Egg production, one of the most important economic traits of chickens, is largely regulated by interactions of
genetic, endocrine, and environmental factors. Gut microbiota is the main environmental factor that is closely
related to egg production. However, the key gut microbiota affecting egg production is still unknown. Therefore,
Golden Montazah (GM) chickens (Rhode Island Red × Dokki-4 chickens) of 44 weeks of age were housed
separately. After keeping track of egg laying for 90 consecutive days, 10 laying hens were selected for the H
group (with a higher egg laying rate) based on the laying level, and 10 laying hens were assigned to the L group
(with a lower egg laying rate). Grossly, the number of eggs (P < 0.0001) and the number of hierarchical follicles
(P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the ovaries of high egg production chickens. HE staining results indicated
that the granulosa cell thickness of large white follicles (LWFs) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in high
egg production chickens. 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that the relative abundance of Firmicutes
was higher both in the ileum and cecum of high egg production chickens, yet the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was higher in the ileum of low egg production chickens. Further, Spearman correlation analysis
indicated that the relative abundance of cecal Lachnoclostridium was positively correlated with the egg number
and hierarchical follicle number, while the relative abundance of ileal Olsenella was significantly (P < 0.05) and
positively correlated with the egg number. Yet the relative abundance of cecal Collinsella was significantly (P <
0.05) and negatively correlated with the egg number. Our findings indicated that gut microbiota is associated
with the egg-laying performance of chickens.

Pregnancy and lactation is a critical period for rabbit production. Estrogen (E2) and estrogen receptors
alpha (ERA) are essential during pregnancy and lactation and their importance stems from their
role in ovarian activities. Despite extensive research into the roles of E2 and its receptors in the
ovary, cellular distribution of ERA in the rabbit ovary during pregnancy, after parturition and during
lactation remained unexpectedly elusive. To achieve this aim, eighteen healthy sexually mature New
Zealand white rabbit does (2.97 ± 0.2 kg) were raised in the animal house, faculty of medicine, Assiut
University. The females rabbit were mated by fertile bucks; the day of mating as was considered Day 0
of pregnancy. Ovaries were collected at 12 h, 3, 7, 14 days post-mating, at parturition and at 10 days of
lactation and fixed then processed for immunohistochemistry of ERA. In the present study, the cellular
distribution of ERA in the rabbit ovary during pregnancy, postpartum and during lactation revealed
moderate ERA immunolocalization in the ovarian surface epithelial cells, stroma cells, fibroblast cells
of the tunica albuginea, and follicular cells of the primordial and primary follicles. The growing and
small antral follicles showed strong cytoplasmic and nuclear ERA immunolocalization in the granulosa
cells and theca folliculi cells. The large antral (graafian) and pre-ovulatory follicles showed moderate to
strong ERA immunolocalization in the granulosa cells, corona radiata cells, cumulus oopherous cells,
oocyte, theca interna cells and theca externa cells. The atretic antral follicle showed strong cytoplasmic
and negative nuclear ERA immunolocalization in the apoptotic granulosa cells and strong cytoplasmic
and nuclear ERA immunolocalization in the proliferated theca interna cells. The endothelial cells of the
ovarian blood vessels, the interstitial gland cells and telocytes showed strong cytoplasmic and nuclear
ERA immunolocalization. The corpus luteum (CL) during pregnancy till parturition showed moderate to
strong ERA immunolocalization in the large lutein cells, small lutein cells and luteal endothelial cells.
The regressed CL in the rabbit ovary 10 days of lactation showed weak ERA immunolocalization in the
regressed large lutein cells and moderate cytoplasmic and negative nuclear ERA immunolocalization
in the small lutein cells. Interestingly, the rabbit ovary during lactation showed abundant interstitial
gland with strong ERA immunolocalization in the interstitial gland cells. This work highlights the
role of ERA in the ovulation, folliculogenesis, lutenization and luteal regression in the rabbit during
pregnancy and lactation which contribute to enhancing this animal’s reproductive success.

This study is the first attempt to examine the effects of NETA on immune cells and telocytes. The
results of this study form an important knowledge base for the development of new information
on the mechanism of contraceptive action of NETA in the uterus. Norethisterone acetate (NETA) is
a synthetic progestogen medication commonly utilized in birth control pills, menopausal hormone
therapy, and for curing abnormal uterine bleeding and endometriosis. Furthermore NETA has many
beneficial uses in veterinary medicine as control and synchronization of estrous cycle. The impact
of NETA on the endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), telocytes, and uterine immune cells is not well
understood. Therefore, this study focuses on assessing changes in uterine immune cells, ESCs, and
telocytes following exposure to NETA in albino rats. To achieve this objective, fourteen adult female
albino rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and an NETA-treated group. Rats
in the control group received daily pelleted food, water, and were oral administered of 2 ml distilled
water. In contrast, rats in the NETA-treated group received daily pelleted food, water, and were
orally administered 20 μg of NETA dissolved in 2 ml distilled water. The experiment spanned three
weeks. The findings of this study revealed that NETA usage increases the infiltration and activity of
immune cells (eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and mast cells). Furthermore,
it enhances the vesicular activity of uterine telocytes and their communication with various immune
cells. NETA also influences decidualization and the immunoexpression of progesterone receptors in
uterine epithelial and immune cells. This study concludes that the primary mechanism by which NETA
controls pregnancy is through decidual (pregnancy-like) effects or improper decidualization, which
inhibits fertilization and implantation respectively. Our research provides evidence of the contraceptive
mechanism of NETA from an immunological perspective in an animal model.

Background

Saidi sheep are one of the most important farm animals in Upper Egypt, particularly in the Assiut
governorate. Since they can provide meat, milk, fiber, and skins from low-quality roughages, sheep are among the
most economically valuable animals bred for food in Egypt. Regarding breeding, relatively little is known about the
Saidi breed. In mammals, the uterus is a crucial reproductive organ. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to provide
further details on the histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses of superoxide dismutase 2
(SOD2), glutathione reductase (GR), and progesterone receptor alpha (PRA) as well as terminal deoxynucleotidyl
transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling assay (TUNEL) of the uterus during the follicular phase of estrous cycle in
Saidi sheep. Thus, 11 healthy Saidi ewes (38.5 ± 2.03 kg weight) ranging in age from 2 to 5 years were used to examine
the histological changes in the uterus.
Results

In Saidi sheep, the uterine histological and immunological picture during the follicular phase of the estrous
cycle was characterized by epithelial and stromal proliferation and apoptosis. Leucocytic recruitment (lymphocytes,
plasma, and mast cells) was also observed. Uterine gland adenogenesis, vascular angiogenesis, oxidative marker
expression, and PRA expression in the muscles, stroma, and epithelium were the most noticeable features of the
follicular phase.
Conclusion

This study provides new evidence of the role of PRA, SOD2, GR, and mast cells in controlling uterine
epithelial proliferation and apoptosis in the Saidi sheep during the follicular phase of the estrus cycle. These findings
have growing significance in understanding the key mechanisms that characterize successful reproduction and
enhancing the fertility and reproductive efficiency in Saidi Sheep.

Plasma-activated water (PAW) is a new technology applied in biomedical research, agriculture, and the food industry. However, its safety and long-term effects require further investigation. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the impact of PAW oral gavage on body weight, food intake, behavior (tail suspension test and open field test), internal organs relative weight, blood biochemical indicators, intestinal microbiota and liver and kidney histopathology in 10-week-old female mice (n = 30). Mice were divided into three groups each containing 10 mice received orally (gastric lavage) either distilled water (DW), or DW exposed to cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) for 3 min (PAW-3), or 15 min (PAW-15) a dose of 200 μl/mice (3 times/week) for 4 weeks. Compared with the DW, the results showed that both PAW-3 and PAW-15 significantly increased urea concentration (P = 0.044). The PAW-3 group showed a significantly higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.043), and higher lactobacilli count (P = 0.002). However, PAW-15 showed significantly higher alkaline phosphatase levels (P = 0.039), and a significantly lower coliform count (P < 0.001). No significant differences (P > 0.05) in body weight, food intake, organ relative weights, behavior tests, or major biochemical parameters were observed. Liver and kidney tissues in PAW-treated groups, particularly PAW-15, exhibited severe pathological changes, including hepatocellular necrosis, glomerular atrophy, interstitial inflammation, and tubular degeneration, indicating substantial organ damage associated with PAW exposure. In conclusion, PAW's impact on biochemical markers, microbiota, and organ health raises safety concerns, warranting further long-term studies.

Background

Biomass burning presents significant environmental and health problems worldwide. Health effects on broilers (as an animal model) exposed to intensive maize stover burning (MSB) were studied. Carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were estimated during the MSB season. Sixty apparently healthy broilers from 12 farms were included for blood-gas analysis, bilirubin, and liver enzyme analysis. In addition, histopathological changes of the lung, liver, and heart were investigated.

Results

Highly significant differences for CO and PM2.5 levels, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) values during MSB season were found compared to burning free events which resulted in higher incidence of blood coagulation and cardiovascular diseases risk. Highly significant elevations of liver enzymes were verified during MSB. Respiratory function was significantly decreased due to airway obstruction accompanied by severe tissue damage including pulmonary fibrosis (39%) and metaplasia. Pulmonary and hepatic blood vessel embolisms were indicative of systemic embolic phenomena.

Conclusion

The study highlighted the substantial health risk and a threat to air quality from one season exposure to leftover straw burning. Agriculture waste burning should be banned by legislation to restore the environment and protect health.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) are increasingly regarded as a promising alternative to conventional zinc sources in broilers nutrition due to their superior bioavailability and multiple functional benefits. This review reported the role of ZONPs in enhancing broilers’ health and performance, including improvements in growth rate, behavioral responses, meat quality, physiological functions, and biochemical markers, as well as their application to control coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis and footpad dermatitis. Their strong antimicrobial properties against key broiler pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E.coli) also improve gut health and food safety. Moreover, the efficient absorption of ZONPs leads to reduced zinc excretion, thus lowering the environmental burden commonly associated with traditional zinc supplementation. Despite these advantages, the potential risks of ZONPs should not be overlooked. Factors such as nanoparticle size, concentration, and duration of exposure influence their safety profile. While several studies report no significant organ toxicity, concerns remain regarding possible long-term effects on vital organs including the liver, kidneys, and reproductive system. Additionally, inconsistent findings and a lack of standardized safety assessments require more comprehensive research. This review provided a balanced overview of ZONPs in broiler feed, highlighting their promising benefits and associated risks.

Tallaga cheese is the most popular type of white soft cheese in Egypt. Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen that poses a threat to the health of almost every age group, with a particular emphasis on neonates and infants. Essential oils (EOs), such as olive oil and thyme oil, exhibit a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect. However, few studies have investigated the antibacterial activity of these EOs and their formulated nanoemulsions (NEs)—olive oil nano-emulsions (ONE) and thyme oil nano-emulsions (TNE)—on C. sakazakii in cheese to date. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of these EOs and their NEs on the development of C. sakazakii during the processing and storage of Tallaga cheese. Additionally, the organoleptic properties of the resulting cheese were evaluated. Herein, ONE and TNE were prepared and characterized using a zetasizer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of EOs and NEs were determined using well diffusion assay. Fresh buffalo's milk for the elaboration of Tallaga cheese was inoculated with C. sakazakii at a concentration of 6 log CFU/mL, along with the addition of MICs of either EOs or NEs. The obtained results showed that the MICs were 15 mg/mL (v/v) for either olive oil, thyme oil, ONE and TNE with diameter inhibition zones of 10.3 ± 0.5, 13.3 ± 1.7, 12.3 ± 0.5, and 16 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. In addition, NEs exhibited high antibacterial activities against C. sakazakii in comparison to pure EOs. Particularly, the strongest antibacterial effect toward C. sakazakii was reported with TNE during manufacturing and storage of Tallaga cheese. Overall, these results suggest that thyme and its NEs have the potential to prevent bacterial contamination by C. sakazakii in the dairy industry.