Paratuberculosis prevalence, economic and public health significance in animal populations is well documented in most of the developed countries. In African countries however, information on paratuberculosis is sparse mainly due to lack of surveillance and research on the disease. In Tanzania, the disease was first reported in Kilimanjaro in year 1960 and up until year 2014, different cases have been reported in almost all agro ecological zones of the country, but there is no epidemiological information to link the cases. This creates an impression that the disease is absent in Tanzania. However, it is recently realized that in any African country that has done some surveillance, the disease has been confirmed to be present. The aim of the present review is to revisit the trend of paratuberculosis in Tanzania from 1960 when the disease was first reported to the current situation in year 2022. Attempt is made to highlight the possible link between the cases and suggest future strategies to enable the country grips with the disease. It is anticipated that this review is going to raise awareness on paratuberculosis in Tanzania and catalyze the institution of paratuberculosis surveillance and control programs in Tanzania.

This study was conducted to describe the growth curves of Damascus kids reared in Egypt, using some linear and nonlinear models to provide a specific shape of the growth curve for that breed. A total of 855 records belonging to 47 kids’ progeny of 30 Damascus does between parities 1 and 5 kept in the Experimental Station of Alexandria University, Egypt, were used in this study. Kids were weighed immediately after birth and weekly thereafter till weaning at four months of age. All weights, except birth`s, were recorded early in the morning after 12 h fasting period. The effects of parity and type of birth on birth and weaning weights and on averages daily weight gains were evaluated. Also, the associations between age and weight within parities and types of birth were described using linear, quadratic and four modified nonlinear growth functions. Parity had no significant effects on birth and weaning weights. However, kids born in fourth parity had the greatest daily gain, while the second and fifth parities born kids had the lowest. Type of birth affected all studied traits. Single born kid had the highest birth and weaning weight and the highest daily weight gain compared to twice or triple born kids. Single kids born from does in third parity had the highest weights at birth and weaning and had the highest daily weight gain. Quadratic model exhibited the best goodness of fit for all kids.

The study aimed to evaluate the morphometric performance in five generations of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits by using multivariate analysis. The materials used were 72 heads of NZW rabbits from 5 generations: imported rabbits (G0), first-generation (G1), second-generation (G2), third-generation (G3), fourth-generation (G4). G0 have been imported from the United States of America (USA) at the end of 2017. Thirteen morphometric traits were evaluated by using the discriminant procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS) University Edition V.6p.2. software. Head width, ear length, chest width, radius-ulna length, femoris length, and Hip width were significant (P<0.05) among generations. Radius-ulna length, femoris length, and hip width showed the greatest contribution as distinguishing factors between generations based on canonical structure. Imported rabbits confirmed specific characteristics in morphometric traits, which differed from their progenies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of replacing egg yolk with trehalose in Tris-citric-yolk extender on post-thawing of Barki and Rahmani ram spermatozoa parameters namely, progressive motility, viability, abnormalities, membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity. Fifteen ejaculates from 3 rams presenting each breed were collected by using the artificial vagina. Accepted semen samples were pooled and kept under 37°C then were immediately distributed on extenders with replaced egg yolk levels of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1and 0 % by respective levels 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mM of trehalose. After an equilibration period, cooled semen was aspirated into 0.5mL straws and were frozen and stored in the liquid nitrogen. After 24 h, straws were thawed in a 37°C water bath for the 60s. Results revealed no significant differences between the two studied breeds of ram for all post-thawing spermatozoa parameters. The extender containing 50 mM trehalose and 3% egg yolk gave the highest post-thawing sperm motility and membrane integrity (41.43% and 44.47 %), while the lowest values (34.29 % and 37.40 %) were obtained from the extender containing 125 mM trehalose and 0% EY and was highly significant in total sperm abnormalities. Post-thawing sperm viability and acrosome integrity were not significantly affected by substituting different levels of trehalose for egg yolk. In conclusion, reducing egg yolk dawn to 1 % versus using high concentrations of trehalose (up to 100 mM) did not affect sperm characteristics, but complete elimination of egg yolk from the extender reduced post-thawing characteristics.

This study aimed to compare the testicular morphometry, mediastinum thickness, hormonal levels, hemodynamic, echogenicity, and heterogeneity in Baladi bucks at prepubertal and postpubertal stages. Five bucks (Capra hircus) were evaluated in two different stages of growth: prepubertal (age 4.5± 0.6 months; 15.0 ± 3.0 kg) and post-pubertal stages (age 13.0 ± 1.3 months; 33.0 ± 2.5 kg). Scrotal circumference, testicular dimensions, mediastinum thickness, echogenicity, heterogeneity, Doppler parameters, semen collection, testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormones (LH), and nitric oxide metabolites (NOMs) were measured. There was an (P<0.05) elevation of the testicular length, width, and scrotal circumference. Mediastinum thickness and colored areas toward and away from probe were increased (P<0.05) in post-pubertal age (2.18±0.01, 6556±32.58, and 7845±65.44) compared to pre-pubertal one (1.27±0.96, 4290±42.12, and 5144±54.24). The spectral graph was characterized by low resistance (RI), moderate pulsatility (PI) with high peak velocity, and low endpoints in the post-pubertal stage while the endpoint was equal to zero in young bucks. The post-pubertal age was associated with a marked decline (P<0.05) in echogenicity, heterogeneity, and RI, while estradiol, testosterone, and NOMs levels were increased (P<0.05). It could be concluded that the post-pubertal stage in Baladi bucks is associated with changes in testicular width, length, mediastinum thickness, RI, scrotal circumference, echogenicity, pixel heterogeneity, testicular colored area away and toward the probe, end-diastolic point, testosterone, nitric oxide, and estradiol levels, as all those variables are considered an accurate markers for the onset of sexual maturity in Baladi bucks.

In this study, we determined the aerobic plate count, Staphylococcus (Staph.) aureus count, and most probable numbers (MPN) of coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia (E.) coli, and the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 120 samples of beef steak and beef burger at various stages of preparation in a randomly selected food serving establishment in Beni-Suef City, Egypt. Additionally, 60 swab samples from knives, cutting boards, and operator's hands were investigated for the same bacteriological criteria. Subsequently, bacterial isolates were subjected to molecular identification by investigating the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. The results showed that 100 % of meat product samples at various stages of preparation contained aerobic bacterial load and Staph. aureus. Conversely, E. coli and L. monocytogenes were undetectable in meat product samples. Interestingly, 13, 7, and 1 out of 20 swab samples from hands contained coliforms, fecal coliforms, and E. coli, respectively, while knives and cutting boards were free from fecal coliforms and E. coli. Furthermore, contamination with Staph. aureus was reported in 100 % of knives and hand swab samples and 50 % of cutting board swab samples. Furthermore, the only E. coli isolate from a worker's hand contained eaeA gene, but not Stx1 gene, which indicates that it is an enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strain. Moreover, 6 and 5 Staph. aureus isolates from operator hands and beef steak after cooking had coa and mecA genes, respectively, which are responsible for plasma coagulation and methicillin resistance, respectively. To sum up, this food serving establishment does not apply proper food safety guidelines, practices inadequate cleaning and sanitizing and poor personal hygiene, accordingly, it should be faced with a high level of concern and consideration by the legal authorities.

Two days old native breed male cattle calf was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt, with facial and oral anomalies and consequent respiratory snoring and suckling difficulty. The condition was diagnosed as brachygnathism with oronasal fistula and a presumed teratoma hanging from the soft palate. The tumor was surgically excised, and the fistula was repaired using the sliding flap technique. Another surgery was determined for correction of the brachygnathism later.

Goat genetic resources are one of the main agropastoral resources of West African countries. They play a key role in the fight against poverty and food insecurity. However, the productivity of these resources remains low on most farms. The aim of the study was to improve the growth performance of goats by crossbreeding Sahelian goat (SG) with Anglo-Nubian (AN) crossbred. Thus, the experiment carried out from 2010 to 2016, involved three genetic types of goats (SG, ½AN and ¾AN) raised in a semi-intensive system. In addition to grazing, the herds were supplemented with concentrates (cottonseed cake and wheat bran). Birth weight at 12 and 24 months of age and morphobiometric measurements were collected and analyzed using R 4.0.5 software. The average birth weights of ½AN (2.65±0.54 kg) and ¾AN (2.53±0.55 kg) kids were higher (p < 0.05) than those of SG (2.39±0.5 kg). Also, at 24 months of age, the adults of ½AN (43.3± 13.6 kg) and ¾AN (37.130±8.6 kg) crossbreds were heavier (p < 0.001) than those of SG (26.7±4.4 kg). Ultimately, the resulting crossbreds have very promising potential that can be used to strengthen meat production in the Sahelian zone.

The sheep meat production system contributes to the economy of sheep farmers to a greater extent. Considering the value of sheep meat, several researchers have attempted strategically to study various domains of sheep meat production and its marketing. The research on mutton production was mainly oriented to lean meat and fatty acid profile. Sheep meat marketing research has covered aspects of consumer demand and education. Studies reveal that the industrial meat production system in sheep contributes more water foot print. Researchers have also assessed the greenhouse gas emission of sheep meat production. Sheep carcass quality studies evaluated the effects of gender, production systems, body weight, age, hot and cold carcass. Sheep meat quality studies were majorly focused on the amino acid, fatty acid profiles, and sensory characteristics. Sheep meat flavor was thoroughly researched by a few investigators. The microbial profile of sheep carcass and meat indicated various microbial contaminants in the supply chain. Several antioxidants were used by researchers for improving the quality of meat and meat products. Antimicrobials such as metal oxides and essential oils were evaluated for effective sheep meat preservation. The heavy metal contaminants in sheep were also investigated by a few researchers. Different DNA and radioisotope methods have been explored for species and sex differentiation in sheep meat and meat products. The sheep meat products were assessed by researchers for various technological, nutritional, and sensory characteristics. The economic value of sheep meat by-products was calculated by researchers for their potential importance in the value chain. Parasitic meat borne diseases were found as the common zoonotic problem with sheep meat. The export potential of sheep meat and bottlenecks have also been studied by a few researchers. Overall, the broad dimensions of sheep meat research worldwide has a profound link with the economy of the nations.

Infertility is a major concern affecting a huge population worldwide. Aneuploidy is one of the leading causes of the infertility, usually originated from errors that happens in meiosis I as chromosomal misalignment and abnormal chromosomal segregation. Recent research showed that cathepsins family play an important role in affecting the oocytes developmental competence in many species. Cathepsin B inhibition improved bovine developmental competence of the oocytes, especially in the low-quality oocytes. Here, we are the first to introduce the significance of another member of this family, cathepsin L (CTSL) in the process of oocyte maturation using mouse oocyte model.  In this study we evaluated the expression of CTSL during oocyte meiotic maturation and the effect of CTSL inhibition using specific inhibitor “SCP110” on the subsequent maturation process. We found, CTSL is expressed in all stages of Meiosis I. In addition, inhibition of CTSL resulted in delaying the maturation time by elongation the time required for extrusion of the polar body (PBE). Moreover, CTSL inhibition reduced the maturation rate compared to the control group as we found a significant decrease in PBE percent. Trying to understand the reason of the lower maturation rates, we stained the chromosomes and spindles at metaphase I stage, we found a significant increase in chromosomal misalignment at metaphase plate. Finally, we evaluated matured oocytes quality after CTSL inhibition, importantly, aneuploidy incidence was increased significantly after CTSL inhibition. In summary, CTSL is required for normal meiosis completion in oocytes and production of healthy euploid egg.