Dimethoate (DM) and Lambda cyhalothrin (LCT) are commonly used insecticides. Human being and farm animals are expected to have acute toxicity. The present work aimed to explore the effect of acute exposure to DM and LCT on hematological parameters and to detect DNA damage in bone marrow of Sprague Dawley rats using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay). Thirty animals were divided into three groups of ten rats each. LCT group administered 26 mg/kg body weight, DM group administered 103 mg/kg body weight orally for 24 and 48 hours, while the control group received the vehicle only. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, bone marrow was flushed from the femur bone for comet assay and spleen samples were preserved in formalin for histopathological examination.  Results showed minor changes in blood profile in all exposed groups associated with mild changes in histology of spleen tissue. Alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay in bone marrow cells showed that LCT and DM caused extensive and severe DNA damage after 48 h exposure expressed as significant increases in all comet parameters (% DNA in tail, tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment). The results concluded that LCT and DM induced DNA damage in bone marrow of rats, LCT showed higher degree of DNA damage in comparison with DM.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different dry period lnghts (DPLs) on the udder health and fertility during the subsequent lactation. The impact of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) on the reproductive efficiency were also investigated. Holstein-Friesian cows (n=894) were included in the study of udder health, of which only multiparous cows (n=499) were included in the investigation of the impact of different DPLs on the udder health and reproductive efficacy in the subsequent lactation. Cows were classified according to the DPLs into 3 groups: Short (SDPL, <40 d), Traditional (TDPL, 40-60 d) and Long (LDPL, >60 d). A limit of 200,000 somatic cell/mL milk was established to separate between healthy and mastitic udder status. Accordingly, samples with 500,000-1,000,000 cell/ml were referred to cows affected with SCM and samples with >1,000,000 cells/ml were mentioned to cows affected with CM. A higher proportion of infected udder was detected in cows with LDPL (39.19%) Moreover, a higher proportion of SCM was recorded for cows with LDPL (17.57%) compared with that recorded for cows with SDPL (8.0%) and TDPL (6.13%). A higher proportion of CM was recorded for cows with a long dry period (LDP, 8.11%) compared with that recorded for cows with SDPL (4.0%) or with TDPL (4.8%). Cows with SDPL showed the best intervals reproductive indices compared with that recorded for both TDPL and LDPL. Furthermore, LDPL was found to be associated with significantly lower CR (33.11±2.91%), lower PR (50.39±3.97%) and higher NSPC (1.98±0.37) compared with values that recorded for either SDPL or TDPL. Cows with either SCM or CM showed the longest interval reproductive indices, less CR and PR and number of inseminations to become pregnant compared with healthy udder cows. A lower proportion of affected udder was recorded for Primiparous cow (24.3%) compared with that showed by multiparous cows (32.46%). Cows affected with mastitis during the voluntary waiting period (VWP) showed longer intervals to the first detected estrus and first services while those affected during the service period (SP) showed longer calving to conception intervals, lower CR and lower PR especially when the SCC exceed 500,000 cell/ml milk. Cows experienced udder infection during the SP showed the lowest PR (32.54% & 36.44%) and required more NSPC. In conclusion, a significant linkage among different dry period lengths and both the incidence of mastitis and fertility were recorded, with the best results were recorded for cows with TDPL and SDPL. Extending the dry period above 60 days increased the incidence of both clinical and subclinical mastitis and exerted a negative impact on the reproductive performance. The occurrence of mammary infection during the VWP increased the calving to first estrus and first service intervals, while its occurrence during the SP prolonged the days open, and extremely reduced the conception and pregnancy rates.

In this study a total number of 22 organ samples (including trachea, lung and kidney) from 22 broiler farms from northern Upper Egypt were collected from Mars 2017 to June 2018 from chickens showing clear clinical and pathological signs of Infectious Bronchitis. The samples were prepared and examined by real time RT-PCR for diagnosis of IBV. A total number of 11 samples were positive (50%) which were used for further isolation on SPF eggs by three blind serial passages. Positive samples that showed the pathogenic lesions of IB (curling and dwarfing of embryos) were collected and tested with real time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) for more confirmation then a part from S1 gene sequence was amplified by RT-PCR and the product was sequenced and the data have been compared with other related IBV strains. The results indicate that the Egyptian virus in this study has an identity percent reached up to 89% with other recent Egyptian isolates. However, it reached 67% with classical vaccine strains like H120 and variant I like CR88 strain. The lowest identity was observed with M41 strain (59%) in this study. The phylogenetic tree compared to other isolates from Middle East and worldwide showed that this isolate is related to the IBV variant 2 group closely related to IBVEg/1265B/2012 strain and the Israeli strain IS/1494/06.

Avian coccidiosis is an important parasitic disease affecting poultry and causes high economic losses in poultry industry, which acts as an important sector in the Egyptian national income. It is caused by genus Eimeria that belongs to subphylum apicomplexa. It affects domestic pigeons causing great losses, particularly in squabs. So, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria species infecting domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) in Minia province. Intestines of 400 domestic pigeons collected from various poultry butcher shops as well as 103 pooled fecal samples of household pigeons were microscopically examined by the flotation technique. The recovered oocysts were morphologically identified. The overall prevalence of Eimeria species infection was 27.0% (108/400) and 72.82% (75/103) in the intestinal and pooled fecal samples respectively. Seasonally, the highest infection rate in the pooled fecal samples was in both spring and autumn (80.0%), while the lowest was in summer (56.0%). Meanwhile, the infection rate of the intestinal samples was the highest in winter (33.33%) and the lowest in autumn (20.0%). Moreover, The monthly infection rate of intestinal samples revealed that September and April had the highest rates;(55.0% and 41.62%). However, no infection rates were found in October and November, while monthly infection rate of fecal samples recorded that January and February showed 100% infection rate. Meanwhile, March and August, showed the lowest rate of infection 28.57% and 42.86% respectively. The morphological identification revealed the presence of four Eimeria species, Eimeria labbeana, E. columbarum E.columbae and E.labbeana-like, in pigeons in Minia province. Further studies are recommended to investigate the life cycle and molecular differentiation of Eimeria species infecting domestic birds.

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal melatonin “MLT” administration against bisphenol A “BPA”- induced infertility and thyroid dysfunction in male rat offsprings (First generation “F1”). For that purpose, fifty adult albino rats (40 females and 10 males) were used and classified equally into five groups (8 females and 2 males in each group). First group (control group) in which, pregnant rats were injected with 0.3 ml of vehicle /day. The second group (low dose BPA) where rats received a daily dose of 25 µg / kg B.W. The third group (high dose BPA) where rats received a daily dose of 250 µg / kg B.W. Fourth group (low dose BPA + MLT) where rats received a daily dose of 25 µg BPA /kg B.W. plus 10 mg MLT / Kg B.W. The fifth group (high dose BPA + MLT) where the rats received a daily dose of 250 µg BPA / kg B.W. plus 10 mg /Kg B.W. All rats within each group received their specific treatment daily with subcutaneous injection starting from the fourth day of pregnancy till full term. Then, the male offsprings of each group were selected and reared until the 60th day after birth. Serum and tissue samples were collected for analyses and microscopical examination. Although prenatal administration of both BPA doses didn’t affect the body weight gain and testicular weights of male offsprings, they reduced significantly the serum levels of testosterone and triodotyrosine when compared to the control group. Also, both BPA doses disturb significantly the oxidant/antioxidant ratio. Moreover, prenatal administration of both BPA doses affected negatively semen quality of the produced offsprings and induced marked histological alterations in their testes and prostate. Remarkably, all serological and histological alterations observed after BPA exposure were ameliorated significantly with MLT co-administration. Thus, prenatal MLT administration could be considered an optimal treatment to relieve many reproductive disorders, degenerative changes of testes and prostate and thyroid malfunction induced in male offsprings after gestational exposure of their dams to BPA.

Lycopene is a natural carotenoid that has been reported to exhibit excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, male Wistar albino rats received lead (Pb) (300 mg/L, in drinking water) and/or lycopene (4mg/kg) for 8 consecutive weeks to investigate the ameliorative effect of lycopene upon Pb-induced nephrotoxicity. Renal damage was assessed by detecting serum level of urea, creatinine, acute kidney injury molecule-1and cystatin-C, in addition, serum level of some inflammatory cytokines were assessed. Also, renal lipid peroxide level and antioxidant status of the kidney with renal activity of energy metabolism enzymes (pyruvate kinase (PK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-P) were evaluated. Moreover, lead-induced nephrotoxicity was evaluated via light microscopy examination of renal tissues. Animals that received lycopene and Pb together showed enhanced kidney functions and minimal pathological alteration than Pb-treated rats. Moreover, lycopene administration significantly decreased serum level of inflammatory cytokines and boosted redox balance of the kidney. Furthermore, renal activity of PK and G-6-P enzymes was increased significantly upon administration of lycopene with Pb.  In conclusion, this study elucidated the inhibitory effect of lead toxicity on renal glucose metabolic enzymes and declared that lycopene can ameliorate Pb-induced renal damage through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

A case of dystocia in a local non-descript goat was reported. The animal was weak and had a history of straining since 24 hours, fetal membranes ruptured and cervix fully dilated. On per-vaginal examination the fetus was found dead as there was no reflex on pinching. The fetus had a normal presentation, position but posture was abnormal, with downward deviation of head and both the carpal joints were flexed. Caudal epidural anaesthesia was given between first and second intercoccygeal space using 2.5 ml Lignocaine hydrochloride before manual handling. After proper lubrication, correction of the dystocia was carried out using the repulsion and traction method. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory were injected post successful traction of the fetus. Then, 500 ml of 5% Dextrose fluid was administered intravenously to correct the dehydration status and to avoid shock to the animal. After successful traction of fetus, two furea boli were placed intrauterine.

The aim of this study was to reveal the comparative anatomy of the nasal cavity in buffaloes, donkeys and camels. It was carried out on 30 heads of apparently healthy adult animals, 10of each species. Heads were fixed and used for gross and cross sectional anatomy. The study provided information about the peculiarities of nasal anatomy in each species. The conchal arrangement was greatly different in camels, while that of buffaloes and donkeys were similar to other ruminants and equine. In camels, the nasal conchae were condensed in the caudal two thirds, the ventral nasal concha was shorter and twisted and the alar and basal folds were raised from a common extension. Camels have a vestibular pouch known as lateral nasal diverticulum. It was a cylindrical tube anatomically different from the nasal diverticulum of donkeys and other equine. The cartilaginous skeleton of narial aperture was reduced in donkeys and camels. Moreover, the rostral portion of nasal septum in camels was formed of muscles instead of cartilage. In the three species, vomeronasal organ and dorsal and ventral swelling bodies were present on both sides of the nasal septum. However, in camels the vomeronasal organ was notably longer and wider. In conclusion, the anatomy of camel nasal cavity in contrast to other domestic animals was presented interesting anatomical features similar to those of proboscis-bearing mammals.

Thermophilic species of the genus Campylobacter are generally considered commensals of livestock and the leading cause of bacterial food-borne zoonoses. The present study was delineated to clarify the role of Campylobacter species as a diarrheagenic pathogen in animals and man and to investigate the fecal carriage rate of Campylobacters in animals and in-contact humans. A total number of 78 fecal samples were collected from diarrheic and non-diarrheic cattle (n=26), sheep (n=28) and humans (n=24). Samples were enriched in Preston broth, followed by streaking on selective Campylobacter agar base medium. The suspected colonies were tested morphologically and biochemically. Campylobacter spp. was recovered from 29 (37.17%) out of 78 fecal samples (34.61%, 42.85% and 33.33%) for cattle, sheep and humans, respectively. Positive correlation between the occurrence of diarrhea and the isolation of Campylobacters was observed in samples of human origin while in adult ruminants particularly sheep, high fecal carriage rate was observed in non-diarrheic animals. The isolates were identified to genus and species levels by polymerase chain reaction targeting the 16S rRNA gene, the mapA gene and the ceuE gene which revealed that all of isolates were Campylobacter jejuni. These findings pose a significant epidemiological implication where cattle and sheep act as vehicles of, and excrete Campylobacter jejuni which is capable of causing disease in the local community in the area of investigation.

Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis are among the predominant Salmonella serotypes in the Egyptian poultry farms. Salmonella has the ability to build up biofilms on a variety of surfaces. The antibiofilm activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL) on prevention and controlling of biofilm by Salmonella spp. was estimated. Silver nanoparticles exhibited bactericidal activity against both S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis with MIC value at 15 µg/ml, while, that of NaOCL was 1600 µg/ml. AgNPs (25 ug/ml) could inhibit biofilm formation at percentages of 84.96% and 78.85% against S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis, respectively. A percentage of 87 % biofilm removal by AgNPS after 3 h contact with the built-up biofilm produced by S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis was recorded. NaOCL (2200 µg/ml) exhibited inhibition percentages of biofilm formation at 83.89% and 75.76% against S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis, respectively. While, biofilm removal percentages after 2 h contact between NaOCL (2200 µg/ml) with the formed biofilm by S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis were 87.42% and 89.37%, respectively. It can be concluded that AgNPs and NaOCl were able to promote a significant reduction of biofilm formation by S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis. Also, AgNPs and NaOCl effectively oppress the mature biofilms formed and the antibiofilm efficiency increased with the increase of contact time with the biofilms.