Productive,Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Imported and Locally Born Friesian and Holstein Lactating Cows under Hot Summer Conditions of Egypt

Twenty each of healthy lactating Friesian and Holstein cows were studied. They were of similar age and body weight, nonpregnant in their third lactation and 80–100 days post partum. The investigation was carried out for 8 weeks on two farms at the same time during the hot summer season in Egypt. The first farm was in Demietta (North east of the Nile Delta, 31° 40 N) on 20 Friesian cows and the second was in Fakous (East of the Nile Delta, 30° 40 N) on 20 Holstein cows. On each of the two farms, 10 cows were newly imported and 10 were born in Egypt.The average daily milk yield and total milk production in the third lactation of the newly imported cows were significantly higher than those of the locally born cows for both Friesians and Holsteins. At the same time, the T₄, T₃, urea-N, haematological values and AST enzyme activity in the newly imported cows were significantly lower than those in the locally born ones in both breeds, while the locally born cows showed significantly lower values for rectal temperature and respiration rate, as well as for AST and Alk-P enzyme activities, than the newly imported cows of either breed.Holstein cows surpassed the Friesians in milk production, as well as thyroid hormone secretion and cholesterol, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and erythrocyte count values. The opposite was found for serum total protein, urea-N and creatinine concentrations, leukocyte count and AST, ALT and Alk-P enzyme activities.     

Freiland-Untersuchungen über die Wirkung verschiedener Insektizide auf das Vorkommen von zwei entomophagenCoccinelliden an Baumwolle in Oberägypten

Zusammenfassung Die Wirkung von 9 Handelspräparaten von Insektiziden (ein Carbamat, 2 Organophosphate, 4 chlorierte Hydrocarbone und 2 chlorierte Phosphorverbindungen) auf das Vorkommen vonCoccinella undecimpunctata undScymnus interruptus in einer Baumwoll-Plantage in Assiut (Ober-Ägypten) wurde geprüft Eine Fläche von 2 Feddan (= 8400 m²) wurde willkürlich in 40 Parzellen geteilt (4 Kontrollparzellen und 4 × 9 Behandlungsflächen) gemäß einem vollständig zufälligen Block-System. Die Käfer wurden in situ auf 50 Sträuchern pro Fläche knapp vor der Behandlung und am 3., 7. und 10, Tag hernach gezählt. Die Behandlung wurde viermal in Intervallen von 15 Tagen, beginnend Mitte Juni, wiederholt. Die Ergebnisse waren folgende:1. Die stärkste Anfangswirkung gegenCoccinella hatte Toxaphen/DDT/Delnav, Sevin, Lebaycid und Methyl-Parathion (70–72% Sterblichkeit in 3 Tagen nach der ersten Behandlung). Die geringste Anfangswirkung hatte Toxaphen/Dilan (um 43% Sterblichkeit in 3 Tagen).2. Die stärkste Anfangswirkung gegenScymnus hatte Sevin (um 88% Sterblichkeit in 3 Tagen) gefolgt von Toxaphen (76% Sterblichkeit). Die geringste Anfangswirkung hatte Toxaphen/Dilan (um 29% Sterblichkeit).3. Die Anfangswirkung stieg mit der Zeit nur in einigen Fällen an, z. B. bei Sevin und Lebaycid gegenCoccinella und bei Toxaphen/Dilan und Toxaphen/DDT/Delnav gegen.Scymnus.4.Scymnus scheint gegen gewisse Verbindungen empfindlicher zu sein alsCoccinella, z. B. gegen Sevin und Toxaphen, und weniger empfindlich gegen andere Verbindungen, z. B. Lebaycid.5. In den meisten Fällen stieg bei Wiederholung der Behandlung die reduzierende Wirkung bei beiden Insekten-Arten an. Solch eine verstärkte Wirkung von Sevin aufCoccinella trat bald und stetig ein.

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Summary The effect of nine commercial insecticides (one carbamate, 2 phosphorous compounds, 4 chlorinated hydrocarbons and 2 combinatins of chlorinated and phosphorous compounds) on the abundance ofCoccinella undecimpunctata andScymnus interruptus on cotton was tested in an area of two Feddans (= 8400 square meters). The area was divided into 40 plots (4 controls and 4 × 9 treatments) according to a complete randomized block system. The beetles were counted in situ on 50 bushes/plot immediately before treatment and on the 3rd, 7th and 10th day thereafter. Application was repeated 4 times at 15 days intervals beginning from mid June. The results showed that:1. The strongest initial effect onCoccinella was that of toxaphene/DDT/delnav, sevin, lebaycid and methyl-parathion (70%–72% mortality in three days after the first application); the weakest initial effect was that of toxaphene/dilan (about 43% mortality in 3 days).2. The strongest initial effect onScymnus was that of sevin (about 88% mortality in 3 days), followed by toxaphene (about 76% mortality). The weakest initial effect was that of toxaphene/dilan (about 29% mortality).3. The initial effect increased by time only in a few cases, e. g. that of sevin and lebaycid onCoccinella and that of toxaphene/dilan and toxaphene/DDT/delnav onScymnus.4.Scymnus seems to be more sensitive thanCoccinella to certain compounds, e. g. sevin and toxaphene and less sensitive to other compounds e. g. lebaycid.5. In most cases repetition of application resulted in an increasing detrimental effect on both insect species. Such a cumulative effect was readily observed and rather steady in the case of sevin onCoccinella.

     

Effect of feeding Acacia nilotica pods to sheep on nutrient digestibility,nitrogen balance,ruminal protozoa and rumen enzymes activity

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplying two levels of Acacia nilotica (A. nilotica) pods to rations of sheep on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and rumen liquor parameters (pH, total protozoa count, protein concentration and enzymes activity). Twelve mature rams (50 ± 1.25 kg B.W.) were distributed into three groups, each with four rams. Animals in group one were considered as a control which fed a basal diet, consisting of concentrate mixture and Egyptian clover. The second group and the third one received the same basal diet with supplying the concentrate mixture by 1.5% and 3.0% of A. nilotica pods meal respectively. The experiment lasted for 3 weeks. It was found that supplementation of A. nilotica pods to the concentrate mixture at a rate of 1.5% and 3.0% significantly improved the total feed intake compared to the control. The digestibility of dry matter and crude fibre was significantly reduced with A. nilotica supplements, whereas the digestibility of crude protein was significantly improved. All of nitrogen intake and N‐retained were significantly increased in rams fed on concentrates with 1.5% and 3.0% A.  nilotica pods when compared to the control. The pH of ruminal fluid was not affected by the dietary treatments. Nevertheless, the total rumen protozoa count was significantly decreased in A. nilotica pods supplemented groups. Also, the rumen protein concentration and the ruminal enzymes activity, especially α‐amylase, cellulase and protease, were lower in A. nilotica pods supplemented treatments. In conclusions, inclusion of low levels of A. nilotica pods (1.5% and 3.0%) in the concentrates can be used as a natural protein protectant in ruminants by forming tannin protein complexes in the rumen to maximize the amino acids available in the lower digestive tract. Also, these levels can increase the protein digestibility as well as the N‐retained in the body .     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Efficacy of inundative releases of Trichogramma evanescens in controlling Lobesia botrana in vineyards in Egypt

The present work was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Trichogramma evanescens (Westwood) in controlling the European grape berry moth Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schiff.) in two vineyards, in El-Beheira and El-Gharbia Governorates, northern Egypt during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. T. evanescens was mass produced on Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) eggs in National Research Center in Egypt. The horizontal and vertical searching activity of T. evanescens was studied to determine the proper way of distributing the Trichogramma cards in vineyards in 2004. Field experiments were also conducted to evaluate inundative releases of T. evanescens to control L. botrana on large scale in 2005. Parasitism by T. evanescens on L. botrana eggs was greatly affected with the horizontal or vertical distance from the release points. Parasitism reached over 97% and reduction percents of infestation were caused by the pest reached 96.8% in treated plots. A significant increase in the crop was achieved in treated plots. The results showed that the release cards should be distributed in every three grape rows and on height 130–170 cm to obtain good parasitism rates. T. evanescens could be a potential candidate for biological control of L. botrana in vineyards.