Experimental transmission of sarcocysts from cattle to mice

Summary A survey of sarcosporidiosis made in healthy cattle slaughtered at Omdurman Central Abattoir gave an infestation rate of 98 per cent. Transmission of sarcocysts from cattle to mice was accomplished thus confirming the absence of host specificity.     

Effect of Indian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaf powder on immune status and disease resistance of Nile tilapia

This study assessed the immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) after feeding on different levels (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4%) of dietary Indian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf powder for 45 days. We evaluated both the nonspecific immune response at the end of the feeding period and the resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila. Exposure to Indian lotus resulted in a significant elevation in serum total globulins, serum lysozyme activity, serum killing percentage and the phagocytic activity (p < 0.05). Total serum protein and albumin showed no remarkable variation between tilapia fed on 0.1% Indian lotus and the control group (p > 0.05). In addition, the relative expressions of immune‐related genes, namely interleukin–1β and tumour necrosis factor–α were significantly up‐regulated in tilapia fed on 0.4% Indian lotus as compared to the control group; their expressions were down‐regulated in the other tested groups (p < 0.05). The survival rate of Nile tilapia postchallenge to A. hydrophila reported a significant and dose‐dependent increase in the Indian lotus‐supplemented groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, dietary incorporation of Indian lotus leaves (0.4%, 0.2% and 0.1%) could strengthen the immunity of Nile tilapia and improve its resistance to A. hydrophila infection. Therefore, Indian lotus leaves could serve as potential feed supplements for Nile tilapia.     

Growth performance,haematology and intestinal histo‐morphology of Nile tilapia fed on Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaf powder at different concentrations

Indian lotus, Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) is a valued medicinal plant that exhibits several pharmacological properties. The present work aimed to investigate the effect of Indian lotus as a feed supplement on the growth performance, haematological and biochemical indices, and intestinal histo‐morphology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.). The fish were randomly distributed into four groups and fed on a basal diet containing Indian lotus leaf powder at different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4%) for up to 60 days. The results elucidated that Indian lotus supplemented diets (0.2% and 0.4% followed by 0.1%) significantly improved weight gain, specific growth rate (%) and feed conversion ratio (p < .05). The feed intake was significantly increased in the fish fed on the Indian lotus supplemented diets in a dose‐dependent manner (p < .05). However, Indian lotus had no significant effect (p > .05) on survival rate, total erythrocytes (RBCs) count, haemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit value (PCV, %) except a significant reduction on Hb content of the fish fed on 0.2% Indian lotus and a significant increase in PCV (%) in the fish fed on 0.1% Indian lotus (p < .05). The total leucocytes (WBCs), neutrophils and lymphocytes counts displayed significant elevations in the fish fed on the Indian lotus diets especially at 0.2% and 0.4%, whereas significant reduction in neutrophils count in the fish fed on 0.1% Indian lotus (p < .05) was observed. The serum glucose was significantly decreased in the fish fed on Indian lotus (0.1% and 0.2%), whereas cholesterol and triglycerides were markedly increased in the fish fed on the Indian lotus supplemented diets (p < .05). Moreover, the intestinal villous heights and the numbers of goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were significantly boosted in all parts of the intestine in all Indian lotus diet groups as compared with the control group. However, as an exception, villous heights in the middle part of the intestine in the fish fed on 0.1% and 0.4% diets (p < .05) were not affected. In the proximal part, the villous heights and the numbers of goblet cells were markedly increased in fish fed on 0.2% and 0.4% diets followed by 0.1% diet. The fish fed on 0.2% lotus supplemented diet followed by 0.1% and 0.4% supplemented diets exhibited significant elevations in villous heights in the distal part and the numbers of goblet cells in the middle part of the intestine. There were no significant differences between the fish fed on the supplemented diets in the numbers of goblet cells in the distal part and the numbers of IEL in the proximal and middle parts (p > .05). In the distal part, the numbers of IEL revealed a significant elevation in 0.4% lotus supplemented diet followed by 0.1% and 0.2% lotus supplemented diet groups (p < .05). Therefore, this study indicates the advantageous effect of the Indian lotus leaves as a natural feed additive for improving growth, intestinal structure and hence, health status of Nile tilapia.     

Effect of body condition score on the testicular biometrical measures,semen characteristics and testosterone level in jackass

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) on testicle and epididymis biometrics, semen characteristics and testosterone level in Egyptian Jack. This study was conducted on 50 mature Jacks divided according to their body condition score into four groups: Poor (G1), moderate (G2), good (G3) and fat (G4). The complete testis was collected immediately after execution in the Giza Zoo abattoir; then, the epididymis was carefully dissected at the testicular junction. Biometrical measures including length, weight and volume were determined for the right and left testis and epididymis. Also, epididymal sperm was collected from all examined animas and evaluated for sperm concentration, progressive motility, viability and sperm abnormalities. Serum samples were collected for determination of total testosterone level. Results showed that the body condition score of the examined animal affects their biometrical measure of testicles and epididymis. There is a significant decrease (p < .05) in biometrical measures for the testicles and epididymis, sperm concentration, motility, viability and testosterone level in poor BCS animals (G1). The highest values were recorded in Good BCS (G3) Jacks. Conclusion: Jacks with good BCS (G3) should be selected for breeding activity in donkey.     

Near infrared spectroscopy techniques for soil contamination assessment in the Nile Delta

Heavy metals concentration is considered one of the factors directly affecting soil and crop quality and, thus, human health. The objective of the current work was to critically examine the suitability of Vis- NIR (350–2500 nm) measurements for calibration procedures and methods to predict contaminated soil. 25 different sites were selected adjacent to drain Bahr El-Baqar east of Nile Delta. Spectroradiometer ASD was used to measure the spectral reflectance profile of each soil site. The concentrations of three heavy metals (Cr, Mn and Cu) were determined in the studied samples. Stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) was used to construct calibration models subjected to the independent validation. The obtained regression models were of good quality (R² = 0.82, 0.75, and 0.65 for Cr, Mn, and Cu, respectively). Thus, Visible and Nearinfrared (Vis-NIR) reflection spectroscopy is cost- and time-effective procedure that can be used as an alternative to the traditional methods of determination of heavy metals in soils.     

Effects of commercial processing on levels of antioxidants in oats (Avena sativa L.)

The effects of various commercial hydrothermal processes (steaming, autoclaving, and drum drying) on levels of selected oat antioxidants were investigated. Steaming and flaking of dehulled oat groats resulted in moderate losses of tocotrienols, caffeic acid, and the avenanthramide Bp (N-(4'-hydroxy)-(E)-cinnamoyl-5-hydroxy-anthranilic acid), while ferulic acid and vanillin increased. The tocopherols and the avenanthramides Bc (N-(3',4'-dihydroxy-(E)-cinnamoyl-5-hydroxy-anthranilic acid) and Bf (N-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxy)-(E)-cinnamoyl-5-hydroxy-anthranilic acid) were not affected by steaming. Autoclaving of grains (including the hulls) caused increased levels of all tocopherols and tocotrienols analyzed except beta-tocotrienol, which was not affected. Vanillin and ferulic and p-coumaric acids also increased, whereas the avenanthramides decreased, and caffeic acid was almost completely eliminated. Drum drying of steamed rolled oats resulted in an almost complete loss of tocopherols and tocotrienols, as well as a large decrease in total cinnamic acids and avenanthramides. The same process applied to wholemeal made from groats from autoclaved grains resulted in less pronounced losses, especially for the avenanthramides which were not significantly affected.     

Alkylresorcinol content and homologue composition in durum wheat (Triticum durum) kernels and pasta products

The total alkylresorcinol (AR) content and relative homologue composition of 21 durum wheat (Triticum durum) kernel samples, as well as 5 pasta products and the corresponding flour mixtures, were determined. Durum wheat contained on average 455 microg/g ARs, and the average relative homologue composition was C17:0 (0.4%), C19:0 (14%), C21:0 (58%), C23:0 (21%), and C25:0 (6.5%). The homologue composition was found to be relatively consistent among samples, with durum wheat being different from common wheat by having a higher proportion of the longer homologues. No differences in content or homologue composition were observed in pasta products compared to flour ingredients, showing that alkylresorcinols are stable during pasta processing. The ratio of the homologues C17:0 to C21:0 was < or =0.02 for whole grain durum wheat products, which is different from those of common wheat (0.1) and rye (0.9).     

HPLC method for analysis of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside in flaxseeds

A method was developed for the analysis of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) in flaxseeds. The analytical method involves extraction of defatted flaxseed flour with dioxane/ethanol, aqueous base-hydrolysis, solid-phase purification of an SDG-containing fraction, and quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pure SDG was isolated from flaxseed using different column chromatographic methods and used, as external standard, for the calibration of the method and for quantification. The method was then applied to study the variation in SDG content in flaxseeds from 14 cultivars grown in Sweden and 15 cultivars grown in Denmark. The SDG content varied between 11.7 and 24.1 mg/g in defatted flaxseed flour and between 6.1 and 13.3 mg/g in whole flaxseeds.