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 Cervical mucus of both does was withdrawn by vaginal speculum to determine the physical characteristics; color, texture, elasticity, pH and volume as well as the mineral elements; Na, K, Cl, P, Cu and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.

Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

Abstract A study of molecular variation among Botrytis spp., the causal pathogen of scape and umbel blights of onion, as well as the biocontrol of the virulent pathogen using Bacillus subtilis PHYS7 under greenhouse conditions was carried out. Twenty-three isolates of Botrytis spp. were recovered from onion plants showing umbel blight symptoms. They were able to infect onion plants with varied severity. All Botrytis spp. produced cellulases; owever, almost all of them produced pectinase. The highest activities of cellulases and pectinase were achieved by B. allii PHYOA1; however, B. cinerea PHYOC3 showed a high activity of cellulases but it failed to produce pectinase. the genetic variability among the pathogens was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, using 5 random 10-mer primers: OPA03, OPA05, OPA06, OPI09, and OPW15. The results showed that 50 DNA bands ranging from 100 bp (OPA03) to 1600 bp (OPA05) were generated by the 5 primers that differentiated 9 isolates of Botrytis spp. The dual culture test showed that Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 and PHYS78 had a high ntagonistic potentiality against the pathogen and involved in 60–62% reduction in its growth. Application of Ridomil Gold MZ and Bacillus subtilis PHYS77 on onion plants, 2 days after or before infection with the pathogen, significantly reduced the disease severity than the control. The study approved the molecular tool as a reliable and quick method to differentiate among the virulent and non-virulent strains of Botrytis spp. The application of B. subtilis PHYS77 as an effective biocontrol agent in the management of the onion blight disease can be recommended.

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