A survey of 95 wild rats which were captured from various locations was conducted to determine the diversity and distribution of ectoparasites and endoparasites infesting wild rat population around the city of Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. The rodents captured were Rat tus norvegicus and post mortem was carried out immediately after capture, with skin and organs examined for parasite infection. Ectoparasites recovered were blood sucking louse (Polyplax spinulosa) and mites (Myocoptes musculinus). Endoparasites recovered were nematodes (Aspiculuris tetraptera, Trichuris sp., and two strongyles, one of which is Strongyloides sp.) And three intestinal protozoan parasites (Blastocystis sp., Trichomonas sp., and a coccidia). Low diversity of ecto- and endoparasites were observed infecting wild rat population caught in Ipoh as compared to Kuala Lumpur.

The development and availability of follicles is an indicator to predict which of the follicle sizes are suitable to recover the oocytes assisted by means of ultrasonography of transvaginal oocyte retrieval (OPU). Thus, the study was done in order to characterize the follicular recruitment and distribution in response to the repeated removal of follicles, and thus to determine the availability of follicles and immature oocytes harvested repeatedlyfor two consecutive days of OPU in beef cows. Results indicated that 24-h OPU showed significantly greater numbers of medium and large follicles than small categories (P<0.05). However the 48-hr of OPU does not showed any differences of follicles categories (P>0.05). The mean total number of follicles and immature oocytes recovered were higher (P<0.05) in 24-hr OPU (13.76±1.2 and 7.38 ± 1.7) compared to 48-hr OPU (9.08 ± 1.5 and 3.54 ± 1.00) with the oocyte retrieval rate of 51.22% and 38.17%, respectively. The morphological classification indicated the 24-hr oocyte retrieval produced 62% of suitable immature oocytes that can be used for in vitro embryo production. In conclusion, the repeated removal of two consecutive days of OPU has averted the development of dominant follicle, and thus, gave an atmosphere to the subordinate follicles to continue growth relatively to an equal proportion of small, medium and large categories of follicles. Due to the reduction of follicle and recovery rate at 48-hr it is suggested that OPU be carried out later than 48 hour so that the follicle has more time to increase the diameter size.

Antiviral effect of crude aqueous extracts of Neem leaves and Neem bark (Azadirachta indica) belonging to the family Meliaceae againstvelogenic Newcastle Disease virus was studied. Maximum non- toxic dose and determination of antiviral activity by in vitro and in vivo virus inhibition assay was carried out using embryonated SPF chicken eggs and SPF chickens. Different concentration content of the aqueous neem extract from branches of neem tree storing at 4°C reacted against velogenic ND virus was conducted. Determination of antiviral activity by in vivo assay in SPF chickens was compared to the group of untreated with Neem extract.

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacteria found in different parts of the genital system in cows and the susceptibility to different types of antibiotics. The genital systems of sixteen cows were collected from Al-Hilla, Iraq slaughterhouse. Isolation and identification of bacteria were made for each part of the genital system and antibiotic susceptibility tests was conducted to the isolated bacteria. The results of this study indicated that there were several types of bacteria present in the genital systems of cows. Different species of bacteria were isolated from the samples including, Escherichia coli (28.97)%, Klebsiella spp. (16.82)%, Salmonella spp. (14.95)%, Proteus spp. (13.08)%, Staphylococcus aureus (11.21)%, Staphylococcus epidermidis (8.41)% and Streptococcus spp. (6.54)%. In vitro susceptibility towards different types of antibiotic indicated high susceptibility of Escherichia coli to antibiotic group impenem and ciprofloxacin, while Klebsiella spp. was found to be most susceptible to ciprofloxacin and amikacin. Both Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. showed resistance to piperacillin and tetracycline. It was concluded that Escherichia coli was the most predominant bacteria in genital system of cows and were most susceptible to antibiotic impenem and ciprofloxacin.

This study was performed to investigate the reproductive performanceand spontaneous malformations of female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats obtained from the Animal Resource Unit, Institute for Medical Research for their use in reproductive toxicity assessment. Onehundred and thirty-five virgin female rats with a body weight ranging between 190 g and 210 g were randomly caged overnight with 60 fertile male rats in 1:1 basis. Vaginal smear was performed the next morning and the day of sperm positive was considered as estational day (GD) 0. On GD21 caesarean hysterectomy was performed to examine the outcome of each pregnancy. The female fertility index (sperm positive) was 90.5% and the pregnancy index was 100%. Thepercentage of pre and post-implantation loss were 1.96 and 7.48 respectively with the number of early resorption out numbered the late resorption (0.56 ± 1.0 and 0.36 ± 1.5 respectively). Out of1,234 foetuses examined, only 5 foetuses (0.41%) presented with gross congenital malformation. The female SD rats obtained from the Institute demonstrated high fertility and pregnancy indexes with lowincidence of resorption and malformation, therefore suitable to use for reproductive toxicity assessment.