergence of second-stage juveniles from cysts of the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis; phoxim at 8 mg kg^?1 of soil gave the same results as aldicarb at 2 mg kg^?1 of soil and both chemicals altered the sex ratio in the final population. A simple pot-test with G. rostochiensis in foul soil types was used to demonstrate the comparative effectiveness of non-volatile nematicides.     

Effect of vitamin A and/or E on plasma enzymatic antioxidant systems and total antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens challenged with carbon tetrachloride

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of vitamin A and E supplementation on the antioxidant defences of broiler chickens against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced oxidative stress at 4 weeks of age. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities as well as total antioxidant (TAO) level were analysed before and after CCl(4) challenge. Day-old Lohman broiler chickens (n = 144) were randomly assigned to six factorially arranged dietary treatments consisting of vitamin A [1.35 (control) or +20 mg/kg] and vitamin E [20 (control), +40 or +60 mg/kg]. The background of vitamins A and E in the basal diet was 4500 IU (1.35 mg) and 30 IU (20 mg) respectively. At 4 weeks of age, eight chickens from each treatment were bled before interperitoneal injection with 1 ml of CCl(4) (mixed with olive oil in a ratio of 1:1) and bled again 24 h post-injection. Vitamin E supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the activity of both SOD and GPX and showed a tendency (p = 0.07) for TAO reduction. CCl(4) attenuated SOD and GPX activities as well as TAO level. The decrease was profound (p < 0.05) in chickens fed the basal diet as well as those fed basal diet supplemented with 20 mg vitamin A. TAO levels behaved similarly when chickens were challenged with CCl(4). After CCl(4) injection, SOD activities of all experimental groups were equivalent. The presence of vitamin A decreased (p < 0.05) plasma GPX activity in chickens fed the basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg of vitamin E. Results of this experiment suggested that vitamin E supplementation elevated antioxidant enzyme activities while vitamin A supplementation attenuated this effect. Vitamin E supplementation improved the total reducing power by maintaining comparable levels of TAO upon CCl(4) challenge. Further experiments need to be carried out to investigate the role of vitamin A in oxidative stress and to evaluate the lipid peroxidation products.