This study showed the effectiveness of combination therapy of osteoarthritic synovial derived stem cells (OA-SDSCs) with subchondral drilling for large osteochondral defects repair in mature rabbit model. The defect was created at load-bearing area of the medial femoral condyle of both knees (6 mm length × 3 mm width). Then, mature rabbits were separated randomly into 2 groups: 3 subchondral holes were penetrated the subchondral bone in the defect site (drilled group), and then an intra-articular injection of one million OA-SDSCs into the knee joint was performed (combined group). After two months, rabbits were euthanized to perform histological assessment of the repaired tissue using safranin O stain. Repaired tissue was visually more whitish in the drilled group than in the combined group. Histologically, repaired tissue almost revealed fibrocartilage with subchondral repair in the combined group. However, fibrous tissue was represented in the drilled group. On Pineda score, the combined group was significantly better than of the drilled group (P = 0.001). Finally, using of OA-SDSCs with subchondral drilling promotes better cartilage repair than using subchondral drilling alone.

The objective of this work was to study the feasibility of pulsed wave Doppler ltrasonography for evaluation of testicular hemodynamics and to establish its normal values during pre- and post-pubertal in clinically healthy male Egyptian donkeys. Both testes from each of 14 mature (6-10 years) and 10 immatures (1-1.5 years) male donkeys were examined using caliper (testicular length, width and depth). Then, a portable color Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), Systolic velocity peak (SVP) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of the testicular arteries in each of two locations. There were no significant differences between the caliper measurements and blood flow indices of the left and right testes. All indices measurements at the spermatic cord (in the middle of pampiniform plexus) were achievable in pre- and post-pubertal animals. All values were higher at the convoluted location than at the marginal aspect of the artery (P < 0.05) except EDV. The wave forms at convoluted segment were mainly biphasic (resistive) and that at marginal part were mainly nonphasic (non-resisrtive). There were non-significant correlations between each of the blood flow measurements and the age (Pearson, for PI, r = –0.065; RI, r = –0.07; SVP, r = 0.16; and EDV, r = –0.25; P> 0.05). In conclusion pulsed wave Doppler ltrasound characterization of blood flow of the donkeys' testis is possible, and will likely become a seful tool for quantitative evaluation of the testicular vasculature/hemodynamic in male donkey. Further studies are needed on both normal and abnormal testes to clarify the usefulness of this technology in diagnosis of infertility problems of Egyptian male donkey.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ability of Chitosan to promote induced tibial fracture healing in a rat model. The study was conducted on 14 albino rats divided into two equal groups (seven rats in each group). The first group was considered as a control group. The second group was injected Chitosan solution 0.1 mg/kg into the fracture gap. The progress of healing in each group was evaluated by clinical, radiography, ultrasonography and pathological examinations. The healing process was observed to be superior in the Chitosan group compared to the control one. Chitosan was found to promote healing of injured bone and is suggested to be used in cases of complicated or delayed bone fracture.

Equine metabolic syndrome is a growing concern usually associated with increased insulin and leptin concentrations. To investigate the relations of obesity determined by measuring the rump fat (RF) with ovarian hormones, leptin, and leptin gene polymorphism, cyclic mares (n=36) were categorized based on RF thickness estimated by the ultrasonography and body condition score (BCS) into obese (RF>5mm; BCS >5), moderate (RF>3≤5 mm;BCS >3≤5) and lean animals (RF<3mm; BCS<3). The circulating estradiol, progesterone, insulin, and leptin were analyzed. The polymorphism of the leptin gene was performed and compared for obese, moderate and lean mares. Depending on increased RF, the obesity was associated with increased BCS (P<0.0001) and leptin (P<0.0001), insulin (P<0.01), and P4 (P<0.0001). Obese mares of leptin genotype BB had the highest leptin (1146±420 pg/ml), insulin (7.42±0.89 μU/l) and progesterone (22.69±9.34 ng/ml), but minimum estradiol (101±54 pg/ml) concentrations. Mares of leptin genotype AA had the highest RF (P<0.0001). The interaction of leptin genotype and obesity had affected RF and all hormone concentrations with no significant effect on the BCS. In conclusion, obesity in cyclic mares altered ovarian hormones, insulin and leptin concentrations. The hyperleptinemia, and hyperinsulinemia were associated with the leptin genotype BB but neither to the adiposity (RF) nor BCS.

Phytobiotics have attracted considerable interest as the substitutes for subtherapeutic antibiotics in broiler production. Among the phytobiotics, Averrhoa bilimbi L. and Phyllanthus acidus L. fruits seem to have potential to be developed. Both underutilized acidic fruits contain several bioactive components that may serve as antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, immunomodulators and acidifier, which are beneficial for broiler performance and health. The bioactive components responsible for as well as the mechanisms through which the components exert the phytobiotic activities are highlighted in the present review. The current application of A. bilimbi and P. acidus fruits in broiler production is also presented. Overall, although A. bilimbi and P. acidus fruits show phytobiotic properties, they are still less utilized by the farmers to improve the growth and health performance of broiler chickens

In current research guidelines, much focus is placed on ethical management of animals and the application of principles of reduction, refinement and replacement. Of these refinements through environmental enrichment is an important aspect when housing primate to prevent behavioural problems. In this study, we investigated the co-housing of domestic cats and vervet monkeys as a novel method of enrichment based on the cohabitation and stress alleviation effect of horses housed with goats and from seeing cats cohabitating with vervet monkeys in an animal sanctuary. The study used a habituation method whereby the cats were stepwise introduced to the monkeys by sight and smell but with physical separation. Assessment included changes in behaviour, weight and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations over time. On the first day of housing, the vervets whilst inquisitive kept their distance. The vervets housed in cages that were closest to the cats were the most active and during the first minute of introduction made more alarm calls, which stopped a few days later. The fGCMs were non-significantly different. The results of this study provide evidence that vervet monkeys and domestic cats could potentially be housed together without overt aggression. We thus suggest further observations to ascertain if the co-housing could have long-term benefits for vervet monkeys, from the companionship that would be offered by the cats.

To experimentally evaluate chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) as alternative to antibiotics on controlling biofilm forming E. coli isolated from omphalitis cases. A total of 100 yolk sac samples were collected from diseased and dead chicks (1-10 days old) suffered from omphalitis. Yolk sacs were collected from different farms at Assiut city, Egypt. Out of 100 collected samples, a total of 36 E. coli isolates were isolated with a prevalence rate of 36%, these isolates belonged to 11 different serotypes, which showed biofilm production that confirmed experimentally by two methods (crystal violet assay and congo red agar), all biofilm producers of E. coli serotypes showed resistance to one or more antibiotics by disc diffusion method. Chitosan nanoparticles exhibited superior antimicrobial activity against all the 11 E. coli strains in comparison with used antibiotics, the maximum inhibition zone diameter recorded was 32 mm at concentration of 0.1% (ChNPs) and the lowest was 11 mm by Agar well diffusion assay. In Ovo colonization with 0.1 % chitosan nanoparticles at the 18th day of incubation through amniotic route had positive impacts on bacterial count of recovered E. coli isolates (2.9×105 CFU) without any adverse effect on hatchability.

The aim of the present study was to detect the changes occurring in serum testosterone profile in male buffaloes. Thirty blood samples from apparently healthy slaughtered male buffaloes were taken and divided into three age groups, 1.5–1.8, 2 –2.5 and 3–4 years. Scrotal circumference and testicular measurements were conducted and the seminal glands were obtained immediately after slaughter. The fructose content was determined in tissue of seminal gland using spectrophotometer. Our investigations were extended to determine the effect of the seasons on serum testosterone levels (Indoor study). There were significant differences between scrotal circumference, testicular and seminal glands measurements with the age of the animals. There were no significant differences neither between average fructose content of seminal glands (mg/ gland) nor fructose concentration per 1 g. tissue with age, were detected. In addition, it is noticed that the serum testosterone level was higher in the first group (1. 5–1.8 years), then a decline in testosterone levels was recorded from 2.0–2.5 to 3–4 years of age with no significant difference between the different groups. A higher mean testosterone concentration (1.72 ng/ ml) was recorded in autumn, while the lowest average concentration (0.77 ng / ml) was recorded in winter. However, there was no significant difference in testosterone levels between different seasons of the year. Hence, we could suppose that the Egyptian water buffalo bull has no typical breeding season.

The current study aimed to measure the testicular ultrasonographic dimensions (length, width, thickness and volume) as well as spectral Doppler indices (resistive index and pulsatility index) of testicular artery, and to investigate the possible differences between the paired testes based on testicular dimensions and blood flow Doppler indices. Five Awassi rams of normal fertility, with a body weight 50-65 kg and aged 3-5 years were subjected to testicular ultrasound examination for testicular dimensions and pulsed-wave Doppler, twice monthly for five consecutive months. The testicular volume of the left testis (69.34±6.66 mm3) was higher than the right testis (66.85±5.46 mm3). Testicular thickness was significantly affected by the laterality of the testes (P<0.05). Doppler measures for RI (resistive index) as well as pulsatility index (PI) were slightly higher (P>0.05) in the right testicular artery rather than the left one. In conclusion, the testicular ultrasound measures and Doppler flow indices varied between the paired right and left testes in mature rams. In addition, the blood flow indices are highly correlated in the testicular artery of rams.

To evaluate occurrences of ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and canine leishmaniasis in the municipality of Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Blood was collected from 424 dogs that were attended at the Clinical Practice Center of the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina, Concordia campus, and also in private clinics in the city or in its rural zone. Animals were evaluated first by serological tests, and among them, 191 dogs were proportionally and randomly chosen to undergo the molecular test. The presence of antibodies against Leishmania infantum was investigated using the Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Test and against Babesia canis and Ehrlichia canis using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, along with the Polymerase Chain Reaction for the three agents. The chi-square test at the significance level of 5% was used to compare the positive and negative animals in the population sampled. Among the samples evaluated in the serological tests, 43.45%, 43.98% and 14.66% were positive for ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and leishmaniasis, respectively. In the molecular test, only 4.19% of the samples were positive for babesiosis. Anti-E. canis, anti-B. canis and anti-L. infantum antibodies were present in the canine population studied. Due to the serological tests used for the use of IgG immunoglobulin, it is suggested that seropositive animals come into contact with the parasite previously and possibly have developed immunity against them. The polymerase chain reaction indicated that the positive animals had the genetic material of the parasite at that time, indicating that they were possibly at an early stage of the disease.