NULL

NULL

Recent reports demonstrate that octopamine receptor (OR) agonists such as formamidine pesticides cause reproductive and developmental toxicity through endocrine disrupting effects in both humans and animals. Herein, we studied the effects of different sublethal concentrations of OR agonists, Amitraz and Chlordimeform, on growth, development, and reproduction of D. melanogaster from a genotype perspective view. As a result, the sublethal concentrations for both OR agonists delayed the developmental time including pupation and eclosion. It significantly reduced the lifespan, eclosion rate, and production of eggs. The mRNA expression of genes relevant for development and metabolism was significantly changed after exposure to sublethal concentrations of both OR agonists. Octopamine receptor in mushroom bodies (Oamb), trehalase enzyme (Treh), hemocyte proliferation (RyR), and immune response (IM4) genes were upregulated whereas, trehalose sugar (Tret1-1), mixed function oxidase enzyme (Cyp9f2), lifespan (Atg7), male mating behavior (Ple), female fertility (Ddc), and lipid metabolism (Sxe2) genes were downregulated. These results support the conclusion that OR agonists activate the octopamine receptor in D. melanogaster leading to an increase of trehalase enzyme activity and degradation of trehalose sugar into free glucose which results in rapid energy exhaustion, hyperexcitation, and disturbing of the octopaminergic system in D. melanogaster.

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of some endophytic fungi, as biocontrol agents against sesame wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. sesame. Eleven fungal species belong to genus Fusarium was isolated from different localities in Sohag and Assiut governorates. All isolated species proved to be pathogenic on Giza-32 sesame cultivar. Twelve endophytic fungi isolates were isolated from some parts of various plants. The endophytic fungi isolates were tested for antagonistic activity by the dual culture and culture filtrate techniques. All endophytic fungal isolates were showed antagonistic activity againstthe causal pathogen in vitro. The endophytic Aspergillus niger was more antagonistic than other tested isolates toward the causal pathogenfollowed by A. clavatus, Penicillium chrysogenum and P. crustosum. All the tested fungal culture filtrates (FCF) were significantly affected the growth of the causal pathogen. FCF of Aspergillus terreusisolate at 20 % concentration displayed the greatest inhibitory action to the pathogen mycelia growth. Single application with endophytic fungi or combined with Trichoderma sp. were significantly deceased the disease severity (%) and increased the plant growth parameters such as shoot length, shoot weight, root weight and number of pods.

THE CURRENT study was conducted to evaluate the rooting behavior of air-layers of Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.) under IBA stimulation and/or inoculation with Bacillus subtilis. Experiment contained two branch lengths (275 and 150 cm) and six treatments of IBA (100, or 200 ppm) and B. subtilis suspension (5 or 10 ml/air-layer from suspension 108 CFU/ml) added individually or in combinations. The best results were obtained by 200 ppm IBA and/or 10 ml B. subtilis resulting in the maximum rooting percentage (100%), the highest number of roots (58.66/layer), the longest root (26.50 cm), large root volume (86.46 cm3/layer), the heaviest fresh and dry roots (82.68 and 13.50 g/layer, respectively) and maximum percentage of layers showing secondary roots (100%). These results were correlated with highest total carbohydrates content (28.40%) and total phenolic compounds (52.41 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g DW). The interaction effects indicated that the superior combined treatment was occurred by shoot length of 150 cm supplied with 200 ppm IBA + B. subtilis.

ABSTRACT Control of estrus is essential for the efficiency of any breeding program in animal farms, artificial insemination, hand mating and predicting parturition dates. A total of 18 adult does were used to study estrous activity (EA) detected by a buck goat (BG) and frequent vaginal inspection (FVI) device and its association with cervical mucus (CM) characteristics and progesterone (P4) profile allover year round. All does were housed in semi-open pens under Upper-Egypt climatic conditions, fed maintenance ration (0.8 – 1.2 Kg dry matter/day/animal) and exposed to 2 fertile males 2 times/day for 1/2 h. for estrous detection (ED). A doe that stands and to be mounted by BG is in "estrus" while a doe that in estrus and the estrus was not detected by BG was calculated as "silent estrus or silent ovulation". Cervical mucus of both does was withdrawn by vaginal speculum to determine the physical characteristics; color, texture, elasticity, pH and volume as well as the mineral elements; Na, K, Cl, P, Cu and Zn. Estrous cycles (EC) were classified to 3 types; normal (17 - 26 d.), long (> 26 d.) and short ( 17 d.). Quantitative and qualitative variables were statistically analyzed by GLM and Chi-square test procedures, respectively, as well as Duncan's test. Results revealed that estrus detected by BG was significantly (P0.05) higher in autumn (78/86, 90.70 %) than in spring (3/11, 27.27 %). While estrus detected by FVI was higher in spring (8/11, 72.73 %) than in autumn (8/86, 9.30 %). Total number and percent estrus detected throughout the year was significantly (P0.01) higher in does detected by BG (151, 67.11 %) than that detected by FVI (74, 32.89 %). Normal EC was significantly higher in does detected by BG than by FVI, while short and long EC were higher in does detected by FVI than by BG. Estrous duration was significantly (p0.01) longer of does detected by BG than by FVI, and most estruses occurred in morning. CM color was fluctuated between watery-milky during estrus and creamy during post-estrus of both does. CM texture, elasticity, and volume were more pronounced in the estrus detected by BG than by FVI. CM pH increased relatively in the estrus detected by BG than by FVI. Full arborization was observed with the watery mucus during estrus than post-estrus of both does. Mean Na concentration was significantly (p0.05) higher in post-estrus than in estrus of does detected by BG than by FVI. Mean K, P and Cu concentrations were not significantly influenced by ED device, but K and P rose relatively in estrus than post-estrous of does, while Cu was the same value during estrus and post-estrous phases. Mean Cl and Zn were significantly (p0.05) influenced by ED device, Cl was higher in estrus than post-estrus, while Zn was higher during estrous of does detected by BG than by FVI. Significant (P0.01) negative and positive correlations were found between K and P, and K and Cu, respectively during estrus. While there was positive significant (P0.05) correlation between Na and K during post-estrus Mean P4 concentration of EC was significantly (p0.01) higher in does detected by BG (3.16±0.25 ng/ml) than by FVI (0.68±0.22 ng/ml). P4 was higher in autumn and winter than spring and summer of does detected by BG, while does detected by FVI, P4 was higher in winter than the other seasons. So, BG has an effect on quality of estrus. It could be concluded that although the presence of BG, but was not able to detect does in silent estrus which was higher in spring than in autumn. FVI device contributed by 32.89 % in ED in periods BG was inactive in it, hence FVI could be easily applied in animal farms for overcome silent estrous problem and increase reproductive capacity in the flock. Not all Damascus does goat showed their EA allover year round, but the preferable period of EA was in autumn and winter and not in spring or summer. Full arborization was associated with the watery mucus, K, P, Cu and P4 1.0 ng during estrus phase.

ABSTRACT Control of estrus is essential for the efficiency of any breeding program in animal farms, artificial insemination, hand mating and predicting parturition dates. A total of 18 adult does were used to study estrous activity (EA) detected by a buck goat (BG) and frequent vaginal inspection (FVI) device and its association with cervical mucus (CM) characteristics and progesterone (P4) profile allover year round. All does were housed in semi-open pens under Upper-Egypt climatic conditions, fed maintenance ration (0.8 – 1.2 Kg dry matter/day/animal) and exposed to 2 fertile males 2 times/day for 1/2 h. for estrous detection (ED). A doe that stands and to be mounted by BG is in "estrus" while a doe that in estrus and the estrus was not detected by BG was calculated as "silent estrus or silent ovulation". Cervical mucus of both does was withdrawn by vaginal speculum to determine the physical characteristics; color, texture, elasticity, pH and volume as well as the mineral elements; Na, K, Cl, P, Cu and Zn. Estrous cycles (EC) were classified to 3 types; normal (17 - 26 d.), long (> 26 d.) and short ( 17 d.). Quantitative and qualitative variables were statistically analyzed by GLM and Chi-square test procedures, respectively, as well as Duncan's test. Results revealed that estrus detected by BG was significantly (P0.05) higher in autumn (78/86, 90.70 %) than in spring (3/11, 27.27 %). While estrus detected by FVI was higher in spring (8/11, 72.73 %) than in autumn (8/86, 9.30 %). Total number and percent estrus detected throughout the year was significantly (P0.01) higher in does detected by BG (151, 67.11 %) than that detected by FVI (74, 32.89 %). Normal EC was significantly higher in does detected by BG than by FVI, while short and long EC were higher in does detected by FVI than by BG. Estrous duration was significantly (p0.01) longer of does detected by BG than by FVI, and most estruses occurred in morning. CM color was fluctuated between watery-milky during estrus and creamy during post-estrus of both does. CM texture, elasticity, and volume were more pronounced in the estrus detected by BG than by FVI. CM pH increased relatively in the estrus detected by BG than by FVI. Full arborization was observed with the watery mucus during estrus than post-estrus of both does. Mean Na concentration was significantly (p0.05) higher in post-estrus than in estrus of does detected by BG than by FVI. Mean K, P and Cu concentrations were not significantly influenced by ED device, but K and P rose relatively in estrus than post-estrous of does, while Cu was the same value during estrus and post-estrous phases. Mean Cl and Zn were significantly (p0.05) influenced by ED device, Cl was higher in estrus than post-estrus, while Zn was higher during estrous of does detected by BG than by FVI. Significant (P0.01) negative and positive correlations were found between K and P, and K and Cu, respectively during estrus. While there was positive significant (P0.05) correlation between Na and K during post-estrus Mean P4 concentration of EC was significantly (p0.01) higher in does detected by BG (3.16±0.25 ng/ml) than by FVI (0.68±0.22 ng/ml). P4 was higher in autumn and winter than spring and summer of does detected by BG, while does detected by FVI, P4 was higher in winter than the other seasons. So, BG has an effect on quality of estrus. It could be concluded that although the presence of BG, but was not able to detect does in silent estrus which was higher in spring than in autumn. FVI device contributed by 32.89 % in ED in periods BG was inactive in it, hence FVI could be easily applied in animal farms for overcome silent estrous problem and increase reproductive capacity in the flock. Not all Damascus does goat showed their EA allover year round, but the preferable period of EA was in autumn and winter and not in spring or summer. Full arborization was associated with the watery mucus, K, P, Cu and P4 1.0 ng during estrus phase.

ABSTRACT Control of estrus is essential for the efficiency of any breeding program in animal farms, artificial insemination, hand mating and predicting parturition dates. A total of 18 adult does were used to study estrous activity (EA) detected by a buck goat (BG) and frequent vaginal inspection (FVI) device and its association with cervical mucus (CM) characteristics and progesterone (P4) profile allover year round. All does were housed in semi-open pens under Upper-Egypt climatic conditions, fed maintenance ration (0.8 – 1.2 Kg dry matter/day/animal) and exposed to 2 fertile males 2 times/day for 1/2 h. for estrous detection (ED). A doe that stands and to be mounted by BG is in "estrus" while a doe that in estrus and the estrus was not detected by BG was calculated as "silent estrus or silent ovulation". Cervical mucus of both does was withdrawn by vaginal speculum to determine the physical characteristics; color, texture, elasticity, pH and volume as well as the mineral elements; Na, K, Cl, P, Cu and Zn. Estrous cycles (EC) were classified to 3 types; normal (17 - 26 d.), long (> 26 d.) and short ( 17 d.). Quantitative and qualitative variables were statistically analyzed by GLM and Chi-square test procedures, respectively, as well as Duncan's test. Results revealed that estrus detected by BG was significantly (P0.05) higher in autumn (78/86, 90.70 %) than in spring (3/11, 27.27 %). While estrus detected by FVI was higher in spring (8/11, 72.73 %) than in autumn (8/86, 9.30 %). Total number and percent estrus detected throughout the year was significantly (P0.01) higher in does detected by BG (151, 67.11 %) than that detected by FVI (74, 32.89 %). Normal EC was significantly higher in does detected by BG than by FVI, while short and long EC were higher in does detected by FVI than by BG. Estrous duration was significantly (p0.01) longer of does detected by BG than by FVI, and most estruses occurred in morning. CM color was fluctuated between watery-milky during estrus and creamy during post-estrus of both does. CM texture, elasticity, and volume were more pronounced in the estrus detected by BG than by FVI. CM pH increased relatively in the estrus detected by BG than by FVI. Full arborization was observed with the watery mucus during estrus than post-estrus of both does. Mean Na concentration was significantly (p0.05) higher in post-estrus than in estrus of does detected by BG than by FVI. Mean K, P and Cu concentrations were not significantly influenced by ED device, but K and P rose relatively in estrus than post-estrous of does, while Cu was the same value during estrus and post-estrous phases. Mean Cl and Zn were significantly (p0.05) influenced by ED device, Cl was higher in estrus than post-estrus, while Zn was higher during estrous of does detected by BG than by FVI. Significant (P0.01) negative and positive correlations were found between K and P, and K and Cu, respectively during estrus. While there was positive significant (P0.05) correlation between Na and K during post-estrus Mean P4 concentration of EC was significantly (p0.01) higher in does detected by BG (3.16±0.25 ng/ml) than by FVI (0.68±0.22 ng/ml). P4 was higher in autumn and winter than spring and summer of does detected by BG, while does detected by FVI, P4 was higher in winter than the other seasons. So, BG has an effect on quality of estrus. It could be concluded that although the presence of BG, but was not able to detect does in silent estrus which was higher in spring than in autumn. FVI device contributed by 32.89 % in ED in periods BG was inactive in it, hence FVI could be easily applied in animal farms for overcome silent estrous problem and increase reproductive capacity in the flock. Not all Damascus does goat showed their EA allover year round, but the preferable period of EA was in autumn and winter and not in spring or summer. Full arborization was associated with the watery mucus, K, P, Cu and P4 1.0 ng during estrus phase.

Among the plants which are determined to be a promising source of anticarcenogenic agents are members of Agavaceae family which are common in tropical and subtropical regions such as Egypt. In this study, cytotoxic activity were assessed for the methanolic extracts and fractions from five members of Agavaceae family: Sansevieria cylindrica Bojer., Polianthes tuberosa L., Sansevieria trifasciata Prain., Yucca filamentosa L. and Furcraea watsoniana Hort. against MCF-7 (breast), HepG-2 (hepatoma), and Caco-2 (colon) cancer cell lines by MTT method. The n-hexane fraction of P. tuberosa leaves extract demonstrated strong cytotoxic potential against all three cancer cell lines (CC5020 µg/ml). The ethyl acetate fractions of Y. filamentosa and F. watsoniana leaves significantly inhibited proliferation of hepatocellular HepG-2 (CC50 = 6.21 µg/ml and 19.07 µg/ml, respectively) and intestinal epithelium Caco-2 carcinoma cells (CC50 = 18.86 µg/ml and 23.25 µg/ml, respectively). Presumably, the cytotoxic activity exhibited by n-hexane fraction of P. tuberosa, ethyl acetate fractions of Y. filamentosa and F. watsoniana may be related to the steroidal saponins that are present in these samples.

Among the plants which are determined to be a promising source of anticarcenogenic agents are members of Agavaceae family which are common in tropical and subtropical regions such as Egypt. In this study, cytotoxic activity were assessed for the methanolic extracts and fractions from five members of Agavaceae family: Sansevieria cylindrica Bojer., Polianthes tuberosa L., Sansevieria trifasciata Prain., Yucca filamentosa L. and Furcraea watsoniana Hort. against MCF-7 (breast), HepG-2 (hepatoma), and Caco-2 (colon) cancer cell lines by MTT method. The n-hexane fraction of P. tuberosa leaves extract demonstrated strong cytotoxic potential against all three cancer cell lines (CC5020 µg/ml). The ethyl acetate fractions of Y. filamentosa and F. watsoniana leaves significantly inhibited proliferation of hepatocellular HepG-2 (CC50 = 6.21 µg/ml and 19.07 µg/ml, respectively) and intestinal epithelium Caco-2 carcinoma cells (CC50 = 18.86 µg/ml and 23.25 µg/ml, respectively). Presumably, the cytotoxic activity exhibited by n-hexane fraction of P. tuberosa, ethyl acetate fractions of Y. filamentosa and F. watsoniana may be related to the steroidal saponins that are present in these samples.