We recently reported factors leading to different severity of ruminal pH drop in primiparous cows fed the same diet during transition and early lactation. The present study evaluates the effects of those severities on performance and several blood and balance parameters in the same 24 primiparous cows from 3 wk before calving until week 10 in lactation. The dietary concentrate was increased for all cows from 32 before calving to 60% dry matter (DM) basis over the first week in lactation, resulting in a diet with 40% non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and 14.4% physically effective fiber [peNDF > 8]. Ruminal pH was monitored with indwelling systems in all cows during the study; then several indices of duration and magnitude of pH change were used as indicators of the severity of ruminal pH drop. Accordingly, as reported in the companion paper, the cows were classified as either higher pH drop (HIGH; n = 9), moderate (MOD; n = 9), or lower (LOW; n = 6) severity of pH drop. In the present report, body weight, body condition score, and back fat thickness decreased but rumen mucosa thickness increased after calving in all cows (P < 0.05). Post-partum daily energy intake in HIGH was greater (P < 0.05) than in the other categories. In addition, there were 5.6 kg extra of energycorrected milk in HIGH (P < 0.05). Independent of the severity of pH drop, blood glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, bilirubin, and cortisol were higher, whereas triglycerides, total protein, globulin, albumin, urea nitrogen, cholesterol, calcium, and phosphorous were lower at calving (P < 0.05). Blood cholesterol was greater in HIGH than the other pH categories (P < 0.05); insulin and reproductive variables were not affected by the severity of the pH drop. Overall, primiparous cows fed the same diet showed different severity of ruminal pH drop, but the individual variation in ruminal pH depression was not related to a negative impact on milk yield, energy balance, or blood metabolites during the study. This indicates that the impact of low ruminal pH on the animals may depend not only on the severity of the pH drop (average of 403 min/d of pH < 5.8 over 13 wk) but also on diet characteristics. Specifically, drops of ruminal pH can be tolerated by primiparous cows during the first 10 wk in milk consuming a diet containing 40% NFC and 14.4% peNDF > 8. It would be worth studying the severity of ruminal pH drop in a larger sample size during the entire lactation and if the severity is sustained on the next lactation.

This study aimed to determine the effects of the dietary feeding of sesban (Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr.) and reed forage (Arundo donax L.) on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, ruminal protozoa count, and rumen fermentation in sheep. Twelve Farafra rams (50 ± 0.25 kg, 2 ± 0.2 years) were allocated to three treatments. The control group  was fed a diet containing 700 g concentrate mixture with fresh alfalfa ad libitum. In the second and third treatments,
alfalfa was replaced with fresh sesban or reed forage ad libitum, respectively. Forage intake of sesban and alfalfa was higher (P < 0.05) than reed forage. Fiber digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) with reed compared to other treatments. Digestible crude protein of control and sesban treatments was higher (P < 0.05) than reed. Nitrogen intake, digestion and retention of the control and sesban treatments were higher (P < 0.05) than reed treatment. No differences were found among the treatments for ruminal pH, ammonia-N, total volatile fatty acids, and total protozoal count. In conclusion, the results of nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and nitrogen from sesban and reed forage showed that alfalfa can be replaced with sesban or reed forage in the diet of sheep. Moreover, sesban and reed forage can be considered as sources of protein and energy for rams during the summer season.

Population activity of the main insect pests inhabiting sugar beet plants in Assiut Governorate was studied during two successive seasons of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 at the Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture at Assiut University. The results show that the sugar beet plants were harbored by three main insect species, i.e., Pegomya mixta Vill., Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (Linnaeus). Results revealed that the highest infestation levels of these insect pests occurred during December and January in both seasons. The results also showed that the activity of the sugar beet fly, Pegomya mixta increased in the Salama and Oscarpoly cultivars during the two seasons. By studying the major weather factors, temperature and relative humidity on the population activity of the major pests on sugar beet plants. Results showed that the population densities of sugar beet fly, Pegomya mixta were relatively higher during the first season than the second one, and it has a higher density than Spodoptera littoralis and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa in Salama and Oscarpoly cultivars in both seasons. From the current study, we can conclude that Salama and Oscarpoly sugar beet cultivars were sensitive to the infestation with the sugar beet fly, Pegomya mixta, but the sensitivity varies from one cultivar to another. 

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a plant that has nutritional benefits and increases the effectiveness of male reproduction. In this study, oxidative stress-exposed New Zealand rabbits were used to assess the ameliorative effects of daily Maca ingestion on testicular and epididymal tissues as well as the quality of fresh and frozen/thawed sperm. Twenty-four 40-week-old, healthy New Zealand white male rabbits were divided into four groups. The first group consumed tap water and served as a control. The second group was given 300 mg of Maca daily in capsules. The third group drank water containing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a concentration of 1%. Finally, the fourth group consumed H₂O₂ and Maca daily. The ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, vitality, motility and velocity of the H₂O₂ group were considerably lower than those of the other groups. Frozen/thawed spermatozoa showed more dramatic decreases in motility and velocity as a result of H₂O₂ consumption. The plasma concentrations of testosterone and total antioxidant capacity were also lowest in the H₂O₂-treated rabbits, while malondialdehyde levels were highest. Exposure to H₂O₂ increased collagen deposition between ST and epididymal ducts which induced testicular and epididymis fibrosis. In addition, the spermatogenic and epididymal epithelial cells exhibited signs of apoptosis, degeneration, vacuolation and a reduction in height. Maca intake attenuated most of the damaging effects of H₂O₂ ingestion-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, H₂O₂-treated rabbits had modest nuclear androgen receptor positivity, unlike those in the Maca group. The number of Leydig cells significantly increased with daily Maca intake. In conclusion, daily intake of Maca improved reproductive performance and mitigated the damaging effects of oxidative stress on testicular and epididymal functions in New Zealand rabbits.

In avian species, male fertility significantly impacts reproductive success. This study investigates the relationship between proctodeal gland size in male Japanese quails and sperm function, as well as female fertility duration. Six hundred adult Japanese quails were selected and housed in individual cages. Males (n = 300) were divided into 6 groups (50/group) based on the size of their proctodeal glands. Females (n = 300) were randomly assigned to corresponding groups. After acclimatization, sperm kinematics and the frequency and weight of foam discharge were evaluated. Males were paired with females for 24 h, and eggs were collected for 20 d postcopulation. Eggs were incubated to assess fertility duration. Fresh eggs (n = 20/group/d) were used to assess sperm penetration into the perivitelline membrane on the 2nd, 9th, and 16th d postinsemination. Plasma testosterone levels and the testes' relative weight were determined. The results indicated a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, and nearly all sperm kinematic parameters such as VSL, VCL, VAP, LIN, WOB, and STR values as the size of the proctodeal gland increased. Quails copulated with males having a small and average proctodeal gland area (<400 mm²) laid fertile eggs for a shorter period and had significantly fewer sperm penetration holes than those mated with males having a larger proctodeal gland area (>400 mm²). The proctodeal gland size was positively correlated with testicular weight, plasma testosterone concentrations, and sperm kinetic variables. The results indicate that the size of the proctodeal gland in males can be used to predict sperm function and the duration of fertility in Japanese quail.

The objective of this study to explain the effect of potassium sorbate E 202
(0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) on some chemicals properties (Moisture, Acidity, Salt, Fat,
pH, Total nitrogen and Soluble nitrogen), microbiological properties (Total
Bacteria count, Total count of fungi and yeast and its effect on fungal growth and
mycotoxins production) of Ras cheese during five ripening periods (fresh, 15 days,
30 days, 60 days, 90 days) and sensory evaluation for cheese in (30 days, 60 days
and 90 days). The results show that moisture and pH decrease in all treatments
during ripening period’s progress, Acidity, T.N and S.N increases in all treatments
as the settlement period progresses, and the highest was in the second treatment
(Ras cheese treated with 0.2% potassium sorbate). Results showed a good role of
potassium sorbate in inhibiting fungal growth by increasing its concentration and
its role in inhibiting the ability of fungi to produce mycotoxins. Cheese treated
with potassium sorbate 0.3% had the best sensory acceptance during the ripening
period (60 days), with a rate of 96.5% that mean that it can use potassium sorbate
as a good antifungal factor to improve Ras cheese quality.

Ten samples of different types of cheese were collected from local markets
in Assiut city. The samples included (four soft cheese, three Ras cheese and three
Roquefort cheese). All samples were collected and kept under refrigeration
condition (5 – 7 ºC) Czapek's dextrose agar medium used for isolation and
identification the mycoflora of them. The results observed that nine species
belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Eurotium and
Rhizopus were recovered and identified. Aspergillus was the most predominant
and represented by four species namely A. flavus, A. niger, A. paraciticus, and A.
fumigatus. Euotium represented by two species namely E. repens and E. chevalieri.
Aspergillus niger Found in the four types of cheese. This resreach amied to
determine the chemical and microbiological quality of some types of cheese
including detection and identification of fungi