This present study was aimed to determine the changes of plasma testosterone in North Algerian donkeys, the correlation coefficients between T concentrations and biochemical parameters were estimated. Blood samples were withdrawn in the morning from the jugular vein into a tube containing EDTA. A total of 24 mature healthy donkeys were selected randomly under condition of free stabling period. T concentrations in male donkeys were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. AST, ALT and ALP concentration were measured according to the manufacturer recommendation. As regards the concentration of Ch and Tg, the assay was carried out using the automatic biochemical analyzer. The results indicated that T concentration values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in winter and autumn (2.468±0.66 ng/ml and 2.785±0.49 ng/ml, respectively) seasons than in spring and summer (0.95±0.343 ng/ml and 0.745±0.236 ng/ml, respectively) seasons. Likewise, Ch and Tg values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in winter and autumn seasons than in spring and summer seasons. Also, it is also noteworthy that ALT values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in winter and autumn seasons than in spring and summer seasons. Whereas, AST values were significantly (P<0.05) lower in summer than in winter, autumn and spring seasons. As regards ALP, values mean were practically similar in all seasons. Our finding suggests that the sexual activity probably occurs during winter and autumn in local donkeys of Northern Algeria. In addition, our results of Ch and Tg levels are correlated with season, which may be a good indication of the reproductive performance in donkeys.

An experimental study was conducted on 14 donkeys. The animals were classified into two main groups. The first group included 5 donkeys that are used for induction of duodenal, obstruction for determination of the different clinical and biochemical changes and for determination of the mean survival time after obstruction. The second group contained 9 donkeys that were used for the determination of proper time for surgical intervention. Results revealed that mean survival time after obstruction was 20-35 h and the critical time for surgery was 14-35 h.

Among the diseases that affect equines, viral diseases play an important role from a health and economic point of view, especially influenza, viral arteritis, herpes infections and vesicular stomatitis. In the Brazilian literature, there is little or no account of the occurrence of infectious diseases in donkeys. Given the importance of donkeys in different activities and the lack of information on infections that may occur in these animals, the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-equine herpesvirus (EHV), anti-equine arteritis virus (EAV), anti-vesicular stomatitis, and anti-equine influenza (H3N8) antibodies in the serum of 85 donkeys bred in some regions of the state of Sao Paulo. We found the following antibody frequencies: 50.6% (43/85) antibodies against influenza virus subtype H3N8, 47% (40/85) anti-EHV, and 20% (17/85) anti-EAV. The donkeys were not seropositive for vesicular stomatitis. The results suggested that the agents EHV, EAV, and equine influenza subtype H3N8 circulate among donkeys in some regions of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, reinforcing the importance of establishing a routine diagnosis and epidemiological study of this species.

Donkeys have a long history in the development of human societies. Typically referred to as a beast of burden, traditional uses for donkeys have included the transportation of goods and people, use in agricultural and forestry activities, to access water, and provide citizens in low- and middle-income countries a means of making an income for communities. However, the rise of mechanization, the development of modern farming techniques, and the increasing availability of motorized vehicles have led to donkeys and mules becoming redundant from traditional roles in many parts of the world. We provide examples of where donkeys have successfully transitioned from traditional roles to new, non-traditional roles in Europe and North America, and demonstrate that, although the roles and use of donkeys and mules are changing in a rapidly developing world, we can learn lessons from the past and apply them to current challenges. As the need for working equids declines in transport and agriculture, they still hold great value for recreational, therapeutic, and environmentally friendly methods of animal traction.