Hormonal levels, particularly progesterone (P4), could be used to predict the day of luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, which is important not only for optimum ovulation but also for the detection of some abnormalities such as split heat. This study aimed to determine cytological, hormonal, and ovarian vascularity changes in normal cyclic and split heat bitches during proestrus and estrous phases. Pluriparous females (n=40) were categorized into two groups as follows: Group A (n=35; with a normal sequence of oestrus cycle) and Group B (n=5; split heat females with a short duration of proestrus). Doppler and hormonal assessments were performed daily from day 0 until day 15. Compared to Group B, both ovarian arteries (OA) Doppler indices decreased in Group A, with the most significant decline occurring between days 7 and 12. While peak velocity (PSV; cm/sec) was elevated in Group A compared to its value in Group B. In Group A, estradiol (E2) levels were higher (P 0.05) than in Group B, with the most significant increase observed between days 7-12. Group A showed an increase in nitric oxide (NO) from days 8 to 12 with no change in split heat bitches (P<0.05). P4 levels were slightly elevated (P<0.05) until they reached 3.5±0.09 and 8.25±0.22 ng/ml on days 10 and 15, respectively. Nevertheless, bitches showed split heat in Group B, P4 level was low. In Group A, IGF-1 levels were elevated in the proestrus phase until day 9 (155.32±5.26) and in the estrous phase until day 15 (175.56±3.66) compared to other groups. In Group B, the dominance of small intermediate cells and RBCs on all days remained unchanged on all days, in contrast to Group A, where cornified cells began to dominate on day 15. In conclusion, these data suggested that the evaluation of ovarian hemodynamics, in addition to hormonal and cytological assessments, could be critical parameters not only for the optimum ovulation prediction by progesterone assay related to LH but also for the detection of any abnormalities such as split heat or irregular estrous interval.

The objective of this project was to develop live (LV), live attenuated (LAV), and autoclaved killed vaccines (AKV). The development of the vaccine involves utilizing two well-characterized strains of Streptococcus iniae (S. iniae), namely S. iniae 1 and S. iniae 2. S. iniae 2 was obtained from Department of Fish diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt while S. iniae 1 strain was gifted from microbiology department, Egyptian Drug Authority, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. Pathogenicity test and lethal dose determination were performed. To conduct the experiment, apparently healthy Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) of average weight 30±0.2g were divided into five experimental groups: T1 group, which served as a negative control and received saline; T2 group, which served as a positive control and received S. iniae 2; T3 group, which received an autoclaved killed vaccine for S. iniae 2; T4 group, which received a live attenuated vaccine for S. iniae 2; and T5 group, which received a live vaccine for S. iniae 1. At the end of the vaccination period, S. iniae 2 was introduced challenge to all groups. Serum samples were collected three weeks after vaccination to measure serum bactericidal activity, lysozyme activity, nitric oxide, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase. The findings demonstrated that the pathogenicity test reach 0 and 100% mortality rate for S. iniae 1 and S. iniae 2, respectively. Live attenuated vaccine had significantly higher protective rate than live vaccinations, while autoclaved vaccine had the best protective efficacy (88.2%). These results were confirmed through measurement some immune parameters as Serum bactericidal activity, lysozyme activity, nitric oxide, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase.

This report aimed to present a case of ectrodactyly in a free-living adult female Erinaceus europaeus. At radiography and post-mortem dissection, the right hind limb developed 2 digits and aplasia of 3 digits. No other abnormality was found in this case. Various teratogens may be responsible for occurring skeletal anomalies. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report of ectrodactyly in this species.

Adenoviruses are commonly found in chickens, and can be isolated from both sick and apparently healthy birds. Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an acute disease primarily caused by (Fowl adeno virus) FAdV strains from groups D and E, including FAdV-8a serotype. Acknowledged for its immunosuppressive effects, we undertook an investigation into the early infection dynamics of IBH and its consequential impact on a fundamental vaccine widely employed in the poultry industry. Our study precisely examined the interplay between early IBH infection and the efficacy of a specific (Infectious bronchitis) IB vaccine. In this study, a total of 150 broiler chicks were divided into five groups, each consistedof 30 chicks. Group I received one dose of the IB variant vaccine, Group II and III received two doses (the first at 1-day-old and the second at 14-day-old), Group IV (control +ve) and Group V (control -ve). Groups I, II and IV were infected with IBH at 7-day-old. The evaluation encompassed diverse parameters, including clinical manifestations, mortality rates, and histopathological assessments of the liver, trachea, and kidney. Additionally, viral shedding of the IB vaccinal strain was examined. Our findings focus the detrimental impact of early IBH infection on avian organs and IB vaccinal strain shedding. Pronounced necrotic changes were observed in the tissues, coupled with an elevated viral shedding of the variant strain. These results collectively imply an augmented risk of potential outbreaks, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach in managing IBH in the context of vaccination strategies.

Tissue protozoa play a significant role as a cause of economic losses in reproductive and productive aspects in camels beside the zoonotic importance.  A Cross-sectional study was designed to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dromedary camels in Matrouh and Aswan border governorates of Egypt. One hundred and eighty-two serum samples from apparently healthy dromedary camels and tested serologically for neosporosis and toxoplasmosis. The prevalence of possible related risk factors was investigated from December 2020 to November 2021. The serological testing of 182 camel serum samples revealed a prevalence (15.93%, 29/182) for Neospora caninum, (58.24%, 106/182) for Toxoplasma gondii and (9.34%, 17/182) for both infections together. The total seroprevalence rate was (64.84%, 118/182). Camels in Matrouh governorate were at high risk (p < 0.05) of infection with tissue protozoa 3.74 times more than camels in Aswan governorate. Maghrabi camels were found more significant (p < 0.05) prevalent for T.  gondii infection (62/78, 79.49%) by 5.28 times than Sudani camels, Otherwise, in Sudi camels, N. caninum is almost 2.70 times Maghrabi camels. The results showed that age and sex were mostly significant for N. caninum and T. gondii. This study found that, camels are a possible source of infection for the studied tissue protozoa, some of which are significant for public health. More research are needed to describe their true situation and epidemiology in dromedary camels.

Inherited disorders are one of the reasons of infertility and economic losses for the equine industry. The detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities is rising due to the use of sex chromosome linked molecular markers. Here, a rare sterile five-year-old Arabian mare with XY male chromosomes is presented. The phenotype was corresponded to female with normal external genitalia. By transrectal ultrasound, there were hypoplastic ovaries and aplasia of uterine horns. Chromosome analysis was accomplished on blood samples using conventional, and G-banding techniques and confirmed by PCR and hormonal analysis. Although the karyotype (2n = 64, XY) revealed a typical male arrangement, it was SRY gene negative and amelogenin gene positive for X and Y chromosome. Hormonal analysis showed slight estrogenic activity of the ovary, but low progesterone and anti-mullerian hormones levels. In conclusion, this case of sex reversal mare (SRY-negative 64, XY) was recorded using cytogenetic, genetic, and hormonal analysis. Cytogenetics and molecular screening could be used as a fast approach for reproductive disorders evaluation in equine to save money, effort, and time of breeders.

Wild animals, sharing pathogens with domestic animals, play a crucial role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Sampling from wild animals poses significant challenges, yet it is vital for inclusion in disease surveillance and monitoring programmes. Often, mass surveillance involves serological screenings using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests, typically validated only for domestic animals. This study assessed the diagnostic specificity of commercially available ELISA tests on 342 wild ruminant serum samples and 100 from wild boars. We evaluated three tests for foot-and-mouth disease: two for Peste des petits ruminants, two for Rift Valley fever and one for Capripox virus. Diagnostic specificity was calculated using the formula True Negative/(False Positive + True Negative). Cohen’s kappa coefficient measured agreement between tests. Results showed high specificity and agreement across all tests. Specificity for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) ranged from 93.89% for Prionics to 100% for IDEXX, with IDvet showing 99.6%. The highest agreement was between FMD IDvet and IDEXX at 97.1%. Rift Valley fever (RVF) tests, Ingezim and IDvet, achieved specificities of 100% and 98.83%, respectively. The optimal specificity was attained by retesting single reactors and inactivating the complement. Contribution: Commercially available ELISA kits are specific for foot-and-mouth disease and similar transboundary animal diseases and can be used for highly specific wild animal testing.

Kishk is a traditional dry fermented dairy product prepared from a mixture of salted sour butter milk or yoghurt with wheat grains. Goal was to evaluate the microbiological quality, together with isolation and identification of LAB from kishk and assessed their protective effects against E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo. One hundred samples of kishk were randomly obtained from farmers’ houses and food stores in the Assuit province, Egypt. Total viable count and, total yeasts and molds were performed by plating the samples on selective media. Further, LAB were isolated on de Man Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar and identified by biochemical tests. The antagonistic effect of the obtained LAB was evaluated against two of foodborne patogens (E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in vitro using well diffusion method and in vivo after inoculation in cow’s milk. The average count of total bacterial counts and, total yeasts and molds were 8.13 ± 0.09 and 2.92 ± 0.16 log10 CFU/g, respectively. On the basis of phenotypical examination, LAB were identified and classified into three groups of LAB namely Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Lactococcus. Notably, LAB had more inhibitory activity against against E. coli in comparison to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro. However, there was no changes in the mean count of the tested organisms versus control group after inoculation in milk. This study discovered that kishk contain LAB bacteria that have antagonistic properties on E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hence, kishk could be a useful candidate for the human health.

Replacing of sodium nitrite from meat processing is a new promising advance in clean label meat products. The current article explored the positive effects of total replacement of sodium nitrite with a combined antimicrobial and antioxidant mixture comprised of 400 ppm nisin (N), 25 ppm Nano sized zinc oxide (Z), 1% chitosan (C) and 1% roselle extract (R) on proximate and fatty acid composition, cooking loss, color analysis and sensory profile of beef sausage. Four types of beef sausage were prepared as following: NT sausage samples as control positive group containing 120 ppm sodium nitrite, NCR samples (400 ppm N, 1% C and 1% R), ZCR (25 ppm Z, 1% C and 1% R) and NZCR samples containing (400 ppm N, 25 ppm Z, 1% C 5and 1% R). The outcomes of the study displayed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.01) in proximate composition of control (NT) and reformulated (NCR, ZCR and NZCR) samples. Concerning fatty acid profiling, saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were the predominant portions in all sausage types and oleic acid was the prevalent one, moreover, reformulated sausages exhibited lower SFA and higher MUFA and PUFA improving fat quality of reformulated beef sausage. A significant difference in cooking loss percentage was observed in NZCR sausage samples compared to other sausages. Noteworthy, cooked reformulated sausages kept their red color after cooking and their a* values were close to those of NT. Sensory assessment (odor, taste and overall acceptance) of reformulated sausages were higher than NT especially for NZCR that recorded the highest scores. Overall, our findings established that combination of antimicrobials (nisin and Nano sized ZnO), antioxidant (chitosan) along with Roselle extract (for red color enhancement) could be potentially applied as a possible nitrite replacer to produce healthier product free from sodium nitrite.

Nanotechnology is successfully used to ensure food quality, to enrich food with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, and to improve the organoleptic properties of food. Nanoparticles of rare earth elements – gadolinium and lanthanum orthovanadates – have prospects for use in growing broiler chickens to improve meat quality, since their introduction in a therapeutic dose (0.2 mg/L of drinking water – on average, chickens received 0.09 (0.13-0.05) mg/kg body weight) for 10 days led to an increase in the mass fraction of protein and a decrease in the mass fraction of fat (gadolinium orthovanadate nanoparticles) and an increase in the mass fraction of dry matter during the administration period, along with an increase in the mass fraction of protein and ash (lanthanum orthovanadate nanoparticles and a mixture of gadolinium orthovanadate and lanthanum orthovanadate nanoparticles), which increases the energy value of meat.