Biodiversity in Mediterranean buffalo using two microsatellite multiplexes

The present study was carried out to investigate genetic diversity in Nile-Delta and Southern-Egypt buffalo populations in comparison with the Italian buffalo utilizing two microsatellite multiplexes. A total of 104 animals classified into three groups were used, 28, 38 and 38 representing the Nile-Delta, Southern-Egypt and Italian buffalo, respectively. The 15 studied microsatellites were CSSM38, CSSM70, CYP21, CSSM42, CSSM60, MAF65, BM0922, CSSM19, INRA006, ETH02, BM1706, BMC1013, CSSM47, INRA026 and CA004. All studied microsatellites showed allelic polymorphism. Number of polymorphic alleles ranged between 4 alleles (CSSM38, CSSM70 and CYP21) and 11 alleles (CA004). Pairwise Chi-square test for Nile Delta and Southern Egypt showed significant differences in allelic distribution at five loci, CSSM70, CSSM38, BM0922, ETH02 and BM1706. Italian buffalo showed the lowest percentage of observed heterozygotes (65%), while the Southern Egypt showed the highest (71%). Both the Italian and the Delta populations deviated significantly (P < 0.05) from HW equilibrium. Italian buffalo is relatively the most inbred population while the Southern-Egypt buffalo is the only outbred population. High level of genetic differentiation (F_ST estimates) between the Italian group and each of the Delta and Southern-Egypt group (0.083 and 0.076, respectively) was observed while Southern-Egypt group showed a lower level of genetic differentiation with the Delta group (0.014). Italian buffalo had the greatest genetic distance values with the two Egyptian groups (0.25 and 0.23) while much lower values between the Southern-Egypt and the Delta groups (0.06) was observed. Genetic variation between the Italian buffalo and the Egyptian buffalo was detected in 14 (out of 15) microsatellite loci. While a lower level (than that between Egyptian and Italian) of genetic variation between Southern-Egypt and Delta buffalo populations was expressed by 5 loci. It was concluded that the Southern-Egypt buffalo could be considered as distinct population from the Delta buffalo. In addition, Southern-Egypt group, being the only group with non-significant global deviation from HW equilibrium, the most heterozygous, and the only outbred population as well, is expected to respond more favorably to selection.     

Gill morphology in two Mediterranean Sea fishes of similar feeding preferences: sea bream (Sparus aurata L) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The aim of the present study was to describe the gill morphology of the gilthead sea bream and sea bass fishes that showed the same feeding habits. Our study focused on the gross morphological, scanning and light microscopical features of the gills, where a many differences in the gill arches and gill rakers surface in both species were explained. Our results marked that; there was an interbranchial median elevation appeared in sea bream. The gill arches length and the gaps between decreased medial wards in both species. The gill rakers had similar arrangement and varied number in both species. The first lateral rakers row was the longest one in sea bass. However the gill filaments appeared in double rows. Gill filaments were long at middle and short at extremities of gill arch in both species. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the surfaces of gill arch covered by a mosaic of pavement cells, varied sized pores of chloride cells and many pointed spines on the rakers ventral border in both species. Two types of taste buds marked on the gill arches and rakers in sea bass. Many lamellae appeared on filaments in both species.     

Putative human and avian risk factors for avian influenza virus infections in backyard poultry in Egypt

Highly pathogenic influenza A virus subtype H5N1 causes significant poultry mortality in the six countries where it is endemic and can also infect humans. Egypt has reported the third highest number of poultry outbreaks (n = 1084) globally. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to identify putative risk factors for H5N1 infections in backyard poultry in 16 villages in Damietta, El Gharbia, Fayoum, and Menofia governorates from 2010–2012. Cloacal and tracheal swabs and serum samples from domestic (n = 1242) and wild birds (n = 807) were tested for H5N1 via RT-PCR and hemagglutination inhibition, respectively. We measured poultry rearing practices with questionnaires (n = 306 households) and contact rates among domestic and wild bird species with scan sampling. Domestic birds (chickens, ducks, and geese, n = 51) in three governorates tested positive for H5N1 by PCR or serology. A regression model identified a significant correlation between H5N1 in poultry and the practice of disposing of dead poultry and poultry feces in the garbage (F = 15.7, p < 0.0001). In addition, contact between domestic and wild birds was more frequent in villages where we detected H5N1 in backyard flocks (F = 29.5, p < 0.0001).     

Epidural anesthesia in Egyptian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): a comparison of lidocaine,xylazine and a combination of lidocaine and xylazine

Objective

To evaluate and compare the analgesic effects of a combination of lidocaine and xylazine to lidocaine or xylazine administered alone for epidural anesthesia in Egyptian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The first molecular detection of Clostridium perfringens from pneumonic cases associated with foot and mouth disease in cattle and buffalo in Egypt

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Panting syndrome and respiratory infection have been recorded in complicated cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in cattle. However, investigations on the...     

Factor XI mutation in a Holstein cow with repeat breeding in Japan

Factor XI deficiency is an autosomal recessive coagulopathy in Holstein cattle. Affected cows have a tendency to show repeat breeding. Forty repeat breeding Holstein Friesian cows were selected and tested for the Factor XI mutation. Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood of the cows (n=40). Exon 12 of the Factor XI gene of the cows was amplified by PCR. One repeat breeding cow was heterozygous to the Factor XI mutation as indicated by the presence of two DNA fragments of 320 bp and 244 bp. The insertion of the 76 bp in the heterozygous cow was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The heterozygous cow was in her fourth lactation. She gave birth to male twins at the last calving. She was inseminated artificially four times after the last calving. Factor XI deficiency in cattle has been reported in different countries. However, no case was reported in Japan. This might be the first to report Factor XI mutation in Holstein cattle in Japan.     

Effect of grape seed and skin supplement on milk yield and composition of dairy ewes

In the present study, we investigated the effect of grape seed and skin supplement (GSSS), on lactating dairy ewes’ production. Ten dairy pregnant ewes from northern Tunisia were allocated to two groups: control diet (C) and supplemented with 20 % (w/w) GSSS. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks and took place after 2 months of lambing. During the experiment, daily milk yield and milk composition were determined. Supplementation of the diet with GSSS increased milk production (P?<?0.001), calcium (P?<?0.01), free iron (P?<?0.01) and urea content (P?<?0.001) but had no effect on milk fat nor protein. From these data, it is concluded that the inclusion of GSSS in sheep diets increased significantly ewes’ milk yield.     

Biochemical and molecular effects of a commercial diuretic with herbal extract on experimentally induced urolithiasis in chickens

Veterinary Research Communications - This study evaluated the diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunological effects of a commercial diuretic (CD) (composed of ammonium chloride,...     

Effects of leptin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on degranulation and superoxide production of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from Holstein cows

Leptin, a pleiotropic hormone regulating food intake and energy expenditure, has been shown to directly modulate human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) functions or indirectly through the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Bovine PMN have considerable different characteristics from human PMN. For example, it does not respond to N-formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-phenylalanine, a well known human PMN activator. In the present study, we tested the effects of leptin and TNF-alpha on superoxide production and degranulation of bovine peripheral PMN, in which both long isoform of leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and TNF receptor 1 were expressed. Human leptin, human TNF-alpha, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and opsonized zymosan particles (OZP) did not stimulate degranulation responses, while zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) did. Neither leptin nor TNF-alpha enhanced the ZAS-induced degranulation responses. TNF-alpha, PMA, OZP and ZAS increased superoxide production in different magnitudes, whereas leptin did not. TNF-alpha, but not leptin, enhanced OZP- and ZAS-induced superoxide production, possibly, in part due to facilitating translocation of p47(phox), a component of NADPH oxidase. These results indicate that, unlike in human PMN, leptin does not have any direct effect on degranulation and superoxide production in bovine PMN, although TNF-alpha influences superoxide production.     

Adaption of a formula for simulating bedload transport in the Nile River,Egypt

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Bedload transport discharge is important in river engineering and morphodynamics. The Meyer-Peter and Müller (MPM) equation for determining bedload transport...