A study was designed to compare use of an numerical rating scale (NRS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for subjective assessment of lameness, using sheep as a model. The NRS consisted of 5 divisions, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4; 4 of these divisions (1-4) described lameness. The VAS used a 100-mm horizontal line with vertical bars at either end; one end was labeled 'sound' and the other was labeled 'could not be more lame.' Two independent observers graded lameness in 62 sheep, and between- and within-observer differences were assessed for each scoring system to compare the NRS with the VAS. Results indicated no significant differences between the 2 observers scoring lameness, using either the VAS or the NRS. The scores obtained, using the VAS, were not normally distributed, although differences between scores for the 2 observers were. The NRS scores followed a normal distribution pattern. Investigation of repeated measurement for the same sheep, using both scales, revealed no significant difference between either. A comparison of the NRS and VAS scores made by each observer indicated that although correlation was good (observer 1; r = 0.94; observer 2; r = 0.95), there was not perfect agreement. The maximal NRS score of 4 was associated with VAS values > 68 mm, indicating that the NRS divisions did not reflect equal increases in lameness. The VAS and NRS scores for each observer were highly reproducible, although they were more variable for sheep that were regarded as moderately lame. Results indicate that although the NRS and VAS compared favorably with respect to repeatability, reproducibility, and use by 2 observers, the VAS is inherently more sensitive. In addition, the NRS and VAS should not be used interchangeably.

In this study, a combined Trivalent vaccine against ND, IB and M. gallisepticum was locally prepared and evaluated in comparison with other locally prepared Bivalent ND and IB and monovalent M. gallisepticum vaccines. The obtained results were promising for this locally prepared Trivalent vaccine and the immune response was outstanding starting at the 2nd week post vaccination and showed extended raising allover the experiment period. The immune response of chickens vaccinated with the Trivalent was shoot up post boostering at the 8th week post 1st vaccination. These results were confirmed and supported by the challenge tests using the virulent strains of the three pathogens. So it could be recommend that the production of this Trivalent ND, IB and M. gallisepticum will help in the control of the three diseases and their complications.

In this study, neutralizing antibody response in Guinea pigs and mice inoculated by African horse sickness (AHS) bivalent inactivated oil adjuvant vaccine was similar when compared serologically with that in horse. Therefore, using G. pigs and mice may be a method of great value in potency test for routine immunization. Potency test of the prepared vaccine using an immunization challenge protocol in adult mice was studied, using challenge virus with 100, 50 and 25 LD50. The highest protection level (95%) was with the dilution of 50 LD50/0.05 ml

Gentamicin is an effective aminoglycoside antibiotic against severe infections. In spite of inducing nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage, gentamicin is used clinically due to its wide spectrum of activities against Gram negative bacterial infections. Its nephrotoxicity occurs by selective accumulation in renal proximal convoluting tubules. Its nephrotoxicity involves renal free radical generation and reduction in antioxidant defense mechanisms. A potential therapeutic approach to protect or reverse gentamicin-induced oxidative stressand nephrotoxicity would have more importance for clinical consequences. Therefore, thepresent study was designed to investigate the possible antioxidant protective effects of oxytocin and silymarin against gentamicin-induced renal damage in rats. A total of 40 adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. The first group is the control group that received normal saline (1ml/kg/i.p/day for 8 consecutive days), the second group was treated withgentamicin(80mg/kg/i.p/day for 8 days), the third group was treated with gentamicin (80mg/kg/i.p/day for 8 days) and oxytocin (5 I.U/kg/i.p/day for 8 days) and the fourth group was treated with gentamicin (80mg/kg/i.p/day for 8 days) and salymarin in a dose of (50 mg/kg orally/day for 8 days). Some biochemical and histopathological examinations of kidneys were performed after treatment for evaluation of the oxidative stress and renal nephrotoxicity. Gentamicin treatment significantly increased serum urea and creatinine levels and AST activities. Also gentamicin significantly decreased the total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity in renal tissues. Renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) has a non significant increase, while renal reduced glutathione (GSH) wasn't changed. Study of renal morphology showed degenerative changes in the form of cloudy swelling, hydropic degeneration and glomerular necrosis in gentamicin group. Administration of oxytocin and silymarin with gentamicin ameliorated to some degree the biochemical changes and oxidative stress parameters against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. It was concluded that treatments with these antioxidants could have beneficial effects in treatment of gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of active dry yeast and/or lactobacillus preparation (AVI-BAC), either before or after the infection with antibiotic resistant field strain of Escherichia coli O127 (E. coli O127) in controlling the severity of infection in quail chicks. The quail chicks of the different experimental groups were infected orally for two successive days with 3x107 CFU of E. coli O-127 as an individual dose. The used field strain proved to be highly pathogenic for quails. Probiotics were supplemented in the drinking water for the different treatment groups at a dose level of 0.5 gm/L. The results revealed that the inclusion of lactobacilli or active dry yeast before E. coli infection has been highly effective in reducing mortality rate, organ invasion and the number of E. coli positive quail chicks. In addition, it decreased the severity of macroscopic and microscopic lesions in different organs in the probiotic treated groups as compared to the infected controls. Lactobacilli preparations were more efficient in controlling the severity of the infection. On the other hand, the administration of yeast and /or lactobacilli after inducing E. coli infection reduced the mortality rate and the severity of lesion score in different organs but probiotics failed to protect quail chicks against the infection. It has been proved that the two probiotics have synergistic effect in controlling collibacillosis in quails.

Polyclonal hyperimmune serum against Pasteurella multocida type A:5, A:8 and A:9 was prepared in boskat rabbits. The indirect haemagglutination test (IHT) showed that such serum had an antibody titer of 1114. The immunoglobulins in the prepared antiserum were precipitated using saturated ammonium sulphate solution. Its concentration was adjusted to be 18mg/ml in normal saline then it was conjugated with horse radish peroxidase and evaluated through the application of double sandwich ELISA. It was successful to detect Pasteurella multocida antibodies in positive serum samples with strong positive reactions up to a dilution of 1:100 of the prepared conjugate.In the present study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using random primer (E-20) was used to characterize and identify strains included in this study. Strains included 4 vaccinal reference strains of Pasteurella multocida, CU strain and 4 field isolates of Pasteurella multocida isolated from diseased turkeys which were identified biochemically and serologically as A:1, A:3, A3x4 and D:11. The obtained results revealed that all strains were reacted positively and in different manner with the E20 primer except the 2 field isolates. The results of these reactions demonstrated in terms of bands of different molecular weight specific to each strain. This can be used as a base for characterization and differentiation of strains involved in the present study as the 2 field strains A:1 and A:3 react with primer. Mouse protection test was performed by vaccination of mice with local fowl cholera oil adjuvant vaccine then challenge with virulent field strains A:1, A:3, D:12 and untypable isolates. Results revealed that the local fowl cholera adjuvant vaccine could protect mice against virulent challenge with A:1, A:3 and D:12 field strains but it could not be protect mice against untypable isolates

Evaluation of amitraz against ticks and mites infestation in cattle and sheep in comparison with diazinon and deltamethrin was performed. Amitraz showed over 95 % inhibition of oviposition and hatching of laid eggs at dilution of 1:500 while diazinon and deltamethrin produced around 90 % inhibition of oviposition at the same dilution. Fed ticks were more susceptible for all tested acaricides than the unfed ticks, where amitraz reached its full effectiveness (100 % kill of fed and unfed) 2 weeks after application while diazinon and deltamethrin produced over 90 % at the same dilution. Spraying application of amitraz 12.5 % resulted in 100 % tick control by day 5 and the effect was maintained for further 28 days whereas diazinon and deltamethrin were fully effective by days 9 and 13, respectively and their efficacy were maintained for 16 and 20 days, respectively. Spraying application of amitraz 12.5 % produced 100 % efficacy as no live mites were found on day 17 and maintained in full effectiveness till day 33 where respraying was needed. In conclusion, amitraz produced rapid detachment of ticks from animals; its residual effect was long and protected animals from re-infestation for 29 days and was able to eradicate psoroptes mite infestation in sheep.

Two commercially available tests, an antigen-capture ELISA for use on fecal samples, and a peroral nylon string test for use in dogs, were compared with a zinc sulfate fecal concentration technique (ZSCT) for detection of giardiasis in dogs. Of 77 dogs and 164 fecal samples (from these dogs), 33 and 52, respectively were found to be Giardia-positive on the basis of results of the ZSCT. The ELISA gave false-negative results for 10 and 14% of ZSCT-positive dogs and fecal samples, respectively, and false-positive results (relative to the ZSCT test results) in 13 and 10% of ZSCT-positive dogs and fecal samples, respectively. Of the 18 string-tested dogs, 14 were positive by results of the ZSCT. Of the 4 dogs that were Giardia-negative by ZSCT, 2 were Giardia-positive by ELISA. Dogs were sedated and given water and metoclopramide to aid passage into the duodenum of the capsule containing a nylon string. Of the 21 string tests performed on the 18 dogs, only 5 strings reached the duodenum, and 0 of the 5 yielded positive results for Giardia sp. Because the string broke in 1 dog (leaving most in the gastrointestinal tract and, therefore, producing a risk of string foreign body) further string tests were not done.

The current study was conducted on a total of 204 Egyptian, lactating buffalo cows. These animals were in the second or third parity, of good body condition scores and apparently healthy. The animals were raised in intensive production system on a private farm. The buffalo cows were allotted into three groups, two of these groups were experimental and the third was a control group. The first experimental group included 30 buffalo cows were undergo ovulation control by Crestar® a subcutaneous ear implant ( 3mg norgestamet ) plus Crestar® injection i.m. ( 3mg norgestamet + 5mg estradiol valerate ) at zero day. At the 7th day of implantation, PGF2α was injected i.m., then Crestar® implant was removed at the 9th day with injection of PMSG 400 iu. Timed insemination was conducted 56 hrs later. The second experimental group (24 buffalo cows) was treated by the same program, moreover they injected with GnRH at the time of insemination .The third group (150) buffalo cows was bred naturally and used as a control group. For serum progesterone assay blood samples were collected from the animals of the two experimental groups at day 0, 7 and 9 of the Crestar program. The buffalo cows of the experimental groups were closely observed for estrus signs and were rectally palpated at the time of insemination for detection of the internal estrus changes. At day 50 post insemination all animals were rectally palpated for pregnancy diagnosis. The result of the current study revealed that the visibility of estrus signs were 20 %, 16.7% and 22 % for the first, second and third group respectively. Pregnancy rate was much higher in the second group associated with the injection of GnRH at the time of insemination. Two animals of the second group were carrying twins (11 %). Serum level of progesterone was significantly higher in the 7thday in comparison with those recorded for 0 and 9th day.