Biological hazards associated with oxidative stress resulted in defective in vitro embryo production “IVEP”. Reactive oxygen species “ROS” may originate from embryo metabolism and/or embryo surroundings. In an attempt to overcome such challenge, the present study correlates between the influence of 3 antioxidants and buffalo oocyte development up to morula and blastocyst stages. It was found that taurine addition (either alone or concomitant with ascorbic acid “AA” or mannitol) to media during in vitro maturation “IVM” has the potency to enhance IVEP in buffaloes. On the other side, AA and mannitol either alone or in combination are invalid to improve developmental rate of mature buffalo oocytes to reach morula and blastocyst stages. In a second experiment, the best treatment (taurine and AA) was added to both in vitro fertilization “IVF” and culture “IVC” media. This treatment resulted in significant elevation of the cleavage rate and morula development without influencing blastocyst rate as compared with their corresponding values following the addition to IVM medium alone. Thus, it could be concluded that addition of taurine with AA into both IVM and IVF media enhances maturation of buffalo oocytes and activates the cells to undergo cleavage and morula development.

Objective: Protein is needed for chicken growth, but high protein consumption causes a low protein efficiency ratio and causes feed prices to be expensive. Therefore, the immunological potential of fermented snail meat hydrolysate in local chickens was studied for feed supplements in low-protein rations to reduce costs. Materials and Methods: The research used snail meat hydrolysate resulting from submerged fermentation with starter culture from rice washing water. Using hydrolysates as a fishmeal substitute to reduce the protein content of male local chicken diets. Hydrolysate is mixed into the formulated ration: P0 = 12% fish meal in feed without hydrolysate added, P1 = 8% fish meal in feed plus 5 ml hydrolysate/kg feed; P2 = 4% fish meal in feed plus 10 ml hydrolysate/kg feed; and P3 = Feed without fish meal plus 15 ml hydrolysate/kg feed. The study used completely randomized study parameters, namely the production performance of 200 chickens and the immune system (including lymphoid organs and hematological status) of 60 chickens. Results: Snail meat hydrolysate (10 ml/kg) can replace the reduction in the use of fish meal from 12% to 4% in ration formulation without reducing production performance and has no negative effect on the immune system. Conclusion: Snail meat hydrolysate has the potential to be used as an immune antibiotic to replace the use of fishmeal in the development of low-protein dietary formulations without affecting production performance or negatively affecting the chicken's immune system. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(1.000): 71-77]

Objective: Veterinary Anatomy is considered as the backbone subject in the veterinary medicine program. Formalized specimens were not very much accepted by the veterinary students due to their wetness, bad smell and potential harmful effects. Plastination has evolved as a new technique for prolonged preservation of specimens by replacing the water and fat by a curable plastic polymer. Material and methods: The process of plastination involved fixation, dehydration, impregnation and curing. The plastinated specimens were used for teaching and learning of veterinary gross anatomy courses for veterinary students. Results: Plastinated specimens were appreciated by the staff and students as they were odorless, non-toxic and durable, needed less space for storage and they were used in teaching the veterinary anatomy courses. Plastinated specimens were used for studying not only in the dissection hall but also in the lecture room, both individually and in groups. Conclusion: The plastinated specimens were excellent for demonstration but they could not completely replace the traditional dissection because students learn best by exploratory and hands-on dissection. Moreover, the wet specimens provided a more accurate visual representation of the body parts and skills to aid in dealing with actual clinical cases in the future. Therefore, the plastinated and wet specimens were used simultaneously depending on the topic being taught at the time. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(1.000): 44-52]

Objective: The objectives of our study were to estimate the effect of some non-genetic factors on production and reproduction traits of Egyptian buffaloes and to estimate the breeding values for these traits. Materials and Methods: Data from 965 lactation records of 305 Egyptian buffalo cows mated by 73 sires that were raised at Mahallet Mousa Experimental farms of Animal Production Research Institute were collected. Dairy records covered the period from 2001 to 2015. The data were arranged and statistically analyzed using SAS version 9.1.3 to study the effect of non-genetic factors and the MTDFREMAL program was included in estimating the expected breeding values. Results: Our results showed that buffalo cows that calved in winter season recorded the highest and significant total milk yield (TMY) and daily milk yield (DMY) traits and the best reproductive performance was indicated by the lower number of services per conception and the shortest calving interval (CI) period. Moreover, age at first calving and dry period (DP) showed a highly significant effect on the TMY and DMY. A significant effect for the level of milk production on days open (DO) period was recorded in our study. The range of sires EBV was 540 kg, 295.2 days, 113.9 days, 2.8 months, and 71.1 days for TMY, LL, DO, CI, and DP, respectively. Conclusion: Buffalos breeders must consider the season of calving, parity, and DP in management program because they greatly affect the farm productivity and profitability and they must select animals with higher breeding values to be the parent of the next generation. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(4.000): 374-380]